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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received a sneak peek and an early audiobook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
Author: Christopher Paolini
Book Series: Standalone (so far?)
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: f/f romance and side characters, menstruation mentioned, aids like character
Recommended For...: science fiction, Paolini fans
Publication Date: September 15, 2020
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Age: 18+ (language, romance, sex and sexual content, gore, violence, death, grief, aliens)
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 878
Synopsis: Kira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds.
Now she's awakened a nightmare.
During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she's delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move.
As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn't at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human.
While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity's greatest and final hope . . ."
Review: Well, I'll admit it, I didn't think Paolini would be able to write something as captivating as this was for me considering that I have issues getting through Eragon but I'm so glad I was wrong. Paolini does well with his writing (he's better than JK and less problematic, let's be honest) and he does well to make a world so well developed that I see it in my dreams. The characters are also very well developed and I feel so much for Kira's pain and triumphs.
My only issue with it is that there's definitely a rhythm to the book, a bit slow then fast then slow, but it works for this book. I also had issue with humans being called 2 form when we technically have at least 3 sexes, but I think the book did ok to address that, but I still would have liked to see more. Even though I felt the book didn't do so well in that area, I thought Paolini did well to show a well developed female character with very few tropes and an accurate and loving f/f relationship. Overall, I think it's one of my favorite sci-fi books now and I think Paolini did well for his first book out of a well loved fantasy series.
Verdict: A well done and amazing sci-fi! Highly recommend!
Book: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
Author: Christopher Paolini
Book Series: Standalone (so far?)
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: f/f romance and side characters, menstruation mentioned, aids like character
Recommended For...: science fiction, Paolini fans
Publication Date: September 15, 2020
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Age: 18+ (language, romance, sex and sexual content, gore, violence, death, grief, aliens)
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 878
Synopsis: Kira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds.
Now she's awakened a nightmare.
During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she's delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move.
As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn't at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human.
While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity's greatest and final hope . . ."
Review: Well, I'll admit it, I didn't think Paolini would be able to write something as captivating as this was for me considering that I have issues getting through Eragon but I'm so glad I was wrong. Paolini does well with his writing (he's better than JK and less problematic, let's be honest) and he does well to make a world so well developed that I see it in my dreams. The characters are also very well developed and I feel so much for Kira's pain and triumphs.
My only issue with it is that there's definitely a rhythm to the book, a bit slow then fast then slow, but it works for this book. I also had issue with humans being called 2 form when we technically have at least 3 sexes, but I think the book did ok to address that, but I still would have liked to see more. Even though I felt the book didn't do so well in that area, I thought Paolini did well to show a well developed female character with very few tropes and an accurate and loving f/f relationship. Overall, I think it's one of my favorite sci-fi books now and I think Paolini did well for his first book out of a well loved fantasy series.
Verdict: A well done and amazing sci-fi! Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I bought this book because of the spooky season! Support your authors and indie game developers!
Book: The Silver Eyes
Author: Scott Cawthon and Kira Breed-Wrisley
Book Series: Five Nights At Freddy’s Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: five nights at freddy’s fans, fantasy, animatronics
Publication Date: December 16, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, child murder, kidnapping, death)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 330
Synopsis: Based on the bestselling horror video game series, Five Nights at Freddy’s follows a young woman named Charlotte, who reunites with her childhood friends on the anniversary of the tragedy that ripped their town apart. It’s been exactly ten years since the murders at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, and Charlotte, who goes by the name Charlie, has spent the last ten years trying to forget. Her father had owned Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and had built its four adult-sized animatronic animals. After meeting up with her friends, curiosity leads them back to the old pizza place, and they find it hidden, but still standing. They discover a way inside, but things are not as they used to be: the four mascots that delighted and entertained them as children have changed. The animatronic animals have a dark secret and a murderous agenda.
Review: I really enjoyed this book! There were so many easter eggs to the games and to the other books in the fnaf lore that makes me excited to continue with the series! The characters were well developed, the world building was greatly detailed, and I loved the attention to detail, especially in the similar ways to "defeat" the animatronics as you would do in the game.
My only criticisms are that the book was a bit slow in places and that the action scenes were a bit wonky and needed a bit more polishing. The book also changed POVs quite suddenly and that can confuse some readers.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: The Silver Eyes
Author: Scott Cawthon and Kira Breed-Wrisley
Book Series: Five Nights At Freddy’s Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: five nights at freddy’s fans, fantasy, animatronics
Publication Date: December 16, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, child murder, kidnapping, death)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 330
Synopsis: Based on the bestselling horror video game series, Five Nights at Freddy’s follows a young woman named Charlotte, who reunites with her childhood friends on the anniversary of the tragedy that ripped their town apart. It’s been exactly ten years since the murders at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, and Charlotte, who goes by the name Charlie, has spent the last ten years trying to forget. Her father had owned Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and had built its four adult-sized animatronic animals. After meeting up with her friends, curiosity leads them back to the old pizza place, and they find it hidden, but still standing. They discover a way inside, but things are not as they used to be: the four mascots that delighted and entertained them as children have changed. The animatronic animals have a dark secret and a murderous agenda.
Review: I really enjoyed this book! There were so many easter eggs to the games and to the other books in the fnaf lore that makes me excited to continue with the series! The characters were well developed, the world building was greatly detailed, and I loved the attention to detail, especially in the similar ways to "defeat" the animatronics as you would do in the game.
My only criticisms are that the book was a bit slow in places and that the action scenes were a bit wonky and needed a bit more polishing. The book also changed POVs quite suddenly and that can confuse some readers.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Aphordite: A Humorous Regency Novel
Author: D.G. Rampton
Book Series: Regency Goddesses Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: romance lovers, historical romance
Publication Date: October 22, 2019
Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 328
Synopsis: When the beautiful Miss April Hartwood arrives in London to be introduced to Regency high society, she hopes for some fun and frivolity after a life spent in rural obscurity in Cornwall. Unfortunately for her, her grandmother has other ideas...marriage.
Lively and strong-willed, April does not appreciate being compelled to catch a husband. Yet, before long, she finds herself courting the affections of the Duke of Claredon, while struggling with a wholly inappropriate attraction to the insufferable Mr Royce.
In the lead up to Christmas, in the year 1820, a delightfully devious campaign is orchestrated to bring together two people destined for one another, regardless of the obstacles to be overcome and the inconvenient tendency on the part of the protagonists to resist their attraction...until they are finally brought to realise they cannot escape fate, or the meddling of one determined grandmother!
Review: Awww this was a cute romance! I loved the story and it might be because I just watched Pride and Prejudice with my movie watching friends (@abookloversplaylist and co), but it was so cute and I adored it. The characters were well done, the storyline was interesting, and I enjoyed this book.
My only issue is the pacing. It's so slow in most spots and I'm used to faster paced books.
Verdict: This was adorable!
Book: Aphordite: A Humorous Regency Novel
Author: D.G. Rampton
Book Series: Regency Goddesses Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: romance lovers, historical romance
Publication Date: October 22, 2019
Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 328
Synopsis: When the beautiful Miss April Hartwood arrives in London to be introduced to Regency high society, she hopes for some fun and frivolity after a life spent in rural obscurity in Cornwall. Unfortunately for her, her grandmother has other ideas...marriage.
Lively and strong-willed, April does not appreciate being compelled to catch a husband. Yet, before long, she finds herself courting the affections of the Duke of Claredon, while struggling with a wholly inappropriate attraction to the insufferable Mr Royce.
In the lead up to Christmas, in the year 1820, a delightfully devious campaign is orchestrated to bring together two people destined for one another, regardless of the obstacles to be overcome and the inconvenient tendency on the part of the protagonists to resist their attraction...until they are finally brought to realise they cannot escape fate, or the meddling of one determined grandmother!
Review: Awww this was a cute romance! I loved the story and it might be because I just watched Pride and Prejudice with my movie watching friends (@abookloversplaylist and co), but it was so cute and I adored it. The characters were well done, the storyline was interesting, and I enjoyed this book.
My only issue is the pacing. It's so slow in most spots and I'm used to faster paced books.
Verdict: This was adorable!
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The First Gate
Author: Jonathan Hunter
Book Series: The Lost Aeden Book 0.5
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, short stories
Publication Date: September 26, 2019
Genre: Fantasy Short Story
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, some thrills and chills)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 65
Synopsis: A young knights promotion is turned into a living nightmare when he is sent to the infamous First Gate. Posted deep beneath the world of Aeden he will face horrors older than world he has left behind.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The book had some great moments and a moving plot. The characters were well developed and the world building was also really good. I really liked the detail of the book and I felt the pacing was good for the book too.
However, if you’re a fast reader then the slow pacing of this book might annoy you a bit. The book also goes into extreme detail, which can also be troublesome for some readers.
Verdict: I liked it!
Book: The First Gate
Author: Jonathan Hunter
Book Series: The Lost Aeden Book 0.5
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, short stories
Publication Date: September 26, 2019
Genre: Fantasy Short Story
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, some thrills and chills)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 65
Synopsis: A young knights promotion is turned into a living nightmare when he is sent to the infamous First Gate. Posted deep beneath the world of Aeden he will face horrors older than world he has left behind.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The book had some great moments and a moving plot. The characters were well developed and the world building was also really good. I really liked the detail of the book and I felt the pacing was good for the book too.
However, if you’re a fast reader then the slow pacing of this book might annoy you a bit. The book also goes into extreme detail, which can also be troublesome for some readers.
Verdict: I liked it!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Tournament of the Lost
Author: Jonathan Hunter
Book Series: The Lost Aeden Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy
Publication Date: May 18, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, slight romance and some sexual content)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 591
Synopsis: In a macabre ring-world forgotten by time, a tournament is to be held, a tournament thought to never plague the divided kingdoms of Aeden again. A band of unlikely friends will test the perils of hell and taste heaven's forbidden fruits. But who stands behind this tournament and more importantly why now? Ten thousand will fight for riches beyond their dreams, six kingdoms will be the devil's playground, and only one will survive, but none will be left standing in the Tournament of the Lost.
Review: For the most part I thought this book was pretty good. The book had great detail and world building. The book had good character development and writing. The book also had an intriguing plot and overall I felt compelled to continue with the story.
However, I did feel like the book was a bit too long. The book had a bit of “Stephen King-ism” i.e. long winded and sometimes too overly detailed. The book would have been better split up into two in my opinion.
Verdict: I thought it was good, just really really long.
Book: Tournament of the Lost
Author: Jonathan Hunter
Book Series: The Lost Aeden Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy
Publication Date: May 18, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, slight romance and some sexual content)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 591
Synopsis: In a macabre ring-world forgotten by time, a tournament is to be held, a tournament thought to never plague the divided kingdoms of Aeden again. A band of unlikely friends will test the perils of hell and taste heaven's forbidden fruits. But who stands behind this tournament and more importantly why now? Ten thousand will fight for riches beyond their dreams, six kingdoms will be the devil's playground, and only one will survive, but none will be left standing in the Tournament of the Lost.
Review: For the most part I thought this book was pretty good. The book had great detail and world building. The book had good character development and writing. The book also had an intriguing plot and overall I felt compelled to continue with the story.
However, I did feel like the book was a bit too long. The book had a bit of “Stephen King-ism” i.e. long winded and sometimes too overly detailed. The book would have been better split up into two in my opinion.
Verdict: I thought it was good, just really really long.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Circus
Author: Jonathan Hunter
Book Series: The Lost Aeden Book 0.6
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers
Publication Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: Fantasy Short Story
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 56
Synopsis: King Alfred has disappeared. As the rest of the kingdom tries to hold itself together a serial killer starts threatening the lands of the Vane family.
*takes place 5000 years before Tournament of the Lost and a few weeks after The First Gate*
Review: Overall, this was a good book as well. The detail in such a short story is amazing and the character development is as well. The book also had an interesting premise.
However, it was super short and very fast paced. The book also didn’t have a very well defined plot in my opinion.
Verdict: It was good but short.
Book: The Circus
Author: Jonathan Hunter
Book Series: The Lost Aeden Book 0.6
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers
Publication Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: Fantasy Short Story
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 56
Synopsis: King Alfred has disappeared. As the rest of the kingdom tries to hold itself together a serial killer starts threatening the lands of the Vane family.
*takes place 5000 years before Tournament of the Lost and a few weeks after The First Gate*
Review: Overall, this was a good book as well. The detail in such a short story is amazing and the character development is as well. The book also had an interesting premise.
However, it was super short and very fast paced. The book also didn’t have a very well defined plot in my opinion.
Verdict: It was good but short.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Talland House
Author: Maggie Humm
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction fans
Publication Date: August 18, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, slight sexual content)
Publisher: She Writes Press
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Royal Academy, London 1919: Lily has put her student days in St. Ives, Cornwall, behind her―a time when her substitute mother, Mrs. Ramsay, seemingly disliked Lily’s portrait of her and Louis Grier, her tutor, never seduced her as she hoped he would. In the years since, she’s been a suffragette and a nurse in WWI, and now she’s a successful artist with a painting displayed at the Royal Academy. Then Louis appears at the exhibition with the news that Mrs. Ramsay has died under suspicious circumstances. Talking to Louis, Lily realizes two things: 1) she must find out more about her beloved Mrs. Ramsay’s death (and her sometimes-violent husband, Mr. Ramsay), and 2) She still loves Louis.
Set between 1900 and 1919 in picturesque Cornwall and war-blasted London, Talland House takes Lily Briscoe from the pages of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse and tells her story outside the confines of Woolf’s novel―as a student in 1900, as a young woman becoming a professional artist, her loves and friendships, mourning her dead mother, and solving the mystery of her friend Mrs. Ramsay’s sudden death. Talland House is both a story for our present time, exploring the tensions women experience between their public careers and private loves, and a story of a specific moment in our past―a time when women first began to be truly independent.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The world building and character development was well done. The pacing was on point and it really flowed with the book. The book also had a great plot that kept me motivated to read.
However, the protagonist makes reading the story really hard. I didn’t vibe with her cocky and mean attitude and it made me really want to stop reading the book several times over. The book also was written weirdly. The book was descriptive in some parts and the just quickly wrote in others. I think it needs to just be edited a bit more.
Verdict: It was good just weird.
Book: Talland House
Author: Maggie Humm
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction fans
Publication Date: August 18, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, slight sexual content)
Publisher: She Writes Press
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Royal Academy, London 1919: Lily has put her student days in St. Ives, Cornwall, behind her―a time when her substitute mother, Mrs. Ramsay, seemingly disliked Lily’s portrait of her and Louis Grier, her tutor, never seduced her as she hoped he would. In the years since, she’s been a suffragette and a nurse in WWI, and now she’s a successful artist with a painting displayed at the Royal Academy. Then Louis appears at the exhibition with the news that Mrs. Ramsay has died under suspicious circumstances. Talking to Louis, Lily realizes two things: 1) she must find out more about her beloved Mrs. Ramsay’s death (and her sometimes-violent husband, Mr. Ramsay), and 2) She still loves Louis.
Set between 1900 and 1919 in picturesque Cornwall and war-blasted London, Talland House takes Lily Briscoe from the pages of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse and tells her story outside the confines of Woolf’s novel―as a student in 1900, as a young woman becoming a professional artist, her loves and friendships, mourning her dead mother, and solving the mystery of her friend Mrs. Ramsay’s sudden death. Talland House is both a story for our present time, exploring the tensions women experience between their public careers and private loves, and a story of a specific moment in our past―a time when women first began to be truly independent.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The world building and character development was well done. The pacing was on point and it really flowed with the book. The book also had a great plot that kept me motivated to read.
However, the protagonist makes reading the story really hard. I didn’t vibe with her cocky and mean attitude and it made me really want to stop reading the book several times over. The book also was written weirdly. The book was descriptive in some parts and the just quickly wrote in others. I think it needs to just be edited a bit more.
Verdict: It was good just weird.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Black Leather Belt Murders
Author: Chrystal Lee Stevens
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: murder mystery, thrillers
Publication Date: November 21, 2016
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 18+ (sexual content, romance, death, gore, slight violence, language)
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Pages: 242
Synopsis: Mandrake is lethal… Blondes are a poison, the belt is his cure.
FBI profiler Rick Sullivan finds himself on the trail of a serial killer known as Mandrake. Mandrake strangles blondes with a black leather belt that he leaves fastened around their necks. As the body count rises Mandrake evades Rick at every turn. He finally catches a break in the case when he travels to a small Virginia town and meets Destiny Malone.
Destiny came home a week before Christmas to find her roommate Sydney strangled in her bed. Destiny was planning to become a PI after college graduation but has now been thrown full force into her first case. She is determined to find out who extinguished the fiery redhead and not even sexy Rick Sullivan is going to get in her way.
Rick believes that Sydney was killed by a copycat. Especially when he discovers that her ex-boyfriend who has recently escaped from prison was the one responsible for his father’s murder. Rick believes that Destiny is now in danger too and will stop at nothing to protect her even if it means staring into the face of death.
Review: Overall, this was a good book. The book was thrilling and I thought the murder mystery was really well thought out. The book had good writing and great world building.
However, I did feel like the characters weren’t that well developed and the mystery was really easy to figure out. The blurb of the book is also too revealing for the book and I think it needs to be trimmed down a bit. The pacing was also very slow in the books.
Verdict: It was good, just not for me.
Book: The Black Leather Belt Murders
Author: Chrystal Lee Stevens
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: murder mystery, thrillers
Publication Date: November 21, 2016
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 18+ (sexual content, romance, death, gore, slight violence, language)
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Pages: 242
Synopsis: Mandrake is lethal… Blondes are a poison, the belt is his cure.
FBI profiler Rick Sullivan finds himself on the trail of a serial killer known as Mandrake. Mandrake strangles blondes with a black leather belt that he leaves fastened around their necks. As the body count rises Mandrake evades Rick at every turn. He finally catches a break in the case when he travels to a small Virginia town and meets Destiny Malone.
Destiny came home a week before Christmas to find her roommate Sydney strangled in her bed. Destiny was planning to become a PI after college graduation but has now been thrown full force into her first case. She is determined to find out who extinguished the fiery redhead and not even sexy Rick Sullivan is going to get in her way.
Rick believes that Sydney was killed by a copycat. Especially when he discovers that her ex-boyfriend who has recently escaped from prison was the one responsible for his father’s murder. Rick believes that Destiny is now in danger too and will stop at nothing to protect her even if it means staring into the face of death.
Review: Overall, this was a good book. The book was thrilling and I thought the murder mystery was really well thought out. The book had good writing and great world building.
However, I did feel like the characters weren’t that well developed and the mystery was really easy to figure out. The blurb of the book is also too revealing for the book and I think it needs to be trimmed down a bit. The pacing was also very slow in the books.
Verdict: It was good, just not for me.
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors!
Book: Cemetery Boys
Author: Aiden Thomas
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: trans male main character (ownvoice), gay love interest, m/m romance, Mexican/Hispanic characters
Recommended For...: trans readers, LGBT+, fantasy, paranormal, romance, ownvoice
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexism, animal death and sacrifice mentioned, death, dead named, anxiety, immigration/deportation discussed, car jacking, gore, violence)
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Pages: 352
Synopsis: When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.
Review: I am in love with Aiden Thomas now! I love this book to pieces. It has an amazing plot, amazing characters and world building, and honestly I feel so honored to have read such a masterpiece. The book did amazing to show and tell about the Mexican culture involving the supernatural and Dia De Los Muertos and I just immediately want to reread the book.
The only issue I had with the novel was that I wanted more. I feel like the ending was a bit too fast paced and that I wanted to see Julian and Yadriel together more.
Verdict: I absolutely recommend this book!
Book: Cemetery Boys
Author: Aiden Thomas
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: trans male main character (ownvoice), gay love interest, m/m romance, Mexican/Hispanic characters
Recommended For...: trans readers, LGBT+, fantasy, paranormal, romance, ownvoice
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexism, animal death and sacrifice mentioned, death, dead named, anxiety, immigration/deportation discussed, car jacking, gore, violence)
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Pages: 352
Synopsis: When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.
Review: I am in love with Aiden Thomas now! I love this book to pieces. It has an amazing plot, amazing characters and world building, and honestly I feel so honored to have read such a masterpiece. The book did amazing to show and tell about the Mexican culture involving the supernatural and Dia De Los Muertos and I just immediately want to reread the book.
The only issue I had with the novel was that I wanted more. I feel like the ending was a bit too fast paced and that I wanted to see Julian and Yadriel together more.
Verdict: I absolutely recommend this book!
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Charming Falls Apart
Author: Angela Terry
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: romance, click lit
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Genre: Romance
Recommended Age: 18+ (romance, sexual content)
Publisher: Spark Press
Pages: 305
Synopsis: Allison James is a people pleaser and rule follower, but the day before her thirty-fifth birthday, that all backfires: she is unexpectedly fired from the public relations firm she’s worked at for twelve years, only to come home and find out that her fiancé has been sleeping with her maid of honor.
Feeling lost, Allison takes her friend Jordan’s advice and uses the time off for some self-reflection. Over the next few months, she devours countless self-help books (albeit skeptically), schedules a soul reading with an astrologer/psychic/magician, and goes on a meditation retreat in Costa Rica, where she finally starts to feel like she’s getting her groove back.
Back at home, her desire to escape the condo she once shared with her fiancé makes her a regular at the new coffeehouse in her neighborhood, where she finds some guidance from (and eye candy in) the attractive owner, Eric. Between Jordan’s support, the Barnes & Noble self-help aisle, and the Tao of Eric, Allison gradually discovers that her old life wasn’t as perfect as she thought—and that if she truly wants to find her happily-ever-after, she’s going to have to start writing her own rules.
Review: Overall, the book is really cute and if you’re into met cute and romance, then this is your book. The book has some fun moments and great characters. The book also does well to keep the pacing moving fairly paced.
However, I feel like the book is way too cliché for me and the plot didn’t really make sense for me. I struggled to get into this book.
Verdict: It wasn’t for me, but it might be for you!
Book: Charming Falls Apart
Author: Angela Terry
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: romance, click lit
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Genre: Romance
Recommended Age: 18+ (romance, sexual content)
Publisher: Spark Press
Pages: 305
Synopsis: Allison James is a people pleaser and rule follower, but the day before her thirty-fifth birthday, that all backfires: she is unexpectedly fired from the public relations firm she’s worked at for twelve years, only to come home and find out that her fiancé has been sleeping with her maid of honor.
Feeling lost, Allison takes her friend Jordan’s advice and uses the time off for some self-reflection. Over the next few months, she devours countless self-help books (albeit skeptically), schedules a soul reading with an astrologer/psychic/magician, and goes on a meditation retreat in Costa Rica, where she finally starts to feel like she’s getting her groove back.
Back at home, her desire to escape the condo she once shared with her fiancé makes her a regular at the new coffeehouse in her neighborhood, where she finds some guidance from (and eye candy in) the attractive owner, Eric. Between Jordan’s support, the Barnes & Noble self-help aisle, and the Tao of Eric, Allison gradually discovers that her old life wasn’t as perfect as she thought—and that if she truly wants to find her happily-ever-after, she’s going to have to start writing her own rules.
Review: Overall, the book is really cute and if you’re into met cute and romance, then this is your book. The book has some fun moments and great characters. The book also does well to keep the pacing moving fairly paced.
However, I feel like the book is way too cliché for me and the plot didn’t really make sense for me. I struggled to get into this book.
Verdict: It wasn’t for me, but it might be for you!