Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this book. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: One of the Good Ones
Author: Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: LGBT+ characters, Black main characters
Recommended For...: ya readers, contemporary lovers, lgbt+ readers
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (grief, violence, police brutality TW, murder, generational trauma, coming out)
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 384
Synopsis: ISN'T BEING HUMAN ENOUGH?
When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic.
One of the good ones.
Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind—why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed?—Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there's a twist to Kezi's story that no one could've ever expected—one that will change everything all over again.
Review: Do not read this book when you’re already sad. You’re going to cut onions reading this book and it’s going to give you a sadness headache. Or is that just me that gets those? Seriously though, this book is SO GOOD! I loved the story and plot and I loved that this book included something I’ve only read about before: The Green Book, which was this book that was published in the 1930s to help Black people travel and stay in safe places (seriously, more books should include this piece of history). The character development is amazing and the history and world building was amazing as well. This will definitely be a book I buy and reread.
The only thing I had an issue with was that the beginning was a bit slow but it definitely picked up.
Verdict: Highly recommended reading! We should know our history as a nation and how to best be an ally!
Book: One of the Good Ones
Author: Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: LGBT+ characters, Black main characters
Recommended For...: ya readers, contemporary lovers, lgbt+ readers
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (grief, violence, police brutality TW, murder, generational trauma, coming out)
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 384
Synopsis: ISN'T BEING HUMAN ENOUGH?
When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic.
One of the good ones.
Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind—why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed?—Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there's a twist to Kezi's story that no one could've ever expected—one that will change everything all over again.
Review: Do not read this book when you’re already sad. You’re going to cut onions reading this book and it’s going to give you a sadness headache. Or is that just me that gets those? Seriously though, this book is SO GOOD! I loved the story and plot and I loved that this book included something I’ve only read about before: The Green Book, which was this book that was published in the 1930s to help Black people travel and stay in safe places (seriously, more books should include this piece of history). The character development is amazing and the history and world building was amazing as well. This will definitely be a book I buy and reread.
The only thing I had an issue with was that the beginning was a bit slow but it definitely picked up.
Verdict: Highly recommended reading! We should know our history as a nation and how to best be an ally!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Girl from the Channel Islands
Author: Jenny Lecoat
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Jewish main character and side characters
Recommended For...: historical fiction fans, ya readers
Publication Date: February 22, 2021
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, racism, genocide, war, slight gore, sympathy to a German officer)
Publisher: Graydon House
Pages: 304
Synopsis: The year is 1940, and the world is torn apart by war. In June of that year, Hitler’s army captures the Channel Islands—the only part of Great Britain occupied by German forces. Abandoned by Mr. Churchill, forgotten by the Allies and cut off from all help, the Islands’ situation is increasingly desperate.
Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who fled Vienna for the island of Jersey two years earlier during the Anschluss, only to find herself trapped by the Nazis once more—this time with no escape. Her only hope is to make herself invaluable to the Germans by working as a translator, hiding in plain sight with the help of her friends and community—and a sympathetic German officer. But as the war intensifies, rations dwindle and neighbors are increasingly suspicious of one another. Hedy’s life is in greater danger every day. It will take a definitive, daring act to save her from certain deportation to the concentration camps.
Review: For the most part I liked the book. I thought it did well to bring historical facts pertaining to the island to light and to show what happened in a country left to fend for itself after Germany took it over and it was forgotten by the rest of the world. I liked that the book stuck to linear events and the plot was really intriguing to me. I liked the character development and the world building as well.
However, I am a bit confused as to why there are two titles to this book on Goodreads and I didn’t really like how slow the book was. I also have a problem with the book having a sympathetic German character. While I believed that there were some German officers who thoughts twice about what they were doing, I don’t think it’s right in a story about a Jewish girl to have sympathy on a German officer. It sends a little bit of a racist message and gives the undertone of that their pain and suffering compares to a German officer of privilege having second thoughts.
Verdict: It was good and historical from what I could see and research, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
Book: The Girl from the Channel Islands
Author: Jenny Lecoat
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Jewish main character and side characters
Recommended For...: historical fiction fans, ya readers
Publication Date: February 22, 2021
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, racism, genocide, war, slight gore, sympathy to a German officer)
Publisher: Graydon House
Pages: 304
Synopsis: The year is 1940, and the world is torn apart by war. In June of that year, Hitler’s army captures the Channel Islands—the only part of Great Britain occupied by German forces. Abandoned by Mr. Churchill, forgotten by the Allies and cut off from all help, the Islands’ situation is increasingly desperate.
Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who fled Vienna for the island of Jersey two years earlier during the Anschluss, only to find herself trapped by the Nazis once more—this time with no escape. Her only hope is to make herself invaluable to the Germans by working as a translator, hiding in plain sight with the help of her friends and community—and a sympathetic German officer. But as the war intensifies, rations dwindle and neighbors are increasingly suspicious of one another. Hedy’s life is in greater danger every day. It will take a definitive, daring act to save her from certain deportation to the concentration camps.
Review: For the most part I liked the book. I thought it did well to bring historical facts pertaining to the island to light and to show what happened in a country left to fend for itself after Germany took it over and it was forgotten by the rest of the world. I liked that the book stuck to linear events and the plot was really intriguing to me. I liked the character development and the world building as well.
However, I am a bit confused as to why there are two titles to this book on Goodreads and I didn’t really like how slow the book was. I also have a problem with the book having a sympathetic German character. While I believed that there were some German officers who thoughts twice about what they were doing, I don’t think it’s right in a story about a Jewish girl to have sympathy on a German officer. It sends a little bit of a racist message and gives the undertone of that their pain and suffering compares to a German officer of privilege having second thoughts.
Verdict: It was good and historical from what I could see and research, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
Disclaimer: I received an arc and e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Amari and the Night Brothers
Author: B.B. Alston
Book Series: Supernatural Investigations Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black main character and side characters
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, mg readers
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (racism, classism, sexism, and prejudice)
Publisher: Balzer And Bray
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 13-year-old Amari Peters, can’t understand why it’s not a bigger deal. Why isn’t his story all over the news? And why do the police automatically assume he was into something illegal?
Then Amari discovers a ticking briefcase in her brother’s old closet. A briefcase meant for her eyes only. There was far more to Quinton, it seems, than she ever knew. He’s left her a nomination for a summer tryout at the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Amari is certain the answer to finding out what happened to him lies somewhere inside, if only she can get her head around the idea of mermaids, dwarves, yetis and magicians all being real things, something she has to instantly confront when she is given a weredragon as a roommate.
Amari must compete against some of the nation’s wealthiest kids—who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives and are able to easily answer questions like which two Great Beasts reside in the Atlantic Ocean and how old is Merlin? Just getting around the Bureau is a lesson alone for Amari with signs like ‘Department of Hidden Places this way, or is it?’ If that all wasn’t enough, every Bureau trainee has a talent enhanced to supernatural levels to help them do their jobs – but Amari is given an illegal ability. As if she needed something else to make her stand out.
With an evil magican threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton.
Review: I absolutely loved this book! This is now one of my favorite series! I loved the writing and how captivating this story was. The character development was expertly well done and I loved how the author brought in and dealt with racism, sexism, classism, and prejudice. The concepts aren’t hard to understand and middle graders should be exposed to this more in their literature. We should be raising children to recognize these issues and deal with them appropriately. The world building was also so well done.
My only complaint is that in some spots the pacing was a little slow, but it was quickly resolved! I legitimately have nothing to complain about, but for the sake of fairness I have to say the downsides.
Verdict: I HIGHLY recommend this book! Go get it now!
Book: Amari and the Night Brothers
Author: B.B. Alston
Book Series: Supernatural Investigations Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black main character and side characters
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, mg readers
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (racism, classism, sexism, and prejudice)
Publisher: Balzer And Bray
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 13-year-old Amari Peters, can’t understand why it’s not a bigger deal. Why isn’t his story all over the news? And why do the police automatically assume he was into something illegal?
Then Amari discovers a ticking briefcase in her brother’s old closet. A briefcase meant for her eyes only. There was far more to Quinton, it seems, than she ever knew. He’s left her a nomination for a summer tryout at the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Amari is certain the answer to finding out what happened to him lies somewhere inside, if only she can get her head around the idea of mermaids, dwarves, yetis and magicians all being real things, something she has to instantly confront when she is given a weredragon as a roommate.
Amari must compete against some of the nation’s wealthiest kids—who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives and are able to easily answer questions like which two Great Beasts reside in the Atlantic Ocean and how old is Merlin? Just getting around the Bureau is a lesson alone for Amari with signs like ‘Department of Hidden Places this way, or is it?’ If that all wasn’t enough, every Bureau trainee has a talent enhanced to supernatural levels to help them do their jobs – but Amari is given an illegal ability. As if she needed something else to make her stand out.
With an evil magican threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton.
Review: I absolutely loved this book! This is now one of my favorite series! I loved the writing and how captivating this story was. The character development was expertly well done and I loved how the author brought in and dealt with racism, sexism, classism, and prejudice. The concepts aren’t hard to understand and middle graders should be exposed to this more in their literature. We should be raising children to recognize these issues and deal with them appropriately. The world building was also so well done.
My only complaint is that in some spots the pacing was a little slow, but it was quickly resolved! I legitimately have nothing to complain about, but for the sake of fairness I have to say the downsides.
Verdict: I HIGHLY recommend this book! Go get it now!
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Lost Wonderland Diaries
Author: J. Scott Savage
Book Series: Standalone for now, but I can see where sequels can come into play
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: mg readers, fantasy lovers, retelling fans
Publication Date: September 8, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (slight violence, some scary moments)
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Lewis Carroll, author of the classic book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, secretly recorded the true story of his actual travels to Wonderland in four journals which have been lost to the world . . . until now.
Celia and Tyrus discover the legendary Lost Diaries of Wonderland and fall into a portal that pulls them into the same fantasy world as the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter. However, Wonderland has vastly changed. Some of the characters that Tyrus remembers from the book have been transformed into angry monsters.
Helped by the Cheshire Cat and a new character, Sylvan, a young rabbit, Celia and Tyrus desperately work to solve puzzles and riddles, looking for a way out of Wonderland. But the danger increases when the Queen of Hearts begins hunting them, believing the two young visitors hold the key to opening multiple portals to multiple worlds, and she will stop at nothing to capture them.
Will the crazed creatures of Wonderland escape into the real world? Can Celia and Tyrus stop them and save both worlds? Or will they be trapped in Wonderland forever?
Review: I thought this was an amazing take on the Wonderland adventures we all know by heart. I really enjoy Alice in Wonderland retellings and side stories and this one fit all the criteria: crazy characters, wonderous settings, mystery, and imagination. The character development was well done and the world building was absolutely amazing! I also was hooked on the story from beginning to end.
The only part I didn’t like was that the book was a bit too slow for me in the beginning and in some spots, but it would be perfect for your Wonderland loving child.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: The Lost Wonderland Diaries
Author: J. Scott Savage
Book Series: Standalone for now, but I can see where sequels can come into play
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: mg readers, fantasy lovers, retelling fans
Publication Date: September 8, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (slight violence, some scary moments)
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Lewis Carroll, author of the classic book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, secretly recorded the true story of his actual travels to Wonderland in four journals which have been lost to the world . . . until now.
Celia and Tyrus discover the legendary Lost Diaries of Wonderland and fall into a portal that pulls them into the same fantasy world as the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter. However, Wonderland has vastly changed. Some of the characters that Tyrus remembers from the book have been transformed into angry monsters.
Helped by the Cheshire Cat and a new character, Sylvan, a young rabbit, Celia and Tyrus desperately work to solve puzzles and riddles, looking for a way out of Wonderland. But the danger increases when the Queen of Hearts begins hunting them, believing the two young visitors hold the key to opening multiple portals to multiple worlds, and she will stop at nothing to capture them.
Will the crazed creatures of Wonderland escape into the real world? Can Celia and Tyrus stop them and save both worlds? Or will they be trapped in Wonderland forever?
Review: I thought this was an amazing take on the Wonderland adventures we all know by heart. I really enjoy Alice in Wonderland retellings and side stories and this one fit all the criteria: crazy characters, wonderous settings, mystery, and imagination. The character development was well done and the world building was absolutely amazing! I also was hooked on the story from beginning to end.
The only part I didn’t like was that the book was a bit too slow for me in the beginning and in some spots, but it would be perfect for your Wonderland loving child.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: My Last Summer with Cass
Author: Mark Crilley
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: graphic novel readers, ya readers, contemporary lovers
Publication Date: March 16, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary Graphic Novel
Recommended Age: 12+ (losing a friend)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 256
Synopsis: Megan and Cass have been joined at the brush for as long as they can remember. For years, while spending summers together at a lakeside cabin, they created art together, from sand to scribbles . . . to anything available. Then Cass moved away to New York.
When Megan finally convinces her parents to let her spend a week in the city, too, it seems like Cass has completely changed. She has tattoos, every artist in the city knows her—she even eats chicken feet! At least one thing has stayed the same: They still make their best art together.
But when one girl betrays the other's trust on the eve of what is supposed to be their greatest artistic feat yet, can their friendship survive? Can their art?
Review: I really liked that this was a graphic novel book. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous and I loved how the author drew the two girls. I thought the story was pretty good. The characters were pretty well developed as well and this is a super quick read if you’re in a time crunch!
The only things I felt could have been better was the pacing (it was too quick for me to get attached to the story) and the character development, which I think suffered because of the quick pacing. I also felt like the book didn’t have a solid conflict. I understand losing a friend all too well, but maybe I’m at an age and place in my life where that doesn’t affect me anymore or as much. However, I can see where that can be a worldending event for teens and I totally recommend this for teens who have went through this or who fear this thing happening.
Verdict: It’s a solid friendship novel.
Book: My Last Summer with Cass
Author: Mark Crilley
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: graphic novel readers, ya readers, contemporary lovers
Publication Date: March 16, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary Graphic Novel
Recommended Age: 12+ (losing a friend)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 256
Synopsis: Megan and Cass have been joined at the brush for as long as they can remember. For years, while spending summers together at a lakeside cabin, they created art together, from sand to scribbles . . . to anything available. Then Cass moved away to New York.
When Megan finally convinces her parents to let her spend a week in the city, too, it seems like Cass has completely changed. She has tattoos, every artist in the city knows her—she even eats chicken feet! At least one thing has stayed the same: They still make their best art together.
But when one girl betrays the other's trust on the eve of what is supposed to be their greatest artistic feat yet, can their friendship survive? Can their art?
Review: I really liked that this was a graphic novel book. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous and I loved how the author drew the two girls. I thought the story was pretty good. The characters were pretty well developed as well and this is a super quick read if you’re in a time crunch!
The only things I felt could have been better was the pacing (it was too quick for me to get attached to the story) and the character development, which I think suffered because of the quick pacing. I also felt like the book didn’t have a solid conflict. I understand losing a friend all too well, but maybe I’m at an age and place in my life where that doesn’t affect me anymore or as much. However, I can see where that can be a worldending event for teens and I totally recommend this for teens who have went through this or who fear this thing happening.
Verdict: It’s a solid friendship novel.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Crown of Echoes
Author: Brindi Quinn
Book Series: A Crown of Echoes Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: romance lovers, new adult readers, fantasy readers
Publication Date: June 11, 2020
Genre: New Adult Romance Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, alcohol usage, slight violence)
Publisher: Never and Ever Publishing
Pages: 252
Synopsis: Queen Merrin might be the least queenly queen in all the realms. After all, queens don't typically sneak out at night to drink with their guards. When her best friend and neighboring queen, Beau, goes missing, Merrin won't leave rescue to the knights. She sets out from the civilized world and into the wilds to retrieve her lost friend, but with ancient hexes, stolen power, and a mountain of giants' bones, Merrin stumbles into something much greater than a simple rescue mission. Get ready for a swoony whirlwind of dark magic and forbidden romance, as Merrin finds strength in the whispers of the forest and comfort in the arms of a guard with tantalizing abilities.
Review: I thought this was a cute story. I really liked the writing and the character development was very well done. The world building was also good and I was hooked on the story from start to finish. I do have to say that while this is mostly romance driven, which is not my favorite genre, the book does have some great fantasy and adventure elements to it.
The only critique I have is the pacing. It’s really slow throughout most of the book and I felt like it could have been a little faster.
Verdict: A great book!
Book: A Crown of Echoes
Author: Brindi Quinn
Book Series: A Crown of Echoes Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: romance lovers, new adult readers, fantasy readers
Publication Date: June 11, 2020
Genre: New Adult Romance Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, alcohol usage, slight violence)
Publisher: Never and Ever Publishing
Pages: 252
Synopsis: Queen Merrin might be the least queenly queen in all the realms. After all, queens don't typically sneak out at night to drink with their guards. When her best friend and neighboring queen, Beau, goes missing, Merrin won't leave rescue to the knights. She sets out from the civilized world and into the wilds to retrieve her lost friend, but with ancient hexes, stolen power, and a mountain of giants' bones, Merrin stumbles into something much greater than a simple rescue mission. Get ready for a swoony whirlwind of dark magic and forbidden romance, as Merrin finds strength in the whispers of the forest and comfort in the arms of a guard with tantalizing abilities.
Review: I thought this was a cute story. I really liked the writing and the character development was very well done. The world building was also good and I was hooked on the story from start to finish. I do have to say that while this is mostly romance driven, which is not my favorite genre, the book does have some great fantasy and adventure elements to it.
The only critique I have is the pacing. It’s really slow throughout most of the book and I felt like it could have been a little faster.
Verdict: A great book!
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this book. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Roman and Jewel
Author: Dana L. Davis
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Black main character and side characters
Recommended For...: contemporary lovers, ya readers
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, drug usage, slight language)
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Jerzie Jhames will do anything to land the lead role in Broadway's hottest new show, Roman and Jewel, a Romeo and Juliet inspired hip-hopera featuring a diverse cast and modern twists on the play. But her hopes are crushed when she learns mega-star Cinny won the lead...and Jerzie is her understudy.
Falling for male lead Zeppelin Reid is a terrible idea--especially once Jerzie learns Cinny wants him for herself. Star-crossed love always ends badly. But when a video of Jerzie and Zepp practicing goes viral and the entire world weighs in on who should play Jewel, Jerzie learns that while the price of fame is high, friendship, family, and love are priceless.
Review: For the most part, this book was fun! I loved the way the story was told and how hard this book hooks you from beginning to end. The book has some good character development for most of the characters and the book also has some well done world building. The book also sounds like something a teen would write, which I think is key to YA books.
However, I really wish that the author put more of the musical in the book. The book could have been so much better with the musical aspects in it and I wanted so bad to see it in there. I also thought the love interest was very insufferable and I wanted to yeet him from the book. I didn’t like the redemption arc the villain got, it was a bit too short for my liking, and I didn’t like the instalove trope.
Verdict:
Book: Roman and Jewel
Author: Dana L. Davis
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Black main character and side characters
Recommended For...: contemporary lovers, ya readers
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, drug usage, slight language)
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Jerzie Jhames will do anything to land the lead role in Broadway's hottest new show, Roman and Jewel, a Romeo and Juliet inspired hip-hopera featuring a diverse cast and modern twists on the play. But her hopes are crushed when she learns mega-star Cinny won the lead...and Jerzie is her understudy.
Falling for male lead Zeppelin Reid is a terrible idea--especially once Jerzie learns Cinny wants him for herself. Star-crossed love always ends badly. But when a video of Jerzie and Zepp practicing goes viral and the entire world weighs in on who should play Jewel, Jerzie learns that while the price of fame is high, friendship, family, and love are priceless.
Review: For the most part, this book was fun! I loved the way the story was told and how hard this book hooks you from beginning to end. The book has some good character development for most of the characters and the book also has some well done world building. The book also sounds like something a teen would write, which I think is key to YA books.
However, I really wish that the author put more of the musical in the book. The book could have been so much better with the musical aspects in it and I wanted so bad to see it in there. I also thought the love interest was very insufferable and I wanted to yeet him from the book. I didn’t like the redemption arc the villain got, it was a bit too short for my liking, and I didn’t like the instalove trope.
Verdict:
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Genesis
Author: T. Sae-Low
Book Series: Prophecy Rock Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: d&D like books, fantasy reads
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 329
Synopsis: As rumors swirl across the war torn lands of Eos of a possible Candidate—the long prophesied savior of peace— young Raden Nite finds himself unexpectedly chosen to discover the truth to these rumors. Raden’s top-secret mission will send him and his closest friends on a heart-pounding adventure through the mysterious Voras Mountains, the impenetrable fortress of Sargatum, and deep into strange new lands where dangerous enemies await.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Disputed Lands, Prince Aric sits third in line to the crown of Vicedonia. Seeking to escape the overwhelming shadow of his elder brother, and to prove to his father, the king, that he is indeed a worthy successor, Aric embarks on a path into the darkest corners of Eos. On his journey, he will encounter the sinister magic of the Dark Forest, the epic battlegrounds of Lake Raphia, and discover the harsh realities of what it truly means to be king.
In the first book of the Prophecy Rock Series, fates will collide in this epic tale of action, loyalty, and love, where the ultimate meaning of true sacrifice will be discovered.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. It felt more like a D&D game than it did a book and I really got into it. The book had some great fantastical moments. The world building was well done and superb. The character development was amazing. The book was also fast paced and action packed.
The only thing that was a little off-putting was that the book had a lot of battles and they were frequent, fast, a little confusing, and a bit on the overly brutal side.
Verdict: I really liked this book!
Book: Genesis
Author: T. Sae-Low
Book Series: Prophecy Rock Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: d&D like books, fantasy reads
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 329
Synopsis: As rumors swirl across the war torn lands of Eos of a possible Candidate—the long prophesied savior of peace— young Raden Nite finds himself unexpectedly chosen to discover the truth to these rumors. Raden’s top-secret mission will send him and his closest friends on a heart-pounding adventure through the mysterious Voras Mountains, the impenetrable fortress of Sargatum, and deep into strange new lands where dangerous enemies await.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Disputed Lands, Prince Aric sits third in line to the crown of Vicedonia. Seeking to escape the overwhelming shadow of his elder brother, and to prove to his father, the king, that he is indeed a worthy successor, Aric embarks on a path into the darkest corners of Eos. On his journey, he will encounter the sinister magic of the Dark Forest, the epic battlegrounds of Lake Raphia, and discover the harsh realities of what it truly means to be king.
In the first book of the Prophecy Rock Series, fates will collide in this epic tale of action, loyalty, and love, where the ultimate meaning of true sacrifice will be discovered.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. It felt more like a D&D game than it did a book and I really got into it. The book had some great fantastical moments. The world building was well done and superb. The character development was amazing. The book was also fast paced and action packed.
The only thing that was a little off-putting was that the book had a lot of battles and they were frequent, fast, a little confusing, and a bit on the overly brutal side.
Verdict: I really liked this book!
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Clouded by Envy
Author: Candace Robinson
Book Series: Laith Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, sexual content, violence)
Publisher: Parliament House
Pages: 234
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Brenik has always been envious of his twin sister, Bray. Growing up as fairy-like creatures, known as bats, everything came easier to Bray. While Brenik spent his time in her shadows, never feeling he was enough. After escaping their world of Laith, and living on Earth for ten years, Brenik attempts to strike a deal with the Stone of Desire to become human. Though true humanity is not an option, he will accept the curse that will alter him to get as close as he can.
Living in a tree trunk for the past year hasn’t been easy for Bray, more so after her brother disappears again. When a human boy and his brother, Wes, find her, a new friendship is struck. Through Wes, Bray learns there can be more to life than waiting within a tree. But worrying over where Brenik has vanished to always remains in the back of her mind.
When Bray reunites with Brenik, she realizes she must help him break the curse after she discovers the need for blood is beginning to overpower him. The curse not only damages those who get close to Brenik, but it could also destroy whatever is blooming between Bray and Wes.
Review: Ok this book was pretty good for the most part. The characters were well developed and the book was intriguing enough to keep my interest. I thought it was ok but very weird.
However, there were some very confusing things about this novel. It read like a middle grade, but there was cussing and sexual content. The romance was weird and didn’t fit into the book. The book wasn’t cohesively written and the lack of world building made this hard to follow.
Verdict: It was ok.
Book: Clouded by Envy
Author: Candace Robinson
Book Series: Laith Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, sexual content, violence)
Publisher: Parliament House
Pages: 234
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Brenik has always been envious of his twin sister, Bray. Growing up as fairy-like creatures, known as bats, everything came easier to Bray. While Brenik spent his time in her shadows, never feeling he was enough. After escaping their world of Laith, and living on Earth for ten years, Brenik attempts to strike a deal with the Stone of Desire to become human. Though true humanity is not an option, he will accept the curse that will alter him to get as close as he can.
Living in a tree trunk for the past year hasn’t been easy for Bray, more so after her brother disappears again. When a human boy and his brother, Wes, find her, a new friendship is struck. Through Wes, Bray learns there can be more to life than waiting within a tree. But worrying over where Brenik has vanished to always remains in the back of her mind.
When Bray reunites with Brenik, she realizes she must help him break the curse after she discovers the need for blood is beginning to overpower him. The curse not only damages those who get close to Brenik, but it could also destroy whatever is blooming between Bray and Wes.
Review: Ok this book was pretty good for the most part. The characters were well developed and the book was intriguing enough to keep my interest. I thought it was ok but very weird.
However, there were some very confusing things about this novel. It read like a middle grade, but there was cussing and sexual content. The romance was weird and didn’t fit into the book. The book wasn’t cohesively written and the lack of world building made this hard to follow.
Verdict: It was ok.