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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received a finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Girl in Three Parts
Author: Suzanne Daniel
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: feminism reads and Australian novels!
Publication Date: April 14, 2020 (USA release)
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (sexism and domestic violence TW)
Publisher: Knopf
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Eleven-year-old Allegra shuttles between her grandmothers who live next door to one another but couldn't be more different. Matilde works all hours and instils discipline, duty and restraint. She insists that Allegra focus on her studies to become a doctor. Meanwhile free-spirited Joy is full of colour, possibility and emotion, storing all her tears in little glass bottles. She is riding the second wave of the women's movement in the company of her penny tortoise, Simone de Beauvoir, encouraging Ally to explore broad horizons and live her 'true essence'. Rick lives in a flat out the back and finds distraction in gambling and solace in surfing. He's trying to be a good parent to Al Pal, while grieving the woman linking them all but whose absence tears them apart.
Allegra is left to orbit these three adult worlds wishing they loved her a little less and liked each other a lot more. Until one day the unspoken tragedy that's created this division explodes within the person they all cherish most.
Review: For the most part, the book was really good! The character development was well done and the world building was amazing. I liked the setting and the time period this was set in. I think the author did well to bring in themes of feminism and women’s rights into the story. The book was also well paced.
However, I did get a little bored with the plot in some respects and I felt like the main character was a bit older sounding than what she was meant to be.
Verdict: It was really good!
Book: A Girl in Three Parts
Author: Suzanne Daniel
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: feminism reads and Australian novels!
Publication Date: April 14, 2020 (USA release)
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (sexism and domestic violence TW)
Publisher: Knopf
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Eleven-year-old Allegra shuttles between her grandmothers who live next door to one another but couldn't be more different. Matilde works all hours and instils discipline, duty and restraint. She insists that Allegra focus on her studies to become a doctor. Meanwhile free-spirited Joy is full of colour, possibility and emotion, storing all her tears in little glass bottles. She is riding the second wave of the women's movement in the company of her penny tortoise, Simone de Beauvoir, encouraging Ally to explore broad horizons and live her 'true essence'. Rick lives in a flat out the back and finds distraction in gambling and solace in surfing. He's trying to be a good parent to Al Pal, while grieving the woman linking them all but whose absence tears them apart.
Allegra is left to orbit these three adult worlds wishing they loved her a little less and liked each other a lot more. Until one day the unspoken tragedy that's created this division explodes within the person they all cherish most.
Review: For the most part, the book was really good! The character development was well done and the world building was amazing. I liked the setting and the time period this was set in. I think the author did well to bring in themes of feminism and women’s rights into the story. The book was also well paced.
However, I did get a little bored with the plot in some respects and I felt like the main character was a bit older sounding than what she was meant to be.
Verdict: It was really good!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own!
Book: The Redpoint Crux
Author: Morgan Shamy
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Phantom of the Opera retelling lovers and mystery readers
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, death, gore, verbal abuse TW, mental health)
Publisher: The Parliament House
Pages: 290
Synopsis: When Megan Van Helsburg gets kicked off the U.S.A. Climbing Team, she has no choice but to return home and leave her climbing career behind. With no coach, no money, and no prospects, she joins the corps de ballet determined to improve her strength and agility. But the ballet theater is in dire straits. Not only do a series of murders break loose, but the ballerinas are becoming deathly thin and brain-dead. As Megan investigates, she meets Bellamy, a tortured young man who lives beneath the depths of the theater. Megan falls hard and fast for Bellamy, who becomes her mentor, but something is off about him.
It isn't until the company announces they're doing Giselle for the fall performance that Megan realizes the parallels between the ghost story and the lives around her. Megan must find a way to not only save her climbing career, but balance her feelings for Bellamy, and stop the murders and dying girls before she, too, is numbered among the dead.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The characters were well developed and world building was well done. The book did well to discuss the sensitive topics of mental health in my opinion and the murders definitely held my intrigue.
However, I thought that there was too much telling the reader what happens instead of showing it. The book also had funky writing. Like, some of the sad moments didn’t feel sad? It was kinda weird. The book also was a bit too fast for me. I also felt like there was a lot going on for this type of book and felt like it either neither to be expanded and slowed down or broke up into other books.
Verdict: It was a good book!
Book: The Redpoint Crux
Author: Morgan Shamy
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Phantom of the Opera retelling lovers and mystery readers
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, death, gore, verbal abuse TW, mental health)
Publisher: The Parliament House
Pages: 290
Synopsis: When Megan Van Helsburg gets kicked off the U.S.A. Climbing Team, she has no choice but to return home and leave her climbing career behind. With no coach, no money, and no prospects, she joins the corps de ballet determined to improve her strength and agility. But the ballet theater is in dire straits. Not only do a series of murders break loose, but the ballerinas are becoming deathly thin and brain-dead. As Megan investigates, she meets Bellamy, a tortured young man who lives beneath the depths of the theater. Megan falls hard and fast for Bellamy, who becomes her mentor, but something is off about him.
It isn't until the company announces they're doing Giselle for the fall performance that Megan realizes the parallels between the ghost story and the lives around her. Megan must find a way to not only save her climbing career, but balance her feelings for Bellamy, and stop the murders and dying girls before she, too, is numbered among the dead.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The characters were well developed and world building was well done. The book did well to discuss the sensitive topics of mental health in my opinion and the murders definitely held my intrigue.
However, I thought that there was too much telling the reader what happens instead of showing it. The book also had funky writing. Like, some of the sad moments didn’t feel sad? It was kinda weird. The book also was a bit too fast for me. I also felt like there was a lot going on for this type of book and felt like it either neither to be expanded and slowed down or broke up into other books.
Verdict: It was a good book!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: My Summer of Love and Misfortune
Author: Lindsay Wong
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: Chinese American main character!
Recommended For...: Chinese American main and finding yourself
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Iris Wang is having a bit of a rough start to her summer. In an attempt to snap her out of her funk, Iris’s parents send her away to visit family in Beijing, with the hopes that Iris will “reconnect with her culture” and “find herself.” Iris resents her parents’ high-handedness, but even she admits that this might be a good opportunity to hit the reset button.
Iris expects to eat a few dumplings, meet some of her family, and visit a tourist hotspot or two. What she doesn’t expect is to meet a handsome Mandarin-language tutor named Frank and to be swept up in the ridiculous, opulent world of Beijing’s wealthy elite, leading her to unexpected and extraordinary discoveries about her family, her future, and herself.
Review: I had to DNF this read. I loved seeing a Chinese American main character, but I didn’t like a lot of things about her. In short, she’s a brat and while the author tries to redeem her, this character wasn’t redeemed at all. She blew through credit cards like nothing, she lives off of excuses, she ran away from home, and she has no character growth. It’s very unflattering and by 62% (the part I got to before putting the book down) I would have expected the author to have made the character redeemable. I think the book is salvageable, I think the character could be rewritten and saved (and truthfully I want it to be saved! I hardly see Chinese American YA Contemporaries and I would love to enjoy this one too), but until then it’s hard to read about her when I’m swimming in debt and would love the opportunities she has.
Verdict: Not for me.
Book: My Summer of Love and Misfortune
Author: Lindsay Wong
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: Chinese American main character!
Recommended For...: Chinese American main and finding yourself
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Iris Wang is having a bit of a rough start to her summer. In an attempt to snap her out of her funk, Iris’s parents send her away to visit family in Beijing, with the hopes that Iris will “reconnect with her culture” and “find herself.” Iris resents her parents’ high-handedness, but even she admits that this might be a good opportunity to hit the reset button.
Iris expects to eat a few dumplings, meet some of her family, and visit a tourist hotspot or two. What she doesn’t expect is to meet a handsome Mandarin-language tutor named Frank and to be swept up in the ridiculous, opulent world of Beijing’s wealthy elite, leading her to unexpected and extraordinary discoveries about her family, her future, and herself.
Review: I had to DNF this read. I loved seeing a Chinese American main character, but I didn’t like a lot of things about her. In short, she’s a brat and while the author tries to redeem her, this character wasn’t redeemed at all. She blew through credit cards like nothing, she lives off of excuses, she ran away from home, and she has no character growth. It’s very unflattering and by 62% (the part I got to before putting the book down) I would have expected the author to have made the character redeemable. I think the book is salvageable, I think the character could be rewritten and saved (and truthfully I want it to be saved! I hardly see Chinese American YA Contemporaries and I would love to enjoy this one too), but until then it’s hard to read about her when I’m swimming in debt and would love the opportunities she has.
Verdict: Not for me.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Rebel in the Library of Ever
Author: Zeno Alexander
Book Series: The Library of Ever Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: MG fans!
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments, some details and words that might need explaining)
Publisher: Imprint
Pages: 224
Synopsis: Lenora returns to the magical Library—which holds every book ever known on its shelves. But she discovers the Library is under new management, its incredible rooms and corridors turned dark and sinister.
She quickly connects with a secret resistance that’s trying to free knowledge from the shadows threatening it. Her new friends introduce her to an ancient lost city, hang-gliding, and mathematical beings larger than the universe itself. And they help her face the mysterious Board of new leaders—who are leading the Library into darkness.
Now it’s up to Lenora to prove that knowledge is always more powerful than ignorance and fear.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a great MG book. I loved the attention on libraries and I loved the character development and how fun the book was. The world building was also amazing and the book was well paced.
However, the book is weirdly written. The writing is sometimes targeted for younger kids, but then the writing gets stiff and formal and there are a lot of words and topics that a younger MG audience might not be able to decipher. The book is also the second in a series, which I didn’t realize when I jumped into it. You need some details from the first book, but you can get through this one pretty good without.
Verdict: Cute book!
Book: Rebel in the Library of Ever
Author: Zeno Alexander
Book Series: The Library of Ever Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: MG fans!
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments, some details and words that might need explaining)
Publisher: Imprint
Pages: 224
Synopsis: Lenora returns to the magical Library—which holds every book ever known on its shelves. But she discovers the Library is under new management, its incredible rooms and corridors turned dark and sinister.
She quickly connects with a secret resistance that’s trying to free knowledge from the shadows threatening it. Her new friends introduce her to an ancient lost city, hang-gliding, and mathematical beings larger than the universe itself. And they help her face the mysterious Board of new leaders—who are leading the Library into darkness.
Now it’s up to Lenora to prove that knowledge is always more powerful than ignorance and fear.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a great MG book. I loved the attention on libraries and I loved the character development and how fun the book was. The world building was also amazing and the book was well paced.
However, the book is weirdly written. The writing is sometimes targeted for younger kids, but then the writing gets stiff and formal and there are a lot of words and topics that a younger MG audience might not be able to decipher. The book is also the second in a series, which I didn’t realize when I jumped into it. You need some details from the first book, but you can get through this one pretty good without.
Verdict: Cute book!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author and Rockstar Book Tours! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: This Eternity of Masks and Shadows
Author: Karsten Knight
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Gods and Goddesses in books!
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, slight sexual content, violence, slight gore, death)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 356
Synopsis: The gods walk among us. Some lurk in the shadows, masquerading as mortals; others embrace their celebrity status, launching careers from Hollywood to Capitol Hill.
One of them just murdered Cairn Delacroix's mother.
As Cairn sifts through the rubble, she uncovers a conspiracy two decades in the making: a cursed island, the fellowship of gods who journeyed there, and the unspeakable act that intertwined their fates. One by one, the members of that voyage are dying, and Cairn's investigations land her in the crosshairs of the rogue goddess responsible.
With the help of Nanook, a polar bear god turned detective, Cairn descends into Boston's underworld of supernatural crime and political aspiration. To avenge her mother and unmask her assassin, she’ll first have to reckon with a gut-wrenching secret that will rewrite the life she thought she knew.
Review: Overall, this was a good book. The character development was good and I loved the romance in this. The book also did well with humor and it did well to integrate grief into its storytelling.
However, I thought that the world building wasn’t well done. The book didn’t really explain events well and the author tossed in a lot of different types of Gods, which doesn’t make a lot of sense. The book was also a bit too slow paced for me and the plot was a bit confusing.
Verdict: It was a solid book.
Book: This Eternity of Masks and Shadows
Author: Karsten Knight
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Gods and Goddesses in books!
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, slight sexual content, violence, slight gore, death)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 356
Synopsis: The gods walk among us. Some lurk in the shadows, masquerading as mortals; others embrace their celebrity status, launching careers from Hollywood to Capitol Hill.
One of them just murdered Cairn Delacroix's mother.
As Cairn sifts through the rubble, she uncovers a conspiracy two decades in the making: a cursed island, the fellowship of gods who journeyed there, and the unspeakable act that intertwined their fates. One by one, the members of that voyage are dying, and Cairn's investigations land her in the crosshairs of the rogue goddess responsible.
With the help of Nanook, a polar bear god turned detective, Cairn descends into Boston's underworld of supernatural crime and political aspiration. To avenge her mother and unmask her assassin, she’ll first have to reckon with a gut-wrenching secret that will rewrite the life she thought she knew.
Review: Overall, this was a good book. The character development was good and I loved the romance in this. The book also did well with humor and it did well to integrate grief into its storytelling.
However, I thought that the world building wasn’t well done. The book didn’t really explain events well and the author tossed in a lot of different types of Gods, which doesn’t make a lot of sense. The book was also a bit too slow paced for me and the plot was a bit confusing.
Verdict: It was a solid book.
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors!
Book: The Chosen
Author: Taran Matharu
Book Series: Contender series
Diversity: Middle Eastern MC, hard of hearing side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Male MC, diverse reads, sci-fi
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 357
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, language, death)
Synopsis: Throughout history, people have vanished with no explanation. A group of teenagers are about to discover why.
Cade is settling into a new boarding school, contemplating his future, when he finds himself transported to another realm. He soon discovers their new world is populated with lost remnants from the past: prehistoric creatures, ancient relics, and stranger still — people. Overwhelmed by his new surroundings, Cade has little time to adjust, for soon he and his fellow classmates are forced to become contenders in a brutal game, controlled by mysterious overlords.
But who are these beings and why did they choose these teens? Cade must prepare for battle . . . because hiding is not an option.
Review: For the most part this was an amazing book! I felt the character development was great, the world building was well done, and the pacing was fast, but it fit well with the book. I liked how the author included the historical mysteries and this history buff learned a thing or two! I also read this in one go in just under 2 hours.
I had some little dislikes about the book though. I wish that the book did a little better with the grand reveal. It felt a bit blah and I guessed what happened back in chapter 2, but that's just me more than likely. I also wish that the book was a bit more realistic in some terms. The description of what happened in juvenile court is not realistic from what I've been exposed to as someone who worked in a juvenile court. For the first thing, a court can't send you to an alternative school. That's on the school to punish you in that manner. School punishments and court punishments do not overlap like that. Also, having a juvenile record does not mean your life is over. I hate it when books display that information because it's entirely inaccurate. Most juvenile records are sealed and even if it wasn't, you can always get with an attorney to get it expunged or get it sealed. Most states also give you a first offender conviction, where, if you use it, the record will be sealed. There are many ways for your record to not be seen by colleges and this narrative of "my life is over because I made one mistake" is entirely inaccurate. Even if you have a bad public defender, you can ask for a new one or, if needed, you can appeal and retain a new attorney as well. Do not ever take the advice of an attorney if it doesn't sit right with you. If you have questions, get a second opinion. If an attorney says "it's either this or that", get a second opinion. Sometimes attorneys are work or are not the greatest.
Verdict: It was a great book.
Book: The Chosen
Author: Taran Matharu
Book Series: Contender series
Diversity: Middle Eastern MC, hard of hearing side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Male MC, diverse reads, sci-fi
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 357
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, language, death)
Synopsis: Throughout history, people have vanished with no explanation. A group of teenagers are about to discover why.
Cade is settling into a new boarding school, contemplating his future, when he finds himself transported to another realm. He soon discovers their new world is populated with lost remnants from the past: prehistoric creatures, ancient relics, and stranger still — people. Overwhelmed by his new surroundings, Cade has little time to adjust, for soon he and his fellow classmates are forced to become contenders in a brutal game, controlled by mysterious overlords.
But who are these beings and why did they choose these teens? Cade must prepare for battle . . . because hiding is not an option.
Review: For the most part this was an amazing book! I felt the character development was great, the world building was well done, and the pacing was fast, but it fit well with the book. I liked how the author included the historical mysteries and this history buff learned a thing or two! I also read this in one go in just under 2 hours.
I had some little dislikes about the book though. I wish that the book did a little better with the grand reveal. It felt a bit blah and I guessed what happened back in chapter 2, but that's just me more than likely. I also wish that the book was a bit more realistic in some terms. The description of what happened in juvenile court is not realistic from what I've been exposed to as someone who worked in a juvenile court. For the first thing, a court can't send you to an alternative school. That's on the school to punish you in that manner. School punishments and court punishments do not overlap like that. Also, having a juvenile record does not mean your life is over. I hate it when books display that information because it's entirely inaccurate. Most juvenile records are sealed and even if it wasn't, you can always get with an attorney to get it expunged or get it sealed. Most states also give you a first offender conviction, where, if you use it, the record will be sealed. There are many ways for your record to not be seen by colleges and this narrative of "my life is over because I made one mistake" is entirely inaccurate. Even if you have a bad public defender, you can ask for a new one or, if needed, you can appeal and retain a new attorney as well. Do not ever take the advice of an attorney if it doesn't sit right with you. If you have questions, get a second opinion. If an attorney says "it's either this or that", get a second opinion. Sometimes attorneys are work or are not the greatest.
Verdict: It was a great book.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Court of Miracles
Author: Kester Grant
Book Series: A Court of Miracles book 1
Diversity: French! Nothing more than that.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Les Mis Retelling, books set in France, revolution books
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 464
Recommended Age: 17+ drug abuse, domestic violence, violence, gore, child abuse, TW rape mention and possibly child molestation (honestly I'm unsure of Ettie's age, she acts 10 but could be 16).
Synopsis: In the violent urban jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, the French Revolution has failed and the city is divided between merciless royalty and nine underworld criminal guilds, known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine (Nina) Thénardier is a talented cat burglar and member of the Thieves Guild. Nina's life is midnight robberies, avoiding her father's fists, and watching over her naïve adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.
Review: For the most part this was an interesting book. The world building was great and the pacing was well done. The book also had an interesting plot and that plot kept me intrigued in the book until the end.
However, this book is a mess. Maybe it's because I got an early access copy and it's been smoothed out since then but man this was a rough read. The second part of the book is where the blurb takes place. This was incredibly confusing to me because, if I hadn't read the blurb, I would have been fine. But because I did I was just constantly confused throughout the first part. The first part is more of a backstory but that could have been told in another fashion, perhaps through flashback sequences. There was too much telling and the MC didn't have any character development or flaws. No one else in the book really had character development either. The book really had that feeling of "I'm watching a show for the first time and it's the midseason finale and I don't have a clue what's going on". The book also felt like it just had Les Mis characters thrown in for the audience benefit. I think it could have had new characters that would have been better developed than the Les Mis ones, but that's a loaded opinion because I generally think Les Mis has zero character development and is a fairly bad play.
Verdict: It was a mess but it's interesting and I'm hoping book 2 is much better.
Book: A Court of Miracles
Author: Kester Grant
Book Series: A Court of Miracles book 1
Diversity: French! Nothing more than that.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Les Mis Retelling, books set in France, revolution books
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 464
Recommended Age: 17+ drug abuse, domestic violence, violence, gore, child abuse, TW rape mention and possibly child molestation (honestly I'm unsure of Ettie's age, she acts 10 but could be 16).
Synopsis: In the violent urban jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, the French Revolution has failed and the city is divided between merciless royalty and nine underworld criminal guilds, known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine (Nina) Thénardier is a talented cat burglar and member of the Thieves Guild. Nina's life is midnight robberies, avoiding her father's fists, and watching over her naïve adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.
Review: For the most part this was an interesting book. The world building was great and the pacing was well done. The book also had an interesting plot and that plot kept me intrigued in the book until the end.
However, this book is a mess. Maybe it's because I got an early access copy and it's been smoothed out since then but man this was a rough read. The second part of the book is where the blurb takes place. This was incredibly confusing to me because, if I hadn't read the blurb, I would have been fine. But because I did I was just constantly confused throughout the first part. The first part is more of a backstory but that could have been told in another fashion, perhaps through flashback sequences. There was too much telling and the MC didn't have any character development or flaws. No one else in the book really had character development either. The book really had that feeling of "I'm watching a show for the first time and it's the midseason finale and I don't have a clue what's going on". The book also felt like it just had Les Mis characters thrown in for the audience benefit. I think it could have had new characters that would have been better developed than the Les Mis ones, but that's a loaded opinion because I generally think Les Mis has zero character development and is a fairly bad play.
Verdict: It was a mess but it's interesting and I'm hoping book 2 is much better.
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from the publisher and edelweiss. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Book Series: Standalone? Not sure but hope for more
Diversity: Immigrants shown and are apart of the narrative, lots of different ethnicities shown as well
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Graphic novels, DC universe, superhero, female superhero
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Publisher: DC
Pages: 193
Recommended Age: 16+ (child abuse mentioned TW, child sexual abuse mentioned TW, violence)
Synopsis: Princess Diana believes that her 16th birthday will be one of new beginnings--namely acceptance into the warrior tribe of Amazons. The celebrations are cut short, however, when rafts of refugees break through the Themysciran barrier. Diana tries to help them, but she is swept away by the sea--and from her home--thus becoming a refugee herself.
Now Diana must survive in the world outside of Themyscira for the first time; the world that is filled with danger and injustice. She must redefine what it means to belong, to be an Amazon, and to make a difference.
Review: Holy cow this book was amazing! I've always been a bit of a fan of Wonder Women and I loved what the author did for this book. The character development was amazing, the story was heart pounding, the world building was expertly done, and all of the diversity and inclusion!! I liked how the author even weaved in real world issues like immigration and child trafficking into this story. I loved this so much!
My only issue is the length. The book is so short and I want more. I feel like with a longer book the author could have done more for the character development of all the characters but it was damn near perfect as is!
Verdict: I definitely recommend this one!
Book: Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Book Series: Standalone? Not sure but hope for more
Diversity: Immigrants shown and are apart of the narrative, lots of different ethnicities shown as well
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Graphic novels, DC universe, superhero, female superhero
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Publisher: DC
Pages: 193
Recommended Age: 16+ (child abuse mentioned TW, child sexual abuse mentioned TW, violence)
Synopsis: Princess Diana believes that her 16th birthday will be one of new beginnings--namely acceptance into the warrior tribe of Amazons. The celebrations are cut short, however, when rafts of refugees break through the Themysciran barrier. Diana tries to help them, but she is swept away by the sea--and from her home--thus becoming a refugee herself.
Now Diana must survive in the world outside of Themyscira for the first time; the world that is filled with danger and injustice. She must redefine what it means to belong, to be an Amazon, and to make a difference.
Review: Holy cow this book was amazing! I've always been a bit of a fan of Wonder Women and I loved what the author did for this book. The character development was amazing, the story was heart pounding, the world building was expertly done, and all of the diversity and inclusion!! I liked how the author even weaved in real world issues like immigration and child trafficking into this story. I loved this so much!
My only issue is the length. The book is so short and I want more. I feel like with a longer book the author could have done more for the character development of all the characters but it was damn near perfect as is!
Verdict: I definitely recommend this one!
Disclaimer: I received this book from rockstar book tours and the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Nocturne
Author: Cheryl Mahoney
Book Series: The Guardian of the Opera Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Phantom of the Opera retellings
Publication Date: June 5, 2020
Publisher: Stonehenge Circle Press
Pages: 357
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, language, phantoms in the night)
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of 1880s Paris and the stunning Opera Garnier, The Guardian of the Opera: Nocturne brings you the familiar tale from a different direction. Meg Giry met the Phantom once when she was twelve years old, a new ballet dancer lost in the Opera’s maze. Years later, when an Angel of Music offers singing lessons to her best friend Christine Daaé, Meg is sure she knows what’s actually happening. But as strange events unfold and the pieces stop adding up, Meg has to wonder if she truly understands the Phantom—or Christine.
Erik is a man of many talents and many masks, and the one covering his face may be the least concealing. The opera house is his kingdom and his refuge, where he stalks through the shadows as the Phantom of the Opera, watching over all that occurs. He never intended to fall in love; when he does, it launches him into a new symphony he’s certain can only end in heartbreak.
Review: I really enjoyed this Phantom of the Opera retelling. The strength of this book was in the character development and the author did well with them. The book also had a well developed plot and I enjoyed reading this from start to finish.
However, I did feel like the world building could have been a bit better. That's really my only complaint though!
Verdict: A well done retelling.
Book: Nocturne
Author: Cheryl Mahoney
Book Series: The Guardian of the Opera Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Phantom of the Opera retellings
Publication Date: June 5, 2020
Publisher: Stonehenge Circle Press
Pages: 357
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, language, phantoms in the night)
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of 1880s Paris and the stunning Opera Garnier, The Guardian of the Opera: Nocturne brings you the familiar tale from a different direction. Meg Giry met the Phantom once when she was twelve years old, a new ballet dancer lost in the Opera’s maze. Years later, when an Angel of Music offers singing lessons to her best friend Christine Daaé, Meg is sure she knows what’s actually happening. But as strange events unfold and the pieces stop adding up, Meg has to wonder if she truly understands the Phantom—or Christine.
Erik is a man of many talents and many masks, and the one covering his face may be the least concealing. The opera house is his kingdom and his refuge, where he stalks through the shadows as the Phantom of the Opera, watching over all that occurs. He never intended to fall in love; when he does, it launches him into a new symphony he’s certain can only end in heartbreak.
Review: I really enjoyed this Phantom of the Opera retelling. The strength of this book was in the character development and the author did well with them. The book also had a well developed plot and I enjoyed reading this from start to finish.
However, I did feel like the world building could have been a bit better. That's really my only complaint though!
Verdict: A well done retelling.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Red Sky Over Hawaii
Author: Sara Ackerman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Romance, WW2
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 17+ (romance, war, violence, detainment camps)
Synopsis: The attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything for Lana Hitchcock. Arriving home on the Big Island too late to reconcile with her estranged father, she is left alone to untangle the clues of his legacy, which lead to a secret property tucked away in the remote rain forest of Kilauea volcano. When the government starts taking away her neighbors as suspected sympathizers, Lana shelters two young German girls, a Japanese fisherman and his son. As tensions escalate, they are forced into hiding—only to discover the hideaway house is not what they expected.
When a detainment camp is established nearby, Lana struggles to keep the secrets of those in her care. Trust could have dangerous consequences. As their lives weave together, Lana begins to understand the true meaning of family and how the bonds of love carry us through the worst times.
Review: I really enjoyed this one! I loved the historical look at Hawaii during WW2. The world building was great, the character development is amazing, and I enjoyed the romance as well. The book was sweet.
However, I did wish there was more history in this book. The book focused a lot on the romance and while that can be ok, I wished for more in this novel.
Verdict: A solid read.
Book: Red Sky Over Hawaii
Author: Sara Ackerman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Romance, WW2
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 17+ (romance, war, violence, detainment camps)
Synopsis: The attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything for Lana Hitchcock. Arriving home on the Big Island too late to reconcile with her estranged father, she is left alone to untangle the clues of his legacy, which lead to a secret property tucked away in the remote rain forest of Kilauea volcano. When the government starts taking away her neighbors as suspected sympathizers, Lana shelters two young German girls, a Japanese fisherman and his son. As tensions escalate, they are forced into hiding—only to discover the hideaway house is not what they expected.
When a detainment camp is established nearby, Lana struggles to keep the secrets of those in her care. Trust could have dangerous consequences. As their lives weave together, Lana begins to understand the true meaning of family and how the bonds of love carry us through the worst times.
Review: I really enjoyed this one! I loved the historical look at Hawaii during WW2. The world building was great, the character development is amazing, and I enjoyed the romance as well. The book was sweet.
However, I did wish there was more history in this book. The book focused a lot on the romance and while that can be ok, I wished for more in this novel.
Verdict: A solid read.