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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and Rockstar book tours! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Van Helsing Academy
Author: Stacey O’Neale
Book Series: Supernatural Rehab Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Genre: New Adult Paranormal
Recommended Age: 18+ (sexual content, language, slight violence)
Publisher: Phoenix Rising Publishing
Pages: 264
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Welcome to the Van Helsing Academy: a rehabilitation center for vampires, shifters, and witches who don't like to follow the rules.
Mina can't remember anything about the night she was attacked. All she knows is what she's been told: she got separated from her team during a mission and turned up two months later covered in cuts and bruises alongside two dead vampires.
After being blamed for their deaths, she is sentenced to three years at the supernatural rehabilitation center, the Van Helsing Academy.
As Mina searches for answers, lies are slowly unraveled and alliances forged. Soon she will uncover a secret plot that threatens to destroy her family legacy and ignite a war between the supernatural factions.
Review: This was a fun book! The writing was amazingly well done, the characters were well developed and the world building was sublime! I loved the world that this author built and I felt this was one of the most fun paranormal books I’ve read in a bit. It’s also a really short book and the pacing is super fast, so be prepared to start running when you read!
The only issue I had was that the romance took a bit to build up and it was a bit slower than what the plot was, which felt a little off, but it was still fun!
Verdict: Definitely recommend!
Book: Van Helsing Academy
Author: Stacey O’Neale
Book Series: Supernatural Rehab Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Genre: New Adult Paranormal
Recommended Age: 18+ (sexual content, language, slight violence)
Publisher: Phoenix Rising Publishing
Pages: 264
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Welcome to the Van Helsing Academy: a rehabilitation center for vampires, shifters, and witches who don't like to follow the rules.
Mina can't remember anything about the night she was attacked. All she knows is what she's been told: she got separated from her team during a mission and turned up two months later covered in cuts and bruises alongside two dead vampires.
After being blamed for their deaths, she is sentenced to three years at the supernatural rehabilitation center, the Van Helsing Academy.
As Mina searches for answers, lies are slowly unraveled and alliances forged. Soon she will uncover a secret plot that threatens to destroy her family legacy and ignite a war between the supernatural factions.
Review: This was a fun book! The writing was amazingly well done, the characters were well developed and the world building was sublime! I loved the world that this author built and I felt this was one of the most fun paranormal books I’ve read in a bit. It’s also a really short book and the pacing is super fast, so be prepared to start running when you read!
The only issue I had was that the romance took a bit to build up and it was a bit slower than what the plot was, which felt a little off, but it was still fun!
Verdict: Definitely recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Killing November
Author: Adriana Mather
Book Series: Killing November Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: YA Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (secret socities, violence, murder)
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It’s a school completely off the grid, hidden by dense forest and surrounded by traps. There’s no electricity, no internet, and an eye-for-an-eye punishment system. Classes include everything from Knife-Throwing and Poisons to the Art of Deception and Historical Analysis. And all of the students are children of the world’s most elite strategists—training to become assassins, counselors, spies, and master impersonators. Into this world walks November Adley, who quickly discovers that friends are few in a school where personal revelations are discouraged and competition is everything. When another student is murdered, all eyes turn to November, who must figure out exactly how she fits into the school’s bizarre strategy games before she is found guilty of the crime…or becomes the killer’s next victim.
Review: I thought this book was really good! The book did well in the world building and the character development. The book is also a fast paced read.
However, I felt like the book didn’t do well showing us what was happening, but rather told us what was going on. The book also felt a bit too out of the realm of realism for my liking.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Killing November
Author: Adriana Mather
Book Series: Killing November Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: YA Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (secret socities, violence, murder)
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It’s a school completely off the grid, hidden by dense forest and surrounded by traps. There’s no electricity, no internet, and an eye-for-an-eye punishment system. Classes include everything from Knife-Throwing and Poisons to the Art of Deception and Historical Analysis. And all of the students are children of the world’s most elite strategists—training to become assassins, counselors, spies, and master impersonators. Into this world walks November Adley, who quickly discovers that friends are few in a school where personal revelations are discouraged and competition is everything. When another student is murdered, all eyes turn to November, who must figure out exactly how she fits into the school’s bizarre strategy games before she is found guilty of the crime…or becomes the killer’s next victim.
Review: I thought this book was really good! The book did well in the world building and the character development. The book is also a fast paced read.
However, I felt like the book didn’t do well showing us what was happening, but rather told us what was going on. The book also felt a bit too out of the realm of realism for my liking.
Verdict: It was good!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Hunting November
Author: Adriana Mather
Book Series: Killing November Book 2
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Genre: YA Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, secret societies, spy stuff, murder)
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Surviving a few weeks at the world's most lethal boarding school was one thing. But now comes the real test: Can November Adley find her missing father before her enemies find her? Subterfuge is the name of the game in this thrilling sequel to Killing November, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch.
After surviving a crash course in espionage at the mysterious Academy Absconditi, November has only one purpose: finding her missing father. Along with fellow student (and heartthrob) Ash, November follows the clues that her father left, embarking on the deadliest treasure hunt of her life. The first clue is in her hometown, where old friends beckon and unexpected enemies lurk around every corner. The second clue is in Europe, where revelations about her family's history will plunge her into an international web of deception, lies, and intrigue. The third clue is deep in enemy territory, surrounded by the most skilled assassins and master strategists, and where everyone wants her and her father dead. Can one girl with limited training infiltrate a centuries-old organization that is powerful enough to topple empires? November only knows that she'll do whatever it takes to save her father . . . or die trying.
Review: Overall, this was a good book. It had a lot of action in it and the writing was really well done. The world building was also great and the pacing matched the tone of the book.
However, I feel like the book was a bit too tropey for me. It was a bit like Bourne Identity and it had the feel of it, but I just felt like it followed the tropes that a lot of action/thriller/spy books do. The romance also felt force and the characters didn’t feel that developed to me.
Verdict: It was good, but not my style.
Book: Hunting November
Author: Adriana Mather
Book Series: Killing November Book 2
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Genre: YA Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, secret societies, spy stuff, murder)
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Surviving a few weeks at the world's most lethal boarding school was one thing. But now comes the real test: Can November Adley find her missing father before her enemies find her? Subterfuge is the name of the game in this thrilling sequel to Killing November, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch.
After surviving a crash course in espionage at the mysterious Academy Absconditi, November has only one purpose: finding her missing father. Along with fellow student (and heartthrob) Ash, November follows the clues that her father left, embarking on the deadliest treasure hunt of her life. The first clue is in her hometown, where old friends beckon and unexpected enemies lurk around every corner. The second clue is in Europe, where revelations about her family's history will plunge her into an international web of deception, lies, and intrigue. The third clue is deep in enemy territory, surrounded by the most skilled assassins and master strategists, and where everyone wants her and her father dead. Can one girl with limited training infiltrate a centuries-old organization that is powerful enough to topple empires? November only knows that she'll do whatever it takes to save her father . . . or die trying.
Review: Overall, this was a good book. It had a lot of action in it and the writing was really well done. The world building was also great and the pacing matched the tone of the book.
However, I feel like the book was a bit too tropey for me. It was a bit like Bourne Identity and it had the feel of it, but I just felt like it followed the tropes that a lot of action/thriller/spy books do. The romance also felt force and the characters didn’t feel that developed to me.
Verdict: It was good, but not my style.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Killing Fog
Author: Jeff Wheeler
Book Series: The Grave Kingdom Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight violence, faith, it’s a read with older characters than normal but the book doesn’t cursing or sexual content. Some might refer to this as a “clean” read but I don’t like the term as it suggests other reads are dirty when there’s nothing inherently wrong with language used or sex)
Publisher: 47North
Pages: 412
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Survivor of a combat school, the orphaned Bingmei belongs to a band of mercenaries employed by a local ruler. Now the nobleman, and collector of rare artifacts, has entrusted Bingmei and the skilled team with a treacherous assignment: brave the wilderness’s dangers to retrieve the treasures of a lost palace buried in a glacier valley. But upsetting its tombs has a price.
Echion, emperor of the Grave Kingdom, ruler of darkness, Dragon of Night, has long been entombed. Now Bingmei has unwittingly awakened him and is answerable to a legendary prophecy. Destroying the dark lord before he reclaims the kingdoms of the living is her inherited mission. Killing Bingmei before she fulfills it is Echion’s.
Thrust unprepared into the role of savior, urged on by a renegade prince, and possessing a magic that is her destiny, Bingmei knows what she must do. But what must she risk to honor her ancestors? Bingmei’s fateful choice is one that neither her friends nor her enemies can foretell, as Echion’s dark war for control unfolds.
Review: Overall, this was a great book. The world building was spectacular and it really was the highlight of the whole novel. The book’s characters were very well developed as well and the plot was great! The plot kept me intrigued throughout the entire novel.
I really didn’t have any issues with the book except for the fact that I felt like the book’s pacing was a bit too slow for me.
Verdict: It was a great read!
Book: The Killing Fog
Author: Jeff Wheeler
Book Series: The Grave Kingdom Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight violence, faith, it’s a read with older characters than normal but the book doesn’t cursing or sexual content. Some might refer to this as a “clean” read but I don’t like the term as it suggests other reads are dirty when there’s nothing inherently wrong with language used or sex)
Publisher: 47North
Pages: 412
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Survivor of a combat school, the orphaned Bingmei belongs to a band of mercenaries employed by a local ruler. Now the nobleman, and collector of rare artifacts, has entrusted Bingmei and the skilled team with a treacherous assignment: brave the wilderness’s dangers to retrieve the treasures of a lost palace buried in a glacier valley. But upsetting its tombs has a price.
Echion, emperor of the Grave Kingdom, ruler of darkness, Dragon of Night, has long been entombed. Now Bingmei has unwittingly awakened him and is answerable to a legendary prophecy. Destroying the dark lord before he reclaims the kingdoms of the living is her inherited mission. Killing Bingmei before she fulfills it is Echion’s.
Thrust unprepared into the role of savior, urged on by a renegade prince, and possessing a magic that is her destiny, Bingmei knows what she must do. But what must she risk to honor her ancestors? Bingmei’s fateful choice is one that neither her friends nor her enemies can foretell, as Echion’s dark war for control unfolds.
Review: Overall, this was a great book. The world building was spectacular and it really was the highlight of the whole novel. The book’s characters were very well developed as well and the plot was great! The plot kept me intrigued throughout the entire novel.
I really didn’t have any issues with the book except for the fact that I felt like the book’s pacing was a bit too slow for me.
Verdict: It was a great read!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and Rockstar book tours! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Book Series: Pandava Series
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Indian main character and side characters!
Publication Date: April 7, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (slight violence, some scary moments)
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 412
Amazon Link
Synopsis: War between the devas and the demons is imminent, and the Otherworld is on high alert. When intelligence from the human world reveals that the Sleeper is holding a powerful clairvoyant and her sister captive, 14-year-old Aru and her friends launch a search-and-rescue mission. The captives, a pair of twins, turn out to be the newest Pandava sisters, though, according to a prophecy, one sister is not true.
During the celebration of Holi, the heavenly attendants stage a massage PR rebranding campaign to convince everyone that the Pandavas are to be trusted. As much as Aru relishes the attention, she fears that she is destined to bring destruction to her sisters, as the Sleeper has predicted. Aru believes that the only way to prove her reputation is to find the Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree that came out of the Ocean of Milk when it was churned. If she can reach it before the Sleeper, perhaps she can turn everything around with one wish.
Careful what you wish for, Aru . . .
Review: Holy cow this book was so good! I absolutely loved the characters, old and new, especially Sheela! My new fave next to Aru! I loved the world building and I loved how this group of heroines and heroes solved issued and fought together. The book was well written and fun, and it was well paced.
I didn’t really have an issue with the book at all. In a couple of spots, it was slow but that was to build tension. The book also ended on an absolute cliffhanger that boggled my mind. I need book 4!!
Verdict: Love this series!
Book: Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Book Series: Pandava Series
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Indian main character and side characters!
Publication Date: April 7, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (slight violence, some scary moments)
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 412
Amazon Link
Synopsis: War between the devas and the demons is imminent, and the Otherworld is on high alert. When intelligence from the human world reveals that the Sleeper is holding a powerful clairvoyant and her sister captive, 14-year-old Aru and her friends launch a search-and-rescue mission. The captives, a pair of twins, turn out to be the newest Pandava sisters, though, according to a prophecy, one sister is not true.
During the celebration of Holi, the heavenly attendants stage a massage PR rebranding campaign to convince everyone that the Pandavas are to be trusted. As much as Aru relishes the attention, she fears that she is destined to bring destruction to her sisters, as the Sleeper has predicted. Aru believes that the only way to prove her reputation is to find the Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree that came out of the Ocean of Milk when it was churned. If she can reach it before the Sleeper, perhaps she can turn everything around with one wish.
Careful what you wish for, Aru . . .
Review: Holy cow this book was so good! I absolutely loved the characters, old and new, especially Sheela! My new fave next to Aru! I loved the world building and I loved how this group of heroines and heroes solved issued and fought together. The book was well written and fun, and it was well paced.
I didn’t really have an issue with the book at all. In a couple of spots, it was slow but that was to build tension. The book also ended on an absolute cliffhanger that boggled my mind. I need book 4!!
Verdict: Love this series!
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Redwood Con
Author: Reagan Keeter
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 17+ (suicide TW, murder, gore, violence, language, mystery)
Publisher: Irresistible Publishing
Pages: 312
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After a divorced Chicago father is charged with killing his girlfriend and unexplainable secrets about her come to light, he’ll have to figure out how much he’s willing to risk to find out the truth . . . and how much of it he wants to know.
Liam Parker finds his girlfriend, Elise, dead in the bathtub, wrists cut. Suicide, he figures. But the truth turns out to be more complex than anyone might expect. While trying to clear his name, Liam uncovers clues that suggest Elise was not who he thought she was: she was living under an alias, has a record, and lied about where she worked and where she grew up.
Making matters worse, his relationship with her has tied his fate to those of a conman and a stock broker, neither of whom he has ever met. And as these three men’s lives hurl unexpectedly toward each other, Liam learns he’ll have to do more than just prove he’s innocent—he’ll have to unravel a mystery that threatens to destroy everything he cares about.
The Redwood Con is the kind of thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Review: This book was pretty good overall! The characters were well developed throughout the novel. The world building was done well and the writing was impressive. I really liked the story and the plot.
However, I did think the book was a bit slower paced than what I would have liked it and I figured out the ending fairly early on in the book, but it was a good book overall.
Verdict: It was a good book!
Book: The Redwood Con
Author: Reagan Keeter
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 17+ (suicide TW, murder, gore, violence, language, mystery)
Publisher: Irresistible Publishing
Pages: 312
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After a divorced Chicago father is charged with killing his girlfriend and unexplainable secrets about her come to light, he’ll have to figure out how much he’s willing to risk to find out the truth . . . and how much of it he wants to know.
Liam Parker finds his girlfriend, Elise, dead in the bathtub, wrists cut. Suicide, he figures. But the truth turns out to be more complex than anyone might expect. While trying to clear his name, Liam uncovers clues that suggest Elise was not who he thought she was: she was living under an alias, has a record, and lied about where she worked and where she grew up.
Making matters worse, his relationship with her has tied his fate to those of a conman and a stock broker, neither of whom he has ever met. And as these three men’s lives hurl unexpectedly toward each other, Liam learns he’ll have to do more than just prove he’s innocent—he’ll have to unravel a mystery that threatens to destroy everything he cares about.
The Redwood Con is the kind of thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Review: This book was pretty good overall! The characters were well developed throughout the novel. The world building was done well and the writing was impressive. I really liked the story and the plot.
However, I did think the book was a bit slower paced than what I would have liked it and I figured out the ending fairly early on in the book, but it was a good book overall.
Verdict: It was a good book!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Lovely and the Lost
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 15+ (missing children, being lost in the woods, language, slight gore)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 328
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Kira Bennett’s earliest memories are of living alone and wild in the woods. She has no idea how long she was on her own or what she had to do to survive, but she remembers the moment that Cady Bennett and one of her search-and-rescue dogs found her perfectly. Adopted into the Bennett family, Kira still struggles with human interaction years later, but she excels at the family business: search-and-rescue. Along with Cady’s son, Jude, and their neighbor, Free, Kira works alongside Cady to train the world’s most elite search-and-rescue dogs. Someday, all three teenagers hope to put their skills to use, finding the lost and bringing them home.
But when Cady’s estranged father, the enigmatic Bales Bennett, tracks his daughter down and asks for her help in locating a missing child—one of several visitors who has disappeared in the Sierra Glades National Park in the past twelve months—the teens find themselves on the frontlines sooner than they could have ever expected. As the search through 750,000 acres of unbridled wilderness intensifies, Kira becomes obsessed with finding the missing child. She knows all too well what it’s like to be lost in the wilderness, fighting for survival, alone.
But this case isn’t simple. There is more afoot than a single, missing girl, and Kira’s memories threaten to overwhelm her at every turn. As the danger mounts and long-held family secrets come to light, Kira is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her adopted family, her true nature, and her past.
Review: Overall, I liked this story. The characters were compelling, the dogs were OMG SO CUTE, and the writing was well done. I felt like the book was evenly paced and the book had a great story. I’ve always been interested in children who get lost and are found years later (I’m a weirdo I know). I felt like the book hit all the high points for me.
However, I didn’t feel invested in any of the characters or the book at all. The book felt flat, even though everything was pretty good.
Verdict: It was good, but didn’t hit that special spot in my soul.
Book: The Lovely and the Lost
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 15+ (missing children, being lost in the woods, language, slight gore)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 328
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Kira Bennett’s earliest memories are of living alone and wild in the woods. She has no idea how long she was on her own or what she had to do to survive, but she remembers the moment that Cady Bennett and one of her search-and-rescue dogs found her perfectly. Adopted into the Bennett family, Kira still struggles with human interaction years later, but she excels at the family business: search-and-rescue. Along with Cady’s son, Jude, and their neighbor, Free, Kira works alongside Cady to train the world’s most elite search-and-rescue dogs. Someday, all three teenagers hope to put their skills to use, finding the lost and bringing them home.
But when Cady’s estranged father, the enigmatic Bales Bennett, tracks his daughter down and asks for her help in locating a missing child—one of several visitors who has disappeared in the Sierra Glades National Park in the past twelve months—the teens find themselves on the frontlines sooner than they could have ever expected. As the search through 750,000 acres of unbridled wilderness intensifies, Kira becomes obsessed with finding the missing child. She knows all too well what it’s like to be lost in the wilderness, fighting for survival, alone.
But this case isn’t simple. There is more afoot than a single, missing girl, and Kira’s memories threaten to overwhelm her at every turn. As the danger mounts and long-held family secrets come to light, Kira is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her adopted family, her true nature, and her past.
Review: Overall, I liked this story. The characters were compelling, the dogs were OMG SO CUTE, and the writing was well done. I felt like the book was evenly paced and the book had a great story. I’ve always been interested in children who get lost and are found years later (I’m a weirdo I know). I felt like the book hit all the high points for me.
However, I didn’t feel invested in any of the characters or the book at all. The book felt flat, even though everything was pretty good.
Verdict: It was good, but didn’t hit that special spot in my soul.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Unscripted
Author: Claire Handscombe
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: April 4, 2019
Genre: Romance
Recommended Age: 18+ (some sexual content, romance)
Publisher: Unbound
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Nobody is a bigger fan of actor Thomas Cassidy than Libby is. Nobody. That's why she's totally going to marry him.
She is going to write a novel, name the main character after Thom, and find a way to get it to him. Intrigued and flattered, he will read it, fall in love with her prose, write to her and ask to turn it into a movie. She will pretend to think about it for a week or so, then say, sure, but can I work on it with you? Their eyes will meet over the script, and fade to black. It is a fail-proof plan.
Except for the fact that he is a Hollywood star – not A list, perhaps not B list, but certainly C+ – and she is, well, not. Except for the fact that he lives in America. Except, too, for the teeny tiny age gap. Not even twenty years! Totally overcomable. All of the obstacles are totally overcomable. It's all about determination.
Review: Overall, this was a good book. The world building was pretty good and the plot was intriguing. The characters were also enduring for the most part.
However, I felt like the pacing was too slow for my tastes and beyond that the book had some pretty unbelievable parts. The book was good, but I didn’t click with it well.
Verdict: Good, but slow.
Book: Unscripted
Author: Claire Handscombe
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: April 4, 2019
Genre: Romance
Recommended Age: 18+ (some sexual content, romance)
Publisher: Unbound
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Nobody is a bigger fan of actor Thomas Cassidy than Libby is. Nobody. That's why she's totally going to marry him.
She is going to write a novel, name the main character after Thom, and find a way to get it to him. Intrigued and flattered, he will read it, fall in love with her prose, write to her and ask to turn it into a movie. She will pretend to think about it for a week or so, then say, sure, but can I work on it with you? Their eyes will meet over the script, and fade to black. It is a fail-proof plan.
Except for the fact that he is a Hollywood star – not A list, perhaps not B list, but certainly C+ – and she is, well, not. Except for the fact that he lives in America. Except, too, for the teeny tiny age gap. Not even twenty years! Totally overcomable. All of the obstacles are totally overcomable. It's all about determination.
Review: Overall, this was a good book. The world building was pretty good and the plot was intriguing. The characters were also enduring for the most part.
However, I felt like the pacing was too slow for my tastes and beyond that the book had some pretty unbelievable parts. The book was good, but I didn’t click with it well.
Verdict: Good, but slow.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: His Sweet
Author: Hildur Sif Thorarensen
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: December 3, 2018
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (monsters, mystery notebooks, things that go bump in the night. Also language and slight gore)
Publisher: Antonov Publishing
Pages: 181
Amazon Link
Synopsis: When Sheriff Yolanda Demetriou receives boxes of notebooks, she has no idea of the horrors that lie ahead. Will she be able to piece together the information and locate the house where childhood dreams become nightmares? Or will she be too late to save an abducted girl?
In this dark psychological thriller, Yolanda and her team embark on a hunt for a monster, following maddeningly sparse clues in a race to solve a heartless crime.
Review: Overall, this was an ok book. The plot was intriguing and the pacing was well done. The author did well at writing it.
However, the book is super short and the heavily impedes the character development, the world building, and eliminates the possible plot twists that could have been used. The book is good, but there’s very little information and I think the book would have been better as a fully fleshed out book about 350-400 pages.
Verdict: It was good, but just too small.
Book: His Sweet
Author: Hildur Sif Thorarensen
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: December 3, 2018
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (monsters, mystery notebooks, things that go bump in the night. Also language and slight gore)
Publisher: Antonov Publishing
Pages: 181
Amazon Link
Synopsis: When Sheriff Yolanda Demetriou receives boxes of notebooks, she has no idea of the horrors that lie ahead. Will she be able to piece together the information and locate the house where childhood dreams become nightmares? Or will she be too late to save an abducted girl?
In this dark psychological thriller, Yolanda and her team embark on a hunt for a monster, following maddeningly sparse clues in a race to solve a heartless crime.
Review: Overall, this was an ok book. The plot was intriguing and the pacing was well done. The author did well at writing it.
However, the book is super short and the heavily impedes the character development, the world building, and eliminates the possible plot twists that could have been used. The book is good, but there’s very little information and I think the book would have been better as a fully fleshed out book about 350-400 pages.
Verdict: It was good, but just too small.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Stealing Thunder
Author: Alina Boyden
Book Series: Stealing Thunder Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: trans characters!
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (sexual violence TW, psychological violence TW, underage exploitation TW, violence, slight gore, romance)
Publisher: Ace
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Protecting her identity means life or death in this immersive epic fantasy inspired by the Mughal Empire.
In a different life, under a different name, Razia Khan was raised to be the Crown Prince of Nizam, the most powerful kingdom in Daryastan. Born with the soul of a woman, she ran away at a young age to escape her father’s hatred and live life true to herself.
Amongst the hijras of Bikampur, Razia finds sisterhood and discovers a new purpose in life. By day she’s one of her dera’s finest dancers, and by night its most profitable thief. But when her latest target leads her to cross paths with Arjun Agnivansha, Prince of Bikampur, it is she who has something stolen.
An immediate connection with the prince changes Razia’s life forever, and she finds herself embroiled in a dangerous political war. The stakes are greater than any heist she’s ever performed. When the battle brings her face to face with her father, Razia has the chance to reclaim everything she lost…and save her prince.
Review: I really liked this book for the most part. The characters were engaging and I loved that this book is written for a narrator who is a trans woman. I loved the world building and the plot was intriguing for me. It was an absolutely beautiful book!
However, I did feel like the ending was obvious (but I guess them easily, it’s my superpower/curse unfortunately. The book also has a lot of violence, sexual and psychological, and it can be disturbing for some readers so please be careful. Also, there was a lot of repetition and it can get a bit annoying, but it was good!
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: Stealing Thunder
Author: Alina Boyden
Book Series: Stealing Thunder Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: trans characters!
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (sexual violence TW, psychological violence TW, underage exploitation TW, violence, slight gore, romance)
Publisher: Ace
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Protecting her identity means life or death in this immersive epic fantasy inspired by the Mughal Empire.
In a different life, under a different name, Razia Khan was raised to be the Crown Prince of Nizam, the most powerful kingdom in Daryastan. Born with the soul of a woman, she ran away at a young age to escape her father’s hatred and live life true to herself.
Amongst the hijras of Bikampur, Razia finds sisterhood and discovers a new purpose in life. By day she’s one of her dera’s finest dancers, and by night its most profitable thief. But when her latest target leads her to cross paths with Arjun Agnivansha, Prince of Bikampur, it is she who has something stolen.
An immediate connection with the prince changes Razia’s life forever, and she finds herself embroiled in a dangerous political war. The stakes are greater than any heist she’s ever performed. When the battle brings her face to face with her father, Razia has the chance to reclaim everything she lost…and save her prince.
Review: I really liked this book for the most part. The characters were engaging and I loved that this book is written for a narrator who is a trans woman. I loved the world building and the plot was intriguing for me. It was an absolutely beautiful book!
However, I did feel like the ending was obvious (but I guess them easily, it’s my superpower/curse unfortunately. The book also has a lot of violence, sexual and psychological, and it can be disturbing for some readers so please be careful. Also, there was a lot of repetition and it can get a bit annoying, but it was good!
Verdict: Highly recommend!