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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from Rockstar Book Tours and the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (trigger warnings for rape, sexual assault, and abuse)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 512
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that was "made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir" ( Bustle ), Lady Smoke is an epic new fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.
The Kaiser murdered Theodosia's mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo's country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess--a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenseless. He didn't realize that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon.
Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage--Prinz Soren. But her people remain enslaved under the Kaiser's rule, and now she is thousands of miles away from them and her throne.
To get them back, she will need an army. Only, securing an army means she must trust her aunt, the dreaded pirate Dragonsbane. And according to Dragonsbane, an army can only be produced if Theo takes a husband. Something an Astrean Queen has never done.
Theo knows that freedom comes at a price, but she is determined to find a way to save her country without losing herself.
Review: Holy shit what an amazing book this was! I loved how it was a sequel, but it didn’t really suffer from the issue that a lot of second books do (rehashing the same plot as the first book and incredibly slow moments as the book moves us into the third novel). The plot moved forward at a steady pace, the main character had to deal with new issues from the previous novel, and the writing was fantastic. I loved the twist at the end of the novel and the change in pace from how you would think the book would go. While the book series started off as a girl who needed being saved, in this book you will see the girl saving others, including one love interest.
My only issues are that the book did have a bit of an issue with the pacing waning on the slow side then skipping a few ahead. It was a bit weird at first but I quickly adjusted to it. I also want to say the book ends on a cliffhanger and I’m dying!
Verdict: Girl power!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (trigger warnings for rape, sexual assault, and abuse)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 512
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that was "made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir" ( Bustle ), Lady Smoke is an epic new fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.
The Kaiser murdered Theodosia's mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo's country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess--a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenseless. He didn't realize that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon.
Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage--Prinz Soren. But her people remain enslaved under the Kaiser's rule, and now she is thousands of miles away from them and her throne.
To get them back, she will need an army. Only, securing an army means she must trust her aunt, the dreaded pirate Dragonsbane. And according to Dragonsbane, an army can only be produced if Theo takes a husband. Something an Astrean Queen has never done.
Theo knows that freedom comes at a price, but she is determined to find a way to save her country without losing herself.
Review: Holy shit what an amazing book this was! I loved how it was a sequel, but it didn’t really suffer from the issue that a lot of second books do (rehashing the same plot as the first book and incredibly slow moments as the book moves us into the third novel). The plot moved forward at a steady pace, the main character had to deal with new issues from the previous novel, and the writing was fantastic. I loved the twist at the end of the novel and the change in pace from how you would think the book would go. While the book series started off as a girl who needed being saved, in this book you will see the girl saving others, including one love interest.
My only issues are that the book did have a bit of an issue with the pacing waning on the slow side then skipping a few ahead. It was a bit weird at first but I quickly adjusted to it. I also want to say the book ends on a cliffhanger and I’m dying!
Verdict: Girl power!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Rockstar Book Tours and the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: January 8, 2019
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 14+ (trigger warnings for possible underage sex/possible legal non consensual rape. Violence, language, sexual content, mysteries, and murders)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.
The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone's declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.
Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she's in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous--and most people aren't good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it's safest to keep your secrets to yourself.
Review: So when I go into a mystery novel the first thing I do while I’m reading is try to discern who the killer is. I usually get the killer within 5 chapters. My personal best was when I guessed it on page 5 in a mystery novel. So, when I went into this book I already knew how good Karen McManus was at making rock solid mysteries that kept you guessing until the very end. But in all honesty I didn’t know who the killer was until the very end. The book was also incredibly well written and I enjoy that the book main characters had a love interest, but things didn’t end peachy for them. I like how realistic the kids seemed, I feel that Karen does well writing very complex and realistic teens. And she did well conveying a small town feel to the reader. I’m from a small town and everything in this novel rang true to me.
The only issues I had were that I felt that maybe one of the main characters should have done something at the end and that one little detail has been in my thoughts for a week now. I toss and turn the perfect solution and while I like that the author left it open ended, it is now plaguing my thoughts.
Verdict: The best damn mystery writer for this generation.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: January 8, 2019
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 14+ (trigger warnings for possible underage sex/possible legal non consensual rape. Violence, language, sexual content, mysteries, and murders)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.
The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone's declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.
Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she's in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous--and most people aren't good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it's safest to keep your secrets to yourself.
Review: So when I go into a mystery novel the first thing I do while I’m reading is try to discern who the killer is. I usually get the killer within 5 chapters. My personal best was when I guessed it on page 5 in a mystery novel. So, when I went into this book I already knew how good Karen McManus was at making rock solid mysteries that kept you guessing until the very end. But in all honesty I didn’t know who the killer was until the very end. The book was also incredibly well written and I enjoy that the book main characters had a love interest, but things didn’t end peachy for them. I like how realistic the kids seemed, I feel that Karen does well writing very complex and realistic teens. And she did well conveying a small town feel to the reader. I’m from a small town and everything in this novel rang true to me.
The only issues I had were that I felt that maybe one of the main characters should have done something at the end and that one little detail has been in my thoughts for a week now. I toss and turn the perfect solution and while I like that the author left it open ended, it is now plaguing my thoughts.
Verdict: The best damn mystery writer for this generation.
Disclaimer: I bought this on my birthday last year! No disclaimer, just bragging.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: January 23, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, undead, death, and facing one’s fears).
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 375
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Odessa is one of Karthia's master necromancers, catering to the kingdom's ruling Dead. Whenever a noble dies, it's Odessa's job to raise them by retrieving their souls from a dreamy and dangerous shadow world called the Deadlands. But there is a cost to being raised--the Dead must remain shrouded, or risk transforming into zombie-like monsters known as Shades. If even a hint of flesh is exposed, the grotesque transformation will begin.
A dramatic uptick in Shade attacks raises suspicions and fears among Odessa's necromancer community. Soon a crushing loss of one of their own reveals a disturbing conspiracy: someone is intentionally creating Shades by tearing shrouds from the Dead--and training them to attack. Odessa is faced with a terrifying question: What if her necromancer's magic is the weapon that brings Karthia to its knees?
Review: So I bought this book originally because it had a skull on it and mentioned necromancy. I’ve been in love with necromancy since I read Sabriel by Garth Nix and I’ll say that while both concepts are totally different, I’m in love with both books. This book was well written and the plot was intriguing. I was intrigued in the book throughout its entirety. The characters were all complex and I loved that the book wasn’t predictable and the book didn’t have such a simple ending. The book also introduced a terrifying concept in which by burning all books and halting the advancement of technology they were literally stuck in their past… the point is kinda driven home with all the undead lol. Also, amazing LGBT representation in this book!
The only issue I had was that I wanted Odessa to have a happy ending and I wanted so much for her. But that’s what the second book is for!
Verdict: Undead rocks!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: January 23, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, undead, death, and facing one’s fears).
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 375
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Odessa is one of Karthia's master necromancers, catering to the kingdom's ruling Dead. Whenever a noble dies, it's Odessa's job to raise them by retrieving their souls from a dreamy and dangerous shadow world called the Deadlands. But there is a cost to being raised--the Dead must remain shrouded, or risk transforming into zombie-like monsters known as Shades. If even a hint of flesh is exposed, the grotesque transformation will begin.
A dramatic uptick in Shade attacks raises suspicions and fears among Odessa's necromancer community. Soon a crushing loss of one of their own reveals a disturbing conspiracy: someone is intentionally creating Shades by tearing shrouds from the Dead--and training them to attack. Odessa is faced with a terrifying question: What if her necromancer's magic is the weapon that brings Karthia to its knees?
Review: So I bought this book originally because it had a skull on it and mentioned necromancy. I’ve been in love with necromancy since I read Sabriel by Garth Nix and I’ll say that while both concepts are totally different, I’m in love with both books. This book was well written and the plot was intriguing. I was intrigued in the book throughout its entirety. The characters were all complex and I loved that the book wasn’t predictable and the book didn’t have such a simple ending. The book also introduced a terrifying concept in which by burning all books and halting the advancement of technology they were literally stuck in their past… the point is kinda driven home with all the undead lol. Also, amazing LGBT representation in this book!
The only issue I had was that I wanted Odessa to have a happy ending and I wanted so much for her. But that’s what the second book is for!
Verdict: Undead rocks!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Razorbill and Rockstar Book Tours. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 22, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, death, disease, slight gore, addiction)
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 416
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Dead must stay buried.
Karthia is nothing like it used to be. The kingdom's borders are open for the first time in nearly three hundred years, and raising the dead has been outlawed. Odessa is determined to explore the world beyond Karthia's waters, hoping to heal a heart broken in more ways than she can count. But with Meredy joining the ocean voyage, vanquishing her sorrow will be a difficult task.
Despite the daily reminder of the history they share, Odessa and Meredy are fascinated when their journey takes them to a land where the Dead rule the night and dragons roam the streets. Odessa can't help being mesmerized by the new magic--and by the girl at her side. But just as she and Meredy are beginning to explore the new world, a terrifying development in Karthia summons them home at once.
Growing political unrest on top of threats from foreign invaders means Odessa and Meredy are thrust back into the lives they tried to leave behind while specters from their past haunt their tenuous relationship. Gathering a force big enough to ward off enemies seems impossible, until one of Queen Valoria's mages creates a weapon that could make them invincible. As danger continues to mount inside the palace, Odessa fears that without the Dead, even the greatest invention won't be enough to save their fates.
In this enthralling, heartrending sequel to Reign of the Fallen, Odessa faces the fight of her life as the boundaries between the Dead and the living are challenged in a way more gruesome than ever before.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. It was an excellent end to the series and I liked how Odessa and Meredy didn’t have that fairytale romance ending. I liked the writing and I felt that it was easy to follow along. Finally, I like how the author kept some consistences from the first book. Odessa was still dealing with her addiction and they both continually dealt with their partners deaths. While a lot of readers would say that this was prolonged, I disagree on the principal that it is realistic and needs to be written that way. It’s not realistic to think that you’ll be over a breakup or death in the matter of days. Weeks, months, and sometimes years later the sadness still lingers. I loved that the author didn’t write this any other way.
However, I do think that the pacing was off and I didn’t like how slow it got in spots. I feel that the book had a lot of weird character developments and it didn’t feel natural like it did in the first book. I also feel that the characters weren’t as connected as they were in the first book. I don’t know, something just felt off about the whole thing. I also feel that Azelie and Karston weren’t given the attention they deserved as characters, and in the end I felt that Karston was given the middle finger as he wasn’t even mentioned in the end when Odessa was remembering everything that happened and such.
Verdict: An good ending to a great duology.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 22, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, death, disease, slight gore, addiction)
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 416
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Dead must stay buried.
Karthia is nothing like it used to be. The kingdom's borders are open for the first time in nearly three hundred years, and raising the dead has been outlawed. Odessa is determined to explore the world beyond Karthia's waters, hoping to heal a heart broken in more ways than she can count. But with Meredy joining the ocean voyage, vanquishing her sorrow will be a difficult task.
Despite the daily reminder of the history they share, Odessa and Meredy are fascinated when their journey takes them to a land where the Dead rule the night and dragons roam the streets. Odessa can't help being mesmerized by the new magic--and by the girl at her side. But just as she and Meredy are beginning to explore the new world, a terrifying development in Karthia summons them home at once.
Growing political unrest on top of threats from foreign invaders means Odessa and Meredy are thrust back into the lives they tried to leave behind while specters from their past haunt their tenuous relationship. Gathering a force big enough to ward off enemies seems impossible, until one of Queen Valoria's mages creates a weapon that could make them invincible. As danger continues to mount inside the palace, Odessa fears that without the Dead, even the greatest invention won't be enough to save their fates.
In this enthralling, heartrending sequel to Reign of the Fallen, Odessa faces the fight of her life as the boundaries between the Dead and the living are challenged in a way more gruesome than ever before.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. It was an excellent end to the series and I liked how Odessa and Meredy didn’t have that fairytale romance ending. I liked the writing and I felt that it was easy to follow along. Finally, I like how the author kept some consistences from the first book. Odessa was still dealing with her addiction and they both continually dealt with their partners deaths. While a lot of readers would say that this was prolonged, I disagree on the principal that it is realistic and needs to be written that way. It’s not realistic to think that you’ll be over a breakup or death in the matter of days. Weeks, months, and sometimes years later the sadness still lingers. I loved that the author didn’t write this any other way.
However, I do think that the pacing was off and I didn’t like how slow it got in spots. I feel that the book had a lot of weird character developments and it didn’t feel natural like it did in the first book. I also feel that the characters weren’t as connected as they were in the first book. I don’t know, something just felt off about the whole thing. I also feel that Azelie and Karston weren’t given the attention they deserved as characters, and in the end I felt that Karston was given the middle finger as he wasn’t even mentioned in the end when Odessa was remembering everything that happened and such.
Verdict: An good ending to a great duology.
Review 2:
Disclaimer: I own this book! Love it! It’s also signed by the author. Off-topic, sorry!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, scares, romance)
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 394
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley wants just one thing: to go somewhere—anywhere—else. Her home is a floundering spaceship that offers few prospects, having been orbiting an ice-encased Earth for two hundred years. When a private ship hires her as a governess, Stella jumps at the chance. The captain of the Rochester, nineteen-year-old Hugo Fairfax, is notorious throughout the fleet for being a moody recluse and a drunk. But with Stella he’s kind.
But the Rochester harbors secrets: Stella is certain someone is trying to kill Hugo, and the more she discovers, the more questions she has about his role in a conspiracy threatening the fleet.
Review: Oh wow this book was just as fantastic as the first time I read it! I loved the world building and how Donne thought up how life would work in a world where we’re in space because of an Ice Age (it’s a very real threat still). I love the characters and how she took the original plot from Jane Eyre and somehow transformed it into a modern (futuristic?) tale for today’s generation. I also love the writing! I would definitely have loved a continuation of the tale ala 100 Days, but from how the author left it off is fine with me. I also thought the commentary on class and the different socio-economic impacts of certain factors was great.
My only issues are that, from my watch-through of a quick summary of Jane Eyre, that there wasn’t a lot about the Red Room and they changed some things from the original tale, but the changes, in my opinion, were well done and made for a fantastic retelling of a piece of classic literature.
Verdict: A must read if you like Jane Eyre or if you like Space (or BOTH!)
Review 1:
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Romance/Dystopian/Retelling
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, sexual references, dystopian like horrors, and ice age)
Pages: 400
Amazon Link
Author Website
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book as an e-arc on NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Stella Ainsley leaves poverty behind when she quits her engineering job aboard the Stalwart to become a governess on a private ship. On the Rochester, there’s no water ration, more books than one person could devour in a lifetime, and an AI who seems more friend than robot.
But no one warned Stella that the ship seems to be haunted, nor that it may be involved in a conspiracy that could topple the entire interstellar fleet. Surrounded by mysteries, Stella finds her equal in the brooding but kind, nineteen-year-old Captain Hugo. When several attempts on his life spark more questions than answers, and the beautiful Bianca Ingram appears at Hugo’s request, his unpredictable behavior causes Stella’s suspicions to mount. Without knowing who to trust, Stella must decide whether to follow her head or her heart.
Alexa Donne’s lush and enthralling reimagining of the classic Jane Eyre, set among the stars, will seduce and beguile you
So… I don’t read synopses and I shortly found out after I started reading this book that it was a Jane Eyre retelling. I’m one of those horrible people that hasn’t read many classics (well, I’ve not read the popular classics) but since I was somewhat familiar with Jane Eyre from a YouTube video explaining the highlights of it, I felt I was in a good position to read it. Surprisingly though I didn’t need my limited knowledge of the book to understand what was going on. The book was written so well and so unique given its retelling status. The book didn’t feel like a retelling and unless you were either familiar with the book you wouldn’t notice it was a retelling. The book also expanded from the original story so much and it really made the story its own. The characters in the book were very well developed and what you think is going to happen is completely the opposite of what does. The book did well at doing away at some of the tired old YA clichés. The book also had so many twists and turns that you can’t tell where the book is going. Hands down, one of my favorite Sci-Fi’s to date.
However, I did think that the book could have expanded more on the world building a bit, but once again what we got in the book was really well done and adequate. I need more though and I really hope we get a companion novel to this book. Maybe a Pride and Prejudice retelling? Little Women? White Fang? Wait…
Verdict: Jane Eyre in space is cool. If only Charlotte Bronte thought of it.
Disclaimer: I own this book! Love it! It’s also signed by the author. Off-topic, sorry!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, scares, romance)
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 394
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley wants just one thing: to go somewhere—anywhere—else. Her home is a floundering spaceship that offers few prospects, having been orbiting an ice-encased Earth for two hundred years. When a private ship hires her as a governess, Stella jumps at the chance. The captain of the Rochester, nineteen-year-old Hugo Fairfax, is notorious throughout the fleet for being a moody recluse and a drunk. But with Stella he’s kind.
But the Rochester harbors secrets: Stella is certain someone is trying to kill Hugo, and the more she discovers, the more questions she has about his role in a conspiracy threatening the fleet.
Review: Oh wow this book was just as fantastic as the first time I read it! I loved the world building and how Donne thought up how life would work in a world where we’re in space because of an Ice Age (it’s a very real threat still). I love the characters and how she took the original plot from Jane Eyre and somehow transformed it into a modern (futuristic?) tale for today’s generation. I also love the writing! I would definitely have loved a continuation of the tale ala 100 Days, but from how the author left it off is fine with me. I also thought the commentary on class and the different socio-economic impacts of certain factors was great.
My only issues are that, from my watch-through of a quick summary of Jane Eyre, that there wasn’t a lot about the Red Room and they changed some things from the original tale, but the changes, in my opinion, were well done and made for a fantastic retelling of a piece of classic literature.
Verdict: A must read if you like Jane Eyre or if you like Space (or BOTH!)
Review 1:
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Romance/Dystopian/Retelling
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, sexual references, dystopian like horrors, and ice age)
Pages: 400
Amazon Link
Author Website
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book as an e-arc on NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Stella Ainsley leaves poverty behind when she quits her engineering job aboard the Stalwart to become a governess on a private ship. On the Rochester, there’s no water ration, more books than one person could devour in a lifetime, and an AI who seems more friend than robot.
But no one warned Stella that the ship seems to be haunted, nor that it may be involved in a conspiracy that could topple the entire interstellar fleet. Surrounded by mysteries, Stella finds her equal in the brooding but kind, nineteen-year-old Captain Hugo. When several attempts on his life spark more questions than answers, and the beautiful Bianca Ingram appears at Hugo’s request, his unpredictable behavior causes Stella’s suspicions to mount. Without knowing who to trust, Stella must decide whether to follow her head or her heart.
Alexa Donne’s lush and enthralling reimagining of the classic Jane Eyre, set among the stars, will seduce and beguile you
So… I don’t read synopses and I shortly found out after I started reading this book that it was a Jane Eyre retelling. I’m one of those horrible people that hasn’t read many classics (well, I’ve not read the popular classics) but since I was somewhat familiar with Jane Eyre from a YouTube video explaining the highlights of it, I felt I was in a good position to read it. Surprisingly though I didn’t need my limited knowledge of the book to understand what was going on. The book was written so well and so unique given its retelling status. The book didn’t feel like a retelling and unless you were either familiar with the book you wouldn’t notice it was a retelling. The book also expanded from the original story so much and it really made the story its own. The characters in the book were very well developed and what you think is going to happen is completely the opposite of what does. The book did well at doing away at some of the tired old YA clichés. The book also had so many twists and turns that you can’t tell where the book is going. Hands down, one of my favorite Sci-Fi’s to date.
However, I did think that the book could have expanded more on the world building a bit, but once again what we got in the book was really well done and adequate. I need more though and I really hope we get a companion novel to this book. Maybe a Pride and Prejudice retelling? Little Women? White Fang? Wait…
Verdict: Jane Eyre in space is cool. If only Charlotte Bronte thought of it.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author! Thanks! All opinions are my own!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (some sexual assault mentioned, sla
Publisher: DevilDogPress
Pages: 507
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Trying to put the events in Selkirk behind them, Tallis and Tomas find themselves in a land where people and machines have created a newfound relationship. Tallis wishes to hide and heal in this strange land while giving the people of Selkirk time to forget and perhaps forgive her. For with no one but once feral elves to verify her claim that she was not responsible for the recent carnage, who would give her an opportunity to explain?
Despite Theda’s golden coastline and amazing technology, something odd is happening throughout the port city of Aelius and Theda’s mechanical hub in Cato. Something nefarious is taking root in Tallis, making her bones ache; her dreams constantly torment her with visions she can’t ignore. But as Tomas isn’t affected, none believe Tallis’s claims that Theda is not as idyllic as it appears.
All Tallis and Tomas want is to rest and explore their budding relationship, free from the fear of death, but that desire is quickly crushed. How can Tomas and Tallis figure out what they mean to each other when a brilliant student sets her sights on Tomas, and a pirate makes secret plans for Tallis? Not to mention Theda’s elves have taken an uncomfortable interest in Tallis. Theda may be a land full of wonder, but Tallis is finding that wherever she goes, danger trails her like a mischievous shadow, following her every step.
Review: I loved returning to Tallis’ world and I loved how the book didn’t immediately feel weird because it had been months since I read the second book. Everything was wonderfully well summed within the first few chapters. The book featured my favorite two characters and they were so so sweet. I loved that the book series doesn’t have that insta-love component and the two characters have issues within their relationship like any relationship would. While I understand how it can be annoying to some people to read about the same issues sometimes popping up, it’s realistic. You’re never going to have a relationship where you talk about an issue once and it goes away. I’ve been married for almost 3 years now and I still have to talk to my husband about leaving his dirty socks everywhere. I loved the world building in this book and I was fully invested in it. The book was absolutely well written and I loved how the events turned out. I also thought the book had good commentary on slavery, which is still an issue in today’s world. I thought that it did well explaining the horrors of modern day slavery, how hidden it can be, how it sometimes can be legally sanctioned even by accident, and how fast people can just disappear.
However, I do feel that some of the later events were a bit coincidental and I feel that it was a bit too fast that Theda found a replacement for their issues, but it might come back to bite them in the butt in the end.
Verdict: Love this series and this book!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (some sexual assault mentioned, sla
Publisher: DevilDogPress
Pages: 507
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Trying to put the events in Selkirk behind them, Tallis and Tomas find themselves in a land where people and machines have created a newfound relationship. Tallis wishes to hide and heal in this strange land while giving the people of Selkirk time to forget and perhaps forgive her. For with no one but once feral elves to verify her claim that she was not responsible for the recent carnage, who would give her an opportunity to explain?
Despite Theda’s golden coastline and amazing technology, something odd is happening throughout the port city of Aelius and Theda’s mechanical hub in Cato. Something nefarious is taking root in Tallis, making her bones ache; her dreams constantly torment her with visions she can’t ignore. But as Tomas isn’t affected, none believe Tallis’s claims that Theda is not as idyllic as it appears.
All Tallis and Tomas want is to rest and explore their budding relationship, free from the fear of death, but that desire is quickly crushed. How can Tomas and Tallis figure out what they mean to each other when a brilliant student sets her sights on Tomas, and a pirate makes secret plans for Tallis? Not to mention Theda’s elves have taken an uncomfortable interest in Tallis. Theda may be a land full of wonder, but Tallis is finding that wherever she goes, danger trails her like a mischievous shadow, following her every step.
Review: I loved returning to Tallis’ world and I loved how the book didn’t immediately feel weird because it had been months since I read the second book. Everything was wonderfully well summed within the first few chapters. The book featured my favorite two characters and they were so so sweet. I loved that the book series doesn’t have that insta-love component and the two characters have issues within their relationship like any relationship would. While I understand how it can be annoying to some people to read about the same issues sometimes popping up, it’s realistic. You’re never going to have a relationship where you talk about an issue once and it goes away. I’ve been married for almost 3 years now and I still have to talk to my husband about leaving his dirty socks everywhere. I loved the world building in this book and I was fully invested in it. The book was absolutely well written and I loved how the events turned out. I also thought the book had good commentary on slavery, which is still an issue in today’s world. I thought that it did well explaining the horrors of modern day slavery, how hidden it can be, how it sometimes can be legally sanctioned even by accident, and how fast people can just disappear.
However, I do feel that some of the later events were a bit coincidental and I feel that it was a bit too fast that Theda found a replacement for their issues, but it might come back to bite them in the butt in the end.
Verdict: Love this series and this book!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: Novemebr 20, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, missing nobles, cliffhangers)
Publisher: DevilDogPress
Pages: 298
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After fleeing Theda, all Tallis wants is to return to Selkirk. But the bounty on her—and her friends’—heads means she needs reinforcements before attempting to return. Following the advice of Seneschal Isabetta, Tallis, Tomas, Rosslyn, and Colben set sail for Arcadia.
Once there, they discover they won’t be able to achieve their goals without becoming members of Arcadian society—which means competing through battle, often to the death. But if the fighters don’t kill Tallis, the complex political machinations of the nobility might, for only they can give Tallis what she needs.
Not all their exploits on the road to achieving their goals are as simple as survival, however, especially as a missing child pulls them away from their tasks and duties. But when they encounter an elder elf searching for his son, Tallis is set on the irreversible path of seeking the facts regarding half-elves and their bloody history. She must delve into their shared history beyond the prophecy, and what those truths could mean for her and Tomas’s future.
Review: Again, another amazing book from C.E. Clayton! The adventures continue with Tallis and we’re in a new world. I loved the world building of this one and I felt that the mystery of Tallis is slowly unraveling. I liked that this book was a tad different than the previous one, we’re still left with a mystery at the end. This gives the book time to flesh out everything that’s happening and it’s A LOT. I also loved that the author included a LGBT relationship. The writing was as great as the other books and I can’t wait for the next one.
However, I do feel that this book is slower paced than the others and it unnerves me a bit to read it. I’m wondering if there’s a huge reveal that will happen in book 5 and I’m interested in seeing how this huge mystery comes to rest. But, just to be clear, it does end on a cliffhanger, so you might want to read this with book 5 if you’re not a fan of cliffhangers.
Verdict: Loved this book as always!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: Novemebr 20, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, missing nobles, cliffhangers)
Publisher: DevilDogPress
Pages: 298
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After fleeing Theda, all Tallis wants is to return to Selkirk. But the bounty on her—and her friends’—heads means she needs reinforcements before attempting to return. Following the advice of Seneschal Isabetta, Tallis, Tomas, Rosslyn, and Colben set sail for Arcadia.
Once there, they discover they won’t be able to achieve their goals without becoming members of Arcadian society—which means competing through battle, often to the death. But if the fighters don’t kill Tallis, the complex political machinations of the nobility might, for only they can give Tallis what she needs.
Not all their exploits on the road to achieving their goals are as simple as survival, however, especially as a missing child pulls them away from their tasks and duties. But when they encounter an elder elf searching for his son, Tallis is set on the irreversible path of seeking the facts regarding half-elves and their bloody history. She must delve into their shared history beyond the prophecy, and what those truths could mean for her and Tomas’s future.
Review: Again, another amazing book from C.E. Clayton! The adventures continue with Tallis and we’re in a new world. I loved the world building of this one and I felt that the mystery of Tallis is slowly unraveling. I liked that this book was a tad different than the previous one, we’re still left with a mystery at the end. This gives the book time to flesh out everything that’s happening and it’s A LOT. I also loved that the author included a LGBT relationship. The writing was as great as the other books and I can’t wait for the next one.
However, I do feel that this book is slower paced than the others and it unnerves me a bit to read it. I’m wondering if there’s a huge reveal that will happen in book 5 and I’m interested in seeing how this huge mystery comes to rest. But, just to be clear, it does end on a cliffhanger, so you might want to read this with book 5 if you’re not a fan of cliffhangers.
Verdict: Loved this book as always!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Viking Books. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 22, 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16 (trigger warnings for sex trafficking/abandonment)
Publisher: Viking Books
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Warsaw, Poland. The year is 1940 and Lillia is 15 when her mother, Alenka, disappears and her father flees with Lillia and her younger sister, Naomi, to Shanghai, one of the few places that will accept Jews without visas. There they struggle to make a life; they have no money, there is little work, no decent place to live, a culture that doesn't understand them. And always the worry about Alenka. How will she find them? Is she still alive?
Meanwhile Lillia is growing up, trying to care for Naomi, whose development is frighteningly slow, in part from malnourishment. Lillia finds an outlet for her artistic talent by making puppets, remembering the happy days in Warsaw when they were circus performers. She attends school sporadically, makes friends with Wei, a Chinese boy, and finds work as a performer at a "gentlemen's club" without her father's knowledge.
But meanwhile the conflict grows more intense as the Americans declare war and the Japanese force the Americans in Shanghai into camps. More bombing, more death. Can they survive, caught in the crossfire?
I thought the book was really good overall. I enjoy WWII books and this one was interesting. I've not had time to do all the research into it, but it seems solid from what I can recall from history books. I liked the characters and thought they were well developed and I thought that the writing was really good. I didn't realize the extent of WWII and I didn't know that Jews were sent to Shanghai. I thought that it was really interesting how the author crafted this story and I was intrigued by all of it.
However, I do think that the plot was too much for the book. Like, it might have been better in a series or duology where the author can expand and slow down the book more so the reader isn't flung every which way while reading the book, but overall I really enjoyed it.
Verdict: A high-flying book!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 22, 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16 (trigger warnings for sex trafficking/abandonment)
Publisher: Viking Books
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Warsaw, Poland. The year is 1940 and Lillia is 15 when her mother, Alenka, disappears and her father flees with Lillia and her younger sister, Naomi, to Shanghai, one of the few places that will accept Jews without visas. There they struggle to make a life; they have no money, there is little work, no decent place to live, a culture that doesn't understand them. And always the worry about Alenka. How will she find them? Is she still alive?
Meanwhile Lillia is growing up, trying to care for Naomi, whose development is frighteningly slow, in part from malnourishment. Lillia finds an outlet for her artistic talent by making puppets, remembering the happy days in Warsaw when they were circus performers. She attends school sporadically, makes friends with Wei, a Chinese boy, and finds work as a performer at a "gentlemen's club" without her father's knowledge.
But meanwhile the conflict grows more intense as the Americans declare war and the Japanese force the Americans in Shanghai into camps. More bombing, more death. Can they survive, caught in the crossfire?
I thought the book was really good overall. I enjoy WWII books and this one was interesting. I've not had time to do all the research into it, but it seems solid from what I can recall from history books. I liked the characters and thought they were well developed and I thought that the writing was really good. I didn't realize the extent of WWII and I didn't know that Jews were sent to Shanghai. I thought that it was really interesting how the author crafted this story and I was intrigued by all of it.
However, I do think that the plot was too much for the book. Like, it might have been better in a series or duology where the author can expand and slow down the book more so the reader isn't flung every which way while reading the book, but overall I really enjoyed it.
Verdict: A high-flying book!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 10, 2017
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, underage drinking, some mature content)
Pages: 198
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The only thing eighteen-year-old Gwen guards more carefully than the truth about her past is her heart. Which is why falling in love with her best friend was never part of the plan. But as their relationship heats up, Gwen thinks she might finally be ready to date again.
Mitch loves his life in River Valley and everything is exactly how he wants it—everything but his relationship with Gwen. The more their attraction grows, the more Gwen closes herself off from him.
When a mid-winter car accident brings Gwen's secrets to the surface, will the boy she loves accept the truth about her past? Or will he look to a future without her?
All The Things We Found is a young adult contemporary romance great for both teens and adults. It is the second in a series of books, each revolving around a different couple living in the same small town.
Continuing this series, we get a continuation of Gwen and Mitch from the first book. For the most part I really enjoyed this book. The characters are cute and developed. The plot is intriguing. And the book was really well written.
However, I do feel that there was a lot, and I mean a lot, of cursing. It’s not that I don’t care about the cursing, but I feel that sometimes it can be excessive. I also felt the underaged drinking was really excessive too and I worry that it could give younger audiences the wrong impression. Other than those two things I felt the pacing was a bit fast for my taste and that the book could have used a bit more world building.
Verdict: A solid, sweet romance for the romantics in your life.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 10, 2017
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, underage drinking, some mature content)
Pages: 198
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The only thing eighteen-year-old Gwen guards more carefully than the truth about her past is her heart. Which is why falling in love with her best friend was never part of the plan. But as their relationship heats up, Gwen thinks she might finally be ready to date again.
Mitch loves his life in River Valley and everything is exactly how he wants it—everything but his relationship with Gwen. The more their attraction grows, the more Gwen closes herself off from him.
When a mid-winter car accident brings Gwen's secrets to the surface, will the boy she loves accept the truth about her past? Or will he look to a future without her?
All The Things We Found is a young adult contemporary romance great for both teens and adults. It is the second in a series of books, each revolving around a different couple living in the same small town.
Continuing this series, we get a continuation of Gwen and Mitch from the first book. For the most part I really enjoyed this book. The characters are cute and developed. The plot is intriguing. And the book was really well written.
However, I do feel that there was a lot, and I mean a lot, of cursing. It’s not that I don’t care about the cursing, but I feel that sometimes it can be excessive. I also felt the underaged drinking was really excessive too and I worry that it could give younger audiences the wrong impression. Other than those two things I felt the pacing was a bit fast for my taste and that the book could have used a bit more world building.
Verdict: A solid, sweet romance for the romantics in your life.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Ninetales Publishing. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 29, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (fantasy elements and mystery abound!)
Publisher: Ninetales Publishing
Pages: 274
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Summerview Manor was a house with secrets. The disappearance of the original owner Theodore Phillips the Third was basically town legend. But Tabitha and her best friend Scott didn’t care. They’d wanted a place they could call home for as long as they could remember.
When they finally save up enough money to buy the old Victorian house, they thought the worst they’d have to deal with was roaches and sagging floorboards.
They couldn’t have been more wrong.
When a dusty gramophone turns a hard night of drinking into a quick slide through a portal into another realm, Tabitha thinks she might have solved the mystery of what happened to Theodore Phillips III. But will she and Scott be able to find their way home, or will their disappearance just become one more mystery for Summerview Manor?
Once Upon a...What? is a wild adventure through a magical world where the creatures are fantastical and shenanigans ensue.
Review: I thought this was a really quick and fun read! The characters were charming and the story was fun! The pacing was a bit fast, but it fit with the writing and story. The plot was sound and I really had fun reading this book!
However, I do think that the backstories could have been expanded on further in the book. I felt that the book didn't do so good at developing the characters as much as I would like and that the world might need a bit more development.
Verdict: A fun and fast read!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 29, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (fantasy elements and mystery abound!)
Publisher: Ninetales Publishing
Pages: 274
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Summerview Manor was a house with secrets. The disappearance of the original owner Theodore Phillips the Third was basically town legend. But Tabitha and her best friend Scott didn’t care. They’d wanted a place they could call home for as long as they could remember.
When they finally save up enough money to buy the old Victorian house, they thought the worst they’d have to deal with was roaches and sagging floorboards.
They couldn’t have been more wrong.
When a dusty gramophone turns a hard night of drinking into a quick slide through a portal into another realm, Tabitha thinks she might have solved the mystery of what happened to Theodore Phillips III. But will she and Scott be able to find their way home, or will their disappearance just become one more mystery for Summerview Manor?
Once Upon a...What? is a wild adventure through a magical world where the creatures are fantastical and shenanigans ensue.
Review: I thought this was a really quick and fun read! The characters were charming and the story was fun! The pacing was a bit fast, but it fit with the writing and story. The plot was sound and I really had fun reading this book!
However, I do think that the backstories could have been expanded on further in the book. I felt that the book didn't do so good at developing the characters as much as I would like and that the world might need a bit more development.
Verdict: A fun and fast read!