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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this book from KidLitExchange as a backlog copy to read and review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: don’t know, DNF
Publication Date: February 1, 2016
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: can’t recommend due to DNF
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Jess Gordon is out for revenge. Last year the jocks from Knights College tried to shame her best friend. This year she and a hand-picked college girl gang are going to get even.
The lesson: don't mess with Unity girls.
The target: Blondie, a typical Knights stud, arrogant, cold . . . and smart enough to keep up with Jess.
A neo-riot grrl with a penchant for fanning the flames meets a rugby-playing sexist pig - sworn enemies or two people who happen to find each other when they're at their most vulnerable?
It's all Girl meets Boy, Girl steals from Boy, seduces Boy, ties Boy to a chair and burns Boy's stuff. Just your typical love story.
A searingly honest and achingly funny story about love and sex amid the hotbed of university colleges by the award-winning author of Raw Blue.
Review: This was a DNF for me at page 50. This book was so hard to get into. I’m lost and confused and frustrated with this book. I feel like the writing style isn’t for me and I’m at a loss as to what is even going on.
Verdict: This could be a good book for you if you can get into it.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: don’t know, DNF
Publication Date: February 1, 2016
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: can’t recommend due to DNF
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Jess Gordon is out for revenge. Last year the jocks from Knights College tried to shame her best friend. This year she and a hand-picked college girl gang are going to get even.
The lesson: don't mess with Unity girls.
The target: Blondie, a typical Knights stud, arrogant, cold . . . and smart enough to keep up with Jess.
A neo-riot grrl with a penchant for fanning the flames meets a rugby-playing sexist pig - sworn enemies or two people who happen to find each other when they're at their most vulnerable?
It's all Girl meets Boy, Girl steals from Boy, seduces Boy, ties Boy to a chair and burns Boy's stuff. Just your typical love story.
A searingly honest and achingly funny story about love and sex amid the hotbed of university colleges by the award-winning author of Raw Blue.
Review: This was a DNF for me at page 50. This book was so hard to get into. I’m lost and confused and frustrated with this book. I feel like the writing style isn’t for me and I’m at a loss as to what is even going on.
Verdict: This could be a good book for you if you can get into it.
Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Circuit Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: PTSD-like moments from main
Publication Date: October 26, 2018
Genre: Romance/Sci-fi
Recommended Age: 16+ (PTSD, love, romance, death, some violence)
Publisher: Self - Published
Pages: 288
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Two years ago, I joined an organization that was so top secret not even the FBI could locate us.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As a hacker, I teetered on the edge of right and wrong every single day, breaking the law to make the world around me a better place.
I knew how dangerous my work at Circuit was. I knew I could get caught one day and wind up behind bars for the rest of my life.
I didn’t care.
And then the packages started to show up on my doorstep. One after another. Never the same gift twice. Never the same day.
I warned my team, tried to get them to prepare for a takedown. They didn't seem as concerned as I was to learn my identity as Specter had been compromised.
I prepared for everything.
And then Sage Maddison appeared with one of the packages, snow-white hair and eyes filled with fear.
I was not prepared for her.
Review: I felt that if you are in for a romance book then this is your book. The characters are engaging and the story flows well. The characters are developed and the story is pretty well fleshed out. The pacing is also very even throughout the book.
However, I feel there are a lot of cliché moments that I wasn’t a fan of and I felt that some of the terms used were a bit cringy.
Verdict: A great romance.
Book Series: Circuit Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: PTSD-like moments from main
Publication Date: October 26, 2018
Genre: Romance/Sci-fi
Recommended Age: 16+ (PTSD, love, romance, death, some violence)
Publisher: Self - Published
Pages: 288
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Two years ago, I joined an organization that was so top secret not even the FBI could locate us.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As a hacker, I teetered on the edge of right and wrong every single day, breaking the law to make the world around me a better place.
I knew how dangerous my work at Circuit was. I knew I could get caught one day and wind up behind bars for the rest of my life.
I didn’t care.
And then the packages started to show up on my doorstep. One after another. Never the same gift twice. Never the same day.
I warned my team, tried to get them to prepare for a takedown. They didn't seem as concerned as I was to learn my identity as Specter had been compromised.
I prepared for everything.
And then Sage Maddison appeared with one of the packages, snow-white hair and eyes filled with fear.
I was not prepared for her.
Review: I felt that if you are in for a romance book then this is your book. The characters are engaging and the story flows well. The characters are developed and the story is pretty well fleshed out. The pacing is also very even throughout the book.
However, I feel there are a lot of cliché moments that I wasn’t a fan of and I felt that some of the terms used were a bit cringy.
Verdict: A great romance.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Standalone so far
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Not that I can remember, but I read this a bit ago
Publication Date: June 5, 2019
Genre: MG/YA Superhero
Recommended Age: 13+ (superheroes, experimentation, and sarcasm)
Publisher: Parliament House
Pages: 318
Amazon Link
Synopsis: ower. Courage. Invincibility. The marks of a true hero.
Meg Sawyer has none of these things.
Meg has never stopped a moving bus with her bare hands, been bitten by a radioactive insect, or done anything moderately resembling saving the world. She doesn't have to. She's a background citizen, a nobody, one of the swarms of faceless civilians of Lunar City--where genetically enhanced superhumans straight out of the comics have thwarted evil for years.
For as long as the Supers have existed, Meg has had one goal: to not become a casualty in their near-daily battles for justice. And for the last seventeen years, she's managed to do just that. Sure, her minimum-wage job at the local coffee shop isn’t great, she can’t even leave her apartment without loading herself up with protective gear, and her car was just hijacked to throw at a supervillain (again), but she’s not dead yet.
But when Meg accidentally finds one of the city's perfect, invincible protectors murdered under extremely suspicious circumstances, her whole “innocent bystander” strategy falls apart. After being coerced by his determined girlfriend into a mission to help prevent the deaths of the remaining Supers, Meg finds herself forced into the foreground of a story she never wanted to be part of—one that challenges everything she thought she knew about both her city and herself.
Review: This book is so cute and amazing! The book is sarcastic and witty, funny and touching, and the characters are perfection! They have an amazing voice and it feels like they’re real! The book is also well written and the plot is pretty well done!
My only issue is that the book had a bit of issue with pacing. It felt slow in areas and fast in others. I also don’t like how the characters aren’t multi-layered but I consider this book to be for younger audiences so I’m giving it leeway.
Verdict: If you like superheroes you’ll love this one!
Book Series: Standalone so far
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Not that I can remember, but I read this a bit ago
Publication Date: June 5, 2019
Genre: MG/YA Superhero
Recommended Age: 13+ (superheroes, experimentation, and sarcasm)
Publisher: Parliament House
Pages: 318
Amazon Link
Synopsis: ower. Courage. Invincibility. The marks of a true hero.
Meg Sawyer has none of these things.
Meg has never stopped a moving bus with her bare hands, been bitten by a radioactive insect, or done anything moderately resembling saving the world. She doesn't have to. She's a background citizen, a nobody, one of the swarms of faceless civilians of Lunar City--where genetically enhanced superhumans straight out of the comics have thwarted evil for years.
For as long as the Supers have existed, Meg has had one goal: to not become a casualty in their near-daily battles for justice. And for the last seventeen years, she's managed to do just that. Sure, her minimum-wage job at the local coffee shop isn’t great, she can’t even leave her apartment without loading herself up with protective gear, and her car was just hijacked to throw at a supervillain (again), but she’s not dead yet.
But when Meg accidentally finds one of the city's perfect, invincible protectors murdered under extremely suspicious circumstances, her whole “innocent bystander” strategy falls apart. After being coerced by his determined girlfriend into a mission to help prevent the deaths of the remaining Supers, Meg finds herself forced into the foreground of a story she never wanted to be part of—one that challenges everything she thought she knew about both her city and herself.
Review: This book is so cute and amazing! The book is sarcastic and witty, funny and touching, and the characters are perfection! They have an amazing voice and it feels like they’re real! The book is also well written and the plot is pretty well done!
My only issue is that the book had a bit of issue with pacing. It felt slow in areas and fast in others. I also don’t like how the characters aren’t multi-layered but I consider this book to be for younger audiences so I’m giving it leeway.
Verdict: If you like superheroes you’ll love this one!
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 8, 2005
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence, some gore, jumping off cliffs and roller coasters, fighting the government)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 425
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. In just a few weeks she'll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she'll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world-- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever...
Review: This book just brought back all sorts of childhood memories! I loved every moment of this book and I definitely love how I chose such a strong character as my childhood idol. The characters are very well developed and the plot is very intriguing. I also love the message Scott has about beauty standards as a whole.
However, I do feel like the pace is a bit wonky in places, too fast or too slow when they should be the opposite.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Book Series: Uglies Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 8, 2005
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence, some gore, jumping off cliffs and roller coasters, fighting the government)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 425
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. In just a few weeks she'll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she'll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world-- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever...
Review: This book just brought back all sorts of childhood memories! I loved every moment of this book and I definitely love how I chose such a strong character as my childhood idol. The characters are very well developed and the plot is very intriguing. I also love the message Scott has about beauty standards as a whole.
However, I do feel like the pace is a bit wonky in places, too fast or too slow when they should be the opposite.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!
Book Series: Uglies Series Book
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 21, 2008
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, romance, dictionary terms)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 196
Amazon Link
Synopsis: THE WORLD OF UGLIES, SET IN OUR NOT-SO-DISTANT FUTURE,is a complex place filled with bubbly technology and lingo, yet bogus rules about status and appearance. That's why a guide to the world of uglies has been requisitioned from the hole in the wall. Inside you'll find:
A rundown on all the cliques, from Crims and Cutters to tech-heads and surge-monkeys
The complete history, starting with the destruction of the oil bug to the launch of Extras in space
How all those awesome gadgets came to be: hoverboards, eyescreens, skintennas, sneak suits...
PLUS an exclusive look at Scott Westerfeld's first draft of Extras -- starring Hiro, not Aya.
And so much more, it's mind-wrecking.
Review: Oh. My. God. I loved this dictionary-like book! I loved seeing all the detail that went into this series and it just made my uglies loving heart soar! The details are fantastic and everything is so well explained.
However, I feel like there could be more and I’m a bit sad that some of the later cultures aren’t included in this book.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Book Series: Uglies Series Book
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 21, 2008
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, some gore, fighting the government, romance, dictionary terms)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 196
Amazon Link
Synopsis: THE WORLD OF UGLIES, SET IN OUR NOT-SO-DISTANT FUTURE,is a complex place filled with bubbly technology and lingo, yet bogus rules about status and appearance. That's why a guide to the world of uglies has been requisitioned from the hole in the wall. Inside you'll find:
A rundown on all the cliques, from Crims and Cutters to tech-heads and surge-monkeys
The complete history, starting with the destruction of the oil bug to the launch of Extras in space
How all those awesome gadgets came to be: hoverboards, eyescreens, skintennas, sneak suits...
PLUS an exclusive look at Scott Westerfeld's first draft of Extras -- starring Hiro, not Aya.
And so much more, it's mind-wrecking.
Review: Oh. My. God. I loved this dictionary-like book! I loved seeing all the detail that went into this series and it just made my uglies loving heart soar! The details are fantastic and everything is so well explained.
However, I feel like there could be more and I’m a bit sad that some of the later cultures aren’t included in this book.
Verdict: I still love this series.
Disclaimer: I bought this book for a readalong! Support your authors!
Book Series: The Remnant Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, violence, gore)
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 492
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.
Review: Overall, I liked this book. The book has very well developed characters, the plot is complex and intriguing, and the writing was fantastic. I also feel that this book was a great set up for the series. The romance was also solid!
However, I do feel that the pacing was a bit too slow for my liking and the book spent a lot of time on the romance and not so much the plot.
Verdict: A great series starter!
Book Series: The Remnant Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: n/a
Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, violence, gore)
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 492
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.
Review: Overall, I liked this book. The book has very well developed characters, the plot is complex and intriguing, and the writing was fantastic. I also feel that this book was a great set up for the series. The romance was also solid!
However, I do feel that the pacing was a bit too slow for my liking and the book spent a lot of time on the romance and not so much the plot.
Verdict: A great series starter!
Disclaimer: I received this copy from NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: The Age of Darkness Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, povs out the yingyang, and dark themes)
Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
Synopsis: The Age of Darkness approaches.
Five lives stand in its way.
Who will stop it... or unleash it?
For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared.
All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. As chaos takes hold, five souls are set on a collision course:
A prince exiled from his kingdom.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart.
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.
One of them―or all of them―could break the world. Will they be savior or destroyer?
Review: Okay this is a behemoth of a book for multiple reasons. The book is loaded with information and that makes the story very interesting. The characters are all well developed and the worldbuilding is gorgeous.
However, that info dump was a lot on me and the five different povs was just a tad overwhelming for me. The book is great but I just got overwhelmed.
Verdict: A decent book and I think the series will be amazing.
Book Series: The Age of Darkness Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, povs out the yingyang, and dark themes)
Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
Synopsis: The Age of Darkness approaches.
Five lives stand in its way.
Who will stop it... or unleash it?
For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared.
All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. As chaos takes hold, five souls are set on a collision course:
A prince exiled from his kingdom.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart.
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.
One of them―or all of them―could break the world. Will they be savior or destroyer?
Review: Okay this is a behemoth of a book for multiple reasons. The book is loaded with information and that makes the story very interesting. The characters are all well developed and the worldbuilding is gorgeous.
However, that info dump was a lot on me and the five different povs was just a tad overwhelming for me. The book is great but I just got overwhelmed.
Verdict: A decent book and I think the series will be amazing.
Disclaimer: I bought my own copy but then got a copy on Netgalley. Yay me! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 20, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (self-identity)
Publisher: Delacorte
Synopsis: Who is Nevaeh Levitz?
Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City, sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots. When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom's family home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.
Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but one of her cousins can't stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently passes as white, is too privileged, pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as African Americans. In the midst of attempting to blend their families, Nevaeh's dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. Even with the push and pull of her two cultures, Nevaeh does what she's always done when life gets complicated: she stays silent.
It's only when Nevaeh stumbles upon a secret from her mom's past, finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family faces that she begins to realize she has a voice. And she has choices. Will she continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she find power in herself and decide once and for all who and where she is meant to be?
Review; I thought this was a very lyrical and poetic book. The book kind of just sings to you and I loved how the book was mostly about the author's own and I liked how the characters were written dependent of each other.
However, it did feel like this book didn't really have an overall plot, but it was still amazing.
Verdict: Read this now!
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 20, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (self-identity)
Publisher: Delacorte
Synopsis: Who is Nevaeh Levitz?
Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City, sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots. When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom's family home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.
Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but one of her cousins can't stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently passes as white, is too privileged, pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as African Americans. In the midst of attempting to blend their families, Nevaeh's dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. Even with the push and pull of her two cultures, Nevaeh does what she's always done when life gets complicated: she stays silent.
It's only when Nevaeh stumbles upon a secret from her mom's past, finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family faces that she begins to realize she has a voice. And she has choices. Will she continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she find power in herself and decide once and for all who and where she is meant to be?
Review; I thought this was a very lyrical and poetic book. The book kind of just sings to you and I loved how the book was mostly about the author's own and I liked how the characters were written dependent of each other.
However, it did feel like this book didn't really have an overall plot, but it was still amazing.
Verdict: Read this now!
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Heck ya! Support your authors!
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Book Series: The Blood of Stars Book 1
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Diversity: Steeped in Chinese culture!
Recommended Age: 15+ (sewing lol, some violence, some slight gore, some magic)
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Synopsis: Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.
Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.
And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.
Review: For the most part I thought this book was so magical and amazing! I loved the spin on the classic Mulan tale and I loved how it was part Project Runway too! I felt that the book was well written, the story was intriguing, the characters well developed, and the world development within the first part of the book was fantastic.
However, I did have some issues with the book. I felt like these were two totally different books with the same characters. The plot of the first half finished so well and so cleanly, but then the plot of the second book was a bit of a mess. The romance felt a bit rushed for me and honestly Edan gave me some creeper vibes. The magic of this book also went a bit haywire in the second half of the book. I think the second book will clean things up but it was a bit of a weird turn from the first part of the book to the second part of the book.
Verdict: An enjoyable book!
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Book Series: The Blood of Stars Book 1
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Diversity: Steeped in Chinese culture!
Recommended Age: 15+ (sewing lol, some violence, some slight gore, some magic)
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Synopsis: Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.
Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.
And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.
Review: For the most part I thought this book was so magical and amazing! I loved the spin on the classic Mulan tale and I loved how it was part Project Runway too! I felt that the book was well written, the story was intriguing, the characters well developed, and the world development within the first part of the book was fantastic.
However, I did have some issues with the book. I felt like these were two totally different books with the same characters. The plot of the first half finished so well and so cleanly, but then the plot of the second book was a bit of a mess. The romance felt a bit rushed for me and honestly Edan gave me some creeper vibes. The magic of this book also went a bit haywire in the second half of the book. I think the second book will clean things up but it was a bit of a weird turn from the first part of the book to the second part of the book.
Verdict: An enjoyable book!
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors!
Book Series: Serpent and Dove Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, TW for cutting, language, gore, romance, and a sex scene)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 519
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.
Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.
Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.
The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.
And love makes fools of us all.
Review: Overall, I thought this book was great. The plot was intriguing, the magic system was amazingly well done, and the world building was magnificient.
However, I had issues with this book. While I thought it was amazing, the opening takes forever to get into. The book doesn't explain anything at first, it just jumps into the narrative, and while this isn't a bad thing, it means that your audience is confused and frustrated. The book also has a problem where it relies on the blurb to tell you a bit of the back story, especially for the beginning bits. I don't like that a book can't stand without it's blurb, it shouldn't be needed in telling the story.
Verdict: It was great, but confusing.
Book Series: Serpent and Dove Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, TW for cutting, language, gore, romance, and a sex scene)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 519
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.
Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.
Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.
The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.
And love makes fools of us all.
Review: Overall, I thought this book was great. The plot was intriguing, the magic system was amazingly well done, and the world building was magnificient.
However, I had issues with this book. While I thought it was amazing, the opening takes forever to get into. The book doesn't explain anything at first, it just jumps into the narrative, and while this isn't a bad thing, it means that your audience is confused and frustrated. The book also has a problem where it relies on the blurb to tell you a bit of the back story, especially for the beginning bits. I don't like that a book can't stand without it's blurb, it shouldn't be needed in telling the story.
Verdict: It was great, but confusing.