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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Clouded by Envy
Author: Candace Robinson
Book Series: Laith Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, sexual content, violence)
Publisher: Parliament House
Pages: 234
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Brenik has always been envious of his twin sister, Bray. Growing up as fairy-like creatures, known as bats, everything came easier to Bray. While Brenik spent his time in her shadows, never feeling he was enough. After escaping their world of Laith, and living on Earth for ten years, Brenik attempts to strike a deal with the Stone of Desire to become human. Though true humanity is not an option, he will accept the curse that will alter him to get as close as he can.
Living in a tree trunk for the past year hasn’t been easy for Bray, more so after her brother disappears again. When a human boy and his brother, Wes, find her, a new friendship is struck. Through Wes, Bray learns there can be more to life than waiting within a tree. But worrying over where Brenik has vanished to always remains in the back of her mind.
When Bray reunites with Brenik, she realizes she must help him break the curse after she discovers the need for blood is beginning to overpower him. The curse not only damages those who get close to Brenik, but it could also destroy whatever is blooming between Bray and Wes.
Review: Ok this book was pretty good for the most part. The characters were well developed and the book was intriguing enough to keep my interest. I thought it was ok but very weird.
However, there were some very confusing things about this novel. It read like a middle grade, but there was cussing and sexual content. The romance was weird and didn’t fit into the book. The book wasn’t cohesively written and the lack of world building made this hard to follow.
Verdict: It was ok.
Book: Clouded by Envy
Author: Candace Robinson
Book Series: Laith Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, sexual content, violence)
Publisher: Parliament House
Pages: 234
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Brenik has always been envious of his twin sister, Bray. Growing up as fairy-like creatures, known as bats, everything came easier to Bray. While Brenik spent his time in her shadows, never feeling he was enough. After escaping their world of Laith, and living on Earth for ten years, Brenik attempts to strike a deal with the Stone of Desire to become human. Though true humanity is not an option, he will accept the curse that will alter him to get as close as he can.
Living in a tree trunk for the past year hasn’t been easy for Bray, more so after her brother disappears again. When a human boy and his brother, Wes, find her, a new friendship is struck. Through Wes, Bray learns there can be more to life than waiting within a tree. But worrying over where Brenik has vanished to always remains in the back of her mind.
When Bray reunites with Brenik, she realizes she must help him break the curse after she discovers the need for blood is beginning to overpower him. The curse not only damages those who get close to Brenik, but it could also destroy whatever is blooming between Bray and Wes.
Review: Ok this book was pretty good for the most part. The characters were well developed and the book was intriguing enough to keep my interest. I thought it was ok but very weird.
However, there were some very confusing things about this novel. It read like a middle grade, but there was cussing and sexual content. The romance was weird and didn’t fit into the book. The book wasn’t cohesively written and the lack of world building made this hard to follow.
Verdict: It was ok.
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Written in Starlight
Author: Isabel Ibanez
Book Series: Woven in Moonlight Book 2
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: Indigenous Bolivian culture and people, but racist views and statements and misconceptions about the culture and religious aspects
Recommended For...: fantasy readers, ya readers
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 368
Synopsis: If the jungle wants you, it will have you...
Catalina Quiroga is a Condesa without a country. She’s lost the Inkasisa throne, the loyalty of her people, and her best friend. Banished to the perilous Yanu Jungle, Catalina knows her chances of survival are slim, but that won’t stop her from trying to escape. It’s her duty to reclaim the throne.
When Manuel, the son of her former general, rescues Catalina from a jaguar, a plan forms. Deep in the jungle, the city of gold is hidden, home to the fierce Illari people, who she could strike an alliance with.
But the elusive Illari are fighting a battle of their own—a mysterious blight is corrupting the jungle, laying waste to everything they hold dear. As a seer, Catalina should be able to help, but her ability to read the future in the stars is as feeble as her survival instincts. While searching for the Illari, Catalina must reckon with her duty and her heart to find her true calling, which could be the key to stopping the corruption before it destroys the jungle completely.
Review: I'm DNFing this book at 1%. I'm disturbed by the reports I've heard and evidence I've seen about how the indigenous culture and people are mistreated and how the book has a white savior complex. I can't, in good faith, read this book right now. I might come back to it in the future, but right now there’s too much not being taken seriously about the valid concerns of people who are hurt by this book.
Verdict: I’m unsteady about this series from the concerns I read and what I remember from reading it myself. I’m also very concerned about the lack of a statement from the author and the amount of people who have attacked those who voiced their valid concerns about the book. The author isn’t doing anything to help the matter by remaining silent and letting people continue to attack those who voiced concerns and letting them continue to make racist remarks about the people and culture the books are based on.
Book: Written in Starlight
Author: Isabel Ibanez
Book Series: Woven in Moonlight Book 2
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: Indigenous Bolivian culture and people, but racist views and statements and misconceptions about the culture and religious aspects
Recommended For...: fantasy readers, ya readers
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 368
Synopsis: If the jungle wants you, it will have you...
Catalina Quiroga is a Condesa without a country. She’s lost the Inkasisa throne, the loyalty of her people, and her best friend. Banished to the perilous Yanu Jungle, Catalina knows her chances of survival are slim, but that won’t stop her from trying to escape. It’s her duty to reclaim the throne.
When Manuel, the son of her former general, rescues Catalina from a jaguar, a plan forms. Deep in the jungle, the city of gold is hidden, home to the fierce Illari people, who she could strike an alliance with.
But the elusive Illari are fighting a battle of their own—a mysterious blight is corrupting the jungle, laying waste to everything they hold dear. As a seer, Catalina should be able to help, but her ability to read the future in the stars is as feeble as her survival instincts. While searching for the Illari, Catalina must reckon with her duty and her heart to find her true calling, which could be the key to stopping the corruption before it destroys the jungle completely.
Review: I'm DNFing this book at 1%. I'm disturbed by the reports I've heard and evidence I've seen about how the indigenous culture and people are mistreated and how the book has a white savior complex. I can't, in good faith, read this book right now. I might come back to it in the future, but right now there’s too much not being taken seriously about the valid concerns of people who are hurt by this book.
Verdict: I’m unsteady about this series from the concerns I read and what I remember from reading it myself. I’m also very concerned about the lack of a statement from the author and the amount of people who have attacked those who voiced their valid concerns about the book. The author isn’t doing anything to help the matter by remaining silent and letting people continue to attack those who voiced concerns and letting them continue to make racist remarks about the people and culture the books are based on.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: We Could Be Heroes
Author: Mike Chen
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: science fiction lovers, superhero novels
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, villain powers)
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Jamie woke up in an empty apartment with no memory and only a few clues to his identity, but with the ability to read and erase other people’s memories—a power he uses to hold up banks to buy coffee, cat food and books.
Zoe is also searching for her past, and using her abilities of speed and strength…to deliver fast food. And she’ll occasionally put on a cool suit and beat up bad guys, if she feels like it.
When the archrivals meet in a memory-loss support group, they realize the only way to reveal their hidden pasts might be through each other. As they uncover an ongoing threat, suddenly much more is at stake than their fragile friendship. With countless people at risk, Zoe and Jamie will have to recognize that sometimes being a hero starts with trusting someone else—and yourself.
Review: For the most part this was a great read! I love anything involving superheroes and the power dynamic between them and villains. I loved the character development (the author is amazing at that) and the story kept me intrigued in the read from start to finish. I also loved how funny it was. It really reminded me a lot of Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson.
The only weaknesses of the book I saw was the world building (I wish it was a bit more expanded upon) and the pacing (which was really slow in a lot of places).
Verdict: It was a good book!
Book: We Could Be Heroes
Author: Mike Chen
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: science fiction lovers, superhero novels
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, villain powers)
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Jamie woke up in an empty apartment with no memory and only a few clues to his identity, but with the ability to read and erase other people’s memories—a power he uses to hold up banks to buy coffee, cat food and books.
Zoe is also searching for her past, and using her abilities of speed and strength…to deliver fast food. And she’ll occasionally put on a cool suit and beat up bad guys, if she feels like it.
When the archrivals meet in a memory-loss support group, they realize the only way to reveal their hidden pasts might be through each other. As they uncover an ongoing threat, suddenly much more is at stake than their fragile friendship. With countless people at risk, Zoe and Jamie will have to recognize that sometimes being a hero starts with trusting someone else—and yourself.
Review: For the most part this was a great read! I love anything involving superheroes and the power dynamic between them and villains. I loved the character development (the author is amazing at that) and the story kept me intrigued in the read from start to finish. I also loved how funny it was. It really reminded me a lot of Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson.
The only weaknesses of the book I saw was the world building (I wish it was a bit more expanded upon) and the pacing (which was really slow in a lot of places).
Verdict: It was a good book!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and pre-ordered my own copy. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Warmaidens
Author: Kelly Coon
Book Series: Gravemaidens Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, romance lovers, ya readers
Publication Date: December 15, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance, ptsd, animal violence, attempted rape)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Just a few moons after escaping the tomb in Alu, Kammani and the other runaway maidens have found refuge in the city-state of Manzazu. There, Kammani has become a respected healer, especially among the warriors she’s brought back from the brink of death. Now that the nightmares of Alu are fading, she can finally decide whether or not to take Dagan’s hand in marriage.
But when an assassin murders a healer he believes is Kammani and attempts to kill the displaced queen of Alu, the maidens realize they’ve been found.
Hungry for revenge, Manzazu’s queen wants to strike back at Alu with her fiercest weapons—her scorpion warrior maidens—but Kammani knows that war harms more than it heals. To save the innocents and any chance of a future with Dagan, Kammani must take down Alu’s ruler before their lives burn up in the flames of war.
Review: For the most part this was a well done book. The world building is amazing and the character development is awesome. The pacing is pretty on key and the story is very interesting and hooked me from the beginning.
There were a few things I didn't like as much in this book. The book takes place 9 months after the events in the first book but fails to reintroduce characters you might have forgotten. The language, while immersive, also takes a bit to get used to and there's no directory in the book to help with words used. The main character is also one who, throughout the majority of the series, wanted to be childless but then in the end gave a hint that she did want kids in the future. I think that's kind of a sad blow to women who don't want to kids and takes away a character that they could have looked up to.
Verdict: I loved this book, but it could have been a little better.
Book: Warmaidens
Author: Kelly Coon
Book Series: Gravemaidens Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, romance lovers, ya readers
Publication Date: December 15, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance, ptsd, animal violence, attempted rape)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Just a few moons after escaping the tomb in Alu, Kammani and the other runaway maidens have found refuge in the city-state of Manzazu. There, Kammani has become a respected healer, especially among the warriors she’s brought back from the brink of death. Now that the nightmares of Alu are fading, she can finally decide whether or not to take Dagan’s hand in marriage.
But when an assassin murders a healer he believes is Kammani and attempts to kill the displaced queen of Alu, the maidens realize they’ve been found.
Hungry for revenge, Manzazu’s queen wants to strike back at Alu with her fiercest weapons—her scorpion warrior maidens—but Kammani knows that war harms more than it heals. To save the innocents and any chance of a future with Dagan, Kammani must take down Alu’s ruler before their lives burn up in the flames of war.
Review: For the most part this was a well done book. The world building is amazing and the character development is awesome. The pacing is pretty on key and the story is very interesting and hooked me from the beginning.
There were a few things I didn't like as much in this book. The book takes place 9 months after the events in the first book but fails to reintroduce characters you might have forgotten. The language, while immersive, also takes a bit to get used to and there's no directory in the book to help with words used. The main character is also one who, throughout the majority of the series, wanted to be childless but then in the end gave a hint that she did want kids in the future. I think that's kind of a sad blow to women who don't want to kids and takes away a character that they could have looked up to.
Verdict: I loved this book, but it could have been a little better.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Letters to Jupiter
Author: Lotte Jean
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Self care, letting go, poetry
Publication Date: October 24, 2020
Publisher: Magnolia Press
Pages: 78
Recommended Age: 14+ (toxic relationships, self care, letting go)
Synopsis: Letters to Jupiter is a poetry collection that explores a tale of the fragility of the mind. With each poetic letter, written by an unknown narrator seeking to let go of the past, we see life at its darkest time, brightest, and examine how much a person can grow after a life-changing event.
Review: This was a cute collection of poems. I really thought the book did well to paint a vivid picture and it would be a great book for the poetry lover in your life. The poems do deal with some difficult subjects like toxic relationships and the importance of self care.
Verdict: It's a sweet book.
Book: Letters to Jupiter
Author: Lotte Jean
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Self care, letting go, poetry
Publication Date: October 24, 2020
Publisher: Magnolia Press
Pages: 78
Recommended Age: 14+ (toxic relationships, self care, letting go)
Synopsis: Letters to Jupiter is a poetry collection that explores a tale of the fragility of the mind. With each poetic letter, written by an unknown narrator seeking to let go of the past, we see life at its darkest time, brightest, and examine how much a person can grow after a life-changing event.
Review: This was a cute collection of poems. I really thought the book did well to paint a vivid picture and it would be a great book for the poetry lover in your life. The poems do deal with some difficult subjects like toxic relationships and the importance of self care.
Verdict: It's a sweet book.
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 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 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.