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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Spark of Divinity
Author: CE Clayton
Book Series: The Monster of Selkirk Book 5
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: POC side characters!
Publication Date: January 1, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore)
Publisher: DevilDog Press
Pages: 289
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Tallis is now the secret weapon in Lady Zofia's attempts to claim the Arcadian throne. But as the players vying for the crown are revealed, victory is far from assured. Marcelina's rescue becomes the key to unlocking the army Tallis so desperately needs. But with Tomas and Colben sent on a mission without Tallis, Rosslyn, or Adelaide, things get more complicated--and bloodier--awakening something in Tallis she's not certain she can cage ever again. With the elves god-like trees falling ill and driven to madness under mysterious circumstances, Tallis suspects she and Colben may not be as unique as she originally thought. As Tallis races to uphold her end of Lady Zofia's bargain and confront Lord Bogdan, the presence of pirates from Andor and a familiar face from Theda put all their lives in jeopardy. Tallis and her friends soon discover that Tallis isn't the only one capable of enacting a catastrophic prophecy, and if Tallis doesn't return to Selkirk soon it may be lost forever.
Review: I really loved this book! The character development was amazing and well developed. The writing is fantastic as ever and it amazes me because this is the book before the last book of the series and usually those books drag, but this one had a ton of action to keep me intrigued while tying up the loose ends from book 4 and setting the stage for the final one. The world building is also well developed and the detail of these books rival that of popular high fantasy novels that I read. It’s definitely a book series I recommend!
I really didn’t have anything “negative” about the book. A couple of the spots were a bit slower than I like and sometimes I got lost in the fight scenes, but those are all personal preference or issues.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: The Spark of Divinity
Author: CE Clayton
Book Series: The Monster of Selkirk Book 5
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: POC side characters!
Publication Date: January 1, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore)
Publisher: DevilDog Press
Pages: 289
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Tallis is now the secret weapon in Lady Zofia's attempts to claim the Arcadian throne. But as the players vying for the crown are revealed, victory is far from assured. Marcelina's rescue becomes the key to unlocking the army Tallis so desperately needs. But with Tomas and Colben sent on a mission without Tallis, Rosslyn, or Adelaide, things get more complicated--and bloodier--awakening something in Tallis she's not certain she can cage ever again. With the elves god-like trees falling ill and driven to madness under mysterious circumstances, Tallis suspects she and Colben may not be as unique as she originally thought. As Tallis races to uphold her end of Lady Zofia's bargain and confront Lord Bogdan, the presence of pirates from Andor and a familiar face from Theda put all their lives in jeopardy. Tallis and her friends soon discover that Tallis isn't the only one capable of enacting a catastrophic prophecy, and if Tallis doesn't return to Selkirk soon it may be lost forever.
Review: I really loved this book! The character development was amazing and well developed. The writing is fantastic as ever and it amazes me because this is the book before the last book of the series and usually those books drag, but this one had a ton of action to keep me intrigued while tying up the loose ends from book 4 and setting the stage for the final one. The world building is also well developed and the detail of these books rival that of popular high fantasy novels that I read. It’s definitely a book series I recommend!
I really didn’t have anything “negative” about the book. A couple of the spots were a bit slower than I like and sometimes I got lost in the fight scenes, but those are all personal preference or issues.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this book from my mother. Thank you mom! All opinions are my own.
Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: J.K. Rowling
Book Series: Harry Potter
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: September 16, 2006
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore, death)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 652
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary pages of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses.
And yet . . .
As in all wars, life goes on. The Weasley twins expand their business. Sixth-year students learn to Apparate - and lose a few eyebrows in the process. Teenagers flirt and fight and fall in love. Classes are never straightforward, through Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.
So it's the home front that takes center stage in the multilayered sixth installment of the story of Harry Potter. Here at Hogwarts, Harry will search for the full and complete story of the boy who became Lord Voldemort - and thereby find what may be his only vulnerability.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book! I loved the continued development of the trio and I loved seeing the relationships form. I loved the world building and the writing was pretty well done. The plot also kept me intrigued throughout the book.
However, I didn’t like this one as much as others. I loved to see the start of the horcruxes, but I think that this book could have been written better. I think that a duel POV with Harry and Draco would have been better and would have saved the word vomit at the end of the book explaining everything that happened. The ending of the book was also chaotic and the beginning was super slow.
Verdict: It was decent.
Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: J.K. Rowling
Book Series: Harry Potter
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: September 16, 2006
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore, death)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 652
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary pages of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses.
And yet . . .
As in all wars, life goes on. The Weasley twins expand their business. Sixth-year students learn to Apparate - and lose a few eyebrows in the process. Teenagers flirt and fight and fall in love. Classes are never straightforward, through Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.
So it's the home front that takes center stage in the multilayered sixth installment of the story of Harry Potter. Here at Hogwarts, Harry will search for the full and complete story of the boy who became Lord Voldemort - and thereby find what may be his only vulnerability.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book! I loved the continued development of the trio and I loved seeing the relationships form. I loved the world building and the writing was pretty well done. The plot also kept me intrigued throughout the book.
However, I didn’t like this one as much as others. I loved to see the start of the horcruxes, but I think that this book could have been written better. I think that a duel POV with Harry and Draco would have been better and would have saved the word vomit at the end of the book explaining everything that happened. The ending of the book was also chaotic and the beginning was super slow.
Verdict: It was decent.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book and then bought my own copy before the author did the incredibly stupid thing where she signed other authors books, a lot of them POC. Also she didn’t apologize publically. Not cool Mackenzie. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Book Series: Montague Siblings Book 2
Rating: 2.5/5
Diversity: Muslim side character, gay and lesbian characters
Publication Date: October 2, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, romance, sexual content)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 450
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.
But then a window of opportunity opens—a doctor she idolizes is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid.
In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.
Review: I thought this was a well done book for the most part. The book had well developed characters and funny moments. The world building was marvelous as well and I loved the history behind this book. I also loved that the author continued Monty and Percy’s story.
However, there were a lot of points in this book that I thought the author could have done more. I’ve always pictured Felicity as asexual and while the author seemed to be reaching for that, she didn’t really get there in my opinion. The ending left you with a sense of incompleteness. The romance between Felicity and a certain pirate were incomplete as well and I wish that the author just did more to make this a full circle. The book also didn’t have a real life historical component to it like the first book did and I think that makes the book weaker.
Verdict: It could have been more, but it felt like the author got lazy in her writing.
Book: The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Book Series: Montague Siblings Book 2
Rating: 2.5/5
Diversity: Muslim side character, gay and lesbian characters
Publication Date: October 2, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, romance, sexual content)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 450
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.
But then a window of opportunity opens—a doctor she idolizes is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid.
In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.
Review: I thought this was a well done book for the most part. The book had well developed characters and funny moments. The world building was marvelous as well and I loved the history behind this book. I also loved that the author continued Monty and Percy’s story.
However, there were a lot of points in this book that I thought the author could have done more. I’ve always pictured Felicity as asexual and while the author seemed to be reaching for that, she didn’t really get there in my opinion. The ending left you with a sense of incompleteness. The romance between Felicity and a certain pirate were incomplete as well and I wish that the author just did more to make this a full circle. The book also didn’t have a real life historical component to it like the first book did and I think that makes the book weaker.
Verdict: It could have been more, but it felt like the author got lazy in her writing.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (gore, monsters, gods, Vikings, axe throwing, and badass girl power)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: How do you kill a god?
As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honour, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.
Review: Holy crap! Let’s talk about this amazing book. It was fast paced and fun. It was easy to follow and easy to melt into. This book had amazing character growth for more than one person and this book spoke volumes about a lot of issues, like discrimination and not taking things at face value. The book is utterly fantastic in every way.
The only issue I had was that I felt that the book was a bit too fast paced for some people. A lot of things happened in this standalone and while it was perfect for me, it might not be for some people.
Verdict: READ THIS BOOK!
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors.
Book: Warrior of the Wild
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (gore, monsters, gods, Vikings, axe throwing, and badass girl power)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: How do you kill a god?
As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honour, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.
Review: I reread this book because a friend requested I do so for my twelve friends twelve months challenge. I don’t have much more to say outside of what I did in my original review. The book is still absolutely fascinating to me, how Tricia was able to weave all of these details to the final boss battle. The book is a marvel, is full of well developed characters and moments, and awesome world building. Still one of my all time faves.
My only issue is still the fast pacing. It’s great if you’re running on a treadmill like I did the first time I read this book, but if you like slower books then you’ll be left in this ones dust.
Verdict: Vikings still get me excited.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (gore, monsters, gods, Vikings, axe throwing, and badass girl power)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: How do you kill a god?
As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honour, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.
Review: Holy crap! Let’s talk about this amazing book. It was fast paced and fun. It was easy to follow and easy to melt into. This book had amazing character growth for more than one person and this book spoke volumes about a lot of issues, like discrimination and not taking things at face value. The book is utterly fantastic in every way.
The only issue I had was that I felt that the book was a bit too fast paced for some people. A lot of things happened in this standalone and while it was perfect for me, it might not be for some people.
Verdict: READ THIS BOOK!
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors.
Book: Warrior of the Wild
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (gore, monsters, gods, Vikings, axe throwing, and badass girl power)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: How do you kill a god?
As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honour, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.
Review: I reread this book because a friend requested I do so for my twelve friends twelve months challenge. I don’t have much more to say outside of what I did in my original review. The book is still absolutely fascinating to me, how Tricia was able to weave all of these details to the final boss battle. The book is a marvel, is full of well developed characters and moments, and awesome world building. Still one of my all time faves.
My only issue is still the fast pacing. It’s great if you’re running on a treadmill like I did the first time I read this book, but if you like slower books then you’ll be left in this ones dust.
Verdict: Vikings still get me excited.
Disclaimer: I received this book from an owlcrate box! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Author: Lewis Carroll
Book Series: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: November 26, 1885
Genre: Children’s Classics
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slight gore, scary moments)
Publisher: Public Domain Books
Pages: 96
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After a tumble down the rabbit hole, Alice finds herself far away from home in the absurd world of Wonderland. As mind-bending as it is delightful, Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel is pure magic for young and old alike.
Review: For the most part this was a cute tale. The world building was fantastic and whimsical. The characters complex and well developed. The book is full of great writing and I can see why a lot of people love this story and how it’s maintained its popularity year after year.
However, I can’t read this book without thinking of Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for the book and it creeps me out to no end. Sometimes people are able to put that behind them when they read books by controversial authors, but I couldn’t for this read and it made reading this book hard.
Verdict: Ehhh not my fave.
Book: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Author: Lewis Carroll
Book Series: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: November 26, 1885
Genre: Children’s Classics
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slight gore, scary moments)
Publisher: Public Domain Books
Pages: 96
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After a tumble down the rabbit hole, Alice finds herself far away from home in the absurd world of Wonderland. As mind-bending as it is delightful, Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel is pure magic for young and old alike.
Review: For the most part this was a cute tale. The world building was fantastic and whimsical. The characters complex and well developed. The book is full of great writing and I can see why a lot of people love this story and how it’s maintained its popularity year after year.
However, I can’t read this book without thinking of Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for the book and it creeps me out to no end. Sometimes people are able to put that behind them when they read books by controversial authors, but I couldn’t for this read and it made reading this book hard.
Verdict: Ehhh not my fave.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Wrath of Silence
Author: CE Clayton
Book Series: The Monster of Selkirk Book 6
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 24, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, death)
Publisher: Independently Published
Pages: 422
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Desperate to thwart their ultimate foe, Tallis and her army sail for Selkirk. Urban has the advantage, however, as he has the lead and a maniacal determination to unlock a holy power capable of destroying the world. Tallis and Tomas have not stepped foot in Selkirk in over a year, having fled once the elves were free of their madness. Rosslyn had warned them of the growing civil unrest, but it did not prepare them for what they would face upon landfall in Kincardine. Low on resources, Tallis finds herself caught between two princes vying for the throne, and a cruel queen who is tempted by Urban's fanatical allure, just as Konrad was. Now, Tallis must convince those who once hunted her to aid her, for if they do not work together, all of Selkirk will burn. Urban is unlike any enemy they have ever faced; he knows all too well what Tallis is capable of, and how to manipulate the venomous voice within her. Everything is at stake for Tallis-the fate of Selkirk, her friends and loved ones, and her own soul. Urban will exploit those perceived weaknesses, making Tallis choose whom to save; for nothing will stop Urban on his quest to bring back his silent god as he enacts the long dreaded prophecy. Tallis and her friends are coming to the end of their journey, one that will prove to the world once and for all who is the true monster of Selkirk.
Review: I really loved this book! I thought the book was a good ending to an amazing series! The book had a satisfying ending, the characters kept getting well developed throughout the book series and even in this last book. The writing was well done and the book was fast paced. The world building was marvelous as ever and I really felt content with this book.
The only issue I had was that the book has a TON of fight scenes and sometimes in fight scenes I get a bit confused as to who is doing what. The fight scenes got a bit chaotic for me, but they were well built for the most part.
Verdict: I love this series.
Book: The Wrath of Silence
Author: CE Clayton
Book Series: The Monster of Selkirk Book 6
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 24, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, death)
Publisher: Independently Published
Pages: 422
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Desperate to thwart their ultimate foe, Tallis and her army sail for Selkirk. Urban has the advantage, however, as he has the lead and a maniacal determination to unlock a holy power capable of destroying the world. Tallis and Tomas have not stepped foot in Selkirk in over a year, having fled once the elves were free of their madness. Rosslyn had warned them of the growing civil unrest, but it did not prepare them for what they would face upon landfall in Kincardine. Low on resources, Tallis finds herself caught between two princes vying for the throne, and a cruel queen who is tempted by Urban's fanatical allure, just as Konrad was. Now, Tallis must convince those who once hunted her to aid her, for if they do not work together, all of Selkirk will burn. Urban is unlike any enemy they have ever faced; he knows all too well what Tallis is capable of, and how to manipulate the venomous voice within her. Everything is at stake for Tallis-the fate of Selkirk, her friends and loved ones, and her own soul. Urban will exploit those perceived weaknesses, making Tallis choose whom to save; for nothing will stop Urban on his quest to bring back his silent god as he enacts the long dreaded prophecy. Tallis and her friends are coming to the end of their journey, one that will prove to the world once and for all who is the true monster of Selkirk.
Review: I really loved this book! I thought the book was a good ending to an amazing series! The book had a satisfying ending, the characters kept getting well developed throughout the book series and even in this last book. The writing was well done and the book was fast paced. The world building was marvelous as ever and I really felt content with this book.
The only issue I had was that the book has a TON of fight scenes and sometimes in fight scenes I get a bit confused as to who is doing what. The fight scenes got a bit chaotic for me, but they were well built for the most part.
Verdict: I love this series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book a bit ago and read it for the tour of the second book! Support your authors!
Book: The Bone Charmer
Author: Breeana Shields
Book Series: The Bone Charmer Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (bones, violence, slight gore, some quantum leap stuff with alternate time lines)
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 400
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In Saskia’s world, bones are the source of all power. They tell the future, reveal the past, and expose secrets in the present. Each village has a designated seer who performs readings for the townsfolk, and in Midwood, the Bone Charmer is Saskia’s mother.
On the day of her kenning—a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds—Saskia’s worst fears come true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, like her mother, and even worse, a match-making reading that pairs her with Bram—a boy who has suspicious tattoos that hint of violence.
Saskia knows her mother saw multiple paths for her, yet chose one she knew Saskia wouldn’t want. Their argument leads to a fracture in one of the bones. Broken bones are always bad luck, but this particular set of bones have been infused with extra magic, and so the break has devastating consequences—Saskia’s future has split as well. Now she will live her two potential paths simultaneously. Only one future can survive. And Saskia’s life is in danger in both.
Review: For the most part this book was pretty good. The characters were well developed personality wise and the pacing was excellent for the book. I was very invested in the plot of this book and while I’m not normally a fan of the love triangle, it was well done in this book.
However, I did think that the world building needed to be worked on and the writing needs to be more descriptive and not showy. I hope that in the second book, this is rectified.
Verdict: A great story, just needs worked on a bit more.
Book: The Bone Charmer
Author: Breeana Shields
Book Series: The Bone Charmer Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (bones, violence, slight gore, some quantum leap stuff with alternate time lines)
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 400
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In Saskia’s world, bones are the source of all power. They tell the future, reveal the past, and expose secrets in the present. Each village has a designated seer who performs readings for the townsfolk, and in Midwood, the Bone Charmer is Saskia’s mother.
On the day of her kenning—a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds—Saskia’s worst fears come true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, like her mother, and even worse, a match-making reading that pairs her with Bram—a boy who has suspicious tattoos that hint of violence.
Saskia knows her mother saw multiple paths for her, yet chose one she knew Saskia wouldn’t want. Their argument leads to a fracture in one of the bones. Broken bones are always bad luck, but this particular set of bones have been infused with extra magic, and so the break has devastating consequences—Saskia’s future has split as well. Now she will live her two potential paths simultaneously. Only one future can survive. And Saskia’s life is in danger in both.
Review: For the most part this book was pretty good. The characters were well developed personality wise and the pacing was excellent for the book. I was very invested in the plot of this book and while I’m not normally a fan of the love triangle, it was well done in this book.
However, I did think that the world building needed to be worked on and the writing needs to be more descriptive and not showy. I hope that in the second book, this is rectified.
Verdict: A great story, just needs worked on a bit more.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Songs of Thalassa
Author: Brian N. Tissot
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Hawaiian main character, but not ownvoice
Publication Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 15+ (parental death, self-discovery, slight violence and gore)
Publisher: BookBaby
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a future where sporting competitions take place on distant planets, a Hawaiian surfer seeks to reclaim her fame and followers while defeating her nemesis once and for all.After a surfing accident claims her career and nearly takes her life, surfer Sage Thompson is at a crossroads. Still mourning her astronaut father's death on a mission to ocean planet Thalassa, a tragedy she might be able to put behind her with the help of her fans—if they still believed in her—she's not sure what to do, where to go, or how to move on. But when Milo challenges her to a contest on the ocean planet Thalassa, the asteroid- and tsunami-ravaged world that stole her father, she'll discover that she not only still has what it takes to win, but once she hears the songs of Thalassa, winning might not be the most important thing.Songs of Thalassa will appeal to fans of Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Martian, and Contact, and features a young woman on a journey of self-discovery struggling to develop a sense of place and connections between herself, her culture, and the universe on a virgin ocean planet.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed the book. I felt it was a well researched and intelligent book. The book is full of information about environmentalism and oceanography. The book is well written and the characters are well developed. I loved the world building as well and I loved how the author envisioned the future!
However, I did feel like the book was a bit too slow for me. The book was good, but very slow and I felt like it just dragged for about 40% of the novel.
Verdict: A great novel, highly recommend if you are looking for a book that touches on environmentalism.
Book: Songs of Thalassa
Author: Brian N. Tissot
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Hawaiian main character, but not ownvoice
Publication Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 15+ (parental death, self-discovery, slight violence and gore)
Publisher: BookBaby
Pages: 320
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a future where sporting competitions take place on distant planets, a Hawaiian surfer seeks to reclaim her fame and followers while defeating her nemesis once and for all.After a surfing accident claims her career and nearly takes her life, surfer Sage Thompson is at a crossroads. Still mourning her astronaut father's death on a mission to ocean planet Thalassa, a tragedy she might be able to put behind her with the help of her fans—if they still believed in her—she's not sure what to do, where to go, or how to move on. But when Milo challenges her to a contest on the ocean planet Thalassa, the asteroid- and tsunami-ravaged world that stole her father, she'll discover that she not only still has what it takes to win, but once she hears the songs of Thalassa, winning might not be the most important thing.Songs of Thalassa will appeal to fans of Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Martian, and Contact, and features a young woman on a journey of self-discovery struggling to develop a sense of place and connections between herself, her culture, and the universe on a virgin ocean planet.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed the book. I felt it was a well researched and intelligent book. The book is full of information about environmentalism and oceanography. The book is well written and the characters are well developed. I loved the world building as well and I loved how the author envisioned the future!
However, I did feel like the book was a bit too slow for me. The book was good, but very slow and I felt like it just dragged for about 40% of the novel.
Verdict: A great novel, highly recommend if you are looking for a book that touches on environmentalism.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from netgalley and the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Say Yes Summer
Author: Lindsey Roth Culli
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (saying yes to everything, romance, slight language)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 256
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The perfect book to kick off summer! For as long as Rachel Brooks can remember, she's had capital-G Goals: straight As, academic scholarship, college of her dreams. And it's all paid off--after years of following the rules and acing every exam, Rachel is graduating at the top of her class and ready to celebrate by . . . doing absolutely nothing. Because Rachel Brooks has spent most of high school saying no. No to dances, no to parties, and most especially, no to boys.
Now, for the first time in her life, there's nothing stopping Rachel from having a little fun--nothing, that is, except herself. So when she stumbles on a beat up old self-help book--A SEASON OF YES!--a crazy idea pops into her head: What if she just said yes to . . . everything?
And so begins a summer of yes. Yes to new experiences and big mistakes, yes to rekindled friendships and unexpected romances, yes to seeing the world in a whole new way. This book is a fresh and fun take on the coming-of-age novel that explores the quintessential themes of growing up: taking risks, making mistakes, and, of course, love. And who knows? Lindsey Roth Culli's hilarious and heartwarming debut may just inspire your own SAY YES SUMMER.
Review: I thought this book was a quick, sweet book that reminded me a lot of Yes Man with Jim Carrey. The characters were all well developed and the world building was done well. The book is equal parts funny as it is heartwarming and sweet. I loved the plot and the writing was very well done!
However, I did feel like if you aren’t used to a very fast pace in books then this will throw you a curve ball. The book is super fast paced and doesn’t stop running once it’s out of the gate.
Verdict: A well done sweet book!
Book: Say Yes Summer
Author: Lindsey Roth Culli
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (saying yes to everything, romance, slight language)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 256
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The perfect book to kick off summer! For as long as Rachel Brooks can remember, she's had capital-G Goals: straight As, academic scholarship, college of her dreams. And it's all paid off--after years of following the rules and acing every exam, Rachel is graduating at the top of her class and ready to celebrate by . . . doing absolutely nothing. Because Rachel Brooks has spent most of high school saying no. No to dances, no to parties, and most especially, no to boys.
Now, for the first time in her life, there's nothing stopping Rachel from having a little fun--nothing, that is, except herself. So when she stumbles on a beat up old self-help book--A SEASON OF YES!--a crazy idea pops into her head: What if she just said yes to . . . everything?
And so begins a summer of yes. Yes to new experiences and big mistakes, yes to rekindled friendships and unexpected romances, yes to seeing the world in a whole new way. This book is a fresh and fun take on the coming-of-age novel that explores the quintessential themes of growing up: taking risks, making mistakes, and, of course, love. And who knows? Lindsey Roth Culli's hilarious and heartwarming debut may just inspire your own SAY YES SUMMER.
Review: I thought this book was a quick, sweet book that reminded me a lot of Yes Man with Jim Carrey. The characters were all well developed and the world building was done well. The book is equal parts funny as it is heartwarming and sweet. I loved the plot and the writing was very well done!
However, I did feel like if you aren’t used to a very fast pace in books then this will throw you a curve ball. The book is super fast paced and doesn’t stop running once it’s out of the gate.
Verdict: A well done sweet book!
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Disclaimer: I received this book from Rockstar Book Tours! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Dark Awakening
Author: D.L. Blade
Book Series: Chosen Coven Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: March 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance)
Publisher: Fifth Element Publishing
Pages: 252
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Get ready for a new kind of witch—she’s about to save humanity.
Haunting secrets, witches, vampires, werewolves, love, betrayal, & twists you won’t see coming!
Mercy’s life has devolved into a string of bad events. A brutal beating that nearly stole her life, a dangerous stalker lurking in the shadows, and a car accident, where the man who rescued her disappears right before her eyes.
But this man who she thought was a hallucination, tracks her down at a nearby cove, and claims they were once in love from another time. Another century. But Mercy has no memory of this world he shares, and instinctively doesn’t trust him. He also reveals to her a life-changing secret—she’s an ancient witch, vampires are real, and she's destined to destroy them.
There’s also the troubling discovery that her blood is lusted after by the undead, and a sadistic vampire leader sets his eyes on her, and will stop at nothing until he takes Mercy as his own.
Mercy needs to fight. Fight for her life, fight to discover the truth, fight to remember who—or what—she really is before it’s too late.
Review: This was an ok book for the most part. The book had an interesting plot and the world building was well done. The book seemed very interesting from the get go and the plot was the reason I kept reading the book.
However, the romance and the characters felt really flat and uninteresting. The characters didn’t feel like they were anything more than the paper they were wrote on and nothing really made them stand out from one or the other. The book is also very slow paced.
Verdict: It was an ok read
Book: The Dark Awakening
Author: D.L. Blade
Book Series: Chosen Coven Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: March 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance)
Publisher: Fifth Element Publishing
Pages: 252
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Get ready for a new kind of witch—she’s about to save humanity.
Haunting secrets, witches, vampires, werewolves, love, betrayal, & twists you won’t see coming!
Mercy’s life has devolved into a string of bad events. A brutal beating that nearly stole her life, a dangerous stalker lurking in the shadows, and a car accident, where the man who rescued her disappears right before her eyes.
But this man who she thought was a hallucination, tracks her down at a nearby cove, and claims they were once in love from another time. Another century. But Mercy has no memory of this world he shares, and instinctively doesn’t trust him. He also reveals to her a life-changing secret—she’s an ancient witch, vampires are real, and she's destined to destroy them.
There’s also the troubling discovery that her blood is lusted after by the undead, and a sadistic vampire leader sets his eyes on her, and will stop at nothing until he takes Mercy as his own.
Mercy needs to fight. Fight for her life, fight to discover the truth, fight to remember who—or what—she really is before it’s too late.
Review: This was an ok book for the most part. The book had an interesting plot and the world building was well done. The book seemed very interesting from the get go and the plot was the reason I kept reading the book.
However, the romance and the characters felt really flat and uninteresting. The characters didn’t feel like they were anything more than the paper they were wrote on and nothing really made them stand out from one or the other. The book is also very slow paced.
Verdict: It was an ok read