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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from @authorjenniferlkelly. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: September 18, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (greek mythology awesomeness)
Pages: 225
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Persephone is dying and Vic will do everything in her power to save her mother from the poison that seeps through her immortal veins. Even if it means losing the person she hopes to become.
Desperate to save his wife, Hades sends his daughter to the Above World to reap the souls of the living. What he does not count on is that she will meet a boy who could possibly be the unraveling of the Olympians.
Callum Bishop is new to Olympia—just trying to make it through senior year—when he meets the enigmatic Victoriana Haden. Soon he finds himself learning of the world embedded within his own and the secrets that it holds which could rock the mortal world to its core.
I thought this book was highly imaginative and creative. It had the feel of a grown-up Percy Jackson but with some twists. I feel that the plot was unique and surprising, the character development was great, and the overall pacing of the book was on point. Even when I thought the book was going to stall out and die, it surprised me and twisted in a way I wasn't expecting.
However, I feel like the POV shifts could have been better defined and I feel that the book was a tad confusing in places. I had to reread some lines in order to fully get what was going on.
Verdict: An excellent retelling that any Greek Mythology lover would greatly enjoy!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: September 18, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (greek mythology awesomeness)
Pages: 225
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Persephone is dying and Vic will do everything in her power to save her mother from the poison that seeps through her immortal veins. Even if it means losing the person she hopes to become.
Desperate to save his wife, Hades sends his daughter to the Above World to reap the souls of the living. What he does not count on is that she will meet a boy who could possibly be the unraveling of the Olympians.
Callum Bishop is new to Olympia—just trying to make it through senior year—when he meets the enigmatic Victoriana Haden. Soon he finds himself learning of the world embedded within his own and the secrets that it holds which could rock the mortal world to its core.
I thought this book was highly imaginative and creative. It had the feel of a grown-up Percy Jackson but with some twists. I feel that the plot was unique and surprising, the character development was great, and the overall pacing of the book was on point. Even when I thought the book was going to stall out and die, it surprised me and twisted in a way I wasn't expecting.
However, I feel like the POV shifts could have been better defined and I feel that the book was a tad confusing in places. I had to reread some lines in order to fully get what was going on.
Verdict: An excellent retelling that any Greek Mythology lover would greatly enjoy!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Rockstar Tours and The Parliament House. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 2nd, 2018
Genre: Fantasy Retelling
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, mature scenes)
Pages: 289
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Despite being an art history student, Summer isn’t thrilled to be stuck with her archeologist family all summer in Greece. While the rest of her college friends are posting a million selfies by the pool together, Summer is stuck alone, trying to entertain herself alone in a place where she doesn’t even speak the language.
Upon her arrival to Greece, strange dreams and even stranger shadows seem to haunt Summer, leaving her to ponder the meaning of pomegranate seeds and twisted, darkened faces.
Suddenly, her stay abroad leads to tragic twists, leaving Summer in the arms of a dark stranger, who claims to be the god, Hades, whom she feels like she knows from another life. In a whirlwind through the busy streets of Athens, Summer is seduced to the lowest point of Greece where Hades’ lair awaits…the Underworld. Determined to find out who she is and where she belongs in an age-old myth, Summer joins Hades to discover that the secrets about her past life are beyond anything she could have ever imagined.
For the most part I thought this was a good book. I love the Hades and Persephone retelling aspect and I feel that there’s not enough books out about this. I felt that for the most part the author did well with the retelling and it kept me intrigued throughout the book. The concept of this book is entirely fascinating, I really like the flashbacks and how the story is told, and I felt that the romance was very realistic.
However, I do think that the characters weren’t as developed as I would have liked them to be. I would have liked for more of the different characters we get to see throughout the book and I would have liked for the pacing to be a bit slower.
Verdict: I solid romance for the Greek loving kind.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 2nd, 2018
Genre: Fantasy Retelling
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, mature scenes)
Pages: 289
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Despite being an art history student, Summer isn’t thrilled to be stuck with her archeologist family all summer in Greece. While the rest of her college friends are posting a million selfies by the pool together, Summer is stuck alone, trying to entertain herself alone in a place where she doesn’t even speak the language.
Upon her arrival to Greece, strange dreams and even stranger shadows seem to haunt Summer, leaving her to ponder the meaning of pomegranate seeds and twisted, darkened faces.
Suddenly, her stay abroad leads to tragic twists, leaving Summer in the arms of a dark stranger, who claims to be the god, Hades, whom she feels like she knows from another life. In a whirlwind through the busy streets of Athens, Summer is seduced to the lowest point of Greece where Hades’ lair awaits…the Underworld. Determined to find out who she is and where she belongs in an age-old myth, Summer joins Hades to discover that the secrets about her past life are beyond anything she could have ever imagined.
For the most part I thought this was a good book. I love the Hades and Persephone retelling aspect and I feel that there’s not enough books out about this. I felt that for the most part the author did well with the retelling and it kept me intrigued throughout the book. The concept of this book is entirely fascinating, I really like the flashbacks and how the story is told, and I felt that the romance was very realistic.
However, I do think that the characters weren’t as developed as I would have liked them to be. I would have liked for more of the different characters we get to see throughout the book and I would have liked for the pacing to be a bit slower.
Verdict: I solid romance for the Greek loving kind.
Disclaimer: I bought this book on my own! Yay!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 28th, 2017
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, police brutality, mention of drugs, gun violence, rioting, the feeling that we’re not doing enough for kids, the anger of seeing an innocent cut down by someone who’s supposed to be protecting people not killing people, unfair and unjust death, racial profiling, racist attitudes and racism, acceptance, love, and oh my god just read this book ASAP)
Pages: 438
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?"
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.
Holy shit what can I say about this book that hasn’t been said? From page one I knew that I would love this book and I’ve been purposely avoiding reviews so as to not taint my opinion of it. But for the THUG-athon hosted by @ninetieslibrary I had to read it (also because the movie is coming out on October 19th) and I just instantly fell in love. Starr is a character that you feel like could and would be your best friend. She has such honesty in how she speaks and she’s so realistic. At times when I was sobbing in this book I just wanted to hold Starr. I loved how diverse the characters were and how developed each of them were. The writing was powerful and you can tell Angie Thomas has a wonderful gift with words.
The only thing I wish the book had in it was more of a conclusion, but it was realistic in how the book ended. Things weren’t perfect, but they were okay for the time and that’s how life is.
Verdict: Go. Read. This. Book. Today.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 28th, 2017
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, police brutality, mention of drugs, gun violence, rioting, the feeling that we’re not doing enough for kids, the anger of seeing an innocent cut down by someone who’s supposed to be protecting people not killing people, unfair and unjust death, racial profiling, racist attitudes and racism, acceptance, love, and oh my god just read this book ASAP)
Pages: 438
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?"
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.
Holy shit what can I say about this book that hasn’t been said? From page one I knew that I would love this book and I’ve been purposely avoiding reviews so as to not taint my opinion of it. But for the THUG-athon hosted by @ninetieslibrary I had to read it (also because the movie is coming out on October 19th) and I just instantly fell in love. Starr is a character that you feel like could and would be your best friend. She has such honesty in how she speaks and she’s so realistic. At times when I was sobbing in this book I just wanted to hold Starr. I loved how diverse the characters were and how developed each of them were. The writing was powerful and you can tell Angie Thomas has a wonderful gift with words.
The only thing I wish the book had in it was more of a conclusion, but it was realistic in how the book ended. Things weren’t perfect, but they were okay for the time and that’s how life is.
Verdict: Go. Read. This. Book. Today.
Disclaimer: I got this book on my own! Yay!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 30th, 2017
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 14+ (mentions of sex, mature scenes, violence, gore, death, suicide, attempted suicide, cyberbullying, mentions of drugs, a slightly abusive relationship, and mentions of school shootings)
Pages: 361
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.
Pay close attention and you might solve this.
On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.
Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?
Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.
From the first page I was hooked and really intrigued by this story. I felt that this might be an easily predictable book, but it kept me guessing from page one to page 361. Karen McManus not only has a talent for writing, but also a talent for thrilling and unguessable mysteries. The voice that she uses with each of the kids are unique and compelling as well. This book also perfectly captures the trials and tribulations of high school and adolescence and it doesn’t shy away from tough topics. Other than that, the characters are well developed and the pacing is spot on.
However, I do feel like we could have got more backstories from the suspects families and we could have had a more conclusive resolution with Cooper and Addy. But the open-ended ending feels that the author left room for there to be more books set in this universe, so maybe we’ll get a resolution one day.
Verdict: A thriller that will scare you this Halloween season!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 30th, 2017
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 14+ (mentions of sex, mature scenes, violence, gore, death, suicide, attempted suicide, cyberbullying, mentions of drugs, a slightly abusive relationship, and mentions of school shootings)
Pages: 361
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.
Pay close attention and you might solve this.
On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.
Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?
Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.
From the first page I was hooked and really intrigued by this story. I felt that this might be an easily predictable book, but it kept me guessing from page one to page 361. Karen McManus not only has a talent for writing, but also a talent for thrilling and unguessable mysteries. The voice that she uses with each of the kids are unique and compelling as well. This book also perfectly captures the trials and tribulations of high school and adolescence and it doesn’t shy away from tough topics. Other than that, the characters are well developed and the pacing is spot on.
However, I do feel like we could have got more backstories from the suspects families and we could have had a more conclusive resolution with Cooper and Addy. But the open-ended ending feels that the author left room for there to be more books set in this universe, so maybe we’ll get a resolution one day.
Verdict: A thriller that will scare you this Halloween season!
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Little Brown Young Readers and The Novl. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 16th, 2018
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 14+ (hacking, the digital apocalypse, some language, some romance)
Pages: 403
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Believing they have been recruited by the CIA, six teen hackers arrive in LA for a hacking aptitude test with the promise of a college scholarship and a job with the CIA after graduation. But one of the teens, Owen, walks out, refusing to participate. The other five decide to stay and complete the tests. When they finish, they leave feeling equally accomplished and unnerved.
Then silence-until they receive a text from Owen: You've been played. He's uncovered evidence that the hackers created "Phantom Wheel," the most devastating virus ever made. Jacento, the corporation behind it all, plans to use this virus to gain unprecedented access to personal data. And that's just the beginning of the devastation. Can the teen hackers stop Phantom Wheel-and protect their own secrets from being revealed-before it's too late?
Ever since being with my husband I’ve developed a fascination with hacker novels. I love asking Ethan if stuff in the books are possible or not and what his opinions on things are and this book wasn’t any different. For the most part, I enjoyed the book. I loved the dynamic between the cast of characters, I loved how developed each of the characters were, and I felt that the plot was intriguing enough to keep me interested throughout the book. I felt that the pacing was level throughout the book as well.
The only things that concern me about this book are the time jumps. At times they seem uneven and awkward. The way the kids talk about different computer things and hacking items can be confusing to people who aren’t into that or who haven’t read books like this before. There’s no explanation to the stuff they talk about or do. There are also things the kids do that don’t have an explanation to them and the way their written can be confusing. For example, at one point the kids break into a building with a plan to gather something (trying to not be spoilery). The heist goes off like how it would in a movie, but there’s no prior explanation to the readers, which is a bit confusing at first. It’s like you’re an outsider looking in throughout this book and at times it works, but sometimes it really doesn’t.
Verdict: A excellent hacker novel that makes you want to binge.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 16th, 2018
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 14+ (hacking, the digital apocalypse, some language, some romance)
Pages: 403
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Believing they have been recruited by the CIA, six teen hackers arrive in LA for a hacking aptitude test with the promise of a college scholarship and a job with the CIA after graduation. But one of the teens, Owen, walks out, refusing to participate. The other five decide to stay and complete the tests. When they finish, they leave feeling equally accomplished and unnerved.
Then silence-until they receive a text from Owen: You've been played. He's uncovered evidence that the hackers created "Phantom Wheel," the most devastating virus ever made. Jacento, the corporation behind it all, plans to use this virus to gain unprecedented access to personal data. And that's just the beginning of the devastation. Can the teen hackers stop Phantom Wheel-and protect their own secrets from being revealed-before it's too late?
Ever since being with my husband I’ve developed a fascination with hacker novels. I love asking Ethan if stuff in the books are possible or not and what his opinions on things are and this book wasn’t any different. For the most part, I enjoyed the book. I loved the dynamic between the cast of characters, I loved how developed each of the characters were, and I felt that the plot was intriguing enough to keep me interested throughout the book. I felt that the pacing was level throughout the book as well.
The only things that concern me about this book are the time jumps. At times they seem uneven and awkward. The way the kids talk about different computer things and hacking items can be confusing to people who aren’t into that or who haven’t read books like this before. There’s no explanation to the stuff they talk about or do. There are also things the kids do that don’t have an explanation to them and the way their written can be confusing. For example, at one point the kids break into a building with a plan to gather something (trying to not be spoilery). The heist goes off like how it would in a movie, but there’s no prior explanation to the readers, which is a bit confusing at first. It’s like you’re an outsider looking in throughout this book and at times it works, but sometimes it really doesn’t.
Verdict: A excellent hacker novel that makes you want to binge.
Disclaimer: I bought this book on my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Action
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, zombies, adult scenes, and the worst thing ever… preppers)
Pages: 218
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Prepping was his way of life.
Lincoln realizes it’s every man for himself when the big cities are swarming with the military and the law disappears in the tiny town of Dessarillo, Texas, causing chaos to erupt. People Lincoln’s known for years were attacking their friends and family with their minds set on eating them limb by limb. He’d been prepared for this exact moment, waiting for disaster to strike so he could take a front row seat to society’s self destruction.
As an outcast, he learned to rely on no one. Until he unexpectedly finds his life in the hands of his neighbor, Wyatt, the man proving to be trustworthy. Together they try to carve out a safe place while people are turning into flesh eating monsters, decaying from the inside out, and destroying humanity one bite at a time.
I want to start this review by saying this book is completely adult, but if you enjoy them or have permission from your parents to read adult material then this book might be the one for you. I liked the almost realistic descriptions of this world and the characters were intriguing. Kendra definitely has a talent for writing and this book was the best I’ve read from her.
However, I will say that the book could have used more developed characters and events. I think that the book was a bit rushed and Lincoln was definitely underdeveloped. It was funny as well, but some of the jokes felt too forced and, since I know that she intended for the book to be written more masculine, I felt that making Lincoln so “sexy” kinda negated that for me. Again, there are some adult scenes in there as well and some needless romance, but that’s just my opinion.
Verdict: The most realistic zombie book you’ll ever read.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Action
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, zombies, adult scenes, and the worst thing ever… preppers)
Pages: 218
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Prepping was his way of life.
Lincoln realizes it’s every man for himself when the big cities are swarming with the military and the law disappears in the tiny town of Dessarillo, Texas, causing chaos to erupt. People Lincoln’s known for years were attacking their friends and family with their minds set on eating them limb by limb. He’d been prepared for this exact moment, waiting for disaster to strike so he could take a front row seat to society’s self destruction.
As an outcast, he learned to rely on no one. Until he unexpectedly finds his life in the hands of his neighbor, Wyatt, the man proving to be trustworthy. Together they try to carve out a safe place while people are turning into flesh eating monsters, decaying from the inside out, and destroying humanity one bite at a time.
I want to start this review by saying this book is completely adult, but if you enjoy them or have permission from your parents to read adult material then this book might be the one for you. I liked the almost realistic descriptions of this world and the characters were intriguing. Kendra definitely has a talent for writing and this book was the best I’ve read from her.
However, I will say that the book could have used more developed characters and events. I think that the book was a bit rushed and Lincoln was definitely underdeveloped. It was funny as well, but some of the jokes felt too forced and, since I know that she intended for the book to be written more masculine, I felt that making Lincoln so “sexy” kinda negated that for me. Again, there are some adult scenes in there as well and some needless romance, but that’s just my opinion.
Verdict: The most realistic zombie book you’ll ever read.
Disclaimer: None. I bought this book on my own!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: June 7th, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore, racism allegories, flashbacks of horrible unspeakable acts, and music)
Pages: 469
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.
Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.
Review: This is a reread for me and not really much has changed from my original review. I feel that this book is gritty and amazing. It explores racism, especially within the Jim Crow era, in a way that you wouldn’t initially realize, and it has some of the best quotes. I feel that the book is written well. The characters are developed and the story is plotted well.
However, I did realize in my reread that there are significant plot holes and that this book isn’t really memorable. Going back into this book I didn’t really remember everything that happened and even after my second reread I am struggling to remember every twist and turn August and Kate make.
Verdict: I good book for English class, but maybe not the best for entertainment.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: June 7th, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore, racism allegories, flashbacks of horrible unspeakable acts, and music)
Pages: 469
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.
Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.
Review: This is a reread for me and not really much has changed from my original review. I feel that this book is gritty and amazing. It explores racism, especially within the Jim Crow era, in a way that you wouldn’t initially realize, and it has some of the best quotes. I feel that the book is written well. The characters are developed and the story is plotted well.
However, I did realize in my reread that there are significant plot holes and that this book isn’t really memorable. Going back into this book I didn’t really remember everything that happened and even after my second reread I am struggling to remember every twist and turn August and Kate make.
Verdict: I good book for English class, but maybe not the best for entertainment.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: May 17th, 2016
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence and paranormal activity)
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes is an unparalleled genius who uses the gift of deduction and reason to solve the most vexing of crimes.
Warlock Holmes, however, is an idiot. A good man, perhaps; a font of arcane power, certainly. But he’s brilliantly dim. Frankly, he couldn’t deduce his way out of a paper bag. The only thing he has really got going for him are the might of a thousand demons and his stalwart flatmate. Thankfully, Dr. Watson is always there to aid him through the treacherous shoals of Victorian propriety… and save him from a gruesome death every now and again.
An imaginative, irreverent and addictive reimagining of the world’s favourite detective, Warlock Holmes retains the charm, tone and feel of the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle while finally giving the flat at 221b Baker Street what it’s been missing for all these years: an alchemy table.
Reimagining six stories, this riotous mash-up is a glorious new take on the ever-popular Sherlock Holmes myth, featuring the vampire Inspector Vladislav Lestrade, the ogre Inspector Torg Grogsson, and Dr. Watson, the true detective at 221b. And Sherlock. A warlock.
Review: I’m not a Sherlock fan.
*looks around at all the Sherlock memorabilia I have*
*remembers the disappoint I have from not getting to go see 221B Baker Street*
*sees Sherlock doesn’t have a new season on Netflix yet*
Okay, who am I kidding? I love Sherlock and John! They’re one of the best literary duos ever written and the books translate so well into movies and even modern movies with twists. The retelling books are wonderful as well and this book is no exception. It’s a parody retelling of Sherlock in which our favorite detective maybe isn’t the brightest crayon in the box. The dynamic between Watson and Holmes is brilliant and the way the author writes these retold characters as monsters is pretty spot on from their original characters. I really enjoyed the books. They were funny and smart. The plots were well thought out and the characters were fairly well developed.
I feel that the book’s writing style was a little hard for me to read (but it was wrote in that Victorian speech and I have issues reading that sometimes). I also feel that the book had some corny moments and some predictable bits. And sometimes the solutions to the “mysteries” were a bit out there.
Verdict: Definitely reading Book 2.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: May 17th, 2016
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence and paranormal activity)
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes is an unparalleled genius who uses the gift of deduction and reason to solve the most vexing of crimes.
Warlock Holmes, however, is an idiot. A good man, perhaps; a font of arcane power, certainly. But he’s brilliantly dim. Frankly, he couldn’t deduce his way out of a paper bag. The only thing he has really got going for him are the might of a thousand demons and his stalwart flatmate. Thankfully, Dr. Watson is always there to aid him through the treacherous shoals of Victorian propriety… and save him from a gruesome death every now and again.
An imaginative, irreverent and addictive reimagining of the world’s favourite detective, Warlock Holmes retains the charm, tone and feel of the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle while finally giving the flat at 221b Baker Street what it’s been missing for all these years: an alchemy table.
Reimagining six stories, this riotous mash-up is a glorious new take on the ever-popular Sherlock Holmes myth, featuring the vampire Inspector Vladislav Lestrade, the ogre Inspector Torg Grogsson, and Dr. Watson, the true detective at 221b. And Sherlock. A warlock.
Review: I’m not a Sherlock fan.
*looks around at all the Sherlock memorabilia I have*
*remembers the disappoint I have from not getting to go see 221B Baker Street*
*sees Sherlock doesn’t have a new season on Netflix yet*
Okay, who am I kidding? I love Sherlock and John! They’re one of the best literary duos ever written and the books translate so well into movies and even modern movies with twists. The retelling books are wonderful as well and this book is no exception. It’s a parody retelling of Sherlock in which our favorite detective maybe isn’t the brightest crayon in the box. The dynamic between Watson and Holmes is brilliant and the way the author writes these retold characters as monsters is pretty spot on from their original characters. I really enjoyed the books. They were funny and smart. The plots were well thought out and the characters were fairly well developed.
I feel that the book’s writing style was a little hard for me to read (but it was wrote in that Victorian speech and I have issues reading that sometimes). I also feel that the book had some corny moments and some predictable bits. And sometimes the solutions to the “mysteries” were a bit out there.
Verdict: Definitely reading Book 2.
Disclaimer: None, I bought this book on my own.
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (creepy moments, death, demons, murder, possession)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A girl with a secret talent must save her village from the encroaching darkness in this haunting and deeply satisfying tale.
Alys was seven when the soul eaters came to her village.
These soul eaters, twin sisters who were abandoned by their father and slowly morphed into something not quite human, devour human souls. Alys, and all the other children, were spared—and they were sent to live in a neighboring village. There the devout people created a strict world where good and evil are as fundamental as the nursery rhymes children sing. Fear of the soul eaters—and of the Beast they believe guides them—rule village life. But the Beast is not what they think it is. And neither is Alys.
Inside, Alys feels connected to the soul eaters, and maybe even to the Beast itself. As she grows from a child to a teenager, she longs for the freedom of the forest. And she has a gift she can tell no one, for fear they will call her a witch. When disaster strikes, Alys finds herself on a journey to heal herself and her world. A journey that will take her through the darkest parts of the forest, where danger threatens her from the outside—and from within her own heart and soul.
Review: This book is really interesting. It’s told in a creepy way without being overly cheesy, the book continues the creepy vibe throughout the book. The plot is intriguing and the writing flows really well. The book is also very well paced and I didn’t feel there was any lag at any point in the book.
However, I was confused by the ending and I was left with a sense of lose at the end. I also feel that some of the characters weren’t as well developed as others. Some of them were repeating characters in the narrative but they were hardly developed.
Verdict: A creepy story perfect for Halloween.
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (creepy moments, death, demons, murder, possession)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A girl with a secret talent must save her village from the encroaching darkness in this haunting and deeply satisfying tale.
Alys was seven when the soul eaters came to her village.
These soul eaters, twin sisters who were abandoned by their father and slowly morphed into something not quite human, devour human souls. Alys, and all the other children, were spared—and they were sent to live in a neighboring village. There the devout people created a strict world where good and evil are as fundamental as the nursery rhymes children sing. Fear of the soul eaters—and of the Beast they believe guides them—rule village life. But the Beast is not what they think it is. And neither is Alys.
Inside, Alys feels connected to the soul eaters, and maybe even to the Beast itself. As she grows from a child to a teenager, she longs for the freedom of the forest. And she has a gift she can tell no one, for fear they will call her a witch. When disaster strikes, Alys finds herself on a journey to heal herself and her world. A journey that will take her through the darkest parts of the forest, where danger threatens her from the outside—and from within her own heart and soul.
Review: This book is really interesting. It’s told in a creepy way without being overly cheesy, the book continues the creepy vibe throughout the book. The plot is intriguing and the writing flows really well. The book is also very well paced and I didn’t feel there was any lag at any point in the book.
However, I was confused by the ending and I was left with a sense of lose at the end. I also feel that some of the characters weren’t as well developed as others. Some of them were repeating characters in the narrative but they were hardly developed.
Verdict: A creepy story perfect for Halloween.
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Disclaimer: None, I bought this on my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (TW for attempted rape and lewd behavior) (violence, death, heart attacks)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 342
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Synopsis: Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.
Review: So I went into this hearing my friends tell me how horrible of a book it was. And for the most part I loved it. I felt very connected with Eadlyn. I have a personality like hers (I’m less spoiled however) and I don’t like not being in control and I don’t like letting people in. I really felt for her more than I did America and I would say I prefer these books to America’s. I also felt the story continued perfectly and the voice changed perfectly. The writing was still on point and the story was just as intriguing.
The only issues I had with the book were that I felt it was a bit rushed. I think it could have been slowed down a bit and it would have been perfect. I also feel that there were a lot more trigger warnings in this book and there was some questionable homophobic remarks that made me question this book.
Verdict: The new queen reigns!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (TW for attempted rape and lewd behavior) (violence, death, heart attacks)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 342
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.
Review: So I went into this hearing my friends tell me how horrible of a book it was. And for the most part I loved it. I felt very connected with Eadlyn. I have a personality like hers (I’m less spoiled however) and I don’t like not being in control and I don’t like letting people in. I really felt for her more than I did America and I would say I prefer these books to America’s. I also felt the story continued perfectly and the voice changed perfectly. The writing was still on point and the story was just as intriguing.
The only issues I had with the book were that I felt it was a bit rushed. I think it could have been slowed down a bit and it would have been perfect. I also feel that there were a lot more trigger warnings in this book and there was some questionable homophobic remarks that made me question this book.
Verdict: The new queen reigns!