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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Camp
Author: Lev A.C. Rosen
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: LGBT friendly! Gay, demi, trans, lesbian, non-bininary, Korean, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Black Brazillian, Black, etc.
Publication Date: May 26, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, mental health, toxic masculinity)
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Randy Kapplehoff loves spending the summer at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens. It's where he met his best friends. It's where he takes to the stage in the big musical. And it's where he fell for Hudson Aaronson-Lim - who's only into straight-acting guys and barely knows not-at-all-straight-acting Randy even exists.
This year, though, it's going to be different. Randy has reinvented himself as 'Del' - buff, masculine, and on the market. Even if it means giving up show tunes, nail polish, and his unicorn bedsheets, he's determined to get Hudson to fall for him.
But as he and Hudson grow closer, Randy has to ask himself how much is he willing to change for love. And is it really love anyway, if Hudson doesn't know who he truly is?
Review: I was definitely worried about the book based on the blurb, but after reading it I thought it was handled excellently and the book was pretty good! The book had well developed characters with well done world building. The book also tackled the tough topics well and was very sex-positive!
My only issue is that the books pacing waned here and there. It was slow in a lot of places and it really took a bit for the book to pick up in my opinion.
Verdict: Definitely recommend!
Book: Camp
Author: Lev A.C. Rosen
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: LGBT friendly! Gay, demi, trans, lesbian, non-bininary, Korean, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Black Brazillian, Black, etc.
Publication Date: May 26, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, mental health, toxic masculinity)
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Randy Kapplehoff loves spending the summer at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens. It's where he met his best friends. It's where he takes to the stage in the big musical. And it's where he fell for Hudson Aaronson-Lim - who's only into straight-acting guys and barely knows not-at-all-straight-acting Randy even exists.
This year, though, it's going to be different. Randy has reinvented himself as 'Del' - buff, masculine, and on the market. Even if it means giving up show tunes, nail polish, and his unicorn bedsheets, he's determined to get Hudson to fall for him.
But as he and Hudson grow closer, Randy has to ask himself how much is he willing to change for love. And is it really love anyway, if Hudson doesn't know who he truly is?
Review: I was definitely worried about the book based on the blurb, but after reading it I thought it was handled excellently and the book was pretty good! The book had well developed characters with well done world building. The book also tackled the tough topics well and was very sex-positive!
My only issue is that the books pacing waned here and there. It was slow in a lot of places and it really took a bit for the book to pick up in my opinion.
Verdict: Definitely recommend!
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this novel from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Henna Wars
Author: Adiba Jaigirdar
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Bangladeshi characters, Black Brazilian love interest, Queer Bangladeshi main character, Korean side character
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 405
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, racism, homophobia, language, and getting outted TW)
Synopsis: Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists. In a fight to prove who is the best, their lives become more tangled—but Nishat can’t quite get rid of her crush, especially since Flávia seems to like her back.
As the competition heats up, Nishat has a decision to make: stay in the closet for her family, or put aside her differences with Flávia and give their relationship a chance.
Review: I really enjoyed this book! I thought the characters were intriguing and well developed. The romance was cute and I was here for it! I loved the world building and I loved how the book was written. It was an amazing read and it was so swoon-worthy! I loved that the author wrote this as well! You don't see a lot of queer representation with POC and Bangladeshi and Brazilian are both those I've never read before to my knowledge. I hope that the tides will change in publishing were we get more stories and more ownvoice from POC and minority writers. The book also does well to talk about the importance of culture and how certain things/activities (like henna) are very important to a culture. The book did well to show how ignorance can make someone accidentally culturally appropriate something, but also didn't shy away from showing that some people are just blatantly racist and/or homophobic.
My only issue is that I wish some of the words were explained. I got the gist of most of them, especially the terms of relationship and endearment used in the main characters own language, but there was a scene where our main and her love interest speak French to each other and I wish that was explained, but again I got like 60% of what was said. I'd also to have liked to see the person who outted our main character get punished, but the unfortunate reality of our current lives is that some people get away with their actions because it causes more harm on the victim to come forward than to not. This definitely needs to change, but then again I think people's closed mindedness needs to change as well.
Verdict: Definitely worth the read!!
Book: The Henna Wars
Author: Adiba Jaigirdar
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Bangladeshi characters, Black Brazilian love interest, Queer Bangladeshi main character, Korean side character
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 405
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, racism, homophobia, language, and getting outted TW)
Synopsis: Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists. In a fight to prove who is the best, their lives become more tangled—but Nishat can’t quite get rid of her crush, especially since Flávia seems to like her back.
As the competition heats up, Nishat has a decision to make: stay in the closet for her family, or put aside her differences with Flávia and give their relationship a chance.
Review: I really enjoyed this book! I thought the characters were intriguing and well developed. The romance was cute and I was here for it! I loved the world building and I loved how the book was written. It was an amazing read and it was so swoon-worthy! I loved that the author wrote this as well! You don't see a lot of queer representation with POC and Bangladeshi and Brazilian are both those I've never read before to my knowledge. I hope that the tides will change in publishing were we get more stories and more ownvoice from POC and minority writers. The book also does well to talk about the importance of culture and how certain things/activities (like henna) are very important to a culture. The book did well to show how ignorance can make someone accidentally culturally appropriate something, but also didn't shy away from showing that some people are just blatantly racist and/or homophobic.
My only issue is that I wish some of the words were explained. I got the gist of most of them, especially the terms of relationship and endearment used in the main characters own language, but there was a scene where our main and her love interest speak French to each other and I wish that was explained, but again I got like 60% of what was said. I'd also to have liked to see the person who outted our main character get punished, but the unfortunate reality of our current lives is that some people get away with their actions because it causes more harm on the victim to come forward than to not. This definitely needs to change, but then again I think people's closed mindedness needs to change as well.
Verdict: Definitely worth the read!!
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly
Author: Jamie Pacton
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity:f/f relationship, mixed race couple, bi character, non-binary character
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (underage smoking, underage drinking, drug abuse TW, child abuse TW, language)
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Working as a wench ― i.e. waitress ― at a cheesy medieval-themed restaurant in the Chicago suburbs, Kit Sweetly dreams of being a knight like her brother. She has the moves, is capable on a horse, and desperately needs the raise that comes with knighthood, so she can help her mom pay the mortgage and hold a spot at her dream college.
Company policy allows only guys to be knights. So when Kit takes her brother’s place and reveals her identity at the end of the show, she rockets into internet fame and a whole lot of trouble with the management. But the Girl Knight won’t go down without a fight. As other wenches join her quest, a protest forms. In a joust before Castle executives, they’ll prove that gender restrictions should stay medieval―if they don’t get fired first.
Moxie meets A Knight’s Tale as Kit Sweetly slays sexism, bad bosses, and bad luck to become a knight at a medieval-themed restaurant.
Review: Holy cow I absolutely love this book! It was fast paced and absolutely amazing! The writing was well done; the author was able to convey so much with showing rather than telling, especially with Alex who is a non-binary character. The characters were all well developed and I loved the back stories and world building the author wrote into this book. I expected it to be a simple story with an over-arching romance, but the main focal point was the knighthood and I really appreciated that in this novel, especially one making a point about gender norms and feminism (which argues equality for all, not just those who identify as female). I also want to brag about the romance, which is mixed race (some people are still against that in 2020, isn’t that wild?) and is very sweet. Jett doesn’t come to the rescue of Kit. While he’s a help and he definitely aides Kit and the others, he doesn’t steal the show from Kit. That’s something I don’t see a lot in YA books, from either side, and I really appreciated this change in the norm. This book is definitely one of my faves of 2020! Great job Jamie Pacton!
The only issue I would say that I had is that sometimes the time jumps were a bit disjointed. 99% of them were separated by a little icon in the book to symbolize time breaks, but there was one or two in there that wasn’t and vice versa there were one or two times where the book was separated but it was the next action right before the “time jump”. Also, there were little plot points that were kinda swept under the rug. I wish that Kit had invited Jett and Layla into her house and I kinda wish that Len didn’t have a “redeeming” arc but meh that’s life, men get all the credit -_-.
Verdict: I highly recommend this read!
Book: The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly
Author: Jamie Pacton
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity:f/f relationship, mixed race couple, bi character, non-binary character
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (underage smoking, underage drinking, drug abuse TW, child abuse TW, language)
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Working as a wench ― i.e. waitress ― at a cheesy medieval-themed restaurant in the Chicago suburbs, Kit Sweetly dreams of being a knight like her brother. She has the moves, is capable on a horse, and desperately needs the raise that comes with knighthood, so she can help her mom pay the mortgage and hold a spot at her dream college.
Company policy allows only guys to be knights. So when Kit takes her brother’s place and reveals her identity at the end of the show, she rockets into internet fame and a whole lot of trouble with the management. But the Girl Knight won’t go down without a fight. As other wenches join her quest, a protest forms. In a joust before Castle executives, they’ll prove that gender restrictions should stay medieval―if they don’t get fired first.
Moxie meets A Knight’s Tale as Kit Sweetly slays sexism, bad bosses, and bad luck to become a knight at a medieval-themed restaurant.
Review: Holy cow I absolutely love this book! It was fast paced and absolutely amazing! The writing was well done; the author was able to convey so much with showing rather than telling, especially with Alex who is a non-binary character. The characters were all well developed and I loved the back stories and world building the author wrote into this book. I expected it to be a simple story with an over-arching romance, but the main focal point was the knighthood and I really appreciated that in this novel, especially one making a point about gender norms and feminism (which argues equality for all, not just those who identify as female). I also want to brag about the romance, which is mixed race (some people are still against that in 2020, isn’t that wild?) and is very sweet. Jett doesn’t come to the rescue of Kit. While he’s a help and he definitely aides Kit and the others, he doesn’t steal the show from Kit. That’s something I don’t see a lot in YA books, from either side, and I really appreciated this change in the norm. This book is definitely one of my faves of 2020! Great job Jamie Pacton!
The only issue I would say that I had is that sometimes the time jumps were a bit disjointed. 99% of them were separated by a little icon in the book to symbolize time breaks, but there was one or two in there that wasn’t and vice versa there were one or two times where the book was separated but it was the next action right before the “time jump”. Also, there were little plot points that were kinda swept under the rug. I wish that Kit had invited Jett and Layla into her house and I kinda wish that Len didn’t have a “redeeming” arc but meh that’s life, men get all the credit -_-.
Verdict: I highly recommend this read!
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Last Girls
Author: Demetra Brodsky
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: 1 African American side character
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Publisher: TorTeen
Pages: 357
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, bombs, school lockdown TW, death, poison, drugging people, kidnapping TW, prepping)
Synopsis: No one knows how the world will end.
On a secret compound in the Washington wilderness, Honey Juniper and her sisters are training to hunt, homestead, and protect their own.
Prepare for every situation.
But when danger strikes from within, putting her sisters at risk, training becomes real life, and only one thing is certain:
Nowhere is safe.
Review: I really liked the book overall. The characters were well developed and intriguing. The writing was really well done and the plot was intriguing.
However, I had a lot of confusion with this book. There are two storylines in this book and I think the author could have gotten away with just doing one or the other. It just seemed too big and there were a lot of variables involved that didn’t and shouldn’t have made sense in the book. It’s hard to explain without spoiling the book, but I think a simple plot goes a lot way.
Verdict: it was a good book overall just a bit confusing.
Book: Last Girls
Author: Demetra Brodsky
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: 1 African American side character
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Publisher: TorTeen
Pages: 357
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, bombs, school lockdown TW, death, poison, drugging people, kidnapping TW, prepping)
Synopsis: No one knows how the world will end.
On a secret compound in the Washington wilderness, Honey Juniper and her sisters are training to hunt, homestead, and protect their own.
Prepare for every situation.
But when danger strikes from within, putting her sisters at risk, training becomes real life, and only one thing is certain:
Nowhere is safe.
Review: I really liked the book overall. The characters were well developed and intriguing. The writing was really well done and the plot was intriguing.
However, I had a lot of confusion with this book. There are two storylines in this book and I think the author could have gotten away with just doing one or the other. It just seemed too big and there were a lot of variables involved that didn’t and shouldn’t have made sense in the book. It’s hard to explain without spoiling the book, but I think a simple plot goes a lot way.
Verdict: it was a good book overall just a bit confusing.
Disclaimer: I received this from the publisher! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: All Your Twisted Secrets
Author: Diana Urban
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, murder, gore)
Synopsis: "Welcome to dinner, and again, congratulations on being selected. Now you must do the selecting."
What do the queen bee, star athlete, valedictorian, stoner, loner, and music geek all have in common? They were all invited to a scholarship dinner, only to discover it's a trap. Someone has locked them into a room with a bomb, a syringe filled with poison, and a note saying they have an hour to pick someone to kill ... or else everyone dies.
Amber Prescott is determined to get her classmates and herself out of the room alive, but that might be easier said than done. No one knows how they're all connected or who would want them dead. As they retrace the events over the past year that might have triggered their captor's ultimatum, it becomes clear that everyone is hiding something. And with the clock ticking down, confusion turns into fear, and fear morphs into panic as they race to answer the biggest question: Who will they choose to die?
Review: I really liked this book! It was fun and compelling. The book was fast paced and it was a pretty good mystery!
However, I did think the ending was very long and unnecessary. It was a huge monologue and I didn't care for it. I also had issues connecting with the characters.
Verdict: Its a great mystery for the most part!
Book: All Your Twisted Secrets
Author: Diana Urban
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, murder, gore)
Synopsis: "Welcome to dinner, and again, congratulations on being selected. Now you must do the selecting."
What do the queen bee, star athlete, valedictorian, stoner, loner, and music geek all have in common? They were all invited to a scholarship dinner, only to discover it's a trap. Someone has locked them into a room with a bomb, a syringe filled with poison, and a note saying they have an hour to pick someone to kill ... or else everyone dies.
Amber Prescott is determined to get her classmates and herself out of the room alive, but that might be easier said than done. No one knows how they're all connected or who would want them dead. As they retrace the events over the past year that might have triggered their captor's ultimatum, it becomes clear that everyone is hiding something. And with the clock ticking down, confusion turns into fear, and fear morphs into panic as they race to answer the biggest question: Who will they choose to die?
Review: I really liked this book! It was fun and compelling. The book was fast paced and it was a pretty good mystery!
However, I did think the ending was very long and unnecessary. It was a huge monologue and I didn't care for it. I also had issues connecting with the characters.
Verdict: Its a great mystery for the most part!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Electric Heir
Author: Victoria Lee
Book Series: Feverwake Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: LGBT main and he’s also Jewish!
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (TW rape and child molestation, xenophobia, immigration issues, torture, abuse)
Publisher: Skyscape
Pages: 480
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Six months after Noam Álvaro helped overthrow the despotic government of Carolinia, the Atlantians have gained citizenship, and Lehrer is chancellor. But despite Lehrer’s image as a progressive humanitarian leader, Noam has finally remembered the truth that Lehrer forced him to forget—that Lehrer is responsible for the deadly magic infection that ravaged Carolinia.
Now that Noam remembers the full extent of Lehrer’s crimes, he’s determined to use his influence with Lehrer to bring him down for good. If Lehrer realizes Noam has evaded his control—and that Noam is plotting against him—Noam’s dead. So he must keep playing the role of Lehrer’s protégé until he can steal enough vaccine to stop the virus.
Meanwhile Dara Shirazi returns to Carolinia, his magic stripped by the same vaccine that saved his life. But Dara’s attempts to ally himself with Noam prove that their methods for defeating Lehrer are violently misaligned. Dara fears Noam has only gotten himself more deeply entangled in Lehrer’s web. Sooner or later, playing double agent might cost Noam his life.
Review: I hate when great series end and this was one of them that I’ll definitely miss. The book was absolutely amazing, the characters continued to be well developed and complex, the setting and world building were greater in this one than the previous book, and the story continued to hold my interest. I loved how the author combined two genres to make this incredible series and I loved how the book series also brought in real world issues.
The only issue I had with the book is that it ended (*sad*) and that sometimes the time skips forward and it threw me off a bit. Most of the time it was stated but sometimes it wasn’t.
Verdict: I definitely recommend this series for your quarantine reading!
Book: The Electric Heir
Author: Victoria Lee
Book Series: Feverwake Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: LGBT main and he’s also Jewish!
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (TW rape and child molestation, xenophobia, immigration issues, torture, abuse)
Publisher: Skyscape
Pages: 480
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Six months after Noam Álvaro helped overthrow the despotic government of Carolinia, the Atlantians have gained citizenship, and Lehrer is chancellor. But despite Lehrer’s image as a progressive humanitarian leader, Noam has finally remembered the truth that Lehrer forced him to forget—that Lehrer is responsible for the deadly magic infection that ravaged Carolinia.
Now that Noam remembers the full extent of Lehrer’s crimes, he’s determined to use his influence with Lehrer to bring him down for good. If Lehrer realizes Noam has evaded his control—and that Noam is plotting against him—Noam’s dead. So he must keep playing the role of Lehrer’s protégé until he can steal enough vaccine to stop the virus.
Meanwhile Dara Shirazi returns to Carolinia, his magic stripped by the same vaccine that saved his life. But Dara’s attempts to ally himself with Noam prove that their methods for defeating Lehrer are violently misaligned. Dara fears Noam has only gotten himself more deeply entangled in Lehrer’s web. Sooner or later, playing double agent might cost Noam his life.
Review: I hate when great series end and this was one of them that I’ll definitely miss. The book was absolutely amazing, the characters continued to be well developed and complex, the setting and world building were greater in this one than the previous book, and the story continued to hold my interest. I loved how the author combined two genres to make this incredible series and I loved how the book series also brought in real world issues.
The only issue I had with the book is that it ended (*sad*) and that sometimes the time skips forward and it threw me off a bit. Most of the time it was stated but sometimes it wasn’t.
Verdict: I definitely recommend this series for your quarantine reading!
Disclaimer: I received two books from the publisher, one for review and one for giveaway. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Seventh Sun
Author: Lani Forbes
Book Series: The Age of the Seventh Sun Book1
Diversity: Inspired by Aztec, Mayan, and Inca cultures
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Recommended Age: 16+ (world ending, romance, TW sacrifice and suicide, violence, gore)
Synopsis: Thrust into leadership upon the death of his emperor father, young Prince Ahkin feels completely unready for his new position. Though his royal blood controls the power of the sun, he's now responsible for the lives of all the Chicome people. And despite all Ahkin's efforts, the sun is fading--and the end of the world may be at hand.
For Mayana, the only daughter of the Chicome family whose blood controls the power of water, the old emperor's death may mean that she is next. Prince Ahkin must be married before he can ascend the throne, and Mayana is one of six noble daughters presented to him as a possible wife. Those who are not chosen will be sacrificed to the gods.
Only one girl can become Ahkin's bride. Mayana and Ahkin feel an immediate connection, but the gods themselves may be against them. Both recognize that the ancient rites of blood that keep the gods appeased may be harming the Chicome more than they help. As a bloodred comet and the fading sun bring a growing sense of dread, only two young people may hope to change their world.
Rich in imagination and romance, and based on the legends and history of the Aztec and Maya people, The Seventh Sun brings to vivid life a world on the edge of apocalyptic disaster.
Review: I really loved this look at a mix of Aztec, Mayan, and Inca cultures and I thought the plot was really interesting. I really liked the energy between Mayana and Ahkin and I liked the developed religion in the book. The book was also well paced and well wrote.
However, the book, in my opinion, focused a lot on the romance aspect and it felt really bachelor-esque with the choosing of the new wife and stuff. I didn't much care for that but I really did like Mayana and Ahkin, although they're kinda niche characters. I also liked and disliked how devoted the followers were, it was also cult-ish to an extent but I just have some other thoughts about religion as a whole.
Verdict: Overall though, I finished this super quickly and it was a great read.
Book: The Seventh Sun
Author: Lani Forbes
Book Series: The Age of the Seventh Sun Book1
Diversity: Inspired by Aztec, Mayan, and Inca cultures
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Recommended Age: 16+ (world ending, romance, TW sacrifice and suicide, violence, gore)
Synopsis: Thrust into leadership upon the death of his emperor father, young Prince Ahkin feels completely unready for his new position. Though his royal blood controls the power of the sun, he's now responsible for the lives of all the Chicome people. And despite all Ahkin's efforts, the sun is fading--and the end of the world may be at hand.
For Mayana, the only daughter of the Chicome family whose blood controls the power of water, the old emperor's death may mean that she is next. Prince Ahkin must be married before he can ascend the throne, and Mayana is one of six noble daughters presented to him as a possible wife. Those who are not chosen will be sacrificed to the gods.
Only one girl can become Ahkin's bride. Mayana and Ahkin feel an immediate connection, but the gods themselves may be against them. Both recognize that the ancient rites of blood that keep the gods appeased may be harming the Chicome more than they help. As a bloodred comet and the fading sun bring a growing sense of dread, only two young people may hope to change their world.
Rich in imagination and romance, and based on the legends and history of the Aztec and Maya people, The Seventh Sun brings to vivid life a world on the edge of apocalyptic disaster.
Review: I really loved this look at a mix of Aztec, Mayan, and Inca cultures and I thought the plot was really interesting. I really liked the energy between Mayana and Ahkin and I liked the developed religion in the book. The book was also well paced and well wrote.
However, the book, in my opinion, focused a lot on the romance aspect and it felt really bachelor-esque with the choosing of the new wife and stuff. I didn't much care for that but I really did like Mayana and Ahkin, although they're kinda niche characters. I also liked and disliked how devoted the followers were, it was also cult-ish to an extent but I just have some other thoughts about religion as a whole.
Verdict: Overall though, I finished this super quickly and it was a great read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Touch of Death
Author: Rebecca Crunden
Book Series: The Outlands Pentalogy Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: dystopian
Publication Date: February 24, 2017
Genre: Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, death, slight gore, famine, illness)
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pages: 306
Synopsis: A thousand years in the future, the last of humanity live inside the walls of the totalitarian Kingdom of Cutta. The rich live in Anais, the capital city of Cutta, sheltered from the famine and disease which ravage the rest of the Kingdom. Yet riches and power only go so far, and even Anaitians can be executed. It is only by the will of the King that Nate Anteros, son of the King’s favourite, is spared from the gallows after openly dissenting. But when he’s released from prison, Nate disappears.
A stark contrast, Catherine Taenia has spent her entire life comfortable and content. The daughter of the King’s Hangman and in love with Thom, Nate’s younger brother, her life has always been easy, ordered and comfortable. That is, where it doesn’t concern Nate. His actions sullied not only his future, but theirs. And unlike Thom, Catherine has never forgiven him.
Two years pass without a word, and then one night Nate returns. But things with Nate are never simple, and when one wrong move turns their lives upside down, the only thing left to do is run where the King’s guards cannot find them – the Outlands. Those wild, untamed lands which stretch around the great walls of the Kingdom, filled with mutants and rabids.
Review: For the most part this was a great book. I really liked the world building in this book and it was a super fun book to read. The character development was also well done and the plot kept me intrigued throughout the whole time.
However, I had such issues getting into the book. The book was so slow in the beginning and throughout the book it was just really hard to get into.
Verdict: It was an interesting read!
Book: A Touch of Death
Author: Rebecca Crunden
Book Series: The Outlands Pentalogy Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: dystopian
Publication Date: February 24, 2017
Genre: Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, death, slight gore, famine, illness)
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pages: 306
Synopsis: A thousand years in the future, the last of humanity live inside the walls of the totalitarian Kingdom of Cutta. The rich live in Anais, the capital city of Cutta, sheltered from the famine and disease which ravage the rest of the Kingdom. Yet riches and power only go so far, and even Anaitians can be executed. It is only by the will of the King that Nate Anteros, son of the King’s favourite, is spared from the gallows after openly dissenting. But when he’s released from prison, Nate disappears.
A stark contrast, Catherine Taenia has spent her entire life comfortable and content. The daughter of the King’s Hangman and in love with Thom, Nate’s younger brother, her life has always been easy, ordered and comfortable. That is, where it doesn’t concern Nate. His actions sullied not only his future, but theirs. And unlike Thom, Catherine has never forgiven him.
Two years pass without a word, and then one night Nate returns. But things with Nate are never simple, and when one wrong move turns their lives upside down, the only thing left to do is run where the King’s guards cannot find them – the Outlands. Those wild, untamed lands which stretch around the great walls of the Kingdom, filled with mutants and rabids.
Review: For the most part this was a great book. I really liked the world building in this book and it was a super fun book to read. The character development was also well done and the plot kept me intrigued throughout the whole time.
However, I had such issues getting into the book. The book was so slow in the beginning and throughout the book it was just really hard to get into.
Verdict: It was an interesting read!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Death Unmasked
Author: Rick Sulik
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: thriller, mystery
Publication Date: December 1, 2015
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Christopher Matthews Publishing
Pages: 264
Synopsis: A reincarnated evil is stalking the women of Houston. With each murder, the madman quotes an excerpt from the Oscar Wilde poem, “The Ballad of Reading Gaol.” A huge smokestack belching smoke, a ragged flea market double-breasted wool coat, and an old antique picture frame, bring the distant past back to haunt Houston Homicide Detective, Sean Jamison. With those catalysts, Jamison knows who he was in a past life and that he lost the only woman he could ever love. Searching for his reincarnated mate becomes Jamison’s raison d’être as he and fellow detectives scour Houston for a brutal serial killer. The memory of timeless love drives Jamison’s dogged search for a serial killer, determined to finish what he started decades earlier.
Each clue brings Jamison closer to unmasking his old nemesis. Tenacious police work, lessons learned in the past, and intuition may be the only weapons he has in preventing history from repeating itself.
Review: I had to DNF this book at 43%. The book had a lot of needless information that really weighed this book down and it was very slow pacing wise. The book is wrote with multiple stories interconnected, but it just came off as confusing for me. The concept of the book is interesting, but the plot didn’t keep me intrigued once I started reading it.
Verdict: Not for me, but it might be for you!
Book: Death Unmasked
Author: Rick Sulik
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: thriller, mystery
Publication Date: December 1, 2015
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Christopher Matthews Publishing
Pages: 264
Synopsis: A reincarnated evil is stalking the women of Houston. With each murder, the madman quotes an excerpt from the Oscar Wilde poem, “The Ballad of Reading Gaol.” A huge smokestack belching smoke, a ragged flea market double-breasted wool coat, and an old antique picture frame, bring the distant past back to haunt Houston Homicide Detective, Sean Jamison. With those catalysts, Jamison knows who he was in a past life and that he lost the only woman he could ever love. Searching for his reincarnated mate becomes Jamison’s raison d’être as he and fellow detectives scour Houston for a brutal serial killer. The memory of timeless love drives Jamison’s dogged search for a serial killer, determined to finish what he started decades earlier.
Each clue brings Jamison closer to unmasking his old nemesis. Tenacious police work, lessons learned in the past, and intuition may be the only weapons he has in preventing history from repeating itself.
Review: I had to DNF this book at 43%. The book had a lot of needless information that really weighed this book down and it was very slow pacing wise. The book is wrote with multiple stories interconnected, but it just came off as confusing for me. The concept of the book is interesting, but the plot didn’t keep me intrigued once I started reading it.
Verdict: Not for me, but it might be for you!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Death Warden
Author: CJ Stilling
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, assassin novels, monsters
Publication Date: November 15, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: Fantastically Minded
Pages: 406
Synopsis: A teenage assassin. An impossible choice. The fate of everything hangs in the balance…
Sixteen-year-old Reen swore she’d never take another life. Divinely selected to assassinate a few in order to save many, she learned to jump from shadow to shadow and claim her victims without question… until she was ordered to kill the boy she loved. But when an ancient plague returns threatening to infect everyone she knows, she is forced to resume her deadly duties.
Battling a disease that turns people into nightmarish monsters, Reen must track down and terminate those responsible before the city falls, and the evil spreads beyond its borders. But the closer she gets to the source, the more she uncovers sinister secrets that will shake the foundations of her world and everything she believes.
Can Reen defend her realm without losing her soul?
Review: This book seems like a really good read, but I had to DNF at 34%. There wasn’t anything really wrong with it, the plot was interesting and the world building was pretty good, but I just didn’t feel any connection with the characters and I couldn’t get into it.
Verdict: It seems so good, but not for me.
Book: Death Warden
Author: CJ Stilling
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, assassin novels, monsters
Publication Date: November 15, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: Fantastically Minded
Pages: 406
Synopsis: A teenage assassin. An impossible choice. The fate of everything hangs in the balance…
Sixteen-year-old Reen swore she’d never take another life. Divinely selected to assassinate a few in order to save many, she learned to jump from shadow to shadow and claim her victims without question… until she was ordered to kill the boy she loved. But when an ancient plague returns threatening to infect everyone she knows, she is forced to resume her deadly duties.
Battling a disease that turns people into nightmarish monsters, Reen must track down and terminate those responsible before the city falls, and the evil spreads beyond its borders. But the closer she gets to the source, the more she uncovers sinister secrets that will shake the foundations of her world and everything she believes.
Can Reen defend her realm without losing her soul?
Review: This book seems like a really good read, but I had to DNF at 34%. There wasn’t anything really wrong with it, the plot was interesting and the world building was pretty good, but I just didn’t feel any connection with the characters and I couldn’t get into it.
Verdict: It seems so good, but not for me.