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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Child Wore Pearls
Author: Morgan Matthews
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Mystery
Publication Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Lagniappe Press
Pages: 212
Recommended Age: 16+ (mystery, slight violence, secrets)
Synopsis: June Randolph and her father make the perfect team at their small, family-owned jewelry store. While the pair have always maintained a close relationship, the dynamic she shares with her mother has proven much more challenging throughout the years. Now at seventeen years old, June has found herself contemplating life beyond working at her father’s shop. Though it isn’t until she is befriended by a ritzy, older customer that June begins to come out of her shell. The woman’s kindness and infectious energy are a welcome addition to her young life the summer before her senior year of high school. However, secrets from her mother’s past begin to threaten June’s newfound happiness - calling into question all that she has ever known. Confronted with the often-perverse intentions of the human heart, the teen must uncover the truth which has been concealed by years of deceit.
Review: So, because I do not fully blurb, I did not think that this book would be a bit of a mystery. The book starts out with this girl who has worked at her father's shop and meets a woman who the main character thinks might be able to help her relationship with her mother, which is very strained. And then the plot twist took place, which I didn't see coming at all. I really liked the character development of this book and the world building. I felt like the book definitely hooked you as a reader and it kept you intrigued in the story until the very end.
the only part of the book that was a little iffy for me was that the plot was a bit slow in my opinion in certain spots but that was really the only complaint that I had.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: The Child Wore Pearls
Author: Morgan Matthews
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Mystery
Publication Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Lagniappe Press
Pages: 212
Recommended Age: 16+ (mystery, slight violence, secrets)
Synopsis: June Randolph and her father make the perfect team at their small, family-owned jewelry store. While the pair have always maintained a close relationship, the dynamic she shares with her mother has proven much more challenging throughout the years. Now at seventeen years old, June has found herself contemplating life beyond working at her father’s shop. Though it isn’t until she is befriended by a ritzy, older customer that June begins to come out of her shell. The woman’s kindness and infectious energy are a welcome addition to her young life the summer before her senior year of high school. However, secrets from her mother’s past begin to threaten June’s newfound happiness - calling into question all that she has ever known. Confronted with the often-perverse intentions of the human heart, the teen must uncover the truth which has been concealed by years of deceit.
Review: So, because I do not fully blurb, I did not think that this book would be a bit of a mystery. The book starts out with this girl who has worked at her father's shop and meets a woman who the main character thinks might be able to help her relationship with her mother, which is very strained. And then the plot twist took place, which I didn't see coming at all. I really liked the character development of this book and the world building. I felt like the book definitely hooked you as a reader and it kept you intrigued in the story until the very end.
the only part of the book that was a little iffy for me was that the plot was a bit slow in my opinion in certain spots but that was really the only complaint that I had.
Verdict: It was good!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Orestin's Own
Author: L. Alyssa Austin
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Dark fantasy
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 404
Recommended Age: can't recommend, DNF
Synopsis: The veil is thinning. Every day more undead creatures slip into Everra. Soon their most terrifying kin, spawn of the dark goddess Orestin, will emerge to devour all life. Master Historian Mycellane enlists an aging Knight and an inexperienced priestess to join him on a journey to obtain an ancient artifact-one that can bring an end to the incursion. But their salvation lies on the other side of the veil, in the Dead Waste of Myrcantos, and only one person can bring them through: a Myrcantan necromancer who remains loyal to the enemy. The path before them leads through a barren, unforgiving land. Ravenous abominations lurk in the shadows. But the greatest danger to their mission is the hatred and distrust they feel for one another...
Review: I had to dnf this book at about 67% through. While the book is pretty good and it was hooking me in, I felt like I really new where the book was going and it became a bit uninteresting to me after that. This isn't unusual, because I am very good at guessing the endings of books. But this time I was really bummed out when, skipping to the end, I saw that my predictions came true.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you!
Book: Orestin's Own
Author: L. Alyssa Austin
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Dark fantasy
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 404
Recommended Age: can't recommend, DNF
Synopsis: The veil is thinning. Every day more undead creatures slip into Everra. Soon their most terrifying kin, spawn of the dark goddess Orestin, will emerge to devour all life. Master Historian Mycellane enlists an aging Knight and an inexperienced priestess to join him on a journey to obtain an ancient artifact-one that can bring an end to the incursion. But their salvation lies on the other side of the veil, in the Dead Waste of Myrcantos, and only one person can bring them through: a Myrcantan necromancer who remains loyal to the enemy. The path before them leads through a barren, unforgiving land. Ravenous abominations lurk in the shadows. But the greatest danger to their mission is the hatred and distrust they feel for one another...
Review: I had to dnf this book at about 67% through. While the book is pretty good and it was hooking me in, I felt like I really new where the book was going and it became a bit uninteresting to me after that. This isn't unusual, because I am very good at guessing the endings of books. But this time I was really bummed out when, skipping to the end, I saw that my predictions came true.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you!
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Void Fate
Author: Susan G. Hakobyan
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, thrillee
Publication Date: June 17, 2020
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 303
Recommended Age: can't recommend DNF
Synopsis: Empty streets are littered with stalled-out cars, buses, and motorcycles. A sunless and moonless sky is covered with an enormous barrier that prevents any view of the heavens.
Nothing stirs. The air is oppressive and there is no wind, not even the softest breeze.
It was supposed to be a typical day for the five friends, but they wake up to discover that they are left alone on earth. The world that they knew is gone. All that is left is silence, pervasive, absolute silence.
What happened while they slept? Are they the only ones left? As the theories start to fly, and their imaginations run wild, they wonder if they are still on Earth at all, possibly abducted by aliens, trapped in a simulation, or claimed by the afterlife.
Aram is the only one who can see deep into the silent world. That’s why, from the very beginning, he starts to look for a way out of this new reality. If he can convince his friends to stay focused, as the whispers begin, and fight against the evil of the silent world, the fog-shaped beings that wander the empty streets, they may stand a chance.
If not, the only thing that lies ahead is the fate of the void.
Review: I dnf'd this book at about 43% of the way through. I felt like I had read this format before. And this format is really only intrigued me one time that I have read it, and unfortunately it couldn't keep my attention in this book.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
Book: Void Fate
Author: Susan G. Hakobyan
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, thrillee
Publication Date: June 17, 2020
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 303
Recommended Age: can't recommend DNF
Synopsis: Empty streets are littered with stalled-out cars, buses, and motorcycles. A sunless and moonless sky is covered with an enormous barrier that prevents any view of the heavens.
Nothing stirs. The air is oppressive and there is no wind, not even the softest breeze.
It was supposed to be a typical day for the five friends, but they wake up to discover that they are left alone on earth. The world that they knew is gone. All that is left is silence, pervasive, absolute silence.
What happened while they slept? Are they the only ones left? As the theories start to fly, and their imaginations run wild, they wonder if they are still on Earth at all, possibly abducted by aliens, trapped in a simulation, or claimed by the afterlife.
Aram is the only one who can see deep into the silent world. That’s why, from the very beginning, he starts to look for a way out of this new reality. If he can convince his friends to stay focused, as the whispers begin, and fight against the evil of the silent world, the fog-shaped beings that wander the empty streets, they may stand a chance.
If not, the only thing that lies ahead is the fate of the void.
Review: I dnf'd this book at about 43% of the way through. I felt like I had read this format before. And this format is really only intrigued me one time that I have read it, and unfortunately it couldn't keep my attention in this book.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Of Magpies and Men
Author: Ode Ray
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: thriller and mystery
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 330
Recommended Age: 16+ (gore, death, violence, sexual content)
Synopsis: Can any good come of longings that a person can never satisfy? If so, good for whom?
Two corpses wash ashore in a picturesque Italian village, the violence that put them there is bound to a long-held secret and two strangers living worlds apart with seemingly nothing in common.
Benedict Grant a wealthy Londoner, leading a lonely life.
Marie Boulanger a nurse and single mum, struggling to make ends meet in Marseille.
However, a mother’s illicit revelation will set in motion a chain of events that will reshape their identities, stir poignant family affairs and delve into the by-products of lawless decisions.
With this domestic thriller, discover a captivating and moving story of impossible yearnings, weaving mystery and drama peppered with humour. A tale that will stay with you long after its final page and a twist you won't see coming.
Review: So, for the most part, I felt like this was a good book. I really like the character development and I felt like the author did very well and developing the characters and making the dialogue and interactions between them pretty good. I also like the world building and the plot itself is pretty strong.
However, the book needs to be a little bit more refined. The pacing was a bit wonky throughout the book and there were events that happened that didn't really make sense with the rest of the novel.
Verdict: It was a good book!
Book: Of Magpies and Men
Author: Ode Ray
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: thriller and mystery
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 330
Recommended Age: 16+ (gore, death, violence, sexual content)
Synopsis: Can any good come of longings that a person can never satisfy? If so, good for whom?
Two corpses wash ashore in a picturesque Italian village, the violence that put them there is bound to a long-held secret and two strangers living worlds apart with seemingly nothing in common.
Benedict Grant a wealthy Londoner, leading a lonely life.
Marie Boulanger a nurse and single mum, struggling to make ends meet in Marseille.
However, a mother’s illicit revelation will set in motion a chain of events that will reshape their identities, stir poignant family affairs and delve into the by-products of lawless decisions.
With this domestic thriller, discover a captivating and moving story of impossible yearnings, weaving mystery and drama peppered with humour. A tale that will stay with you long after its final page and a twist you won't see coming.
Review: So, for the most part, I felt like this was a good book. I really like the character development and I felt like the author did very well and developing the characters and making the dialogue and interactions between them pretty good. I also like the world building and the plot itself is pretty strong.
However, the book needs to be a little bit more refined. The pacing was a bit wonky throughout the book and there were events that happened that didn't really make sense with the rest of the novel.
Verdict: It was a good book!
Disclaimer: I received the audiobook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Key to Fear
Author: Kirsten Cast
Book Series: The Key Series Book 1
Rating: 1/5
Recommended For...: Dystopian, pandemic
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Pages: 320
Recommended Age: can't recommend, DNF but (Mention of weight, dieting, Pandemic Dystopian, Sexual content, Weird stalkerish content presented as love)
Synopsis: To Health.
To Life.
To the Future.
We are The Key.
'No touching today for a healthy tomorrow.'
Elodie obeys The Key. Elodie obeys the rules. Elodie trusts in the system. At least, Elodie used to...
Aidan is a rebel. Aidan doesn't do what he's told. Aidan just wants to be free. Aidan is on his last chance...
After a pandemic wiped out most of the human race, The Key took power. The Key dictates the rules. They govern in order to keep people safe. But as Elodie and Aidan begin to discover there is another side to The Key, they realise not everything is as it seems.
Rather than playing protector, The Key are playing God.
Review: I am dnfing this book at about 43.7% of the way through. I think I am unfortunately at a point in my life where I have outgrown P.C and Kirsten Cast. I feel like they don't really write well anymore for what I am looking for in a ya book. I see that they just take trends and basically copy them or amplify them a little bit on page to make their own books, and I'm really not into it anymore. I also think the timing of this book is a bit ill-timed. We are still in the middle of a pandemic of monstrous proportions, and making light of it in the book, as the book takes place in the future past a pandemic that killed a ton of people and now the people of this future have problems with touching each other and not wearing masks and stuff like that, is a bit insensitive. I don't think that this book should be published in the middle of a pandemic, but maybe should be published after everything has died down a bit. there are other things that I also didn't like about this book. I felt like the book was very ill-written. The writing is not that good and I felt like a lot of random ya tropes were just thrown into the book for the sake of it being ya? I also have issues with the pacing, I am listening to this book on audiobook and I could send it down and walk away and come back an hour later and I'm almost in the exact same spot that I was. The book is very short but it feels like it has dragged on forever. There are also obvious signs of abuse in the main character and her mother's relationship, but as futuristic as the society is they seem to not be able to determine abuse at home. Also, if this is a utopia, why is there even abuse? And I know the answer is that this is not really a utopia, but if the mother doesn't have a bigger plot in this book then why does she act the way she does? However the book doesn't intrigue me so much that I want to find out. I will say though this is much better written than the other book that I got to read early by them which shows some improvement in their writing but again I think that they like to take trends in ya and put them into their books to make quick cash.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
Book: The Key to Fear
Author: Kirsten Cast
Book Series: The Key Series Book 1
Rating: 1/5
Recommended For...: Dystopian, pandemic
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Pages: 320
Recommended Age: can't recommend, DNF but (Mention of weight, dieting, Pandemic Dystopian, Sexual content, Weird stalkerish content presented as love)
Synopsis: To Health.
To Life.
To the Future.
We are The Key.
'No touching today for a healthy tomorrow.'
Elodie obeys The Key. Elodie obeys the rules. Elodie trusts in the system. At least, Elodie used to...
Aidan is a rebel. Aidan doesn't do what he's told. Aidan just wants to be free. Aidan is on his last chance...
After a pandemic wiped out most of the human race, The Key took power. The Key dictates the rules. They govern in order to keep people safe. But as Elodie and Aidan begin to discover there is another side to The Key, they realise not everything is as it seems.
Rather than playing protector, The Key are playing God.
Review: I am dnfing this book at about 43.7% of the way through. I think I am unfortunately at a point in my life where I have outgrown P.C and Kirsten Cast. I feel like they don't really write well anymore for what I am looking for in a ya book. I see that they just take trends and basically copy them or amplify them a little bit on page to make their own books, and I'm really not into it anymore. I also think the timing of this book is a bit ill-timed. We are still in the middle of a pandemic of monstrous proportions, and making light of it in the book, as the book takes place in the future past a pandemic that killed a ton of people and now the people of this future have problems with touching each other and not wearing masks and stuff like that, is a bit insensitive. I don't think that this book should be published in the middle of a pandemic, but maybe should be published after everything has died down a bit. there are other things that I also didn't like about this book. I felt like the book was very ill-written. The writing is not that good and I felt like a lot of random ya tropes were just thrown into the book for the sake of it being ya? I also have issues with the pacing, I am listening to this book on audiobook and I could send it down and walk away and come back an hour later and I'm almost in the exact same spot that I was. The book is very short but it feels like it has dragged on forever. There are also obvious signs of abuse in the main character and her mother's relationship, but as futuristic as the society is they seem to not be able to determine abuse at home. Also, if this is a utopia, why is there even abuse? And I know the answer is that this is not really a utopia, but if the mother doesn't have a bigger plot in this book then why does she act the way she does? However the book doesn't intrigue me so much that I want to find out. I will say though this is much better written than the other book that I got to read early by them which shows some improvement in their writing but again I think that they like to take trends in ya and put them into their books to make quick cash.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from TBR and Beyond Tours and the publishers. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Camelot Betrayal
Author: Kiersten White
Book Series: Camelot Rising Book 2
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Fantasy lovers, romance
Publication Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 384
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, TW physical and emotional abuse, misogyny)
Synopsis: EVERYTHING IS AS IT SHOULD BE IN CAMELOT: King Arthur is expanding his kingdom’s influence with Queen Guinevere at his side. Yet every night, dreams of darkness and unknowable power plague her.
Guinevere might have accepted her role, but she still cannot find a place for herself in all of it. The closer she gets to Brangien, pining for her lost love Isolde, Lancelot, fighting to prove her worth as Queen’s knight, and Arthur, everything to everyone and thus never quite enough for Guinevere–the more she realizes how empty she is. She has no sense of who she truly was before she was Guinevere. The more she tries to claim herself as queen, the more she wonders if Mordred was right: she doesn’t belong. She never will.
When a rescue goes awry and results in the death of something precious, a devastated Guinevere returns to Camelot to find the greatest threat yet has arrived. Not in the form of the Dark Queen or an invading army, but in the form of the real Guinevere’s younger sister. Is her deception at an end? And who is she really deceiving–Camelot, or herself?
Review: Overall, this is a good sequel. The book did well to continue developing characters and the world building was pretty good. The plot kept me hooked from beginning to end and I am excited to see the results of book 3.
While I liked the book I felt it didn't do well in the beginning to summarize the events of book 1. I felt so lost and confused for most of the beginning of the book because I couldn't remember the first book. The book had some very VERY fast pacing and I got whiplash while reading the book. The book is also very predictable and it was easy to see where the events were leading to and there was no romance in the book, only hints and maybes.
Verdict: It's good but read it back to back with book 1.
Book: The Camelot Betrayal
Author: Kiersten White
Book Series: Camelot Rising Book 2
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Fantasy lovers, romance
Publication Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 384
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, TW physical and emotional abuse, misogyny)
Synopsis: EVERYTHING IS AS IT SHOULD BE IN CAMELOT: King Arthur is expanding his kingdom’s influence with Queen Guinevere at his side. Yet every night, dreams of darkness and unknowable power plague her.
Guinevere might have accepted her role, but she still cannot find a place for herself in all of it. The closer she gets to Brangien, pining for her lost love Isolde, Lancelot, fighting to prove her worth as Queen’s knight, and Arthur, everything to everyone and thus never quite enough for Guinevere–the more she realizes how empty she is. She has no sense of who she truly was before she was Guinevere. The more she tries to claim herself as queen, the more she wonders if Mordred was right: she doesn’t belong. She never will.
When a rescue goes awry and results in the death of something precious, a devastated Guinevere returns to Camelot to find the greatest threat yet has arrived. Not in the form of the Dark Queen or an invading army, but in the form of the real Guinevere’s younger sister. Is her deception at an end? And who is she really deceiving–Camelot, or herself?
Review: Overall, this is a good sequel. The book did well to continue developing characters and the world building was pretty good. The plot kept me hooked from beginning to end and I am excited to see the results of book 3.
While I liked the book I felt it didn't do well in the beginning to summarize the events of book 1. I felt so lost and confused for most of the beginning of the book because I couldn't remember the first book. The book had some very VERY fast pacing and I got whiplash while reading the book. The book is also very predictable and it was easy to see where the events were leading to and there was no romance in the book, only hints and maybes.
Verdict: It's good but read it back to back with book 1.
Disclaimer: I received this book through KidLitExchange and Sourcebooks Fire. Thanks! All opinions are my own!
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: August 7th, 2018
Genre: YA Horror
Recommended Age: 15+ (mental illness, scary moments, violence)
Pages: 320
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis:
I didn’t think that when I requested this book it would be SO SCARY! Like I love horror films and I love horror games, but horror books? I’m gonna have to rethink my position on them after this book. The scary moments were amazingly well written and the man vs. self conflict was really really well done. I thought overall most of the characters were engaging and the character development/relationship and dialogue with one another was very real.
However, I do think that there were some plot holes and the plot was a bit weak. The pacing felt off to me as well, like everything was happening much faster than what it should. And I feel that the main character really didn’t care what was going on in some parts of the book. I’m kind of baffled by her nonchalant attitude towards everything. It almost came off as cold or disconnected. Also, the writing really gets me confused. There were some parts of the book I had to read over and over again to understand what the author meant, including a part towards the beginning that almost comes off as the author being homophobic.
Verdict: Scarier than Madeline Roux.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: August 7th, 2018
Genre: YA Horror
Recommended Age: 15+ (mental illness, scary moments, violence)
Pages: 320
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis:
I didn’t think that when I requested this book it would be SO SCARY! Like I love horror films and I love horror games, but horror books? I’m gonna have to rethink my position on them after this book. The scary moments were amazingly well written and the man vs. self conflict was really really well done. I thought overall most of the characters were engaging and the character development/relationship and dialogue with one another was very real.
However, I do think that there were some plot holes and the plot was a bit weak. The pacing felt off to me as well, like everything was happening much faster than what it should. And I feel that the main character really didn’t care what was going on in some parts of the book. I’m kind of baffled by her nonchalant attitude towards everything. It almost came off as cold or disconnected. Also, the writing really gets me confused. There were some parts of the book I had to read over and over again to understand what the author meant, including a part towards the beginning that almost comes off as the author being homophobic.
Verdict: Scarier than Madeline Roux.
Disclaimer: I received this book on Netgalley! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Shatter the Sky Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Diversity: bisexual heroine f/f relationship, maybe biracial?
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Synopsis: Raised among the ruins of a conquered mountain nation, Maren dreams only of sharing a quiet life with her girlfriend Kaia—until the day Kaia is abducted by the Aurati, prophetic agents of the emperor, and forced to join their ranks. Desperate to save her, Maren hatches a plan to steal one of the emperor’s coveted dragons and storm the Aurati stronghold.
If Maren is to have any hope of succeeding, she must become an apprentice to the Aromatory—the emperor’s mysterious dragon trainer. But Maren is unprepared for the dangerous secrets she uncovers: rumors of a lost prince, a brewing rebellion, and a prophecy that threatens to shatter the empire itself. Not to mention the strange dreams she’s been having about a beast deep underground…
With time running out, can Maren survive long enough to rescue Kaia from impending death? Or could it be that Maren is destined for something greater than she could have ever imagined?
Review: As far as a fantasy I really liked this book. It was solid fantasy with great writing and solid characters. The story was made more fun and amazing with the inclusion of a bisexual girl who is in search of her missing girlfriend. I loved the world building as well.
However, the pacing slows in the middle and the book is predictable. I also think the book didn't have enough focus on the main character and her own character rather than this prophesized mysterious prince.
Verdict: A solid start to a series!
Book Series: Shatter the Sky Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Diversity: bisexual heroine f/f relationship, maybe biracial?
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Synopsis: Raised among the ruins of a conquered mountain nation, Maren dreams only of sharing a quiet life with her girlfriend Kaia—until the day Kaia is abducted by the Aurati, prophetic agents of the emperor, and forced to join their ranks. Desperate to save her, Maren hatches a plan to steal one of the emperor’s coveted dragons and storm the Aurati stronghold.
If Maren is to have any hope of succeeding, she must become an apprentice to the Aromatory—the emperor’s mysterious dragon trainer. But Maren is unprepared for the dangerous secrets she uncovers: rumors of a lost prince, a brewing rebellion, and a prophecy that threatens to shatter the empire itself. Not to mention the strange dreams she’s been having about a beast deep underground…
With time running out, can Maren survive long enough to rescue Kaia from impending death? Or could it be that Maren is destined for something greater than she could have ever imagined?
Review: As far as a fantasy I really liked this book. It was solid fantasy with great writing and solid characters. The story was made more fun and amazing with the inclusion of a bisexual girl who is in search of her missing girlfriend. I loved the world building as well.
However, the pacing slows in the middle and the book is predictable. I also think the book didn't have enough focus on the main character and her own character rather than this prophesized mysterious prince.
Verdict: A solid start to a series!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Wench
Author: Maxine Kaplan
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: ya readers, fantasy lovers
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (TW self-harm, violence, gore, sexual content)
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 400
Synopsis: Tanya has worked at her tavern since she was able to see over the bar. She broke up her first fight at 11. By the time she was a teenager she knew everything about the place, and she could run it with her eyes closed. She’d never let anyone—whether it be a drunkard or a captain of the queen’s guard—take advantage of her. But when her guardian dies, she might lose it all: the bar, her home, her purpose in life. So she heads out on a quest to petition the queen to keep the tavern in her name—dodging unscrupulous guards, a band of thieves, and a powerful, enchanted feather that seems drawn to her. Fast-paced, magical, and unapologetically feminist, Wench is epic fantasy like you’ve never seen it before.
Review: For the most part I thought that this was an okay book. The plot is really interesting and the book hooks you in immediately upon reading it. And I also like the premise of the book and the ending was very satisfying I like some of the books that I've read in this genre.
However, there were some things that didn't make this a memorable book. The character development is literally non-existent and the author takes no time to world build. The pacing is super fast and within about 30 pages I was in a completely different setting and very confused. the author also doesn't explain the backstory and expects us to feel sorry for this character for the death of a father figure to her but yet we are given no information on how he was a father figure to her. I think that this book read more like a first draft than it did a book.
Verdict: It’s good, just needed more work.
Book: Wench
Author: Maxine Kaplan
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: ya readers, fantasy lovers
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (TW self-harm, violence, gore, sexual content)
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 400
Synopsis: Tanya has worked at her tavern since she was able to see over the bar. She broke up her first fight at 11. By the time she was a teenager she knew everything about the place, and she could run it with her eyes closed. She’d never let anyone—whether it be a drunkard or a captain of the queen’s guard—take advantage of her. But when her guardian dies, she might lose it all: the bar, her home, her purpose in life. So she heads out on a quest to petition the queen to keep the tavern in her name—dodging unscrupulous guards, a band of thieves, and a powerful, enchanted feather that seems drawn to her. Fast-paced, magical, and unapologetically feminist, Wench is epic fantasy like you’ve never seen it before.
Review: For the most part I thought that this was an okay book. The plot is really interesting and the book hooks you in immediately upon reading it. And I also like the premise of the book and the ending was very satisfying I like some of the books that I've read in this genre.
However, there were some things that didn't make this a memorable book. The character development is literally non-existent and the author takes no time to world build. The pacing is super fast and within about 30 pages I was in a completely different setting and very confused. the author also doesn't explain the backstory and expects us to feel sorry for this character for the death of a father figure to her but yet we are given no information on how he was a father figure to her. I think that this book read more like a first draft than it did a book.
Verdict: It’s good, just needed more work.
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Revenge of the Sluts
Author: Natalie Walton
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: The MC is at least half Korean, but unsure if accurate characterization
Recommended For...: ya readers, contemporary lovers, social justice
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual exploitation, nudes leaked, sexual content, language, slight violence)
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Pages: 328
Synopsis: As a lead reporter for The Warrior Weekly, Eden has covered her fair share of stories at St. Joseph's High School. And when intimate pictures of seven female students are anonymously emailed to the entire school, Eden is determined to get to the bottom of it.
In tracking down leads, Eden is shocked to discover not everyone agrees the students are victims. Some people feel the girls "brought it on themselves." Even worse, the school’s administration seems more concerned about protecting its reputation than its students.
With the anonymous sender threatening more emails, Eden finds an unlikely ally: the seven young women themselves. Banding together to find the perpetrator, the tables are about to be turned. The Slut Squad is fighting back!
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. I thought that the concept was very modern for today's teens. the concept that your nudes can be leaked at any time and for your school to be sexist and not act accordingly is very very real to many teens and I don't think a lot of people realize that. I think that it is entirely up to them as adults to send their nudes around, it's an entirely different thing when their children as they could be charged with child pornography, but to not have a book that can talk about the consequences of it and the what-ifs about any situation doesn't really fully exist in young adult literature yet. I think that, while I have some issues with this book, that this is a good step in the right direction to help prepare modern teens for a more technologically scary world. I also thought that the characters were very well done and developed, and the plot immediately hooked me into the book and I managed to finish it and two hours.
However there are some things in the book that I didn't necessarily like. For example the main character is part Korean at least but I don't know how well she is described to tell if it's an accurate characterization or not. I also found some slight inconsistencies with pornography laws in the book versus what they are in reality. For the most part this book is very well researched. It is true that Massachusetts does not have any laws regarding revenge porn, and I believe that every state should have those laws in place because I believe that distribution of "not your adult porn" is illegal. But I do have a concern when regarding distribution of porn to a minor. in the book a mass email is sent out to the entire student population of these girls naked pictures. And while the book states that all the girls are 18 and I have reason to believe that the person who distributed the nude photos is 18, I don't think that the email only limited itself to just people over the age of 18 in that school. I can't find the exact statute, but I believe in many states that distribution of porn to a minor is illegal, so the police really should have been involved with the case from the get-go. But as we have all come to learn in 2020, there are some people who become cops because they like the power and don't like to work within the legal means of the system. But other than that small legal matter that I debated in my head throughout the book, the only other issue that I have with the book is that the boys didn't see any repercussions besides a talking to. And while that is the most realistic outcome for these situations, I would like it if I ever had a child for them to live in a world where boys get there proper punishments as they deserve instead of it being slit under the rug as a "boys will be boys"moment.
Verdict: It was a great book!
Book: Revenge of the Sluts
Author: Natalie Walton
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: The MC is at least half Korean, but unsure if accurate characterization
Recommended For...: ya readers, contemporary lovers, social justice
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual exploitation, nudes leaked, sexual content, language, slight violence)
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Pages: 328
Synopsis: As a lead reporter for The Warrior Weekly, Eden has covered her fair share of stories at St. Joseph's High School. And when intimate pictures of seven female students are anonymously emailed to the entire school, Eden is determined to get to the bottom of it.
In tracking down leads, Eden is shocked to discover not everyone agrees the students are victims. Some people feel the girls "brought it on themselves." Even worse, the school’s administration seems more concerned about protecting its reputation than its students.
With the anonymous sender threatening more emails, Eden finds an unlikely ally: the seven young women themselves. Banding together to find the perpetrator, the tables are about to be turned. The Slut Squad is fighting back!
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. I thought that the concept was very modern for today's teens. the concept that your nudes can be leaked at any time and for your school to be sexist and not act accordingly is very very real to many teens and I don't think a lot of people realize that. I think that it is entirely up to them as adults to send their nudes around, it's an entirely different thing when their children as they could be charged with child pornography, but to not have a book that can talk about the consequences of it and the what-ifs about any situation doesn't really fully exist in young adult literature yet. I think that, while I have some issues with this book, that this is a good step in the right direction to help prepare modern teens for a more technologically scary world. I also thought that the characters were very well done and developed, and the plot immediately hooked me into the book and I managed to finish it and two hours.
However there are some things in the book that I didn't necessarily like. For example the main character is part Korean at least but I don't know how well she is described to tell if it's an accurate characterization or not. I also found some slight inconsistencies with pornography laws in the book versus what they are in reality. For the most part this book is very well researched. It is true that Massachusetts does not have any laws regarding revenge porn, and I believe that every state should have those laws in place because I believe that distribution of "not your adult porn" is illegal. But I do have a concern when regarding distribution of porn to a minor. in the book a mass email is sent out to the entire student population of these girls naked pictures. And while the book states that all the girls are 18 and I have reason to believe that the person who distributed the nude photos is 18, I don't think that the email only limited itself to just people over the age of 18 in that school. I can't find the exact statute, but I believe in many states that distribution of porn to a minor is illegal, so the police really should have been involved with the case from the get-go. But as we have all come to learn in 2020, there are some people who become cops because they like the power and don't like to work within the legal means of the system. But other than that small legal matter that I debated in my head throughout the book, the only other issue that I have with the book is that the boys didn't see any repercussions besides a talking to. And while that is the most realistic outcome for these situations, I would like it if I ever had a child for them to live in a world where boys get there proper punishments as they deserve instead of it being slit under the rug as a "boys will be boys"moment.
Verdict: It was a great book!