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popthebutterfly
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Book Series: Harry Potter Book 4
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: September 28, 2002
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (magic and some little violence but some really scary moments and some gore)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 734
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup. He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards. And in his case, different can be deadly.
Review: Like any Harry Potter book, this one was stupendous! I love all the little things about this book and I find more and more every time I reread them. The characters are very well developed and they are aging very well. The story is complex, but well done, and the writing is stupendous.
However, the beginning is a bit hard to get into. Like, it took me 100 pages to really want to read it. Kinda weird.
Verdict: Read this series!
Book Series: Harry Potter Book 4
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: September 28, 2002
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (magic and some little violence but some really scary moments and some gore)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 734
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup. He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards. And in his case, different can be deadly.
Review: Like any Harry Potter book, this one was stupendous! I love all the little things about this book and I find more and more every time I reread them. The characters are very well developed and they are aging very well. The story is complex, but well done, and the writing is stupendous.
However, the beginning is a bit hard to get into. Like, it took me 100 pages to really want to read it. Kinda weird.
Verdict: Read this series!
Disclaimer: I received this from Scholastic and Fantastic Flying Book Club! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Prequel to the Sabrina Netflix series
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Roz and Ambrose are African-American and Theo is a transgender man
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy/TV Series Backstory…?
Recommended Age: 16+ (slight gore, some violence, love, mature romance, and witchcraft)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 288
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It's the summer before her sixteenth birthday, and Sabrina Spellman knows her world is about to change. She's always studied magic and spells with her aunts, Hilda and Zelda. But she's also lived a normal mortal life - attending Baxter High, hanging out with her friends Susie and Roz, and going to the movies with her boyfriend, Harvey Kinkle.
Now time is running out on her every day, normal world, and leaving behind Roz and Susie and Harvey is a lot harder than she thought it would be. Especially because Sabrina isn't sure how Harvey feels about her. Her cousin Ambrose suggests performing a spell to discover Harvey's true feelings. But when a mysterious wood spirit interferes, the spell backfires in a big way.
Sabrina has always been attracted to the power of being a witch. But now she can't help wondering if that power is leading her down the wrong path. Will she choose to forsake the path of light and follow the path of night?
Review: If you’re a fan of Sabrina, this is the book for you! This is dark and mysterious and it exudes Sabrina! I loved all the character insights into the multiple characters, I loved the backstory for Hilda and Ambrose, and I’m so excited for Season 3 I wanna scream!!! Definitely a book for the fans of Sabrina.
However, I did think that the villain could have been better fleshed out and the climax of the story a bit longer, it just felt so short compared to the rest of the book. I’m also a tad sad that Theo (formerly Susie) wasn’t more fleshed out, he’s my favorite character and I loved seeing him bravely come out on the series. I’m a bit sad that they referred to him as Susie, but I understand that at the time Theo was Susie and I’m not sure at which point he decided he was Theo.
Verdict: I loved every page.
Book Series: Prequel to the Sabrina Netflix series
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Roz and Ambrose are African-American and Theo is a transgender man
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy/TV Series Backstory…?
Recommended Age: 16+ (slight gore, some violence, love, mature romance, and witchcraft)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 288
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It's the summer before her sixteenth birthday, and Sabrina Spellman knows her world is about to change. She's always studied magic and spells with her aunts, Hilda and Zelda. But she's also lived a normal mortal life - attending Baxter High, hanging out with her friends Susie and Roz, and going to the movies with her boyfriend, Harvey Kinkle.
Now time is running out on her every day, normal world, and leaving behind Roz and Susie and Harvey is a lot harder than she thought it would be. Especially because Sabrina isn't sure how Harvey feels about her. Her cousin Ambrose suggests performing a spell to discover Harvey's true feelings. But when a mysterious wood spirit interferes, the spell backfires in a big way.
Sabrina has always been attracted to the power of being a witch. But now she can't help wondering if that power is leading her down the wrong path. Will she choose to forsake the path of light and follow the path of night?
Review: If you’re a fan of Sabrina, this is the book for you! This is dark and mysterious and it exudes Sabrina! I loved all the character insights into the multiple characters, I loved the backstory for Hilda and Ambrose, and I’m so excited for Season 3 I wanna scream!!! Definitely a book for the fans of Sabrina.
However, I did think that the villain could have been better fleshed out and the climax of the story a bit longer, it just felt so short compared to the rest of the book. I’m also a tad sad that Theo (formerly Susie) wasn’t more fleshed out, he’s my favorite character and I loved seeing him bravely come out on the series. I’m a bit sad that they referred to him as Susie, but I understand that at the time Theo was Susie and I’m not sure at which point he decided he was Theo.
Verdict: I loved every page.
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 8, 2005
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence, some gore, jumping off cliffs and roller coasters, fighting the government)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 425
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. In just a few weeks she'll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she'll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world-- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever...
Review: This book just brought back all sorts of childhood memories! I loved every moment of this book and I definitely love how I chose such a strong character as my childhood idol. The characters are very well developed and the plot is very intriguing. I also love the message Scott has about beauty standards as a whole.
However, I do feel like the pace is a bit wonky in places, too fast or too slow when they should be the opposite.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Book Series: Uglies Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 8, 2005
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence, some gore, jumping off cliffs and roller coasters, fighting the government)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 425
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. In just a few weeks she'll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she'll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world-- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever...
Review: This book just brought back all sorts of childhood memories! I loved every moment of this book and I definitely love how I chose such a strong character as my childhood idol. The characters are very well developed and the plot is very intriguing. I also love the message Scott has about beauty standards as a whole.
However, I do feel like the pace is a bit wonky in places, too fast or too slow when they should be the opposite.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 1, 2005
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence, some gore, fighting the government, TW: intentional starvation, TW: cutting)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 370
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Gorgeous. Popular. Perfect.
Perfectly wrong.
Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.
But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.
Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.
Review: Again, so many childhood memories! I loved this book and I loved how Scott hammers in the dangers of the beauty industry, how it can metaphorically lead to bulimia, anorexia, and self harm. I thought the characters were very well developed, that the plot was interesting, and the book was well written.
However, I do feel like the book could have been slower in pacing and that while I get the point of including the self harm and starvation, if it’s not cautioned against and not seen in that metaphorical sense, then it can possibly encourage younger children to do it. I also felt that the climax was way too late in the book.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Book Series: Uglies Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 1, 2005
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence, some gore, fighting the government, TW: intentional starvation, TW: cutting)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 370
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Gorgeous. Popular. Perfect.
Perfectly wrong.
Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.
But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.
Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.
Review: Again, so many childhood memories! I loved this book and I loved how Scott hammers in the dangers of the beauty industry, how it can metaphorically lead to bulimia, anorexia, and self harm. I thought the characters were very well developed, that the plot was interesting, and the book was well written.
However, I do feel like the book could have been slower in pacing and that while I get the point of including the self harm and starvation, if it’s not cautioned against and not seen in that metaphorical sense, then it can possibly encourage younger children to do it. I also felt that the climax was way too late in the book.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Book 3
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 6, 2006
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, TW: cutting)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "Special Circumstances": The words have sent chills down Tally's spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor -- frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally's never been ordinary.
And now she's been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.
The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.
Still, it's easy to tune that out -- until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world will never be the same.
Review: This was the first book in the series that scared me lol. Tally is so fierce and scary! I loved the character though, the continued development of all the characters is so good. I love how the story developed and I thought the writing was fantastic yet again.
However, I do feel like the book could have been a bit longer. The ending felt rushed and I didn’t understand why Tally made the choice she did at first. I also feel that the cutting was, yet again metaphorical, but can still be scarring and damaging to younger children.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Book Series: Uglies Book 3
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 6, 2006
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, TW: cutting)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "Special Circumstances": The words have sent chills down Tally's spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor -- frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally's never been ordinary.
And now she's been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.
The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.
Still, it's easy to tune that out -- until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world will never be the same.
Review: This was the first book in the series that scared me lol. Tally is so fierce and scary! I loved the character though, the continued development of all the characters is so good. I love how the story developed and I thought the writing was fantastic yet again.
However, I do feel like the book could have been a bit longer. The ending felt rushed and I didn’t understand why Tally made the choice she did at first. I also feel that the cutting was, yet again metaphorical, but can still be scarring and damaging to younger children.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Book 4
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 2, 2007
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, obsession with face ranks, modifications to your body)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 417
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A few years after rebel Tally Youngblood takes down the Specials regime, a cultural renaissance sweeps the world. “Tech-heads” flaunt their latest gadgets, “kickers” spread gossip and trends, and “surge monkeys” are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. Popularity rules, and everyone craves fame.
Fifteen-year-old Aya Fuse is no exception. But Aya’s face rank is so low, she’s a total nobody. An extra. Her only chance at stardom is to kick a wild and unexpected story.
Then she stumbles upon a big secret. Aya knows she is on the cusp of celebrity. But the information she is about to disclose will change both her fate…and that of the brave new world
Review: I loved the diversion from the main series of Tally being the center character, I loved Aya and I felt that she was an interesting and well developed character. I also loved seeing how different cultures were after the mind-rain. I also loved the mechanics of this world and I definitely got Black Mirror vibes.
However, I do feel like the book suffered from not having such developed characters as the first books. Hiro, Ren, and Frizz all felt very much like background characters and I felt that Tally, Shay, David, and Fausto felt like fanfic versions of themselves. Tally didn’t have the same energy in my opinion.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Book Series: Uglies Book 4
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 2, 2007
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, obsession with face ranks, modifications to your body)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 417
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A few years after rebel Tally Youngblood takes down the Specials regime, a cultural renaissance sweeps the world. “Tech-heads” flaunt their latest gadgets, “kickers” spread gossip and trends, and “surge monkeys” are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. Popularity rules, and everyone craves fame.
Fifteen-year-old Aya Fuse is no exception. But Aya’s face rank is so low, she’s a total nobody. An extra. Her only chance at stardom is to kick a wild and unexpected story.
Then she stumbles upon a big secret. Aya knows she is on the cusp of celebrity. But the information she is about to disclose will change both her fate…and that of the brave new world
Review: I loved the diversion from the main series of Tally being the center character, I loved Aya and I felt that she was an interesting and well developed character. I also loved seeing how different cultures were after the mind-rain. I also loved the mechanics of this world and I definitely got Black Mirror vibes.
However, I do feel like the book suffered from not having such developed characters as the first books. Hiro, Ren, and Frizz all felt very much like background characters and I felt that Tally, Shay, David, and Fausto felt like fanfic versions of themselves. Tally didn’t have the same energy in my opinion.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Disclaimer: I received this book from KidLitExchange. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 11th, 2018
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, terrorism, romance)
Pages: 416
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Frey and Rafi are inseparable . . . but very few people have ever seen them together. This is because Frey is Rafi’s double, raised in the shadow’s of their rich father’s fortress. While Rafi has been taught to charm, Frey has been taught to kill. Frey only exists to protect her sister. There is no other part of her life. Frey has never been out in the world on her own – until her father sends her in Rafi’s place to act as collateral for a dangerous deal. Everyone thinks she’s her sister – but Col, the son of a rival leader, is starting to get close enough to tell the difference. As the stakes grow higher and higher, Frey must decide whether she can trust him – or anyone in her life.
Okay so I was very excited to see another Uglies book as it was the series that started my love for dystopian YA literature. I felt that this book rang true to the Uglies series and it had the same feel. It went fast and it was a bit unexpected. I love that it made me reminiscent about the original series.
However, I don’t feel like it was the greatest book in the series. I feel like the characters were disconnected from each other and the character of Rafi was severely underdeveloped. The book tended to jump around a lot and I got confused easily while reading it. The pacing was very off as well and it went from too fast to too slow continuously. I also don’t feel like this book could be a great book for readers to start on if they’re new to the series. A lot of the things in the book go unexplained and I think reading the other books in the series would be very helpful. However, even reading this book with the knowledge of the other four books was really confusing. Honestly, I don’t know if we needed another Uglies book but I’ll keep reading them as long as Westerfeld keeps writing them.
Verdict: A confusing read
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Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Book 5/Imposters 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, TW: terrorism and abuse)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 407
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Frey and Rafi are inseparable . . . but very few people have ever seen them together. This is because Frey is Rafi’s double, raised in the shadows of their rich father’s fortress. While Rafi has been taught to charm, Frey has been taught to kill. Frey only exists to protect her sister. There is no other part of her life. Frey has never been out in the world on her own – until her father sends her in Rafi’s place to act as collateral for a dangerous deal. Everyone thinks she’s her sister – but Col, the son of a rival leader, is starting to get close enough to tell the difference. As the stakes grow higher and higher, Frey must decide whether she can trust him – or anyone in her life.
Review: Okay so I love the premise of this story and it ties in really nicely to the Uglies culture. I felt like the story was strong and the writing was really good.
However, I do feel like the book was rushed and the characters weren’t developed like they usually are. We’re told things and not shown things. I also feel like this book could have been better if it had slowed down, was separated into two novels, and explained the surroundings more. I love the uglies series for the environment, so let me see it please.
Verdict: I still love this series and I have hope this book series will prevail.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 11th, 2018
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, terrorism, romance)
Pages: 416
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Frey and Rafi are inseparable . . . but very few people have ever seen them together. This is because Frey is Rafi’s double, raised in the shadow’s of their rich father’s fortress. While Rafi has been taught to charm, Frey has been taught to kill. Frey only exists to protect her sister. There is no other part of her life. Frey has never been out in the world on her own – until her father sends her in Rafi’s place to act as collateral for a dangerous deal. Everyone thinks she’s her sister – but Col, the son of a rival leader, is starting to get close enough to tell the difference. As the stakes grow higher and higher, Frey must decide whether she can trust him – or anyone in her life.
Okay so I was very excited to see another Uglies book as it was the series that started my love for dystopian YA literature. I felt that this book rang true to the Uglies series and it had the same feel. It went fast and it was a bit unexpected. I love that it made me reminiscent about the original series.
However, I don’t feel like it was the greatest book in the series. I feel like the characters were disconnected from each other and the character of Rafi was severely underdeveloped. The book tended to jump around a lot and I got confused easily while reading it. The pacing was very off as well and it went from too fast to too slow continuously. I also don’t feel like this book could be a great book for readers to start on if they’re new to the series. A lot of the things in the book go unexplained and I think reading the other books in the series would be very helpful. However, even reading this book with the knowledge of the other four books was really confusing. Honestly, I don’t know if we needed another Uglies book but I’ll keep reading them as long as Westerfeld keeps writing them.
Verdict: A confusing read
>>>>><<<<<<
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Book 5/Imposters 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, TW: terrorism and abuse)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 407
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Frey and Rafi are inseparable . . . but very few people have ever seen them together. This is because Frey is Rafi’s double, raised in the shadows of their rich father’s fortress. While Rafi has been taught to charm, Frey has been taught to kill. Frey only exists to protect her sister. There is no other part of her life. Frey has never been out in the world on her own – until her father sends her in Rafi’s place to act as collateral for a dangerous deal. Everyone thinks she’s her sister – but Col, the son of a rival leader, is starting to get close enough to tell the difference. As the stakes grow higher and higher, Frey must decide whether she can trust him – or anyone in her life.
Review: Okay so I love the premise of this story and it ties in really nicely to the Uglies culture. I felt like the story was strong and the writing was really good.
However, I do feel like the book was rushed and the characters weren’t developed like they usually are. We’re told things and not shown things. I also feel like this book could have been better if it had slowed down, was separated into two novels, and explained the surroundings more. I love the uglies series for the environment, so let me see it please.
Verdict: I still love this series and I have hope this book series will prevail.
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Comic Book Series 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 6, 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, romance, TW: terrorism)
Publisher: Del Ray
Pages: 208
Amazon Link
Synopsis: “This whole game is just designed to make us hate ourselves.”—Shay
Uglies told Tally Youngblood’s version of life in Uglyville and the budding rebellion against the Specials. Now comes an exciting graphic novel revealing new adventures in the Uglies world—as seen through the eyes of Shay, Tally’s rebellious best friend who’s not afraid to break the rules, no matter the cost.
A few months shy of her sixteenth birthday, Shay eagerly awaits her turn to become a Pretty—a rite-of-passage operation called “the Surge” that transforms ordinary Uglies into paragons of beauty. Yet after befriending the Crims, a group of fellow teens who refuse to take anything in society at face value, Shay starts to question the whole concept. And as the Crims explore beyond the monitored borders of Uglyville into the forbidden, ungoverned wild, Shay must choose between the perks of being Pretty and the rewards of being real.
Review: Oh. My. God. I can see the Smoke! I loved this graphic novel and I loved seeing Shay’s story. I felt this was the perfect backstory for her and I felt that I understood her character a lot better in the books now. The writing was perfection and the illustrations were on point!
However, I did feel that there was room to explore her more and that the story felt rushed.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Book Series: Uglies Comic Book Series 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 6, 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, romance, TW: terrorism)
Publisher: Del Ray
Pages: 208
Amazon Link
Synopsis: “This whole game is just designed to make us hate ourselves.”—Shay
Uglies told Tally Youngblood’s version of life in Uglyville and the budding rebellion against the Specials. Now comes an exciting graphic novel revealing new adventures in the Uglies world—as seen through the eyes of Shay, Tally’s rebellious best friend who’s not afraid to break the rules, no matter the cost.
A few months shy of her sixteenth birthday, Shay eagerly awaits her turn to become a Pretty—a rite-of-passage operation called “the Surge” that transforms ordinary Uglies into paragons of beauty. Yet after befriending the Crims, a group of fellow teens who refuse to take anything in society at face value, Shay starts to question the whole concept. And as the Crims explore beyond the monitored borders of Uglyville into the forbidden, ungoverned wild, Shay must choose between the perks of being Pretty and the rewards of being real.
Review: Oh. My. God. I can see the Smoke! I loved this graphic novel and I loved seeing Shay’s story. I felt this was the perfect backstory for her and I felt that I understood her character a lot better in the books now. The writing was perfection and the illustrations were on point!
However, I did feel that there was room to explore her more and that the story felt rushed.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Series Book
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 21, 2008
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, romance, dictionary terms)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 196
Amazon Link
Synopsis: THE WORLD OF UGLIES, SET IN OUR NOT-SO-DISTANT FUTURE,is a complex place filled with bubbly technology and lingo, yet bogus rules about status and appearance. That's why a guide to the world of uglies has been requisitioned from the hole in the wall. Inside you'll find:
A rundown on all the cliques, from Crims and Cutters to tech-heads and surge-monkeys
The complete history, starting with the destruction of the oil bug to the launch of Extras in space
How all those awesome gadgets came to be: hoverboards, eyescreens, skintennas, sneak suits...
PLUS an exclusive look at Scott Westerfeld's first draft of Extras -- starring Hiro, not Aya.
And so much more, it's mind-wrecking.
Review: Oh. My. God. I loved this dictionary-like book! I loved seeing all the detail that went into this series and it just made my uglies loving heart soar! The details are fantastic and everything is so well explained.
However, I feel like there could be more and I’m a bit sad that some of the later cultures aren’t included in this book.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Book Series: Uglies Series Book
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 21, 2008
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, romance, dictionary terms)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 196
Amazon Link
Synopsis: THE WORLD OF UGLIES, SET IN OUR NOT-SO-DISTANT FUTURE,is a complex place filled with bubbly technology and lingo, yet bogus rules about status and appearance. That's why a guide to the world of uglies has been requisitioned from the hole in the wall. Inside you'll find:
A rundown on all the cliques, from Crims and Cutters to tech-heads and surge-monkeys
The complete history, starting with the destruction of the oil bug to the launch of Extras in space
How all those awesome gadgets came to be: hoverboards, eyescreens, skintennas, sneak suits...
PLUS an exclusive look at Scott Westerfeld's first draft of Extras -- starring Hiro, not Aya.
And so much more, it's mind-wrecking.
Review: Oh. My. God. I loved this dictionary-like book! I loved seeing all the detail that went into this series and it just made my uglies loving heart soar! The details are fantastic and everything is so well explained.
However, I feel like there could be more and I’m a bit sad that some of the later cultures aren’t included in this book.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors!
Book Series: The Storm Crow #1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Lesbian romance with main side characters
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (death, violence, slight gore, TW: depression)
Publisher: SourcebooksFire
Pages: 352
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Synopsis: In the tropical kingdom of Rhodaire, magical, elemental Crows are part of every aspect of life...until the Illucian empire invades, destroying everything.
That terrible night has thrown Princess Anthia into a deep depression. Her sister Caliza is busy running the kingdom after their mother's death, but all Thia can do is think of all she has lost.
But when Caliza is forced to agree to a marriage between Thia and the crown prince of Illucia, Thia is finally spurred into action. And after stumbling upon a hidden Crow egg in the rubble of a rookery, she and her sister devise a dangerous plan to hatch the egg in secret and get back what was taken from them.
Review: I LOVED this book! It was action and adventure and all the things I want in a book. The sister relationship was amazing and not cliché or written weak. The character development, and inclusion of mental illness, was excellent and the writing was immaculate. I also loved how detailed the world building was, but it didn’t make the book heavy at all. I’m SO HAPPY with this book!
My only complaint is that I didn’t think the main character needed a love interest and I think it somewhat makes her character a bit weaker, but I enjoyed him more as the book went on.
Verdict: A must read!
Book Series: The Storm Crow #1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Lesbian romance with main side characters
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (death, violence, slight gore, TW: depression)
Publisher: SourcebooksFire
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In the tropical kingdom of Rhodaire, magical, elemental Crows are part of every aspect of life...until the Illucian empire invades, destroying everything.
That terrible night has thrown Princess Anthia into a deep depression. Her sister Caliza is busy running the kingdom after their mother's death, but all Thia can do is think of all she has lost.
But when Caliza is forced to agree to a marriage between Thia and the crown prince of Illucia, Thia is finally spurred into action. And after stumbling upon a hidden Crow egg in the rubble of a rookery, she and her sister devise a dangerous plan to hatch the egg in secret and get back what was taken from them.
Review: I LOVED this book! It was action and adventure and all the things I want in a book. The sister relationship was amazing and not cliché or written weak. The character development, and inclusion of mental illness, was excellent and the writing was immaculate. I also loved how detailed the world building was, but it didn’t make the book heavy at all. I’m SO HAPPY with this book!
My only complaint is that I didn’t think the main character needed a love interest and I think it somewhat makes her character a bit weaker, but I enjoyed him more as the book went on.
Verdict: A must read!