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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc and a finished copy of the book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe
Author: Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: twin, fat, Mexican American MC rep
Mexican American side characters
Latinx characters
Disabled character
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Young adult readers, contemporary
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: August 10, 2021
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 415
Recommended Age: 15+ (Sexual content, Body shaming, Slut shaming, Abelism, Racism, Colorism, Violence, Child abuse TW, Emotional abuse, cyberbullying, homophobia, Suicide TW, Fatphobia, Romance)
Explanation of CWs: Mentions of sex and sexual activity. Fatphobia and body and slut shaming are integral to the story. There's also abelist, racist, and colorist comments made to the characters. Child abuse is mentioned as well as threats of institutionalization.
Synopsis: When her twin sister reaches social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepts her fate as the ugly, unwanted sister hidden in the background, destined to be nothing more than her sister’s camerawoman. But this summer, Moon also takes a job as the “merch girl” on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and her fate begins to shift in the best way possible.
Most notable is her bunkmate and new nemesis, Santiago Phillips, who is grumpy, combative, and also the hottest guy Moon has ever seen.
Moon is certain she hates Santiago and that he hates her back. But as chance and destiny (and maybe, probably, close proximity) bring the two of them in each other’s perpetual paths, Moon starts to wonder if that’s really true. She even starts to question her destiny as the unnoticed, unloved wallflower she always thought she was.
Could this summer change Moon’s life as she knows it?
Review: For the most part I enjoyed this book. The book is so sweetly wrote and I love the rep in it. I also love how well the characters are developed and the world building was wonderfully well done. I also thought that the book did well to discuss Fatphobia in today's world and how social media influences that. I also love the sex positive message in this book and it was one I definitely needed to read.
However, the book is really hard to get into. The style that it's wrote in is a little hard to get used to and the pacing is slow. The book also goes back and forth a lot in the time line so it makes it hard to keep where you are.
Verdict: It's good just took a lot for me to get into.
Book: How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe
Author: Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: twin, fat, Mexican American MC rep
Mexican American side characters
Latinx characters
Disabled character
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Young adult readers, contemporary
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: August 10, 2021
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 415
Recommended Age: 15+ (Sexual content, Body shaming, Slut shaming, Abelism, Racism, Colorism, Violence, Child abuse TW, Emotional abuse, cyberbullying, homophobia, Suicide TW, Fatphobia, Romance)
Explanation of CWs: Mentions of sex and sexual activity. Fatphobia and body and slut shaming are integral to the story. There's also abelist, racist, and colorist comments made to the characters. Child abuse is mentioned as well as threats of institutionalization.
Synopsis: When her twin sister reaches social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepts her fate as the ugly, unwanted sister hidden in the background, destined to be nothing more than her sister’s camerawoman. But this summer, Moon also takes a job as the “merch girl” on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and her fate begins to shift in the best way possible.
Most notable is her bunkmate and new nemesis, Santiago Phillips, who is grumpy, combative, and also the hottest guy Moon has ever seen.
Moon is certain she hates Santiago and that he hates her back. But as chance and destiny (and maybe, probably, close proximity) bring the two of them in each other’s perpetual paths, Moon starts to wonder if that’s really true. She even starts to question her destiny as the unnoticed, unloved wallflower she always thought she was.
Could this summer change Moon’s life as she knows it?
Review: For the most part I enjoyed this book. The book is so sweetly wrote and I love the rep in it. I also love how well the characters are developed and the world building was wonderfully well done. I also thought that the book did well to discuss Fatphobia in today's world and how social media influences that. I also love the sex positive message in this book and it was one I definitely needed to read.
However, the book is really hard to get into. The style that it's wrote in is a little hard to get used to and the pacing is slow. The book also goes back and forth a lot in the time line so it makes it hard to keep where you are.
Verdict: It's good just took a lot for me to get into.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
Author: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Non binary MCs
Ace MC
Trans MC
Latinx lesbian MCs
Gay drag queen side character
Trans side characters
Black MC
Black Lesbian MCs
F/f romance
Mixed relationship
Neopronouns
Gay celiac MC
Black queer MC
Latinx side characters
MC with 2 moms
Side character with 2 dads
Bisexual side character
Lesbian MC
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, anthology
Genre: Middle Grade anthology
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 10+ (Animal Death mentioned, Pronouns not respected, Grief, Domestic violence mentioned, Forced gendered notions, Homophobia, Slavery, Torture mentioned, Mentions of death by hanging, Bullying, Racism, Heartbreak, Religion mentioned, Parent death mentioned, Cancer mentioned)
Explanation of CWs: Animal death is the focus of one story, as is grief. Heartbreak is in a couple of stories. Slavery is shown and torture is mentioned. Bullying is shown in a few stories. Racism is shown in a couple of stories. Religion is mentioned and one church service is shown.
Synopsis: A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true--but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend's mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.
From wind-breathing dragons to first crushes, This Is Our Rainbow features story after story of joyful, proud LGBTQIA+ representation. You will fall in love with this insightful, poignant anthology of queer fantasy, historical, and contemporary stories from authors including: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass.
Review: Overall I really enjoyed this anthology! It included a lot of cute short stories and I loved the different stories and genres that prominently featured queer characters. The character development was amazing across the stories. The world's were all well developed and immersive. The book was also a lot of fun to read!
The only issue I had is that I wish some of the stories were grouped together in a cohesive manner and I wished there was more main characters that were gay or outright pansexual. I also think one or two main characters were ace but there was nothing concrete, which I think could have been better stated and written.
Verdict: it was great!
Book: This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
Author: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Non binary MCs
Ace MC
Trans MC
Latinx lesbian MCs
Gay drag queen side character
Trans side characters
Black MC
Black Lesbian MCs
F/f romance
Mixed relationship
Neopronouns
Gay celiac MC
Black queer MC
Latinx side characters
MC with 2 moms
Side character with 2 dads
Bisexual side character
Lesbian MC
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, anthology
Genre: Middle Grade anthology
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 10+ (Animal Death mentioned, Pronouns not respected, Grief, Domestic violence mentioned, Forced gendered notions, Homophobia, Slavery, Torture mentioned, Mentions of death by hanging, Bullying, Racism, Heartbreak, Religion mentioned, Parent death mentioned, Cancer mentioned)
Explanation of CWs: Animal death is the focus of one story, as is grief. Heartbreak is in a couple of stories. Slavery is shown and torture is mentioned. Bullying is shown in a few stories. Racism is shown in a couple of stories. Religion is mentioned and one church service is shown.
Synopsis: A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true--but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend's mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.
From wind-breathing dragons to first crushes, This Is Our Rainbow features story after story of joyful, proud LGBTQIA+ representation. You will fall in love with this insightful, poignant anthology of queer fantasy, historical, and contemporary stories from authors including: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass.
Review: Overall I really enjoyed this anthology! It included a lot of cute short stories and I loved the different stories and genres that prominently featured queer characters. The character development was amazing across the stories. The world's were all well developed and immersive. The book was also a lot of fun to read!
The only issue I had is that I wish some of the stories were grouped together in a cohesive manner and I wished there was more main characters that were gay or outright pansexual. I also think one or two main characters were ace but there was nothing concrete, which I think could have been better stated and written.
Verdict: it was great!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Fan Club
Author: Erin Mayer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Latinx side character
Recommended For...: psychological, thriller
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Recommended Age: 17+ (depression, stalkerish behavior, cult-like behavior)
Explanation of CWs: Depression is shown, but not named. The MC and side characters have stalkerish and cult-like behavior in their obsession with the celebrity and it’s a bit much.
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 336
Synopsis: In this raucous psychological thriller, a millennial office worker finds relief from her crippling ennui in the embrace of a cliquey fan club, until she discovers the group of women is bound together by something darker than devotion.
Day after day our narrator, a gloomy millennial, searches for meaning beyond her vacuous job at a women's lifestyle website—entering text into a computer system while she watches their beauty editor unwrap box after box of perfectly packaged bits of happiness. Then, one night at a dive bar, she hears a message in the newest single by child-actor-turned-international-pop-star Adriana Argento, and she is struck. Soon she loses herself to the online fandom, a community whose members feverishly track Adriana's every move.
When a colleague notices the extent of her obsession, she’s invited to join an enigmatic group of adult Adriana superfans who call themselves the Ivies and worship her music in witchy, candlelit listening parties. As the narrator becomes more entrenched in the group, she gets closer to uncovering the sinister secrets that bind them together—while simultaneously losing her grip on reality.
Review: Overall, this was an ok book. The book was interesting and it had some really well written parts about celebrity obsession and how harmful it can be to the obsessed and the obsesse. I also thought the book had well done world building and the plot is really interesting.
However, the book is weirdly written and we never find out who the actual main narrator is because the book focuses on the obsession with celebrities. The book is also slow in pace and I just couldn’t connect with the narrator or the storyline at all. The ending was also flat. I don’t think I connected well with this book because I’ve never been obsessed with celebrities and generally don’t care about them.
Verdict: It was ok, but not for me.
Book: Fan Club
Author: Erin Mayer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Latinx side character
Recommended For...: psychological, thriller
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Recommended Age: 17+ (depression, stalkerish behavior, cult-like behavior)
Explanation of CWs: Depression is shown, but not named. The MC and side characters have stalkerish and cult-like behavior in their obsession with the celebrity and it’s a bit much.
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 336
Synopsis: In this raucous psychological thriller, a millennial office worker finds relief from her crippling ennui in the embrace of a cliquey fan club, until she discovers the group of women is bound together by something darker than devotion.
Day after day our narrator, a gloomy millennial, searches for meaning beyond her vacuous job at a women's lifestyle website—entering text into a computer system while she watches their beauty editor unwrap box after box of perfectly packaged bits of happiness. Then, one night at a dive bar, she hears a message in the newest single by child-actor-turned-international-pop-star Adriana Argento, and she is struck. Soon she loses herself to the online fandom, a community whose members feverishly track Adriana's every move.
When a colleague notices the extent of her obsession, she’s invited to join an enigmatic group of adult Adriana superfans who call themselves the Ivies and worship her music in witchy, candlelit listening parties. As the narrator becomes more entrenched in the group, she gets closer to uncovering the sinister secrets that bind them together—while simultaneously losing her grip on reality.
Review: Overall, this was an ok book. The book was interesting and it had some really well written parts about celebrity obsession and how harmful it can be to the obsessed and the obsesse. I also thought the book had well done world building and the plot is really interesting.
However, the book is weirdly written and we never find out who the actual main narrator is because the book focuses on the obsession with celebrities. The book is also slow in pace and I just couldn’t connect with the narrator or the storyline at all. The ending was also flat. I don’t think I connected well with this book because I’ve never been obsessed with celebrities and generally don’t care about them.
Verdict: It was ok, but not for me.
Disclaimer: I received this early audiobook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Dreams Lie Beneath
Author: Rebecca Ross
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: N/A DNFed
Publication Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: N/A DNFed
Explanation of CWs: N/A DNFed
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Pages: 496
Synopsis: A curse plagues the realm of Azenor—during each new moon, magic flows from the nearby mountain and brings nightmares to life. Only magicians, who serve as territory wardens, stand between people and their worst dreams.
Clementine Madigan is ready to take over as the warden of her small town, but when two magicians challenge her, she is unwittingly drawn into a century-old conflict. She seeks revenge, but as she secretly gets closer to Phelan, one of the handsome young magicians, secrets begin to rise. Clementine must unite with her rival to fight the realm’s curse, which seems to be haunting her every turn.
Review: DNFed at 20%. I have to be in the mood for this type of book and after trying and trying for a couple of months I’m momentarily giving up on this book. However, I do want to try it again in paperback form and not audiobook.
Verdict: DNFed but coming back later!
Book: Dreams Lie Beneath
Author: Rebecca Ross
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: N/A DNFed
Publication Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: N/A DNFed
Explanation of CWs: N/A DNFed
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Pages: 496
Synopsis: A curse plagues the realm of Azenor—during each new moon, magic flows from the nearby mountain and brings nightmares to life. Only magicians, who serve as territory wardens, stand between people and their worst dreams.
Clementine Madigan is ready to take over as the warden of her small town, but when two magicians challenge her, she is unwittingly drawn into a century-old conflict. She seeks revenge, but as she secretly gets closer to Phelan, one of the handsome young magicians, secrets begin to rise. Clementine must unite with her rival to fight the realm’s curse, which seems to be haunting her every turn.
Review: DNFed at 20%. I have to be in the mood for this type of book and after trying and trying for a couple of months I’m momentarily giving up on this book. However, I do want to try it again in paperback form and not audiobook.
Verdict: DNFed but coming back later!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Winter Charlatan
Author: Victoria McCombs
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, magic, retellings, Sleeping Beauty
Publication Date: December 7, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (Romance, Slight Violence, Slight Gore)
Explanation of CWs: Very light romance with some kisses and the story doesn’t focus on it. There is also some very slight violence and gore.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 336
Synopsis: A Queen raised in the shadows, and a Fraud Prince who needs her help.
The sole heir to the kingdom is destined to sleep for a hundred years. To hide this liability, the queen left her cursed daughter in the care of a trusted lord, while taking his son as her own. Rowan grew up hating the boy who had her crown and vowed to one day reclaim her place as queen.
But when a neighboring king threatens a war they won’t survive, Rowan must work with the fraud prince to save Elenvérs. She pledges herself as his spy in the enemy court and lives in the heart of danger. If she can’t save her kingdom before the curse hits, there may be nothing left to wake up to.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book! The character development and world building was well done and I loved all of the dialogue and all of the relationships. The writing was well done and I was able to read through this super quickly. The book had a lot of fun twists and turns and it was just a fun magical book.
The only issues I had with the book are that I felt the book was too fast paced for me and that I feel like I would have a better understanding of this world overall if I read the other books.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: The Winter Charlatan
Author: Victoria McCombs
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, magic, retellings, Sleeping Beauty
Publication Date: December 7, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (Romance, Slight Violence, Slight Gore)
Explanation of CWs: Very light romance with some kisses and the story doesn’t focus on it. There is also some very slight violence and gore.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 336
Synopsis: A Queen raised in the shadows, and a Fraud Prince who needs her help.
The sole heir to the kingdom is destined to sleep for a hundred years. To hide this liability, the queen left her cursed daughter in the care of a trusted lord, while taking his son as her own. Rowan grew up hating the boy who had her crown and vowed to one day reclaim her place as queen.
But when a neighboring king threatens a war they won’t survive, Rowan must work with the fraud prince to save Elenvérs. She pledges herself as his spy in the enemy court and lives in the heart of danger. If she can’t save her kingdom before the curse hits, there may be nothing left to wake up to.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book! The character development and world building was well done and I loved all of the dialogue and all of the relationships. The writing was well done and I was able to read through this super quickly. The book had a lot of fun twists and turns and it was just a fun magical book.
The only issues I had with the book are that I felt the book was too fast paced for me and that I feel like I would have a better understanding of this world overall if I read the other books.
Verdict: It was good!
Disclaimer: I bought this book and I own two others lol.
Book Series: Book 1 of the Harry Potter Series
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: June 26, 1997
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (magic and abuse by Harry’s family)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.
Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.
Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.
Review: Why haven’t I reread Harry Potter sooner!? Oh my god this brought back such good memories and it’s just a warm book altogether. I adore baby Harry, Hermione, and Ron. I thought the characters were very well developed and the world building was magnificent. The book was written amazingly well and the nostalgia was hard.
My only issue is that the book skipped around a bit, but it made sense and didn’t make the book confusing, I just wanted more of the magical world. Also, how unfair is it that a lot of the stuff was cut out of the movie???
Verdict: Read. This. Now.
Book Series: Book 1 of the Harry Potter Series
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: June 26, 1997
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (magic and abuse by Harry’s family)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.
Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.
Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.
Review: Why haven’t I reread Harry Potter sooner!? Oh my god this brought back such good memories and it’s just a warm book altogether. I adore baby Harry, Hermione, and Ron. I thought the characters were very well developed and the world building was magnificent. The book was written amazingly well and the nostalgia was hard.
My only issue is that the book skipped around a bit, but it made sense and didn’t make the book confusing, I just wanted more of the magical world. Also, how unfair is it that a lot of the stuff was cut out of the movie???
Verdict: Read. This. Now.
Disclaimer: I still don’t support JK Rowling’s anti-trans statements, but I wanted to finish the series that I had purchased before her sentiments came to light.
Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
Author: JK Rowling
Book Series: Harry Potter Book 7
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: harry potter fans and those who like magic
Publication Date: July 21, 2007
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (war, violence, torture TW, gore, death, animal death TW)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Pages: 759
Synopsis: Harry Potter is leaving Privet Drive for the last time. But as he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid’s motorbike and they take to the skies, he knows Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters will not be far behind.
The protective charm that has kept him safe until now is broken. But the Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything he loves. And he knows he can’t keep hiding.
To stop Voldemort, Harry knows he must find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them.
Review: For the most part I adored this book! The plot was intriguing from start to finish and the characters were well developed. I loved how much more developed Ron was in this book as well. The book also did decent with the world building and the pacing.
However, I felt like the book had some unclear moments, especially during the fight scene. The writing was a bit unclear and not as well detailed as one would have liked. The book also had a lot of information coming at the reader and it takes a good deal of attention to detail to understand it all.
Verdict: It was a great ending to the series.
Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
Author: JK Rowling
Book Series: Harry Potter Book 7
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: harry potter fans and those who like magic
Publication Date: July 21, 2007
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (war, violence, torture TW, gore, death, animal death TW)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Pages: 759
Synopsis: Harry Potter is leaving Privet Drive for the last time. But as he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid’s motorbike and they take to the skies, he knows Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters will not be far behind.
The protective charm that has kept him safe until now is broken. But the Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything he loves. And he knows he can’t keep hiding.
To stop Voldemort, Harry knows he must find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them.
Review: For the most part I adored this book! The plot was intriguing from start to finish and the characters were well developed. I loved how much more developed Ron was in this book as well. The book also did decent with the world building and the pacing.
However, I felt like the book had some unclear moments, especially during the fight scene. The writing was a bit unclear and not as well detailed as one would have liked. The book also had a lot of information coming at the reader and it takes a good deal of attention to detail to understand it all.
Verdict: It was a great ending to the series.
Disclaimer: I received this particular copy from Cody!
Book Series: Harry Potter 2
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: July 2, 1998
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (little gore, some scary moments, one small sexual innuendo, and snakes)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 341
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike
And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone -- or something -- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects . . . Harry Potter himself?
Review: After all this time, I still love my favorite book of the series. I loved how the story just flows beautifully from book 1 and, when rereading this book, you can really pick up on all of the little cues that JK put in there. The book is full of great moments that didn’t make it to the film and it’s definitely worth the read. The character development is amazing, the pacing is great, and the writing is amazing, as always.
My only, ONLY, issue is that I feel like the book spent too long setting up the final moments of the book. Like, we have 300 pages of set up and then 5 pages of exposition. It’s great, don’t get me wrong, but I would have liked it to be a bit more in the end.
Verdict: Harry Potter OP
Book Series: Harry Potter 2
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: July 2, 1998
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (little gore, some scary moments, one small sexual innuendo, and snakes)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 341
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike
And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone -- or something -- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects . . . Harry Potter himself?
Review: After all this time, I still love my favorite book of the series. I loved how the story just flows beautifully from book 1 and, when rereading this book, you can really pick up on all of the little cues that JK put in there. The book is full of great moments that didn’t make it to the film and it’s definitely worth the read. The character development is amazing, the pacing is great, and the writing is amazing, as always.
My only, ONLY, issue is that I feel like the book spent too long setting up the final moments of the book. Like, we have 300 pages of set up and then 5 pages of exposition. It’s great, don’t get me wrong, but I would have liked it to be a bit more in the end.
Verdict: Harry Potter OP
Disclaimer: I bought this book!
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 bought this book before Rowling came out as transphobic. *sigh*
Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Author: J.K. Rowling
Book Series: Harry Potter Book 5
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: September 1, 2004
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (teen angst, violence, slight gore, Umbridge)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Pages: 870
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it’s haunting Harry Pottter’s dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?
Harry has a lot on his mind for this, his fifth year at Hogwarts: a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey; a big surprise on the Gryffindor Quidditch team; and the looming terror of the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams. But all these things pale next to the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named---a threat that neither the magical government nor the authorities at Hogwarts can stop.
As the grasp of darkness tightens, Harry must discover the true depth and strength of his friends, the importance of boundless loyalty, and the shocking price of unbearable sacrifice.
His fate depends on them all.
Review: This was an amazing read for me! I absolutely loved going back into the world of Harry Potter and seeing teen angst Harry. I loved the writing of this book. Rowling does well at aging her characters along with her audience and you can see that definitely in this book. The character development was amazing, the plot was intriguing, and I’m anxious to read book 6 for the first time this month!
My only issue is that while Harry was developed tremendously (as he should be) I didn’t feel like some of the others weren’t as developed. Luna and Ginny got a bit but not a lot. Hermione… meh. Just a bit of an issue with me as I love all three of them, but it’s hard to accomplish that in a book where it’s first person POV.
Verdict: Definitely ready for shiz to happen in book 6!
Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Author: J.K. Rowling
Book Series: Harry Potter Book 5
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: September 1, 2004
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (teen angst, violence, slight gore, Umbridge)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Pages: 870
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it’s haunting Harry Pottter’s dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?
Harry has a lot on his mind for this, his fifth year at Hogwarts: a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey; a big surprise on the Gryffindor Quidditch team; and the looming terror of the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams. But all these things pale next to the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named---a threat that neither the magical government nor the authorities at Hogwarts can stop.
As the grasp of darkness tightens, Harry must discover the true depth and strength of his friends, the importance of boundless loyalty, and the shocking price of unbearable sacrifice.
His fate depends on them all.
Review: This was an amazing read for me! I absolutely loved going back into the world of Harry Potter and seeing teen angst Harry. I loved the writing of this book. Rowling does well at aging her characters along with her audience and you can see that definitely in this book. The character development was amazing, the plot was intriguing, and I’m anxious to read book 6 for the first time this month!
My only issue is that while Harry was developed tremendously (as he should be) I didn’t feel like some of the others weren’t as developed. Luna and Ginny got a bit but not a lot. Hermione… meh. Just a bit of an issue with me as I love all three of them, but it’s hard to accomplish that in a book where it’s first person POV.
Verdict: Definitely ready for shiz to happen in book 6!