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popthebutterfly
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Book Series: A Shade of Vampire #1
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: December 17, 2012
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (blood, gore, violence, vampires, biting)
Publisher: Self
Pages: 296
Amazon Link
Synopsis: On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.
A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.
She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.
Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.
Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.
Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?
Review: Overall, I thought this was a good book. It was definitely written for fans of Twilight and it oozes all sorts of vampire goodness! We got a kidnapped teen and she’s special somehow to this hot vampire dude. We’ve got mystery and intrigue in the Shade and we got a love triangle! The writing was pretty good and the plot was interesting.
However, I do feel that the character development was sorely lacking in this book and I feel that this book was just a tad bit too predictable to me.
Verdict: If you want vampires, this is your series!
Book Series: A Shade of Vampire #1
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: December 17, 2012
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (blood, gore, violence, vampires, biting)
Publisher: Self
Pages: 296
Amazon Link
Synopsis: On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.
A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.
She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.
Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.
Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.
Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?
Review: Overall, I thought this was a good book. It was definitely written for fans of Twilight and it oozes all sorts of vampire goodness! We got a kidnapped teen and she’s special somehow to this hot vampire dude. We’ve got mystery and intrigue in the Shade and we got a love triangle! The writing was pretty good and the plot was interesting.
However, I do feel that the character development was sorely lacking in this book and I feel that this book was just a tad bit too predictable to me.
Verdict: If you want vampires, this is your series!
Disclaimer: I bought another copy cause I lost the first one. Support your authors!
Book Series: Stormheart Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (some slight mature romance, violence, slight gore, storms)
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 380
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.
Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.
To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.
Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.
She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.
Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.
Review: My reread of this book did NOT disappoint me. Far from it, I love this book more than when I originally read the book. I was definitely loving the writing and the romance this round and I love all the little things I saw in this reread. This is such a wonderfully well done book and you can definitely tell that the author has an amazing talent for writing. I can’t wait for book 2!
The only thing that annoyed me in this reread was that I wanted to see more Nova. She’s definitely my fave of the series LOL. I hope I get to see her more in the next book!
Verdict: I love this book and series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book on my own!
Book Series: Stormheart 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (lots of romance and mature scenes, violence)
Publisher: TorTeen
Pages: 380
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.
Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.
To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.
Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.
She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.
Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book! The world building was fantastic, I loved the idea of storm magic! The pacing was pretty good as well, a bit slow in the beginning, and I felt like this was such an unique concept for fantasy.
However, the romance got me. The book was so heavy in the romance that it made it hard for me to continue to read it. The character development for Rora felt like it was almost all dependent on the romantic relationship, like she found herself in her love instead of by herself. I don’t know if that’s a good message to send young girls, but if you’re a romance lover then this would be a great introductory book to fantasy for you!
Verdict: Romance heavy, but still worth the read in my opinion.
Book Series: Stormheart Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (some slight mature romance, violence, slight gore, storms)
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 380
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.
Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.
To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.
Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.
She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.
Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.
Review: My reread of this book did NOT disappoint me. Far from it, I love this book more than when I originally read the book. I was definitely loving the writing and the romance this round and I love all the little things I saw in this reread. This is such a wonderfully well done book and you can definitely tell that the author has an amazing talent for writing. I can’t wait for book 2!
The only thing that annoyed me in this reread was that I wanted to see more Nova. She’s definitely my fave of the series LOL. I hope I get to see her more in the next book!
Verdict: I love this book and series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book on my own!
Book Series: Stormheart 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (lots of romance and mature scenes, violence)
Publisher: TorTeen
Pages: 380
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.
Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.
To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.
Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.
She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.
Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book! The world building was fantastic, I loved the idea of storm magic! The pacing was pretty good as well, a bit slow in the beginning, and I felt like this was such an unique concept for fantasy.
However, the romance got me. The book was so heavy in the romance that it made it hard for me to continue to read it. The character development for Rora felt like it was almost all dependent on the romantic relationship, like she found herself in her love instead of by herself. I don’t know if that’s a good message to send young girls, but if you’re a romance lover then this would be a great introductory book to fantasy for you!
Verdict: Romance heavy, but still worth the read in my opinion.
Disclaimer: I bought this book for a readalong! Support your authors!
Book Series: The Remnant Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, violence, gore)
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 492
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.
Review: Overall, I liked this book. The book has very well developed characters, the plot is complex and intriguing, and the writing was fantastic. I also feel that this book was a great set up for the series. The romance was also solid!
However, I do feel that the pacing was a bit too slow for my liking and the book spent a lot of time on the romance and not so much the plot.
Verdict: A great series starter!
Book Series: The Remnant Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, violence, gore)
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 492
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.
Review: Overall, I liked this book. The book has very well developed characters, the plot is complex and intriguing, and the writing was fantastic. I also feel that this book was a great set up for the series. The romance was also solid!
However, I do feel that the pacing was a bit too slow for my liking and the book spent a lot of time on the romance and not so much the plot.
Verdict: A great series starter!
Disclaimer: I bought this for a readalong! Support your authors!
Book Series: The Remnant Chronicles Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: July 7, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, child murder, romance)
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 470
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save Lia's life, her erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.
Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: There's Rafe, who lied to Lia but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be savages. Now that she lives among them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.
Review: For the most part, this was a pretty good book. The characters were well developed and I loved seeing Lia evolve throughout the book. The writing was amazing and the plot was intriguing.
However, I feel like the pacing is so much slower in this book and I feel like there was a lot of filler for this book that didn’t really have a place in this book. Also the love triangle really started to get on my nerves.
Verdict: This was an okay book.
Book Series: The Remnant Chronicles Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: July 7, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, child murder, romance)
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 470
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save Lia's life, her erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.
Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: There's Rafe, who lied to Lia but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be savages. Now that she lives among them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.
Review: For the most part, this was a pretty good book. The characters were well developed and I loved seeing Lia evolve throughout the book. The writing was amazing and the plot was intriguing.
However, I feel like the pacing is so much slower in this book and I feel like there was a lot of filler for this book that didn’t really have a place in this book. Also the love triangle really started to get on my nerves.
Verdict: This was an okay book.
Disclaimer: I bought this book for a readalong. Support your authors!
Book Series: The Remnant Chronicles Book 3
Rating: 2/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance)
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 679
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Lia has survived Venda—but so has a great evil bent on the destruction of Morrighan. And only Lia can stop it.
With war on the horizon, Lia has no choice but to assume her role as First Daughter, as soldier—as leader. While she struggles to reach Morrighan and warn them, she finds herself at cross-purposes with Rafe and suspicious of Kaden, who has hunted her down.
In this conclusion to the Remnant Chronicles trilogy, traitors must be rooted out, sacrifices must be made, and impossible odds must be overcome as the future of every kingdom hangs in the balance.
Review: Okay, so I thought this series was pretty good and I was excited to see how it would end. I felt that the characters were still well developed and the writing is really good. The world building the author does is amazing.
However, I felt like 80% of this book is just filler. The book is so slow in pacing and it takes so long to get to the final battle scene, which is then a disappointment. I also felt very angry and upset about how Lia turned out in this book. The book also didn’t have a real end. It just kind of ended without a resolution.
Verdict: I say to read this series, just to see if this fits you.
Book Series: The Remnant Chronicles Book 3
Rating: 2/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance)
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 679
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Lia has survived Venda—but so has a great evil bent on the destruction of Morrighan. And only Lia can stop it.
With war on the horizon, Lia has no choice but to assume her role as First Daughter, as soldier—as leader. While she struggles to reach Morrighan and warn them, she finds herself at cross-purposes with Rafe and suspicious of Kaden, who has hunted her down.
In this conclusion to the Remnant Chronicles trilogy, traitors must be rooted out, sacrifices must be made, and impossible odds must be overcome as the future of every kingdom hangs in the balance.
Review: Okay, so I thought this series was pretty good and I was excited to see how it would end. I felt that the characters were still well developed and the writing is really good. The world building the author does is amazing.
However, I felt like 80% of this book is just filler. The book is so slow in pacing and it takes so long to get to the final battle scene, which is then a disappointment. I also felt very angry and upset about how Lia turned out in this book. The book also didn’t have a real end. It just kind of ended without a resolution.
Verdict: I say to read this series, just to see if this fits you.
Disclaimer: I received this book from TheNovl. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: African American main character and family, lesbian character, gay characters, ace character.
Publication Date: August 20, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (sex, some language)
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 325
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Dove "Birdie" Randolph works hard to be the perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her: She quit playing her beloved soccer, she keeps her nose buried in textbooks, and she's on track to finish high school at the top of her class. But then Birdie falls hard for Booker, a sweet boy with a troubled past...whom she knows her parents will never approve of.
When her estranged aunt Carlene returns to Chicago and moves into the family's apartment above their hair salon, Birdie notices the tension building at home. Carlene is sweet, friendly, and open-minded--she's also spent decades in and out of treatment facilities for addiction. As Birdie becomes closer to both Booker and Carlene, she yearns to spread her wings. But when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, everything she's known to be true is turned upside down.
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I thought this book was so intriguing and immediately from the beginning I knew there was more to Birdie's story than what it looked like. The characters were all well developed and the plot was well developed.
My only issue is that there was some possible misinformation regarding bail bond (where I'm from, when you bail someone out via a bail bond or cash bond that money is yours upon completion of the case, you only really lose it if you as the bondsman in cases of a cash bond do not show up for court and the defendant also doesn't show up for court, but even then there might be ways to save your money from forfeiture) and the pacing was a bit slow in some places.
Verdict: An amazing book!
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: African American main character and family, lesbian character, gay characters, ace character.
Publication Date: August 20, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (sex, some language)
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 325
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Dove "Birdie" Randolph works hard to be the perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her: She quit playing her beloved soccer, she keeps her nose buried in textbooks, and she's on track to finish high school at the top of her class. But then Birdie falls hard for Booker, a sweet boy with a troubled past...whom she knows her parents will never approve of.
When her estranged aunt Carlene returns to Chicago and moves into the family's apartment above their hair salon, Birdie notices the tension building at home. Carlene is sweet, friendly, and open-minded--she's also spent decades in and out of treatment facilities for addiction. As Birdie becomes closer to both Booker and Carlene, she yearns to spread her wings. But when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, everything she's known to be true is turned upside down.
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I thought this book was so intriguing and immediately from the beginning I knew there was more to Birdie's story than what it looked like. The characters were all well developed and the plot was well developed.
My only issue is that there was some possible misinformation regarding bail bond (where I'm from, when you bail someone out via a bail bond or cash bond that money is yours upon completion of the case, you only really lose it if you as the bondsman in cases of a cash bond do not show up for court and the defendant also doesn't show up for court, but even then there might be ways to save your money from forfeiture) and the pacing was a bit slow in some places.
Verdict: An amazing book!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and then bought my own copy. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: The Tales of Pell Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: July 17, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy Satire
Recommended Age: 15+ (some violence, some gore, talking goats, some slight sexual innuendos)
Publisher: Del Rey
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, a hero, the Chosen One, was born . . . and so begins every fairy tale ever told.
This is not that fairy tale.
There is a Chosen One, but he is unlike any One who has ever been Chosened.
And there is a faraway kingdom, but you have never been to a magical world quite like the land of Pell.
There, a plucky farm boy will find more than he's bargained for on his quest to awaken the sleeping princess in her cursed tower. First there's the Dark Lord who wishes for the boy's untimely death . . . and also very fine cheese. Then there's a bard without a song in her heart but with a very adorable and fuzzy tail, an assassin who fears not the night but is terrified of chickens, and a mighty fighter more frightened of her sword than of her chain-mail bikini. This journey will lead to sinister umlauts, a trash-talking goat, the Dread Necromancer Steve, and a strange and wondrous journey to the most peculiar "happily ever after" that ever once-upon-a-timed.
Review: I thought this was a pretty good book. The character development was well done, the plot was pretty good, and the world building was really amazing. The book had a William Goldman feel to the book. It was sarcastic and hilarious and it pokes fun at your average fairytales.
However, I felt that the pacing was really slow in a lot of places and it really made the read not so fun to read at times. The book also switches POV a lot, so you gotta pay attention. The book is still entertaining either way.
Verdict: Hilarious and funny!
Book Series: The Tales of Pell Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: July 17, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy Satire
Recommended Age: 15+ (some violence, some gore, talking goats, some slight sexual innuendos)
Publisher: Del Rey
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, a hero, the Chosen One, was born . . . and so begins every fairy tale ever told.
This is not that fairy tale.
There is a Chosen One, but he is unlike any One who has ever been Chosened.
And there is a faraway kingdom, but you have never been to a magical world quite like the land of Pell.
There, a plucky farm boy will find more than he's bargained for on his quest to awaken the sleeping princess in her cursed tower. First there's the Dark Lord who wishes for the boy's untimely death . . . and also very fine cheese. Then there's a bard without a song in her heart but with a very adorable and fuzzy tail, an assassin who fears not the night but is terrified of chickens, and a mighty fighter more frightened of her sword than of her chain-mail bikini. This journey will lead to sinister umlauts, a trash-talking goat, the Dread Necromancer Steve, and a strange and wondrous journey to the most peculiar "happily ever after" that ever once-upon-a-timed.
Review: I thought this was a pretty good book. The character development was well done, the plot was pretty good, and the world building was really amazing. The book had a William Goldman feel to the book. It was sarcastic and hilarious and it pokes fun at your average fairytales.
However, I felt that the pacing was really slow in a lot of places and it really made the read not so fun to read at times. The book also switches POV a lot, so you gotta pay attention. The book is still entertaining either way.
Verdict: Hilarious and funny!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publishing company. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 13, 2019
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (little violence, werepenguins)
Publisher: Viking/Penguin Random House
Pages: 334
Amazon Link
Synopsis: All orphan Bolt Wattle has ever wanted was to find his true family. When a mysterious baron in far-off Brugaria sends for Bolt, he wonders if he's getting closer to finding his long-lost parents. But Baron Chordata appears to be a twelve-year-old boy who wears tuxedos all the time, shouts at everyone, and forbids Bolt from asking questions. Things couldn't get any worse . . . until midnight, when the Baron bites Bolt and turns him into a half boy, half penguin. Then things really couldn't get worse-- nope, wait, they get a lot worse. With the help and hindrance of a plucky girl who just might be the world's greatest bandit, a whale cult led by a man whose weapon is a stale loaf of French bread, and a sinister but friendly fortune-teller who can't stop cackling, Bolt's on a quest to reverse the curse, return to human form, and stop the Baron from taking over the country of Brugaria with his army of mind-controlled penguins in what might be the weirdest--and funniest--middle-grade novel you've ever read.
Review: Let me admit something. I did not think this was a serious book until I got it in the mail. The title was just so weird and I’d never heard of a werepenguin! But as I read the book I thought it was a perfect book for young readers. The characters were charming, the mystery and the back stories were well done, the writing is phenomenal, and the world building is amazing!
However, the book didn’t really grab my attention until about 100 pages in. That’s not a bad thing, I remember that this book isn’t geared for people like me, but it was a bit weird to get into. However, I do see where any younger kid would be instantly drawn into this amazing book!
Verdict: Funny, weird, and charming!
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 13, 2019
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (little violence, werepenguins)
Publisher: Viking/Penguin Random House
Pages: 334
Amazon Link
Synopsis: All orphan Bolt Wattle has ever wanted was to find his true family. When a mysterious baron in far-off Brugaria sends for Bolt, he wonders if he's getting closer to finding his long-lost parents. But Baron Chordata appears to be a twelve-year-old boy who wears tuxedos all the time, shouts at everyone, and forbids Bolt from asking questions. Things couldn't get any worse . . . until midnight, when the Baron bites Bolt and turns him into a half boy, half penguin. Then things really couldn't get worse-- nope, wait, they get a lot worse. With the help and hindrance of a plucky girl who just might be the world's greatest bandit, a whale cult led by a man whose weapon is a stale loaf of French bread, and a sinister but friendly fortune-teller who can't stop cackling, Bolt's on a quest to reverse the curse, return to human form, and stop the Baron from taking over the country of Brugaria with his army of mind-controlled penguins in what might be the weirdest--and funniest--middle-grade novel you've ever read.
Review: Let me admit something. I did not think this was a serious book until I got it in the mail. The title was just so weird and I’d never heard of a werepenguin! But as I read the book I thought it was a perfect book for young readers. The characters were charming, the mystery and the back stories were well done, the writing is phenomenal, and the world building is amazing!
However, the book didn’t really grab my attention until about 100 pages in. That’s not a bad thing, I remember that this book isn’t geared for people like me, but it was a bit weird to get into. However, I do see where any younger kid would be instantly drawn into this amazing book!
Verdict: Funny, weird, and charming!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Hagenheim Book 9
Rating: 1.5/5
Diversity: Mulan is half-Asian in this one.
Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Genre: Adult Christian Romance
Recommended Age: 15+ (war and romance)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Mulan isn’t afraid to pretend to be a son and assume her father’s soldier duties in war. But what happens when the handsome son of a duke discovers her secret?
Mulan is trying to resign herself to marrying the village butcher for the good of her family, but her adventurous spirit just can’t stand the thought. At the last minute, she pretends to be the son her father never had, assumes his duties as a soldier, and rides off to join the fight to protect the castle of her liege lord’s ally from the besieging Teutonic Knights.
Wolfgang and his brother Steffan leave Hagenheim with several other soldiers to help their father’s ally in Poland. When they arrive, Wolfgang is exasperated by the young soldier Mikolai who seems to either always be one step away from disaster... or showing Wolfgang up in embarrassing ways.
When Wolfgang discovers his former rival and reluctant friend Mikolai is actually a girl, he is determined to protect her. But battle is a dangerous place where anything can happen — and usually does.
When Mulan receives word that her mother has been accused of practicing witchcraft through her healing herbs and skills, Mulan’s only thought is of defending her. Will she be able to trust Wolfgang to help? Or will sacrificing her own life be the only way to save her mother?
Review: I did enjoy that this book had a lot of world building and the character development for some characters was pretty good. The writing was also well done.
However, the character development for Mulan was really bad in my opinion. This Mulan only focused on romance instead of her family and honor and it really made me sad to see this. This Mulan was definitely not the Mulan I know and love. Her character development was almost entirely dependent on her romance too. I know this is a romance novel, but there’s a way to develop characters outside of romance. The book is set in medieval Lithuania, the characters are Christian, and the Mulan character is Half-Asain. I just got a really weird vibe from this and I can’t really explain it. It’s just so off to me that this deviates so much from the original storyline and I do not love how this was written.
Verdict: Not my style.
Book Series: Hagenheim Book 9
Rating: 1.5/5
Diversity: Mulan is half-Asian in this one.
Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Genre: Adult Christian Romance
Recommended Age: 15+ (war and romance)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Mulan isn’t afraid to pretend to be a son and assume her father’s soldier duties in war. But what happens when the handsome son of a duke discovers her secret?
Mulan is trying to resign herself to marrying the village butcher for the good of her family, but her adventurous spirit just can’t stand the thought. At the last minute, she pretends to be the son her father never had, assumes his duties as a soldier, and rides off to join the fight to protect the castle of her liege lord’s ally from the besieging Teutonic Knights.
Wolfgang and his brother Steffan leave Hagenheim with several other soldiers to help their father’s ally in Poland. When they arrive, Wolfgang is exasperated by the young soldier Mikolai who seems to either always be one step away from disaster... or showing Wolfgang up in embarrassing ways.
When Wolfgang discovers his former rival and reluctant friend Mikolai is actually a girl, he is determined to protect her. But battle is a dangerous place where anything can happen — and usually does.
When Mulan receives word that her mother has been accused of practicing witchcraft through her healing herbs and skills, Mulan’s only thought is of defending her. Will she be able to trust Wolfgang to help? Or will sacrificing her own life be the only way to save her mother?
Review: I did enjoy that this book had a lot of world building and the character development for some characters was pretty good. The writing was also well done.
However, the character development for Mulan was really bad in my opinion. This Mulan only focused on romance instead of her family and honor and it really made me sad to see this. This Mulan was definitely not the Mulan I know and love. Her character development was almost entirely dependent on her romance too. I know this is a romance novel, but there’s a way to develop characters outside of romance. The book is set in medieval Lithuania, the characters are Christian, and the Mulan character is Half-Asain. I just got a really weird vibe from this and I can’t really explain it. It’s just so off to me that this deviates so much from the original storyline and I do not love how this was written.
Verdict: Not my style.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publishing company. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: One of the main characters is African-American
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 18+ (violence, war, gore)
Publisher: Permuted Press
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: On a marshy Brooklyn battlefield on August 27, 1776, four hundred men from Baltimore, Maryland assembled to do battle against a vastly superior British army. Seemingly overnight, these young soldiers had matured from naïve teenagers to perhaps the most important, yet most forgotten, citizen soldiers in all of American history: “America’s 400 Spartans.”
Saving Washington follows young Joshua Bolton and his childhood friend Ben Wright, a freed black man, as they witness British tyranny firsthand, become enraptured by the cause, and ultimately enlist to defend their new nation in a battle that galvanized the American nation on the eve of its birth.
Chris Formant’s gripping tale blends real-life historical figures and events with richly developed fictional characters in a multi-dimensional world of intrigue, romance, comradeship, and sacrifice, transporting us two-and-a-half centuries back in time to the bustling streets of Baltimore and the bloody, smoke-filled carnage of battle in Brooklyn.
Review: I thought the book did well with the world building and with the writing. The plot was also intriguing and I liked the part where an actual battle was described.
However, I did feel like this book was really slow and the characters weren’t that interesting to me in the end. Maybe it was just me, I was having an off weekend.
Verdict: If you like History you’ll love this.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: One of the main characters is African-American
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 18+ (violence, war, gore)
Publisher: Permuted Press
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: On a marshy Brooklyn battlefield on August 27, 1776, four hundred men from Baltimore, Maryland assembled to do battle against a vastly superior British army. Seemingly overnight, these young soldiers had matured from naïve teenagers to perhaps the most important, yet most forgotten, citizen soldiers in all of American history: “America’s 400 Spartans.”
Saving Washington follows young Joshua Bolton and his childhood friend Ben Wright, a freed black man, as they witness British tyranny firsthand, become enraptured by the cause, and ultimately enlist to defend their new nation in a battle that galvanized the American nation on the eve of its birth.
Chris Formant’s gripping tale blends real-life historical figures and events with richly developed fictional characters in a multi-dimensional world of intrigue, romance, comradeship, and sacrifice, transporting us two-and-a-half centuries back in time to the bustling streets of Baltimore and the bloody, smoke-filled carnage of battle in Brooklyn.
Review: I thought the book did well with the world building and with the writing. The plot was also intriguing and I liked the part where an actual battle was described.
However, I did feel like this book was really slow and the characters weren’t that interesting to me in the end. Maybe it was just me, I was having an off weekend.
Verdict: If you like History you’ll love this.