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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and Just Tours. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (80s tropes, romance)
Publisher: Blink
Pages: 299
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A mashup of Groundhog Day and Pretty in Pink, the book stars a senior who is forced to relive the first day at her new school in an endless loop. Andie is convinced she needs true love's kiss to break the curse, but instead discovers how a high school filled with cliques and misfits can find common ground despite everyone's differences.
Review: I felt like for an adult who has lived with and through the classic 80s films this would be a cute book to read. It definitely possess the feel those classic films had and it has a ton of throwbacks. For the most part the characters were well developed and the plot was interesting.
However, there’s an issue with this book. There’s a seriously lack of diversity in this book. This is something that has been complained about the classic films for decades now and to see it replicated in a book that isn’t even published yet is sad. The book’s primary target seems to be adults that read YA rather than YA themselves. The messages and tropes are completely outdated compared to how teenhood is now and I just feel that this book really needed to consult with some actual teens on what is considered pressing issues in their daily lives.
Verdict: Good book, but outdated for today’s youth.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (80s tropes, romance)
Publisher: Blink
Pages: 299
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A mashup of Groundhog Day and Pretty in Pink, the book stars a senior who is forced to relive the first day at her new school in an endless loop. Andie is convinced she needs true love's kiss to break the curse, but instead discovers how a high school filled with cliques and misfits can find common ground despite everyone's differences.
Review: I felt like for an adult who has lived with and through the classic 80s films this would be a cute book to read. It definitely possess the feel those classic films had and it has a ton of throwbacks. For the most part the characters were well developed and the plot was interesting.
However, there’s an issue with this book. There’s a seriously lack of diversity in this book. This is something that has been complained about the classic films for decades now and to see it replicated in a book that isn’t even published yet is sad. The book’s primary target seems to be adults that read YA rather than YA themselves. The messages and tropes are completely outdated compared to how teenhood is now and I just feel that this book really needed to consult with some actual teens on what is considered pressing issues in their daily lives.
Verdict: Good book, but outdated for today’s youth.
Disclaimer: I received this from NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: March 12, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (gore, blood, murder, violence, animal violence, curses, witchcraft)
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Princess Aurelia is a prisoner to her crown and the heir that nobody wants. Surrounded by spirits and banned from using her blood-magic, Aurelia flees her country after a devastating assassination attempt. To escape her fate, Aurelia disguises herself as a commoner in a new land and discovers a happiness her crown has never allowed. As she forges new bonds and perfects her magic, she begins to fall for a man who is forbidden to rule beside her.
But the ghosts that haunt Aurelia refuse to abandon her, and she finds herself succumbing to their call as they expose a nefarious plot that only she can defeat. Will she be forced to choose between the weight of the crown and the freedom of her new life?
Review: For the most part I thought this book was really good! The plot was intriguing and I really liked the magic system. I thought the world building was really well done and this book was very well paced. I felt like I could really get into this world if there were more books in the series.
However, I do have a couple of complaints about this book. I felt that the characters, aside from the main, weren’t that well developed. Some were actually downright forgettable until the end. I felt that the book didn’t explain all the aspects of the world and while it was built beautifully I still had questions at the end. I felt that the ending was rushed as well.
Verdict: A strong, solid release for 2019.
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: March 12, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (gore, blood, murder, violence, animal violence, curses, witchcraft)
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Princess Aurelia is a prisoner to her crown and the heir that nobody wants. Surrounded by spirits and banned from using her blood-magic, Aurelia flees her country after a devastating assassination attempt. To escape her fate, Aurelia disguises herself as a commoner in a new land and discovers a happiness her crown has never allowed. As she forges new bonds and perfects her magic, she begins to fall for a man who is forbidden to rule beside her.
But the ghosts that haunt Aurelia refuse to abandon her, and she finds herself succumbing to their call as they expose a nefarious plot that only she can defeat. Will she be forced to choose between the weight of the crown and the freedom of her new life?
Review: For the most part I thought this book was really good! The plot was intriguing and I really liked the magic system. I thought the world building was really well done and this book was very well paced. I felt like I could really get into this world if there were more books in the series.
However, I do have a couple of complaints about this book. I felt that the characters, aside from the main, weren’t that well developed. Some were actually downright forgettable until the end. I felt that the book didn’t explain all the aspects of the world and while it was built beautifully I still had questions at the end. I felt that the ending was rushed as well.
Verdict: A strong, solid release for 2019.
Disclaimer: My husband gave me this book because he loves me <3.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 28, 2014
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, death, gore, trigger warnings for suicide and rape)
Publisher: Del Ray
Pages: 382
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "I live for the dream that my children will be born free," she says. "That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them."
"I live for you," I say sadly.
Eo kisses my cheek. "Then you must live for more."
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.
Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.
Review: Okay so for the most part I really liked this book. I loved the world that Pierce Brown was able to weave and it really flowed effortlessly. The character development was amazing and the book was so interesting. The plot was amazing and there wasn’t really any dull moments in the book.
My only downside to it is that the book took forever for me to get into it. My personal preference is to have the world building based somewhat on reality and this book is really an epic sci-fi. It took a bit for me to get into it, but that’s just personal preference.
Verdict: This book is an amazing book for those who are hardcore sci-fi readers and even for those who want to try epic sci-fi books!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 28, 2014
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, death, gore, trigger warnings for suicide and rape)
Publisher: Del Ray
Pages: 382
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "I live for the dream that my children will be born free," she says. "That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them."
"I live for you," I say sadly.
Eo kisses my cheek. "Then you must live for more."
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.
Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.
Review: Okay so for the most part I really liked this book. I loved the world that Pierce Brown was able to weave and it really flowed effortlessly. The character development was amazing and the book was so interesting. The plot was amazing and there wasn’t really any dull moments in the book.
My only downside to it is that the book took forever for me to get into it. My personal preference is to have the world building based somewhat on reality and this book is really an epic sci-fi. It took a bit for me to get into it, but that’s just personal preference.
Verdict: This book is an amazing book for those who are hardcore sci-fi readers and even for those who want to try epic sci-fi books!
Disclaimer: I received this book through KidLitExchange and the publishing company. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 25, 2018
Genre: MG Mystery
Recommended Age: 12+ (mystery, some spooky moments)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 272
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Denise Farber has just moved back to New Orleans with her mom and step-dad. They left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and have finally returned, wagering the last of their family's money on fixing up an old, rundown house and converting it to a bed and breakfast.Nothing seems to work around the place, which doesn't seem too weird to Denise. The unexplained noises are a little more out of the ordinary, but again, nothing too unusual. But when floors collapse, deadly objects rain down, and she hears creepy voices, it's clear to Denise that something more sinister lurks hidden here.Answers may lie in an old comic book Denise finds concealed in the attic: the lost, final project of a famous artist who disappeared in the 1950s. Denise isn't budging from her new home, so she must unravel the mystery-on the pages and off-if she and her family are to survive...
Review: For the most part this book was cute and enjoyable. The book had a good mystery in it and the characters are fairly well developed. The story is engaging as well and it would be a cute mystery for younger readers.
However, I didn’t like how the book brought up the topic of white people coming in to “white up” the neighborhood but didn’t go anywhere with it. It seemed like the book could have done better on some of the more social conscious issues but it failed to push those. Instead the book pushed random/unimportant aspects to the point where I felt that it was just trying to fill the book.
Verdict: A cute mystery.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 25, 2018
Genre: MG Mystery
Recommended Age: 12+ (mystery, some spooky moments)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 272
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Denise Farber has just moved back to New Orleans with her mom and step-dad. They left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and have finally returned, wagering the last of their family's money on fixing up an old, rundown house and converting it to a bed and breakfast.Nothing seems to work around the place, which doesn't seem too weird to Denise. The unexplained noises are a little more out of the ordinary, but again, nothing too unusual. But when floors collapse, deadly objects rain down, and she hears creepy voices, it's clear to Denise that something more sinister lurks hidden here.Answers may lie in an old comic book Denise finds concealed in the attic: the lost, final project of a famous artist who disappeared in the 1950s. Denise isn't budging from her new home, so she must unravel the mystery-on the pages and off-if she and her family are to survive...
Review: For the most part this book was cute and enjoyable. The book had a good mystery in it and the characters are fairly well developed. The story is engaging as well and it would be a cute mystery for younger readers.
However, I didn’t like how the book brought up the topic of white people coming in to “white up” the neighborhood but didn’t go anywhere with it. It seemed like the book could have done better on some of the more social conscious issues but it failed to push those. Instead the book pushed random/unimportant aspects to the point where I felt that it was just trying to fill the book.
Verdict: A cute mystery.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 30, 2018
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance)
Publisher: Indie Author
Pages: 371
Amazon Link
Synopsis: What if you are my dream?
I’m Good Girl Mia. At least that’s what my brother called me before my kidney killed him…
Four years later I’m still trying to do penance for that single act of failure until all my promises fly out the door when a beautiful musician saunters into my life.
Derek Waters and his band have just signed on with a major record label and are touring the country. He has his own set of baggage that he hides behind a huge smile and a famous Johnny Cash quote.
Derek says he isn’t into sex just for sex, and yet he’s also told me that he can’t leave unless I come with him. I’m a little confused, but I find myself unable to say no to Derek and the adventure he promises me.
I’m hoping this three-week trip will help us both find a way to live with ourselves. To forgive ourselves. But I’m afraid that we’ll be left more broken than before.
From award winning author, LJ Evans, comes a novel inspired by Ed Sheeran love songs about forgiveness, love, and healing.
Review: So I read these books in quick succession lol and I feel that this book holds a lot of the same great qualities from the first book over into this one. The characters are deep and complex, they make you want to learn more about them and root for them. The world building was amazing and the book was just as great as the first book.
The only downside is again that I found the characters tiring with the drama and sappiness after awhile, but that’s just me.
Verdict: An adorable romance!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 30, 2018
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance)
Publisher: Indie Author
Pages: 371
Amazon Link
Synopsis: What if you are my dream?
I’m Good Girl Mia. At least that’s what my brother called me before my kidney killed him…
Four years later I’m still trying to do penance for that single act of failure until all my promises fly out the door when a beautiful musician saunters into my life.
Derek Waters and his band have just signed on with a major record label and are touring the country. He has his own set of baggage that he hides behind a huge smile and a famous Johnny Cash quote.
Derek says he isn’t into sex just for sex, and yet he’s also told me that he can’t leave unless I come with him. I’m a little confused, but I find myself unable to say no to Derek and the adventure he promises me.
I’m hoping this three-week trip will help us both find a way to live with ourselves. To forgive ourselves. But I’m afraid that we’ll be left more broken than before.
From award winning author, LJ Evans, comes a novel inspired by Ed Sheeran love songs about forgiveness, love, and healing.
Review: So I read these books in quick succession lol and I feel that this book holds a lot of the same great qualities from the first book over into this one. The characters are deep and complex, they make you want to learn more about them and root for them. The world building was amazing and the book was just as great as the first book.
The only downside is again that I found the characters tiring with the drama and sappiness after awhile, but that’s just me.
Verdict: An adorable romance!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date:
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance)
Publisher: Indie Author
Pages: 400
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "They took broken and made it art."
SETH
I’m a trash artist.
I’m a recovering alcoholic.
I’m a rude bastard.
It’s why I was better of alone until feisty blogger PJ Hensley entered my life with her fairy-like quality. Suddenly I couldn’t imagine a life without her in it. And when she loved me and left me, it was what I expected but it isn’t what I wanted.
And because I couldn’t just let her go, I’ve spent the last five months writing her letters trying to convince her to come home even though I know she won’t. I don’t deserve for her to come back.
PJ
I was ignoring my screwed up past and a bunch of stalker like texts while focusing on graduating college. The last thing I needed was a moody trash artist entering my world. But like all things Seth, he entered my life anyway with an intensity and focus that left me breathless.
And when the summer collided into one big mess, I ran. To try to heal. To try and escape.
But Seth’s letters are tearing at my soul and slowly reeling me back in. He’s almost convinced me that he can weld our lives back together into something beautiful.
Almost…
Review: Again, another great book and now I can say that I have finally finished the series! I absolutely loved this series from beginning to end and I think it was absolutely amazing. The characters were very deep and developed, the plot was interesting, and the world building was just as great.
Again with the sappiness and all the clichés, but I can live with it for this series.
Verdict: A cute cute cute romance!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date:
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance)
Publisher: Indie Author
Pages: 400
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "They took broken and made it art."
SETH
I’m a trash artist.
I’m a recovering alcoholic.
I’m a rude bastard.
It’s why I was better of alone until feisty blogger PJ Hensley entered my life with her fairy-like quality. Suddenly I couldn’t imagine a life without her in it. And when she loved me and left me, it was what I expected but it isn’t what I wanted.
And because I couldn’t just let her go, I’ve spent the last five months writing her letters trying to convince her to come home even though I know she won’t. I don’t deserve for her to come back.
PJ
I was ignoring my screwed up past and a bunch of stalker like texts while focusing on graduating college. The last thing I needed was a moody trash artist entering my world. But like all things Seth, he entered my life anyway with an intensity and focus that left me breathless.
And when the summer collided into one big mess, I ran. To try to heal. To try and escape.
But Seth’s letters are tearing at my soul and slowly reeling me back in. He’s almost convinced me that he can weld our lives back together into something beautiful.
Almost…
Review: Again, another great book and now I can say that I have finally finished the series! I absolutely loved this series from beginning to end and I think it was absolutely amazing. The characters were very deep and developed, the plot was interesting, and the world building was just as great.
Again with the sappiness and all the clichés, but I can live with it for this series.
Verdict: A cute cute cute romance!
Disclaimer: I bought this on my own accord! Yay me! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 13, 2015
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, cute moments, the selection ending)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 416
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The contents of Happily Ever After are as follows:
-The Prince (with the two bonus chapters), Maxon’s novella
-The Guard, Aspen’s novella
-The Queen, Amberly’s novella
-The Favorite, Marlee’s novella
-Three scenes from Celeste’s POV
-Lucy’s scene (bonus scene from The One)
-The bonus epilogue
-Where are they now?
-A map
-Various illustrations
Review: I’m so so sad to see the end of The Selection series. Like bawling! I loved the extras Kiera included. It really added depth to all of the side characters and I’d love to read more about them. Also there were pictures!!! Like omg!
I do feel that the book could have done better at Aspen’s story, I feel that it was a bit abrupt. I also feel that Lucy didn’t get enough attention. But maybe we’ll eventually see a TV series or another book!
Verdict: I miss this series!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 13, 2015
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, cute moments, the selection ending)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 416
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The contents of Happily Ever After are as follows:
-The Prince (with the two bonus chapters), Maxon’s novella
-The Guard, Aspen’s novella
-The Queen, Amberly’s novella
-The Favorite, Marlee’s novella
-Three scenes from Celeste’s POV
-Lucy’s scene (bonus scene from The One)
-The bonus epilogue
-Where are they now?
-A map
-Various illustrations
Review: I’m so so sad to see the end of The Selection series. Like bawling! I loved the extras Kiera included. It really added depth to all of the side characters and I’d love to read more about them. Also there were pictures!!! Like omg!
I do feel that the book could have done better at Aspen’s story, I feel that it was a bit abrupt. I also feel that Lucy didn’t get enough attention. But maybe we’ll eventually see a TV series or another book!
Verdict: I miss this series!
Disclaimer: I got this book in an Owlcrate subscription (aka I bought it on my own lol). All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 22, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (some sexual content and language)
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Pages: 389
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden.
Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine—called Mare—the sister of her betrothed.
When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two become closer, Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. And soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.
But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms—and each other.
Review: Holy crap what can I say about this book? I instantly feel in love with the novel from the beginning. The characters were very well developed and likable. The world building was fantastic. The book didn’t have unnecessary drama, the main characters were very thoughtful of each other and they came to logical conclusions. The writing was fantastic and the pace was very well done. I also have the praise the book on being one of the very very few to be a lesbian romance ya fantasy book in a genre that’s dominated by straight romances. It was very refreshing (and very hot!)
My only complaint is that I felt that we missed some of the development with the side characters and there were a ton of characters in a short novel. It felt a tad overwhelming, but not much. I also hated having the book end and I wish that book 2 could be here ASAP!
Verdict: Fantastic amazing lesbian romance and fantasy book! Loved it!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 22, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (some sexual content and language)
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Pages: 389
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden.
Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine—called Mare—the sister of her betrothed.
When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two become closer, Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. And soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.
But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms—and each other.
Review: Holy crap what can I say about this book? I instantly feel in love with the novel from the beginning. The characters were very well developed and likable. The world building was fantastic. The book didn’t have unnecessary drama, the main characters were very thoughtful of each other and they came to logical conclusions. The writing was fantastic and the pace was very well done. I also have the praise the book on being one of the very very few to be a lesbian romance ya fantasy book in a genre that’s dominated by straight romances. It was very refreshing (and very hot!)
My only complaint is that I felt that we missed some of the development with the side characters and there were a ton of characters in a short novel. It felt a tad overwhelming, but not much. I also hated having the book end and I wish that book 2 could be here ASAP!
Verdict: Fantastic amazing lesbian romance and fantasy book! Loved it!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from TheNovl. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 19, 2019
Genre: Contemporary
Recommended Age: 12+ (some language and some very strong violent situations. The hint of sexual content and the knowledge that this could actually happen)
Publisher: Little, Brown
Pages: 381
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Rebellions are built on hope.
Set in a horrifying near-future United States, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens.
With the help of newly made friends also trapped within the internment camp, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unexpected alliance, Layla begins a journey to fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the internment camp's Director and his guards.
Heart-racing and emotional, Internment challenges readers to fight complicit silence that exists in our society today.
Review: Holy crap. If you are a fan of The Hate U Give then you will DEFINITELY love this book! It’s the new must read of 2019. The book does well at constructing a world in which Muslim American citizens are put in internment camps (which unfortunately isn’t that far off from the reality we live in due to some of the politicians we have). If you’re new to the term internment, it’s basically a camp that America set up in the 1940s during WW2 to keep Japanese American citizens away from the other populace. Our grandfathers imprisoned innocent men, women, and children in these camps because they feared who they were based on their skin and birth. The book combines this and other past events that evil members of society have done to create a realistic/scary future that could make Muslim American citizens the next ones to live behind bars just for their belief and skin and birth (past events being the internment of Japanese American citizens, the imprisonment and dehumanization of Jewish, Native Americans, etc.). I thought the book also did well in terms of writing and character development. The side characters are just as intriguing and heart breaking as the main character is and the pacing is well done throughout the novel. I also felt that the book had a really good message of being mindful about politics and who you vote for and that if you feel that something is wrong, then resist it. America wasn’t founded by law abiding citizens, so don’t let what the law tells you is “right” determine what you think is right.
My only complaint is that the novel kind of ended abruptly and I wanted to know more about what happened to those that were moved to a harsher camp than the one present in the novel. I wanted to see more of Layla after internment ended and I wanted to know everything is okay. But I know in my heart that even at the end of the novel, nothing will ever be the same again.
Verdict: An amazing book that’s worthy to stand next to The Hate U Give.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 19, 2019
Genre: Contemporary
Recommended Age: 12+ (some language and some very strong violent situations. The hint of sexual content and the knowledge that this could actually happen)
Publisher: Little, Brown
Pages: 381
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Rebellions are built on hope.
Set in a horrifying near-future United States, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens.
With the help of newly made friends also trapped within the internment camp, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unexpected alliance, Layla begins a journey to fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the internment camp's Director and his guards.
Heart-racing and emotional, Internment challenges readers to fight complicit silence that exists in our society today.
Review: Holy crap. If you are a fan of The Hate U Give then you will DEFINITELY love this book! It’s the new must read of 2019. The book does well at constructing a world in which Muslim American citizens are put in internment camps (which unfortunately isn’t that far off from the reality we live in due to some of the politicians we have). If you’re new to the term internment, it’s basically a camp that America set up in the 1940s during WW2 to keep Japanese American citizens away from the other populace. Our grandfathers imprisoned innocent men, women, and children in these camps because they feared who they were based on their skin and birth. The book combines this and other past events that evil members of society have done to create a realistic/scary future that could make Muslim American citizens the next ones to live behind bars just for their belief and skin and birth (past events being the internment of Japanese American citizens, the imprisonment and dehumanization of Jewish, Native Americans, etc.). I thought the book also did well in terms of writing and character development. The side characters are just as intriguing and heart breaking as the main character is and the pacing is well done throughout the novel. I also felt that the book had a really good message of being mindful about politics and who you vote for and that if you feel that something is wrong, then resist it. America wasn’t founded by law abiding citizens, so don’t let what the law tells you is “right” determine what you think is right.
My only complaint is that the novel kind of ended abruptly and I wanted to know more about what happened to those that were moved to a harsher camp than the one present in the novel. I wanted to see more of Layla after internment ended and I wanted to know everything is okay. But I know in my heart that even at the end of the novel, nothing will ever be the same again.
Verdict: An amazing book that’s worthy to stand next to The Hate U Give.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Indiegram Tours. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: April 1, 2018
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 17+ (sexual content, some language, some violence and trigger warnings for rape)
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 103
Amazon Link
Synopsis: If you could go back in time and redo one thing in your life, what would it be?
The Watchmaker’s Doctor is the first novella in Erase and Rewind, a collection for new adults that delves into the biggest regrets of the dying, and follows their stories of what might have been.
10% of G. M. T. Schuilling's proceeds from The Watchmaker’s Doctor will go to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. The Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding scientific research grants to improve treatment. Their vision is to ultimately develop cures and methods of prevention to enable people with mental health issues to live full, happy, and productive lives.
To learn more about them, visit: https://www.bbrfoundation.org
#KnowScience
"With the pace of a thriller and ideas from science fiction, The Watchmaker’s Doctor takes us on Anaya’s journey of discovery through shifts in time. In doing so, it has things to say about the choices we make and how we might live our life differently."
- Roisin Heycock, Director of YA and Children's list at Oneworld, winner of the Booker Prize 2015 and 2016.
"The Watchmaker’s Doctor is a thought-provoking look at the nature of free will, at the same time as an intimate picture of one girl’s growth to adulthood. I’d also highly recommend it to anyone interested in seeing an unsensationalised depiction of life with bipolar disorder."
- Anna Bowles, former Commissioning Editor at Hachette UK.
Anaya, a disillusioned, thirty-five-year-old doctor, has been looking after Gregory, a retired watchmaker and resident of an aged care facility. On her last visit, he gifts her his final creation, an exquisitely-crafted watch, knowing she will die tragically that very day. It will turn back time.
With one condition: she must choose the time and place to reset the clock, and redo just one thing in her life. Regrets, it seems, are easy to realise when you’re dying. Hers was dropping out of school at seventeen.
But what if, after one small change, her life would become much worse than it was? Or unthinkable disasters result from a single step off her path? When the alternative is die now, her choice makes itself. And so, Anaya’s story begins with her last thought. Would I have done this if I had any option but the grave?
Would you?
Review: I am a lover of time travel theories and books. I love Doctor Who and I think that parallel dimensions exist. I think time travelers live among us and that one day we’ll be taking vacations back in time. So this book was pretty perfect for me! I really loved that the plot revolved around time travel and the book didn’t divert much from the main theory of time travel. I think the book did well to develop all of the characters and the pacing was well done as well.
My only complaint is that the book kind of ended suddenly, but this is a novella and the book is already out, so maybe more of the story is in the novel. I’ll definitely have to check it out.
Verdict: Time travel yasssss
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: April 1, 2018
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 17+ (sexual content, some language, some violence and trigger warnings for rape)
Publisher: Indie
Pages: 103
Amazon Link
Synopsis: If you could go back in time and redo one thing in your life, what would it be?
The Watchmaker’s Doctor is the first novella in Erase and Rewind, a collection for new adults that delves into the biggest regrets of the dying, and follows their stories of what might have been.
10% of G. M. T. Schuilling's proceeds from The Watchmaker’s Doctor will go to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. The Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding scientific research grants to improve treatment. Their vision is to ultimately develop cures and methods of prevention to enable people with mental health issues to live full, happy, and productive lives.
To learn more about them, visit: https://www.bbrfoundation.org
#KnowScience
"With the pace of a thriller and ideas from science fiction, The Watchmaker’s Doctor takes us on Anaya’s journey of discovery through shifts in time. In doing so, it has things to say about the choices we make and how we might live our life differently."
- Roisin Heycock, Director of YA and Children's list at Oneworld, winner of the Booker Prize 2015 and 2016.
"The Watchmaker’s Doctor is a thought-provoking look at the nature of free will, at the same time as an intimate picture of one girl’s growth to adulthood. I’d also highly recommend it to anyone interested in seeing an unsensationalised depiction of life with bipolar disorder."
- Anna Bowles, former Commissioning Editor at Hachette UK.
Anaya, a disillusioned, thirty-five-year-old doctor, has been looking after Gregory, a retired watchmaker and resident of an aged care facility. On her last visit, he gifts her his final creation, an exquisitely-crafted watch, knowing she will die tragically that very day. It will turn back time.
With one condition: she must choose the time and place to reset the clock, and redo just one thing in her life. Regrets, it seems, are easy to realise when you’re dying. Hers was dropping out of school at seventeen.
But what if, after one small change, her life would become much worse than it was? Or unthinkable disasters result from a single step off her path? When the alternative is die now, her choice makes itself. And so, Anaya’s story begins with her last thought. Would I have done this if I had any option but the grave?
Would you?
Review: I am a lover of time travel theories and books. I love Doctor Who and I think that parallel dimensions exist. I think time travelers live among us and that one day we’ll be taking vacations back in time. So this book was pretty perfect for me! I really loved that the plot revolved around time travel and the book didn’t divert much from the main theory of time travel. I think the book did well to develop all of the characters and the pacing was well done as well.
My only complaint is that the book kind of ended suddenly, but this is a novella and the book is already out, so maybe more of the story is in the novel. I’ll definitely have to check it out.
Verdict: Time travel yasssss