Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Kinder Poison
Author: Natalie Mae
Book Series: The Kinder Poison Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Competitions, Love Triangles
Publication Date: June 16, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, human sacrifice)
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Zahru has long dreamed of leaving the kingdom of Orkena and having the kinds of adventures she’s only ever heard about in stories. But as a lowly Whisperer, her power to commune with animals means that her place is serving in the royal stables until the day her magic runs dry.
All that changes when the ailing ruler invokes the Crossing: a death-defying race across the desert, in which the first of his heirs to finish—and take the life of a human sacrifice at the journey’s end—will ascend to the throne and be granted unparalleled abilities.
With all of the kingdom abuzz, Zahru leaps at the chance to change her fate if just for a night by sneaking into the palace for a taste of the revelry. But the minor indiscretion turns into a deadly mistake when she gets caught up in a feud between the heirs and is forced to become the Crossing’s human sacrifice. Zahru is left with only one hope for survival: somehow figuring out how to overcome the most dangerous people in the world.
Review: Awww I really liked this one! I really liked the story overall and the plot was very intriguing. The book was unique and the character development was really well done! I also enjoyed the world building.
However, omg I really didn’t like the love triangle (never have never will) and I thought the book was a bit too slow in a few places.
Verdict: Overall, I really liked this one!
Book: The Kinder Poison
Author: Natalie Mae
Book Series: The Kinder Poison Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Competitions, Love Triangles
Publication Date: June 16, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, human sacrifice)
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Zahru has long dreamed of leaving the kingdom of Orkena and having the kinds of adventures she’s only ever heard about in stories. But as a lowly Whisperer, her power to commune with animals means that her place is serving in the royal stables until the day her magic runs dry.
All that changes when the ailing ruler invokes the Crossing: a death-defying race across the desert, in which the first of his heirs to finish—and take the life of a human sacrifice at the journey’s end—will ascend to the throne and be granted unparalleled abilities.
With all of the kingdom abuzz, Zahru leaps at the chance to change her fate if just for a night by sneaking into the palace for a taste of the revelry. But the minor indiscretion turns into a deadly mistake when she gets caught up in a feud between the heirs and is forced to become the Crossing’s human sacrifice. Zahru is left with only one hope for survival: somehow figuring out how to overcome the most dangerous people in the world.
Review: Awww I really liked this one! I really liked the story overall and the plot was very intriguing. The book was unique and the character development was really well done! I also enjoyed the world building.
However, omg I really didn’t like the love triangle (never have never will) and I thought the book was a bit too slow in a few places.
Verdict: Overall, I really liked this one!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Unready Queen
Author: William Ritter
Book Series: The Oddmire Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Middle Graders, adventure
Publication Date: June 23, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (adventure, violence, war mention)
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Human and goblin brothers Cole and Tinn are finding their way back to normal after their journey to the heart of the Oddmire. Normal, unfortunately, wants nothing to do with them. Fable, the daughter of the Queen of the Deep Dark, has her first true friends in the brothers. The Queen allows Fable to visit Tinn and Cole as long as she promises to stay quiet and out of sight—concealing herself and her magic from the townspeople of Endsborough.
But when the trio discovers that humans are destroying the Wild Wood and the lives of its creatures for their own dark purposes, Fable cannot stay quiet. As the unspoken truce between the people of Endsborough and the inhabitants of the Wild Wood crumbles, violence escalates, threatening war and bringing Fable’s mother closer to the fulfillment of a deadly prophecy that could leave Fable a most Unready Queen.
Review: This was such an enjoyable book! I really liked story, even more than I did in the first book, and I thought the character development was much better in this book as well. The book also had a lot of world building and I thought the writing was very well done overall. It’s definitely a series I would recommend to any young child who likes adventure books.
My only complaint about the novel is the pacing in some places and that I thought that some of the minor characters could have been better well developed, but it was a very well done novel.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: The Unready Queen
Author: William Ritter
Book Series: The Oddmire Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Middle Graders, adventure
Publication Date: June 23, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (adventure, violence, war mention)
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Human and goblin brothers Cole and Tinn are finding their way back to normal after their journey to the heart of the Oddmire. Normal, unfortunately, wants nothing to do with them. Fable, the daughter of the Queen of the Deep Dark, has her first true friends in the brothers. The Queen allows Fable to visit Tinn and Cole as long as she promises to stay quiet and out of sight—concealing herself and her magic from the townspeople of Endsborough.
But when the trio discovers that humans are destroying the Wild Wood and the lives of its creatures for their own dark purposes, Fable cannot stay quiet. As the unspoken truce between the people of Endsborough and the inhabitants of the Wild Wood crumbles, violence escalates, threatening war and bringing Fable’s mother closer to the fulfillment of a deadly prophecy that could leave Fable a most Unready Queen.
Review: This was such an enjoyable book! I really liked story, even more than I did in the first book, and I thought the character development was much better in this book as well. The book also had a lot of world building and I thought the writing was very well done overall. It’s definitely a series I would recommend to any young child who likes adventure books.
My only complaint about the novel is the pacing in some places and that I thought that some of the minor characters could have been better well developed, but it was a very well done novel.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Stranger in the Lake
Author: Kimberly Belle
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Thrill Seekers
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (death, violence, language, gore, sexual content)
Publisher: Park Row
Pages: 352
Synopsis: When Charlotte married the wealthy widower Paul, it caused a ripple of gossip in their small lakeside town. They have a charmed life together, despite the cruel whispers about her humble past and his first marriage. But everything starts to unravel when she discovers a young woman’s body floating in the exact same spot where Paul’s first wife tragically drowned.
At first, it seems like a horrific coincidence, but the stranger in the lake is no stranger. Charlotte saw Paul talking to her the day before, even though Paul tells the police he’s never met the woman. His lie exposes cracks in their fragile new marriage, cracks Charlotte is determined to keep from breaking them in two.
As Charlotte uncovers dark mysteries about the man she married, she doesn’t know what to trust—her heart, which knows Paul to be a good man, or her growing suspicion that there’s something he’s hiding in the water.
Review: For the most part this book was good. The book had great writing and the plot was intriguing. The book also had great world building.
However, I really couldn’t get into this book. The character development wasn’t there for me and the plot, while good, felt like others I’ve read previously.
Verdict: It was ok, but not my fave.
Book: Stranger in the Lake
Author: Kimberly Belle
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Thrill Seekers
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (death, violence, language, gore, sexual content)
Publisher: Park Row
Pages: 352
Synopsis: When Charlotte married the wealthy widower Paul, it caused a ripple of gossip in their small lakeside town. They have a charmed life together, despite the cruel whispers about her humble past and his first marriage. But everything starts to unravel when she discovers a young woman’s body floating in the exact same spot where Paul’s first wife tragically drowned.
At first, it seems like a horrific coincidence, but the stranger in the lake is no stranger. Charlotte saw Paul talking to her the day before, even though Paul tells the police he’s never met the woman. His lie exposes cracks in their fragile new marriage, cracks Charlotte is determined to keep from breaking them in two.
As Charlotte uncovers dark mysteries about the man she married, she doesn’t know what to trust—her heart, which knows Paul to be a good man, or her growing suspicion that there’s something he’s hiding in the water.
Review: For the most part this book was good. The book had great writing and the plot was intriguing. The book also had great world building.
However, I really couldn’t get into this book. The character development wasn’t there for me and the plot, while good, felt like others I’ve read previously.
Verdict: It was ok, but not my fave.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Of Bears and Ballots: An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics
Author: Heather Lende
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Political lovers, autobiography
Publication Date: June 30, 2020
Genre: Politics
Recommended Age: 17+ (politics, language)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 288
Synopsis: In the same year that Donald Trump was elected president, Heather Lende was one of the thousands of women inspired to take a more active role in politics. Some of them, like Lende, had never run for office before but now felt called to serve. Lende’s entire campaign for assemblywoman in Haines, Alaska (pop. 2500) cost less than 1000 dollars. The competition was actually stiff—there were nine candidates for three open seats—but Heather prevailed.
Review: While this isn’t my normal genre to read I thought this was a really interesting read. I liked how Heather became interested in politics and I loved how we saw her journey throughout this book. The writing was really well done.
My only complaint is that the book was a bit slow in the beginning and in a few middle parts. However, the book sped up towards the end!
Verdict: Would recommend for non-fiction politics lovers.
Book: Of Bears and Ballots: An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics
Author: Heather Lende
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Political lovers, autobiography
Publication Date: June 30, 2020
Genre: Politics
Recommended Age: 17+ (politics, language)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 288
Synopsis: In the same year that Donald Trump was elected president, Heather Lende was one of the thousands of women inspired to take a more active role in politics. Some of them, like Lende, had never run for office before but now felt called to serve. Lende’s entire campaign for assemblywoman in Haines, Alaska (pop. 2500) cost less than 1000 dollars. The competition was actually stiff—there were nine candidates for three open seats—but Heather prevailed.
Review: While this isn’t my normal genre to read I thought this was a really interesting read. I liked how Heather became interested in politics and I loved how we saw her journey throughout this book. The writing was really well done.
My only complaint is that the book was a bit slow in the beginning and in a few middle parts. However, the book sped up towards the end!
Verdict: Would recommend for non-fiction politics lovers.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the tour company. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Chalice and the Crown
Author: Kassandra Flamouri
Book Series: Standalone?
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Magic, Rebellion
Publication Date: June 5, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, assault, slavery, death, sexual abuse TW, physical abuse TW)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 364
Synopsis: Driven, talented, and determined to live up to her family's fame, Sasha Nikolayeva is ballet’s crown princess. But just when Sasha lands her most prestigious role yet, she falls prey to a host of disturbing neurological symptoms that threaten to end her career and her very life. As her mind and body deteriorate, Sasha spirals into a nightmare world where beauty and cruelty exist in the same breath and villains rule from the shadows.
In the glittering, sharp-edged City of Roses, Sasha is no princess. She’s a thrall, a slave. Thousands like her suffer in cursed silence while citizens enjoy the splendor of the City, blissfully unaware that their servants are anything more than living dolls enchanted to do their bidding. But the City's slavers know the truth, and they are always watching. One misstep could cost Sasha her life—or her soul.
Even as she endures the violence and indignity of captivity, Sasha can't help being drawn to the beauty of her nightmare world and the underground rebels who offer her friendship, shelter, even love. Before Sasha can break her chains for good, she'll need to choose between the life waiting for her at home and the countless lives she could save if she stays. To choose a nightmare over her real life, her future, would be madness...but maybe a little madness is just what it takes to change the fate of a city built on lies.
Review: For the most part this book was pretty good. The plot was interesting and the character development was really well done. I feel like the writing was also very well done and it made it easy to breeze through the novel.
However, this was an incredibly dark book and it was very hard for me to get through. I advise everyone to be careful reading this one.
Verdict: A good book, but so dark.
Book: The Chalice and the Crown
Author: Kassandra Flamouri
Book Series: Standalone?
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Magic, Rebellion
Publication Date: June 5, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, assault, slavery, death, sexual abuse TW, physical abuse TW)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 364
Synopsis: Driven, talented, and determined to live up to her family's fame, Sasha Nikolayeva is ballet’s crown princess. But just when Sasha lands her most prestigious role yet, she falls prey to a host of disturbing neurological symptoms that threaten to end her career and her very life. As her mind and body deteriorate, Sasha spirals into a nightmare world where beauty and cruelty exist in the same breath and villains rule from the shadows.
In the glittering, sharp-edged City of Roses, Sasha is no princess. She’s a thrall, a slave. Thousands like her suffer in cursed silence while citizens enjoy the splendor of the City, blissfully unaware that their servants are anything more than living dolls enchanted to do their bidding. But the City's slavers know the truth, and they are always watching. One misstep could cost Sasha her life—or her soul.
Even as she endures the violence and indignity of captivity, Sasha can't help being drawn to the beauty of her nightmare world and the underground rebels who offer her friendship, shelter, even love. Before Sasha can break her chains for good, she'll need to choose between the life waiting for her at home and the countless lives she could save if she stays. To choose a nightmare over her real life, her future, would be madness...but maybe a little madness is just what it takes to change the fate of a city built on lies.
Review: For the most part this book was pretty good. The plot was interesting and the character development was really well done. I feel like the writing was also very well done and it made it easy to breeze through the novel.
However, this was an incredibly dark book and it was very hard for me to get through. I advise everyone to be careful reading this one.
Verdict: A good book, but so dark.
Disclaimer: I received an arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Prairie Fever
Author: Michael Parker
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, sexual content, slight gore)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Set in the hardscrabble landscape of early 1900s Oklahoma, but timeless in its sensibility, Prairie Fever traces the intense dynamic between the Stewart sisters: the pragmatic Lorena and the chimerical Elise. The two are bound together not only by their isolation on the prairie but also by their deep emotional reliance on each other. That connection supersedes all else until the arrival of Gus McQueen.
When Gus arrives in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, as a first time teacher, his inexperience is challenged by the wit and ingenuity of the Stewart sisters. Then one impulsive decision and a cataclysmic blizzard trap Elise and her horse on the prairie and forever change the balance of everything between the sisters, and with Gus McQueen. With honesty and poetic intensity and the deadpan humor of Paulette Jiles and Charles Portis, Parker reminds us of the consequences of our choices. Expansive and intimate, this novel tells the story of characters tested as much by life on the prairie as they are by their own churning hearts.
Review: For the most part this was a well done book. The world building was fantastic and I loved the setting it took place in. The writing was very well done and easy to follow along with and the plot was intriguing.
However, I didn’t like the love triangle between the two sisters. One, I don’t like love triangles at all and two, I thought it was really kinda creepy. The book was also a bit too slow for me.
Verdict: It was a well done novel!
Book: Prairie Fever
Author: Michael Parker
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, sexual content, slight gore)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Set in the hardscrabble landscape of early 1900s Oklahoma, but timeless in its sensibility, Prairie Fever traces the intense dynamic between the Stewart sisters: the pragmatic Lorena and the chimerical Elise. The two are bound together not only by their isolation on the prairie but also by their deep emotional reliance on each other. That connection supersedes all else until the arrival of Gus McQueen.
When Gus arrives in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, as a first time teacher, his inexperience is challenged by the wit and ingenuity of the Stewart sisters. Then one impulsive decision and a cataclysmic blizzard trap Elise and her horse on the prairie and forever change the balance of everything between the sisters, and with Gus McQueen. With honesty and poetic intensity and the deadpan humor of Paulette Jiles and Charles Portis, Parker reminds us of the consequences of our choices. Expansive and intimate, this novel tells the story of characters tested as much by life on the prairie as they are by their own churning hearts.
Review: For the most part this was a well done book. The world building was fantastic and I loved the setting it took place in. The writing was very well done and easy to follow along with and the plot was intriguing.
However, I didn’t like the love triangle between the two sisters. One, I don’t like love triangles at all and two, I thought it was really kinda creepy. The book was also a bit too slow for me.
Verdict: It was a well done novel!
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Ordinary Girls
Author: Jaquira Diaz
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Autobiography, LGBT
Publication Date: October 29, 2019
Genre: Autobiography
Recommended Age: 16+ (mental illness, sexual assault TW, depression, questioning your sexuality)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Ordinary Girls is a fierce, beautiful, and unflinching memoir from a wildly talented debut author. While growing up in housing projects in Puerto Rico and Miami Beach, Jaquira Díaz found herself caught between extremes: as her family split apart and her mother battled schizophrenia, she was surrounded by the love of her friends; as she longed for a family and home, she found instead a life upended by violence. From her own struggles with depression and sexual assault to Puerto Rico’s history of colonialism, every page of Ordinary Girls vibrates with music and lyricism. Díaz triumphantly maps a way out of despair toward love and hope to become her version of the girl she always wanted to be.
Review: I really liked this book! I thought the book was very well done. The writing was captivating and the character development was the heart of this book. The pacing was also very on point. I really liked this memoir and I loved how open and honest the author was with the audience, especially on such sensitive topics.
My only issues with the book are that the world building wasn’t that well done in my opinion and I felt like some of the minor characters weren’t that well developed. Other than those things, I highly recommend this novel!
Verdict: A very well done memoir.
Book: Ordinary Girls
Author: Jaquira Diaz
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Autobiography, LGBT
Publication Date: October 29, 2019
Genre: Autobiography
Recommended Age: 16+ (mental illness, sexual assault TW, depression, questioning your sexuality)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Ordinary Girls is a fierce, beautiful, and unflinching memoir from a wildly talented debut author. While growing up in housing projects in Puerto Rico and Miami Beach, Jaquira Díaz found herself caught between extremes: as her family split apart and her mother battled schizophrenia, she was surrounded by the love of her friends; as she longed for a family and home, she found instead a life upended by violence. From her own struggles with depression and sexual assault to Puerto Rico’s history of colonialism, every page of Ordinary Girls vibrates with music and lyricism. Díaz triumphantly maps a way out of despair toward love and hope to become her version of the girl she always wanted to be.
Review: I really liked this book! I thought the book was very well done. The writing was captivating and the character development was the heart of this book. The pacing was also very on point. I really liked this memoir and I loved how open and honest the author was with the audience, especially on such sensitive topics.
My only issues with the book are that the world building wasn’t that well done in my opinion and I felt like some of the minor characters weren’t that well developed. Other than those things, I highly recommend this novel!
Verdict: A very well done memoir.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Talking Drum
Author: Lisa Braxton
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, immigration, black history
Publication Date: May 30, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (arson, violence)
Publisher: Inanna Publications
Pages: 350
Synopsis: Displacement/gentrification has been happening for generations, yet few novels have been written with the themes of gentrification, which makes this book unusual.
It is 1971. The fictional city of Bellport, Massachusetts, is in decline with an urban redevelopment project on the horizon expected to transform this dying factory town into a thriving economic center. This planned transformation has a profound effect on the residents who live in Bellport as their own personal transformations take place.
Sydney Stallworth steps away from her fellowship and law studies at an elite university to support husband Malachi’s dream of opening a business in the heart of the black community of his hometown, Bellport.
For Omar Bassari, an immigrant from Senegal, Bellport is where he will establish his drumming career and the launching pad from which he will spread African culture across the world, while trying to hold onto his marriage.
Della Tolliver has built a fragile sanctuary in Bellport for herself, boyfriend Kwamé Rodriguez, and daughter Jasmine, a troubled child prone to nightmares and outbursts.
Tensions rise as the demolition date moves closer, plans for gentrification are laid out, and the pace of suspicious fires picks up. The residents find themselves at odds with a political system manipulating their lives and question the future of their relationships.
The Talking Drum explores intra-racial, class, and cross-cultural tensions, along with the meaning of community and belonging.
The novel delves into the profound impact gentrification has on people in many neighborhoods, and the way in which being uprooted affects the fabric of their families, friendships, and emotional well-being. The Talking Drum not only explores the immigrant experience, but how the immigrant/African American neighborhood interface leads to friction and tension, a theme also not explored much in current literature involving immigrants.
The book is a springboard to an important discussion on race and class differences, the treatment of immigrants, as well as the government’s relationship to society.
Review: I think this book is really good. The book had a great story and it’s a very important one to tell, especially with what’s going on right now. The book was impactful and I think that the writing did pretty well with the subject and with conveying the emotion. The book also had great world building.
However, I do think that the book had a lot of slow paced moments and that made the read a bit slowed down for me. The book also has a really lengthy synopsis that I think gives away too much of the novel and should be trimmed down a bit.
Verdict: Well done novel.
Book: The Talking Drum
Author: Lisa Braxton
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, immigration, black history
Publication Date: May 30, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (arson, violence)
Publisher: Inanna Publications
Pages: 350
Synopsis: Displacement/gentrification has been happening for generations, yet few novels have been written with the themes of gentrification, which makes this book unusual.
It is 1971. The fictional city of Bellport, Massachusetts, is in decline with an urban redevelopment project on the horizon expected to transform this dying factory town into a thriving economic center. This planned transformation has a profound effect on the residents who live in Bellport as their own personal transformations take place.
Sydney Stallworth steps away from her fellowship and law studies at an elite university to support husband Malachi’s dream of opening a business in the heart of the black community of his hometown, Bellport.
For Omar Bassari, an immigrant from Senegal, Bellport is where he will establish his drumming career and the launching pad from which he will spread African culture across the world, while trying to hold onto his marriage.
Della Tolliver has built a fragile sanctuary in Bellport for herself, boyfriend Kwamé Rodriguez, and daughter Jasmine, a troubled child prone to nightmares and outbursts.
Tensions rise as the demolition date moves closer, plans for gentrification are laid out, and the pace of suspicious fires picks up. The residents find themselves at odds with a political system manipulating their lives and question the future of their relationships.
The Talking Drum explores intra-racial, class, and cross-cultural tensions, along with the meaning of community and belonging.
The novel delves into the profound impact gentrification has on people in many neighborhoods, and the way in which being uprooted affects the fabric of their families, friendships, and emotional well-being. The Talking Drum not only explores the immigrant experience, but how the immigrant/African American neighborhood interface leads to friction and tension, a theme also not explored much in current literature involving immigrants.
The book is a springboard to an important discussion on race and class differences, the treatment of immigrants, as well as the government’s relationship to society.
Review: I think this book is really good. The book had a great story and it’s a very important one to tell, especially with what’s going on right now. The book was impactful and I think that the writing did pretty well with the subject and with conveying the emotion. The book also had great world building.
However, I do think that the book had a lot of slow paced moments and that made the read a bit slowed down for me. The book also has a really lengthy synopsis that I think gives away too much of the novel and should be trimmed down a bit.
Verdict: Well done novel.
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Crossed
Author: Kristy Centeno
Book Series: Keeper Witches Book 0.5
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Magic, romance
Publication Date: April 21, 2020
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Pages: 85
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, romance, slight gore, magic, romance)
Synopsis: Bryn McCaskey lived by simple rules: kill demons, never use magic against school bullies, and avoid running her mouth in front of her Grams.
It all seemed easy enough to follow.
Until Rhyzel Connor rolled into her life.
Suddenly everything she thought she knew about demons is put to the test as she finds herself teaming up with the most unusual of teammates to save a fellow witch from a hit.
Only problem is she doesn’t know how trustworthy Rhyzel is.
When magic is involved a good outcome isn’t always guaranteed and Bryn will have to put her neck on the line to get to the bottom of the well, even if it means unmasking Rhyzel and everything he stands for in an attempt to solve the biggest mystery she’s ever come across.
Review: This was a pretty good start to this series. The action was great and well written, the character development was good, and the world building was interesting.
The only downside I had was that I felt the book was way too fast paced. It's only 85 pages but it's so quick and it goes through a lot of info in a short period of time.
Verdict: a decent start to a series.
Book: Crossed
Author: Kristy Centeno
Book Series: Keeper Witches Book 0.5
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Magic, romance
Publication Date: April 21, 2020
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Pages: 85
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, romance, slight gore, magic, romance)
Synopsis: Bryn McCaskey lived by simple rules: kill demons, never use magic against school bullies, and avoid running her mouth in front of her Grams.
It all seemed easy enough to follow.
Until Rhyzel Connor rolled into her life.
Suddenly everything she thought she knew about demons is put to the test as she finds herself teaming up with the most unusual of teammates to save a fellow witch from a hit.
Only problem is she doesn’t know how trustworthy Rhyzel is.
When magic is involved a good outcome isn’t always guaranteed and Bryn will have to put her neck on the line to get to the bottom of the well, even if it means unmasking Rhyzel and everything he stands for in an attempt to solve the biggest mystery she’s ever come across.
Review: This was a pretty good start to this series. The action was great and well written, the character development was good, and the world building was interesting.
The only downside I had was that I felt the book was way too fast paced. It's only 85 pages but it's so quick and it goes through a lot of info in a short period of time.
Verdict: a decent start to a series.
Disclaimer: I received this book in a Once Upon a Book Club box! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Harley in the Sky
Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Main character is a quarter Chinese and a quarter Japanese
Recommended For...: contemporary lovers, circus, running away from home
Publication Date: March 10, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (running away, mental health, slight violence, TW mention of sexual violence, depression, suicidal thoughts TW)
Publisher: Ink Road
Pages: 410
Synopsis: Harley Milano has dreamed of being a trapeze artist for as long as she can remember. With parents who run a famous circus in Las Vegas, she spends almost every night in the big top watching their lead aerialist perform, wishing with all her soul that she could be up there herself one day.
After a huge fight with her parents, who continue to insist she go to school instead, Harley leaves home, betrays her family and joins the rival traveling circus Maison du Mystère. There, she is thrust into a world that is both brutal and beautiful, where she learns the value of hard work, passion and collaboration. But at the same time, Harley must come to terms with the truth of her family and her past—and reckon with the sacrifices she made and the people she hurt in order to follow her dreams.
Review: I really loved this story! I thought the plot was intriguing and while it was a spin on the old “fed-up teen runs away from home” the author managed to make it something new in my opinion. The character development of Harley alone was amazing and I loved how the author woved in details about Harley’s mental health. I also liked all the other characters developments, including the mother and how we explore her mental health in this story as well. The book was also well paced and extremely well written.
However, I do feel like the author could have done better at the end. While I think that everyone’s mental health is their own personal exploration, I think that Harley and her mother need outside help from a therapist to help them develop skills and tools to help them reach equilibrium with their mental wellbeing.
Verdict: A well done novel!
Book: Harley in the Sky
Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Main character is a quarter Chinese and a quarter Japanese
Recommended For...: contemporary lovers, circus, running away from home
Publication Date: March 10, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (running away, mental health, slight violence, TW mention of sexual violence, depression, suicidal thoughts TW)
Publisher: Ink Road
Pages: 410
Synopsis: Harley Milano has dreamed of being a trapeze artist for as long as she can remember. With parents who run a famous circus in Las Vegas, she spends almost every night in the big top watching their lead aerialist perform, wishing with all her soul that she could be up there herself one day.
After a huge fight with her parents, who continue to insist she go to school instead, Harley leaves home, betrays her family and joins the rival traveling circus Maison du Mystère. There, she is thrust into a world that is both brutal and beautiful, where she learns the value of hard work, passion and collaboration. But at the same time, Harley must come to terms with the truth of her family and her past—and reckon with the sacrifices she made and the people she hurt in order to follow her dreams.
Review: I really loved this story! I thought the plot was intriguing and while it was a spin on the old “fed-up teen runs away from home” the author managed to make it something new in my opinion. The character development of Harley alone was amazing and I loved how the author woved in details about Harley’s mental health. I also liked all the other characters developments, including the mother and how we explore her mental health in this story as well. The book was also well paced and extremely well written.
However, I do feel like the author could have done better at the end. While I think that everyone’s mental health is their own personal exploration, I think that Harley and her mother need outside help from a therapist to help them develop skills and tools to help them reach equilibrium with their mental wellbeing.
Verdict: A well done novel!