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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All options are my own.
Author: Sara Ella
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Recommended Age: 16+ (suicide, mental health, there’s a proper trigger warning page in the front of this book too! I definitely recommend reading it and I urge other authors and publishers to copy this format.)
Synopsis: There is more than one way to drown.
Coral has always been different, standing out from her mermaid sisters in a society where blending in is key. Worse yet, she fears she has been afflicted with the dreaded Disease, said to be carried by humans—emotions. Can she face the darkness long enough to surface in the light?
Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at Fathoms—a new group therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?
Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right?
When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive, and Coral might even catch a prince in the process. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?
Review: For the most part this book was really interesting. I felt like the characters were well developed and the story was intriguing. I liked how the book was brutally honest about mental health as well and didn’t hold back punches to show the devastation it can cause.
However, the book was told in a really unique format. It’s told in 3 povs and 2 different timelines. The book is a bit complicated to read like that and it can get a bit frustrating. The book also could have done a bit more world building.
Verdict: Overall, a great story and a recommended read.
Author: Sara Ella
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Recommended Age: 16+ (suicide, mental health, there’s a proper trigger warning page in the front of this book too! I definitely recommend reading it and I urge other authors and publishers to copy this format.)
Synopsis: There is more than one way to drown.
Coral has always been different, standing out from her mermaid sisters in a society where blending in is key. Worse yet, she fears she has been afflicted with the dreaded Disease, said to be carried by humans—emotions. Can she face the darkness long enough to surface in the light?
Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at Fathoms—a new group therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?
Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right?
When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive, and Coral might even catch a prince in the process. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?
Review: For the most part this book was really interesting. I felt like the characters were well developed and the story was intriguing. I liked how the book was brutally honest about mental health as well and didn’t hold back punches to show the devastation it can cause.
However, the book was told in a really unique format. It’s told in 3 povs and 2 different timelines. The book is a bit complicated to read like that and it can get a bit frustrating. The book also could have done a bit more world building.
Verdict: Overall, a great story and a recommended read.
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Disclaimer: I got this book from @yasofthemonth! Sign up through my link in my linktree!
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Book Series: The Beautiful Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Bi-racial main character and lesbian scenes.
Publication Date: October 8, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual assault TW, cussing, rape mention TW)
Publisher: Putnam Books
Pages: 448
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.
When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. It was well written, there was a good mystery that kept me guessing, the vampires were not as in-your-face as they are in Twilight, and there was really good world building in this book.
The main downside of this book is that there aren’t a lot of vampirey things and the pacing is slow, BUT it’s the beginning of a series and this book did well to set the precedent for the rest of the series.
Verdict: Recommend if you love biting other people’s necks!
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Book Series: The Beautiful Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Bi-racial main character and lesbian scenes.
Publication Date: October 8, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual assault TW, cussing, rape mention TW)
Publisher: Putnam Books
Pages: 448
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.
When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. It was well written, there was a good mystery that kept me guessing, the vampires were not as in-your-face as they are in Twilight, and there was really good world building in this book.
The main downside of this book is that there aren’t a lot of vampirey things and the pacing is slow, BUT it’s the beginning of a series and this book did well to set the precedent for the rest of the series.
Verdict: Recommend if you love biting other people’s necks!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: JJ and Chris Grabenstein
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Random House
Recommended Age: 10+ (bullying)
Synopsis: "Who do you want to be?" asks Mr. Van Deusen. "And not when you grow up. Right here, right now."
Shine on! might be the catchphrase of twelve-year-old Piper's hero--astronaut, astronomer, and television host Nellie Dumont Frisse--but Piper knows the truth: some people are born to shine, and she's just not one of them. That fact has never been clearer than now, since her dad's new job has landed them both at Chumley Prep, a posh private school where everyone seems to be the best at something and where Piper definitely doesn't fit in.
Bursting with humor, heart, science, possibilities, and big questions, Shine! is a story about finding your place in the universe--a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It was a cute story for younger kids that show the love of STEM/science and individuality. I think it's really important to get kids interested in STEM centered courses and I love that the main character was interested in it. I also think it's really important seeing as the main character was a female and I think we, as a society, still have a way to go in encouraging females to persue STEM classes. Also, the overall message is amazing. Figuring out who you want to be isn't for when you just "grow up". It's a now thing and an always thing. You change, you grow, you should always be thinking of who you aspire to be and how you can improve for now and not later.
My only downside is that sometimes during the book the pacing wanes and I feel like the bully issue wasn't entirely resolved but otherwise it was a great read!
Verdict: Definitely a book for yourself or younger kids!
Author: JJ and Chris Grabenstein
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Random House
Recommended Age: 10+ (bullying)
Synopsis: "Who do you want to be?" asks Mr. Van Deusen. "And not when you grow up. Right here, right now."
Shine on! might be the catchphrase of twelve-year-old Piper's hero--astronaut, astronomer, and television host Nellie Dumont Frisse--but Piper knows the truth: some people are born to shine, and she's just not one of them. That fact has never been clearer than now, since her dad's new job has landed them both at Chumley Prep, a posh private school where everyone seems to be the best at something and where Piper definitely doesn't fit in.
Bursting with humor, heart, science, possibilities, and big questions, Shine! is a story about finding your place in the universe--a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It was a cute story for younger kids that show the love of STEM/science and individuality. I think it's really important to get kids interested in STEM centered courses and I love that the main character was interested in it. I also think it's really important seeing as the main character was a female and I think we, as a society, still have a way to go in encouraging females to persue STEM classes. Also, the overall message is amazing. Figuring out who you want to be isn't for when you just "grow up". It's a now thing and an always thing. You change, you grow, you should always be thinking of who you aspire to be and how you can improve for now and not later.
My only downside is that sometimes during the book the pacing wanes and I feel like the bully issue wasn't entirely resolved but otherwise it was a great read!
Verdict: Definitely a book for yourself or younger kids!
Disclaimer: I got this from my sub with @yasofthemonth! Thanks! Use my link to get your own sub to this awesome ya centered book of the month subscription service. All opinions are my own.
Author: Kiersten White
Book Series: Book One of the Camelot Rising Trilogy
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: LGBT inclusion and a possible non-binary character
Publication Date: November 5, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (TW for a small cutting scene (it’s with lips and a palm, not wrists), language, some sexual content)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.
Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution--send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.
To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.
Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?
Review: I thought this was an absolutely amazing book! I loved all the references and call backs to the original King Arthur tale. I loved the world building and the writing style. I also loved how Kiersten White took something that would potentially harm readers (a blood sacrifice needed) and did it in a fashion I didn’t expect (cut her lip instead of the usual method people use). I thought that was very smart of her to do and it got the message across without harming as many readers as it could have. I also loved the LGBT inclusion and the inclusion of a character being non-binary or just more masculine in their sense than feminine. Not sure where in the spectrum they fall and I’m anxious to see where this character goes.
My only issue was that the beginning was so slow. It took a bit to get into but once I was into it I was INTO it.
Verdict: A great fantasy tale!
Author: Kiersten White
Book Series: Book One of the Camelot Rising Trilogy
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: LGBT inclusion and a possible non-binary character
Publication Date: November 5, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (TW for a small cutting scene (it’s with lips and a palm, not wrists), language, some sexual content)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.
Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution--send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.
To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.
Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?
Review: I thought this was an absolutely amazing book! I loved all the references and call backs to the original King Arthur tale. I loved the world building and the writing style. I also loved how Kiersten White took something that would potentially harm readers (a blood sacrifice needed) and did it in a fashion I didn’t expect (cut her lip instead of the usual method people use). I thought that was very smart of her to do and it got the message across without harming as many readers as it could have. I also loved the LGBT inclusion and the inclusion of a character being non-binary or just more masculine in their sense than feminine. Not sure where in the spectrum they fall and I’m anxious to see where this character goes.
My only issue was that the beginning was so slow. It took a bit to get into but once I was into it I was INTO it.
Verdict: A great fantasy tale!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Jerome Preisler
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: November 26, 2019
Genre: Thriller (?)
Recommended Age: 18+ (terrorism, cyber attacks, frightening things and slow pacing)
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Pages:704
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The number one threat to our nation’s security is in cyberspace. The new US president wants to tackle the urgent problem head-on and launches a top secret line of defense: Net Force. But before the organization can be announced, the country is hit by an unprecedented, two-pronged terror attack.
Not yet empowered by Congress nor embraced by a dubious intelligence community, still untested, unproven and officially unnamed, Net Force’s elite group of cyber experts and field operatives must lead the fight against the ongoing waves of hacks while tracking down the mastermind. Their failure could mean global catastrophe. Success may lead them to become the highest-level security agency in the United States.
A story that seems ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, Net Force: Dark Web relaunches one of the most prescient thriller series at a time when cybersecurity is more vital than ever
Review: I thought the overall plot was really good and the writing was pretty good. However, unfortunately, that's all I liked about this book.
I thought the book was way way way to lengthy for what it should have been. The book had too much going on in my opinion. The book pacing was really slow too and I felt like I was running a marathon reading this. I felt mentally exhausted and I was so confused throughout the whole book. I really thing it should have been split up into multiple books or something because how it is isn't working for me lol.
Verdict: Not my cup of tea.
Author: Jerome Preisler
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: November 26, 2019
Genre: Thriller (?)
Recommended Age: 18+ (terrorism, cyber attacks, frightening things and slow pacing)
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Pages:704
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The number one threat to our nation’s security is in cyberspace. The new US president wants to tackle the urgent problem head-on and launches a top secret line of defense: Net Force. But before the organization can be announced, the country is hit by an unprecedented, two-pronged terror attack.
Not yet empowered by Congress nor embraced by a dubious intelligence community, still untested, unproven and officially unnamed, Net Force’s elite group of cyber experts and field operatives must lead the fight against the ongoing waves of hacks while tracking down the mastermind. Their failure could mean global catastrophe. Success may lead them to become the highest-level security agency in the United States.
A story that seems ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, Net Force: Dark Web relaunches one of the most prescient thriller series at a time when cybersecurity is more vital than ever
Review: I thought the overall plot was really good and the writing was pretty good. However, unfortunately, that's all I liked about this book.
I thought the book was way way way to lengthy for what it should have been. The book had too much going on in my opinion. The book pacing was really slow too and I felt like I was running a marathon reading this. I felt mentally exhausted and I was so confused throughout the whole book. I really thing it should have been split up into multiple books or something because how it is isn't working for me lol.
Verdict: Not my cup of tea.
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Ryan Calejo
Book Series: Book Two of the Charlie Hernandez series
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Publisher: Aladdin
Recommended Age: 10+ (little blood, some scary moments)
Synopsis: Inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America, this bold sequel to Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows, which Booklist called “a perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan” in a starred review, follows Charlie as he continues on his quest to embrace his morphling identity.
Charlie Hernandez still likes to think of himself as a normal kid. But what’s normal about being a demon-slaying preteen with an encyclopedic knowledge of Hispanic and Latino mythology who can partially manifest nearly any animal trait found in nature? Well, not much. But, Charlie believes he can get used to this new “normal,” because being able to sprout wings or morph fins is pretty cool.
But there is a downside: it means having to constantly watch his back for La Mano Peluda’s sinister schemes. And when the leader of La Liga, the Witch Queen Jo herself, is suddenly kidnapped, Charlie’s sure they’re at it again.
Determined to save the queen and keep La Liga’s alliances intact, Charlie and his good friend Violet Rey embark on a perilous journey to track down her captors. As Charlie and Violet are drawn deeper into a world of monstruos and magia they are soon left with more questions than answers—like, why do they keep hearing rumors of dead men walking, and why is Charlie suddenly having visions of an ancient evil: a necromancer priest who’s been dead for more than five centuries?
Charlie’s abuela once told him that when dead men walk, the living run in fear. And Charlie’s about to learn the truth of that—the hard way.
Review: I really really enjoyed this one! It was full of mystery and intrigue. The book was excellently written and the characters were very well developed. The plot was intriguing from start to finish and overall a greatly enjoyable read.
My only concern is that the length of the book is quite long for a middle grade book (not needlessly long, all of it was required for the plot), and the pacing can be slow at times. The fighting scenes are also a bit chaotic and a little hard to follow as well.
Verdict: I definitely recommend this one!
Author: Ryan Calejo
Book Series: Book Two of the Charlie Hernandez series
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Publisher: Aladdin
Recommended Age: 10+ (little blood, some scary moments)
Synopsis: Inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America, this bold sequel to Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows, which Booklist called “a perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan” in a starred review, follows Charlie as he continues on his quest to embrace his morphling identity.
Charlie Hernandez still likes to think of himself as a normal kid. But what’s normal about being a demon-slaying preteen with an encyclopedic knowledge of Hispanic and Latino mythology who can partially manifest nearly any animal trait found in nature? Well, not much. But, Charlie believes he can get used to this new “normal,” because being able to sprout wings or morph fins is pretty cool.
But there is a downside: it means having to constantly watch his back for La Mano Peluda’s sinister schemes. And when the leader of La Liga, the Witch Queen Jo herself, is suddenly kidnapped, Charlie’s sure they’re at it again.
Determined to save the queen and keep La Liga’s alliances intact, Charlie and his good friend Violet Rey embark on a perilous journey to track down her captors. As Charlie and Violet are drawn deeper into a world of monstruos and magia they are soon left with more questions than answers—like, why do they keep hearing rumors of dead men walking, and why is Charlie suddenly having visions of an ancient evil: a necromancer priest who’s been dead for more than five centuries?
Charlie’s abuela once told him that when dead men walk, the living run in fear. And Charlie’s about to learn the truth of that—the hard way.
Review: I really really enjoyed this one! It was full of mystery and intrigue. The book was excellently written and the characters were very well developed. The plot was intriguing from start to finish and overall a greatly enjoyable read.
My only concern is that the length of the book is quite long for a middle grade book (not needlessly long, all of it was required for the plot), and the pacing can be slow at times. The fighting scenes are also a bit chaotic and a little hard to follow as well.
Verdict: I definitely recommend this one!
Disclaimer: I bought this book and am receiving a copy from the author for this tour. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Andrea Gibb
Book Series: The Sanarii Chronicles
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: November 15, 2018
Publisher: Indie Published
Recommended Age: 16+ (gore, violence)
Synopsis: The last sanarii -
Eva, the last true sanarii, uses her forbidden magic despite the risks, not realizing she could irrevocably affect the destinies of Jullayans and Kitarrans alike. Yet caught in the machinations of the Guardians and their prophecy, can she protect those she loves from the menace of dark magic threatening not just Kitarra, but all who value goodness and light?
And her hero prince -
When Illiah learned he was not just a hero, he was also the lost prince. He came to court with one thing in mind: he sought to arm Jullayah against any further attacks from the monstrous invaders. And in a land where magic is forbidden, he has secrets to hide. But when he finds himself falling into the secrets of a woman unlike any other, he must choose to fight for her and risk everything … or lose her forever.
Review: I really enjoyed the book after I got into it some. The characters were endearing, the plot was phenomenal, and the writing was really well done. I think this is going to be an excellent series.
However, I do think that the book had some shortcomings in my opinion. The way it was told was really cool but it made me confused several times. The pov switches mid chapter threw me off and it made the book a bit more difficult to grasp. The world building and the background scenes (like what's going on in places where the focus is not there) could have been a bit more fleshed out too.
Verdict: Overall though, once you start getting into the book it's absolutely amazing.
Author: Andrea Gibb
Book Series: The Sanarii Chronicles
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: November 15, 2018
Publisher: Indie Published
Recommended Age: 16+ (gore, violence)
Synopsis: The last sanarii -
Eva, the last true sanarii, uses her forbidden magic despite the risks, not realizing she could irrevocably affect the destinies of Jullayans and Kitarrans alike. Yet caught in the machinations of the Guardians and their prophecy, can she protect those she loves from the menace of dark magic threatening not just Kitarra, but all who value goodness and light?
And her hero prince -
When Illiah learned he was not just a hero, he was also the lost prince. He came to court with one thing in mind: he sought to arm Jullayah against any further attacks from the monstrous invaders. And in a land where magic is forbidden, he has secrets to hide. But when he finds himself falling into the secrets of a woman unlike any other, he must choose to fight for her and risk everything … or lose her forever.
Review: I really enjoyed the book after I got into it some. The characters were endearing, the plot was phenomenal, and the writing was really well done. I think this is going to be an excellent series.
However, I do think that the book had some shortcomings in my opinion. The way it was told was really cool but it made me confused several times. The pov switches mid chapter threw me off and it made the book a bit more difficult to grasp. The world building and the background scenes (like what's going on in places where the focus is not there) could have been a bit more fleshed out too.
Verdict: Overall though, once you start getting into the book it's absolutely amazing.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Elizabeth Tammi
Book Series: Standalone (please Elizabeth Tammi make another book in this series?)
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: December 3, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (sexual content, almost rape TW, murder, violence, gore, Loki)
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: When Lena's younger sister Fressa is found dead, their whole Viking clan mourns—but it is Lena alone who never recovers. Fressa is the sister that should've lived, and Lena cannot rest until she knows exactly what killed Fressa and why—and how to bring her back. She strikes a dark deal with Hela, the Norse goddess of death, and begins a new double life to save her sister.
But as Lena gets closer to bringing Fressa back, she dredges up dangerous discoveries about her own family, and finds herself in the middle of a devastating plan to spur Ragnarök –a deadly chain of events leading to total world destruction.
Still, with her sister's life in the balance, Lena is willing to risk it all. She's willing to kill. How far will she go before the darkness consumes her?
Review: Holy cow this book was AMAZING! I loved the characters, the writing was well done, and the plot was so interesting from start to finish. The pacing was also perfection for me and I finished this book in about 5 hours. The book had me crying most of the way through and I loved how the author weaved in Norse mythology all around the book. It really felt like a true Viking book.
The only downside is that I want a second book. Now. More Loki and more Fressa!
Verdict: Definitely a book you can’t put down!
Author: Elizabeth Tammi
Book Series: Standalone (please Elizabeth Tammi make another book in this series?)
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: December 3, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (sexual content, almost rape TW, murder, violence, gore, Loki)
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: When Lena's younger sister Fressa is found dead, their whole Viking clan mourns—but it is Lena alone who never recovers. Fressa is the sister that should've lived, and Lena cannot rest until she knows exactly what killed Fressa and why—and how to bring her back. She strikes a dark deal with Hela, the Norse goddess of death, and begins a new double life to save her sister.
But as Lena gets closer to bringing Fressa back, she dredges up dangerous discoveries about her own family, and finds herself in the middle of a devastating plan to spur Ragnarök –a deadly chain of events leading to total world destruction.
Still, with her sister's life in the balance, Lena is willing to risk it all. She's willing to kill. How far will she go before the darkness consumes her?
Review: Holy cow this book was AMAZING! I loved the characters, the writing was well done, and the plot was so interesting from start to finish. The pacing was also perfection for me and I finished this book in about 5 hours. The book had me crying most of the way through and I loved how the author weaved in Norse mythology all around the book. It really felt like a true Viking book.
The only downside is that I want a second book. Now. More Loki and more Fressa!
Verdict: Definitely a book you can’t put down!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Disney. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Romily Bernard
Book Series: Standalone so far
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: MG Mystery
Recommended Age: 10+ (science and mystery! Some scary moments with missing kids)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 304
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Welcome to Bohring-home to 453 people, 2,053 alligators, and one monster curse.
Correction: home to 454 people, now that Kick Winter is living in the swamp Hollows with her Grandma Missouri, the town (fake) psychic. Bohring is anything but boring for Kick who has already blown a hole through the kitchen floor, befriended a chicken-eating gator, and discovered that the town's hundred-year curse is upon them.
It's the Bohring curse and all the kids are about to become monsters-or so the legend goes. People are worried-except for Kick. She knows there's a scientific explanation for everything, especially curses and monsters. But Kick is the new kid in school and she's determined to make a name for herself . . . by pretending to be psychic.
According to her calculations: one teeny-tiny life + (fake) psychic skills = popularity. But when kids start disappearing and glowing creatures start showing up, Kick's theory quickly evaporates in a puff of foul-smelling swamp gas. Can Kick use her (real) science smarts to prove the curse is a hoax? Or is it just-maybe-sort of-somehow possible the curse is here?
Review: This was a really fun book! I loved the character development of Kick and Carolina, I loved seeing that Kick, who’s our main character, had a love for science, in a day and age where we still need more women in STEM programs, and I loved the story. It was a fun mystery filled with scientific explanations and even for a middle grade book the writing and explanation of the science was very well described. The book also features Kick’s experiment book in the back and it tells kids how to do some of science experiments. Definitely recommend for any middle grader.
The book didn’t really have an issue, but I would like to see more of this book in a series. I think that this could be greatly expanded and it can help younger girls and boys alike get more into science and history.
Verdict: A definite must read for your little ones and for you older ones too! Never too old to learn science!
Author: Romily Bernard
Book Series: Standalone so far
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: December 10, 2019
Genre: MG Mystery
Recommended Age: 10+ (science and mystery! Some scary moments with missing kids)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 304
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Welcome to Bohring-home to 453 people, 2,053 alligators, and one monster curse.
Correction: home to 454 people, now that Kick Winter is living in the swamp Hollows with her Grandma Missouri, the town (fake) psychic. Bohring is anything but boring for Kick who has already blown a hole through the kitchen floor, befriended a chicken-eating gator, and discovered that the town's hundred-year curse is upon them.
It's the Bohring curse and all the kids are about to become monsters-or so the legend goes. People are worried-except for Kick. She knows there's a scientific explanation for everything, especially curses and monsters. But Kick is the new kid in school and she's determined to make a name for herself . . . by pretending to be psychic.
According to her calculations: one teeny-tiny life + (fake) psychic skills = popularity. But when kids start disappearing and glowing creatures start showing up, Kick's theory quickly evaporates in a puff of foul-smelling swamp gas. Can Kick use her (real) science smarts to prove the curse is a hoax? Or is it just-maybe-sort of-somehow possible the curse is here?
Review: This was a really fun book! I loved the character development of Kick and Carolina, I loved seeing that Kick, who’s our main character, had a love for science, in a day and age where we still need more women in STEM programs, and I loved the story. It was a fun mystery filled with scientific explanations and even for a middle grade book the writing and explanation of the science was very well described. The book also features Kick’s experiment book in the back and it tells kids how to do some of science experiments. Definitely recommend for any middle grader.
The book didn’t really have an issue, but I would like to see more of this book in a series. I think that this could be greatly expanded and it can help younger girls and boys alike get more into science and history.
Verdict: A definite must read for your little ones and for you older ones too! Never too old to learn science!
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Wendy Heard
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Main is interested in girls and has a relationship with a girl. Different ethnicities also represented.
Publication Date: December 17, 2019
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (sexual acts, violence, alcohol and drugs, abuse TW)
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Jazz will stop at nothing to save her brother.
Their foster mother, Carol, has always been fanatical, but with Jazz grown up and out of the house, Carol takes a dangerous turn that threatens thirteen-year-old Joaquin’s life. Over and over, child services fails to intervene, and Joaquin is running out of time.
Then Jazz gets a blocked call from someone offering a solution. There are others like her—people the law has failed. They’ve formed an underground network of “helpers,” each agreeing to eliminate the abuser of another. They’re taking back their power and leaving a trail of bodies throughout Los Angeles—dubbed the Blackbird Killings. If Jazz joins them, they’ll take care of Carol for good.
All she has to do is kill a stranger.
Review: For the most part this was a pretty good book. The plot was interesting and I enjoyed reading the twist and turns. The book was also surprisingly emotional and the characters were well developed.
However, I do think that the voices weren’t distinct enough for me and the POV switches were confusing to me. I did have an arc of this book and it was on a kindle, so sometimes I don’t get things that the final book will have, so hopefully there will be page indicators of when the POV switches. I also didn’t like how they cast DFACS (which I’ve worked with before and does amazing with the funding they get in most states) and homeschooling in a bad light. Also, to do homeschooling in my experience and knowledge, you have to generally have a bachelor’s degree, take a teacher preparation program which includes education and fieldwork, and pass a few tests to get your certificate. To not be certified you generally have to have at least a high school diploma or GED. If you have a state that doesn’t require a HSD or GED to teach, then you’ll have to submit a declaration of intent by September 1 or whatever the first day of school is, teach required subjects, write an annual progress report, and be subject to random screenings and visits depending on the state. I don’t require a book to know all of this, but it’s not as simple as just picking a child up from school one day and never returning with them again lol.
Verdict: A great mystery/action/thriller book.
Author: Wendy Heard
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Main is interested in girls and has a relationship with a girl. Different ethnicities also represented.
Publication Date: December 17, 2019
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (sexual acts, violence, alcohol and drugs, abuse TW)
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Jazz will stop at nothing to save her brother.
Their foster mother, Carol, has always been fanatical, but with Jazz grown up and out of the house, Carol takes a dangerous turn that threatens thirteen-year-old Joaquin’s life. Over and over, child services fails to intervene, and Joaquin is running out of time.
Then Jazz gets a blocked call from someone offering a solution. There are others like her—people the law has failed. They’ve formed an underground network of “helpers,” each agreeing to eliminate the abuser of another. They’re taking back their power and leaving a trail of bodies throughout Los Angeles—dubbed the Blackbird Killings. If Jazz joins them, they’ll take care of Carol for good.
All she has to do is kill a stranger.
Review: For the most part this was a pretty good book. The plot was interesting and I enjoyed reading the twist and turns. The book was also surprisingly emotional and the characters were well developed.
However, I do think that the voices weren’t distinct enough for me and the POV switches were confusing to me. I did have an arc of this book and it was on a kindle, so sometimes I don’t get things that the final book will have, so hopefully there will be page indicators of when the POV switches. I also didn’t like how they cast DFACS (which I’ve worked with before and does amazing with the funding they get in most states) and homeschooling in a bad light. Also, to do homeschooling in my experience and knowledge, you have to generally have a bachelor’s degree, take a teacher preparation program which includes education and fieldwork, and pass a few tests to get your certificate. To not be certified you generally have to have at least a high school diploma or GED. If you have a state that doesn’t require a HSD or GED to teach, then you’ll have to submit a declaration of intent by September 1 or whatever the first day of school is, teach required subjects, write an annual progress report, and be subject to random screenings and visits depending on the state. I don’t require a book to know all of this, but it’s not as simple as just picking a child up from school one day and never returning with them again lol.
Verdict: A great mystery/action/thriller book.