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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer:. I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Radar Girls
Author: Sara Ackerman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, WW2 novels, feminist
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 15+ (sexism, racism, slight language)
Explanation of CWs: Some sexist and racist remarks, especially since this is set in the 1940s.
Synopsis: Daisy Wilder prefers the company of horses to people, bare feet and salt water to high heels and society parties. Then, in the dizzying aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Daisy enlists in a top secret program, replacing male soldiers in a war zone for the first time.
Under fear of imminent invasion, the WARDs guide pilots into blacked-out airstrips and track unidentified planes across Pacific skies.
But not everyone thinks the women are up to the job, and the new recruits must rise above their differences and work side by side despite the resistance and heartache they meet along the way.
With America’s future on the line, Daisy is determined to prove herself worthy. And with the man she’s falling for out on the front lines, she cannot fail.
From radar towers on remote mountaintops to flooded bomb shelters, she’ll need her new team when the stakes are highest. Because the most important battles are fought—and won—together.
This inspiring and uplifting tale of pioneering, unsung heroines vividly transports the reader to wartime Hawaii, where one woman’s call to duty leads her to find courage, strength and sisterhood.
Review: For the most part this was a good read. The book did well to showcase the WARDs and how women had an important part during the war effort. The world building was great, the character development was solid, and overall if you love historical fiction reads then you'll love this book.
However, the book is a bit slow paced for my liking and it also doesn't really have anything that struck my interest. I loved the women empowerment and everything, but I just didn't find anything special with the story.
Verdict: It's good! Highly recommend.
Book: Radar Girls
Author: Sara Ackerman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, WW2 novels, feminist
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 15+ (sexism, racism, slight language)
Explanation of CWs: Some sexist and racist remarks, especially since this is set in the 1940s.
Synopsis: Daisy Wilder prefers the company of horses to people, bare feet and salt water to high heels and society parties. Then, in the dizzying aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Daisy enlists in a top secret program, replacing male soldiers in a war zone for the first time.
Under fear of imminent invasion, the WARDs guide pilots into blacked-out airstrips and track unidentified planes across Pacific skies.
But not everyone thinks the women are up to the job, and the new recruits must rise above their differences and work side by side despite the resistance and heartache they meet along the way.
With America’s future on the line, Daisy is determined to prove herself worthy. And with the man she’s falling for out on the front lines, she cannot fail.
From radar towers on remote mountaintops to flooded bomb shelters, she’ll need her new team when the stakes are highest. Because the most important battles are fought—and won—together.
This inspiring and uplifting tale of pioneering, unsung heroines vividly transports the reader to wartime Hawaii, where one woman’s call to duty leads her to find courage, strength and sisterhood.
Review: For the most part this was a good read. The book did well to showcase the WARDs and how women had an important part during the war effort. The world building was great, the character development was solid, and overall if you love historical fiction reads then you'll love this book.
However, the book is a bit slow paced for my liking and it also doesn't really have anything that struck my interest. I loved the women empowerment and everything, but I just didn't find anything special with the story.
Verdict: It's good! Highly recommend.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and then bought my own copy of the book. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Firekeeper's Daughter
Author: Angeline Boulley
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Biracial MC (Ojibwe/White French ancestry)
Canadian born MC
Part Ojibwe side character
Biracial Cherokee love interest
Anxiety rep MC
Black/Ojibwe side characters
Gay side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, indigenous reads, mystery, thriller
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Publication Date: March 16, 2021
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Pages: 488
Recommended Age: 16+ (Colorism, Sexual content, Language, Underage alcohol consumption, Drugs especially meth, Death, Grief, Suicide TW, Gore, Boarding schools for indigenous children mentioned, Racism, Bigotry, Sexual assualt/Rape TW, Violence, Kidnapping TW)
Explanation of CWs: Colorism is discussed in the book in regards to the MCs biracial background. There is sex mentioned and sexual content described as well as a sexual assault and a rape taken place in the text. Meth plays a huge role in this book but other drugs are also mentioned. Underage alcohol consumption only mentioned and shown briefly. There is a murder/suicide shown and replayed throughout the book. Boarding schools are mentioned occasionally throughout the book. Racism and bigotry are shown throughout the book by white characters. There is also a very descriptive kidnapping shown.
Synopsis: As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis dreams of studying medicine, but when her family is struck by tragedy, she puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother.
The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, certain details don’t add up and she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into the heart of a criminal investigation.
Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, but secretly pursues her own investigation, tracking down the criminals with her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicine. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home.
Now, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she'll go to protect her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.
Review: So I thought this book would be something different, I can't remember what, but this is why I don't read the book blurb before I read a book. I was absolutely blown away by the story weaved by the author. The characters were amazing, I was kept on my toes the whole time, and the world building was impeccable. The plot was amazing and I loved how the author set the book during 2004 during the height of the meth crisis (at least that's when it became big in my hometown area) because I think the book does well to show how beautiful the Ojibwe tribe is but also show how it's not perfect, but give it a somewhat good resolution at the end (I wanted to see that Blanket Party not gonna lie but I understand why that can't happen). The book turned into one of my 2021 faves and I loved how it was a murder mystery thriller book but so lyrical as well. The book just sings to your soul and commands you to listen.
My only real issue is that for the first 50ish pages the book is a little hard to get into, but not in a bad way. The book uses a lot of French and Ojibwe words in it and for the first 50ish pages you're going to need Google until you figure out and memorize what the words mean. But please keep at the book, you'll not be sorry when you do.
Verdict: Highly recommend and should be required reading for schools.
Book: Firekeeper's Daughter
Author: Angeline Boulley
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Biracial MC (Ojibwe/White French ancestry)
Canadian born MC
Part Ojibwe side character
Biracial Cherokee love interest
Anxiety rep MC
Black/Ojibwe side characters
Gay side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, indigenous reads, mystery, thriller
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Publication Date: March 16, 2021
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Pages: 488
Recommended Age: 16+ (Colorism, Sexual content, Language, Underage alcohol consumption, Drugs especially meth, Death, Grief, Suicide TW, Gore, Boarding schools for indigenous children mentioned, Racism, Bigotry, Sexual assualt/Rape TW, Violence, Kidnapping TW)
Explanation of CWs: Colorism is discussed in the book in regards to the MCs biracial background. There is sex mentioned and sexual content described as well as a sexual assault and a rape taken place in the text. Meth plays a huge role in this book but other drugs are also mentioned. Underage alcohol consumption only mentioned and shown briefly. There is a murder/suicide shown and replayed throughout the book. Boarding schools are mentioned occasionally throughout the book. Racism and bigotry are shown throughout the book by white characters. There is also a very descriptive kidnapping shown.
Synopsis: As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis dreams of studying medicine, but when her family is struck by tragedy, she puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother.
The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, certain details don’t add up and she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into the heart of a criminal investigation.
Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, but secretly pursues her own investigation, tracking down the criminals with her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicine. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home.
Now, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she'll go to protect her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.
Review: So I thought this book would be something different, I can't remember what, but this is why I don't read the book blurb before I read a book. I was absolutely blown away by the story weaved by the author. The characters were amazing, I was kept on my toes the whole time, and the world building was impeccable. The plot was amazing and I loved how the author set the book during 2004 during the height of the meth crisis (at least that's when it became big in my hometown area) because I think the book does well to show how beautiful the Ojibwe tribe is but also show how it's not perfect, but give it a somewhat good resolution at the end (I wanted to see that Blanket Party not gonna lie but I understand why that can't happen). The book turned into one of my 2021 faves and I loved how it was a murder mystery thriller book but so lyrical as well. The book just sings to your soul and commands you to listen.
My only real issue is that for the first 50ish pages the book is a little hard to get into, but not in a bad way. The book uses a lot of French and Ojibwe words in it and for the first 50ish pages you're going to need Google until you figure out and memorize what the words mean. But please keep at the book, you'll not be sorry when you do.
Verdict: Highly recommend and should be required reading for schools.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: May Day
Author: Josie Jaffrey
Book Series: Seekers Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: murder mystery, paranormal, vampires
Publication Date: July 9, 2020
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Recommended Age: 17+ (gore, suicide TW, violence, death, drug usage and mention, sexual assault TW, sexual abuse TW, sexism, miscarriage TW)
Publisher: Silver Sun Books
Pages: 312
Synopsis: If the murderer you’re tracking is a vampire, then you want a vampire detective. Just maybe not this one.
It’s not that Jack Valentine is bad at her job. The youngest member of Oxford’s Seekers has an impressive track record, but she also has an impressive grudge against the local baron, Killian Drake.
When a human turns up dead on May Morning, she’s determined to pin the murder on Drake. The problem is that none of the evidence points to him. Instead, it leads Jack into a web of conspiracy involving the most powerful people in the country, people to whom Jack has no access. But she knows someone who does.
To get to the truth, Jack will have to partner up with her worst enemy. As long as she can keep her cool, Drake will point her to the ringleaders, she’ll find the murderer and no one else will have to die.
Body bags on standby.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a well done novel. The book was interesting and it involved vampires! I thought the murder case was well written and the characters were well developed. I also thought the author did well with the world building.
However, I did think that the pacing was a bit weird in spots. It was very slow leading into some of the chapters.
Verdict: Really well done!
Book: May Day
Author: Josie Jaffrey
Book Series: Seekers Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: murder mystery, paranormal, vampires
Publication Date: July 9, 2020
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Recommended Age: 17+ (gore, suicide TW, violence, death, drug usage and mention, sexual assault TW, sexual abuse TW, sexism, miscarriage TW)
Publisher: Silver Sun Books
Pages: 312
Synopsis: If the murderer you’re tracking is a vampire, then you want a vampire detective. Just maybe not this one.
It’s not that Jack Valentine is bad at her job. The youngest member of Oxford’s Seekers has an impressive track record, but she also has an impressive grudge against the local baron, Killian Drake.
When a human turns up dead on May Morning, she’s determined to pin the murder on Drake. The problem is that none of the evidence points to him. Instead, it leads Jack into a web of conspiracy involving the most powerful people in the country, people to whom Jack has no access. But she knows someone who does.
To get to the truth, Jack will have to partner up with her worst enemy. As long as she can keep her cool, Drake will point her to the ringleaders, she’ll find the murderer and no one else will have to die.
Body bags on standby.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a well done novel. The book was interesting and it involved vampires! I thought the murder case was well written and the characters were well developed. I also thought the author did well with the world building.
However, I did think that the pacing was a bit weird in spots. It was very slow leading into some of the chapters.
Verdict: Really well done!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
Recommended Age: 12+ (some violence, some scary moments)
Genre: MG Fantasy
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Synopsis: Seventh-grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he’s going to spend on his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, where he’s being sent to heal from the tragedy. But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie’s journal. Tristan chases after it-–is that a doll?-–and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature’s hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world. Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American gods John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price. Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?
Review: Oh wow!! Definitely another must read from the Rick Riordan Presents book series! I loved the story and how well the book wove in African lore and stories. The character development was awe inspiring, the writing was amazing, and I just love Tristan so much!
My only issue is the pacing, but I'm picky on that. I felt the beginning was a bit slow but it quickly picked up!
Verdict: A must read!
Disclaimer: I bought my own copy. Support your authors!
Book: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 1
Diversity: Black MC and family and a focus on African mythology and lore
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Middle grade, fantasy, African mythology and lore
Genre: MG Fantasy
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 482
Recommended Age: 10+ (slavery mentioned and alluded to)
Explanation of CWs: Slavery is mentioned and is alluded to in the story.
Synopsis: Seventh-grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he’s going to spend on his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, where he’s being sent to heal from the tragedy. But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie’s journal. Tristan chases after it — is that a doll? — and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature’s hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world. Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American gods John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price. Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?
Review: This was my first reread of the year and I absolutely enjoyed it just like the first time I read it. I really like the character development and the World building and the book overall is very well written. The African mythology that is used in the book is rich and amazing. I loved looking up the stories as I read along in the book and I thought that the book did very well condensing the stories in a snapshot format for younger readers to understand. I also like that the book didn't shy away from the forced enslavement that much of the African population faced. The book has a lot of mentions of that time period and also has a lot of references to it, but it does not take that part of the history lightly. Another thing that really fascinates me about this book is that the author makes the protagonist a boxer, but also gives him a very unique ability of storytelling. I think that the combination of the two is perfect for a middle grade aged boy to show that not all battles can be won with weapons. I also love the plot of the book and it had me hooked from the first page.
The only thing that really bothered me about the book is that the book is really fast paced in the beginning and then it slows down tremendously towards the middle. The pacing is pretty wonky throughout the book and in the beginning you have a lot of questions about what's going on because you're throwing into the middle of Tristan's story, but I still think that this is one of the best middle grade books that I've read.
Verdict: A must read!!
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
Recommended Age: 12+ (some violence, some scary moments)
Genre: MG Fantasy
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Synopsis: Seventh-grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he’s going to spend on his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, where he’s being sent to heal from the tragedy. But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie’s journal. Tristan chases after it-–is that a doll?-–and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature’s hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world. Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American gods John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price. Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?
Review: Oh wow!! Definitely another must read from the Rick Riordan Presents book series! I loved the story and how well the book wove in African lore and stories. The character development was awe inspiring, the writing was amazing, and I just love Tristan so much!
My only issue is the pacing, but I'm picky on that. I felt the beginning was a bit slow but it quickly picked up!
Verdict: A must read!
Disclaimer: I bought my own copy. Support your authors!
Book: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 1
Diversity: Black MC and family and a focus on African mythology and lore
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Middle grade, fantasy, African mythology and lore
Genre: MG Fantasy
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 482
Recommended Age: 10+ (slavery mentioned and alluded to)
Explanation of CWs: Slavery is mentioned and is alluded to in the story.
Synopsis: Seventh-grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he’s going to spend on his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, where he’s being sent to heal from the tragedy. But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie’s journal. Tristan chases after it — is that a doll? — and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature’s hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world. Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American gods John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price. Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?
Review: This was my first reread of the year and I absolutely enjoyed it just like the first time I read it. I really like the character development and the World building and the book overall is very well written. The African mythology that is used in the book is rich and amazing. I loved looking up the stories as I read along in the book and I thought that the book did very well condensing the stories in a snapshot format for younger readers to understand. I also like that the book didn't shy away from the forced enslavement that much of the African population faced. The book has a lot of mentions of that time period and also has a lot of references to it, but it does not take that part of the history lightly. Another thing that really fascinates me about this book is that the author makes the protagonist a boxer, but also gives him a very unique ability of storytelling. I think that the combination of the two is perfect for a middle grade aged boy to show that not all battles can be won with weapons. I also love the plot of the book and it had me hooked from the first page.
The only thing that really bothered me about the book is that the book is really fast paced in the beginning and then it slows down tremendously towards the middle. The pacing is pretty wonky throughout the book and in the beginning you have a lot of questions about what's going on because you're throwing into the middle of Tristan's story, but I still think that this is one of the best middle grade books that I've read.
Verdict: A must read!!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and then bought my own ebook copy. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Girls Are Never Gone
Author: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: T1 Diabetes bisexual MC, Service dog, Puerto Rican lesbian side character, F/f romance
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, paranormal, mystery, thriller
Genre: YA Paranormal Mystery
Publication Date: September 7, 2021
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 336
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, slight animal gore, death, Underage alcohol consumption, Slight religion talk)
Explanation of CWs: Just an FYI, the animal gore seen in this book is just from the skeletal remains of other, long-dead animals. The religion talk is also very slight and in passing.
Synopsis: Dare Chase doesn’t believe in ghosts.
Privately, she’s a supernatural skeptic. But publicly, she’s keeping her doubts to herself—because she’s the voice of Attachments, her brand-new paranormal investigation podcast, and she needs her ghost-loving listeners to tune in.
That’s what brings her to Arrington Estate. Thirty years ago, teenager Atheleen Bell drowned in Arrington’s lake, and legend says her spirit haunts the estate. Dare’s more interested in the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death—circumstances that she believes point to a living culprit, not the supernatural. Still, she’s vowed to keep an open mind as she investigates, even if she’s pretty sure what she’ll find.
But Arrington is full of surprises. Good ones like Quinn, the cute daughter of the house’s new owner. And baffling ones like the threatening messages left scrawled in paint on Quinn’s walls, the ghastly face that appears behind Dare’s own in the mirror, and the unnatural current that nearly drowns their friend Holly in the lake. As Dare is drawn deeper into the mysteries of Arrington, she’ll have to rethink the boundaries of what is possible. Because if something is lurking in the lake…it might not be willing to let her go.
Review: I really liked this book. I thought that the story of all was very entertaining and it definitely provided the Spooks I needed to get into the Halloween spirit. I also liked the bond between all of the girls and I really liked the sapphic romance. I thought that the World building and character development were really well done and the writing was marvelous, although I might be a bit biased because this is one of my favorite authors.
The only real issues I had with the book is that there or two distinct monsters that I felt needed a little bit more development on the page but also the ending was a little abstract in what happened. We don't have the real motives behind the monsters, which you can argue makes for a really good monster, but we also don't have a clear cut ending to the story which is kind of giving me hope that maybe in the future there will be a sequel because I need to know. And if you have read this book then you know what I need to know.
Verdict: It was so good.
Book: The Girls Are Never Gone
Author: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: T1 Diabetes bisexual MC, Service dog, Puerto Rican lesbian side character, F/f romance
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, paranormal, mystery, thriller
Genre: YA Paranormal Mystery
Publication Date: September 7, 2021
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 336
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, slight animal gore, death, Underage alcohol consumption, Slight religion talk)
Explanation of CWs: Just an FYI, the animal gore seen in this book is just from the skeletal remains of other, long-dead animals. The religion talk is also very slight and in passing.
Synopsis: Dare Chase doesn’t believe in ghosts.
Privately, she’s a supernatural skeptic. But publicly, she’s keeping her doubts to herself—because she’s the voice of Attachments, her brand-new paranormal investigation podcast, and she needs her ghost-loving listeners to tune in.
That’s what brings her to Arrington Estate. Thirty years ago, teenager Atheleen Bell drowned in Arrington’s lake, and legend says her spirit haunts the estate. Dare’s more interested in the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death—circumstances that she believes point to a living culprit, not the supernatural. Still, she’s vowed to keep an open mind as she investigates, even if she’s pretty sure what she’ll find.
But Arrington is full of surprises. Good ones like Quinn, the cute daughter of the house’s new owner. And baffling ones like the threatening messages left scrawled in paint on Quinn’s walls, the ghastly face that appears behind Dare’s own in the mirror, and the unnatural current that nearly drowns their friend Holly in the lake. As Dare is drawn deeper into the mysteries of Arrington, she’ll have to rethink the boundaries of what is possible. Because if something is lurking in the lake…it might not be willing to let her go.
Review: I really liked this book. I thought that the story of all was very entertaining and it definitely provided the Spooks I needed to get into the Halloween spirit. I also liked the bond between all of the girls and I really liked the sapphic romance. I thought that the World building and character development were really well done and the writing was marvelous, although I might be a bit biased because this is one of my favorite authors.
The only real issues I had with the book is that there or two distinct monsters that I felt needed a little bit more development on the page but also the ending was a little abstract in what happened. We don't have the real motives behind the monsters, which you can argue makes for a really good monster, but we also don't have a clear cut ending to the story which is kind of giving me hope that maybe in the future there will be a sequel because I need to know. And if you have read this book then you know what I need to know.
Verdict: It was so good.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Stalking Shadows
Author: Cyla Panin
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: 1 same sex couple
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, retelling
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Publication Date: September 14, 2021
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 14+ (kidnapping TW, anxiety TW, romance, child abuse TW, slight violence and gore)
Explanation of CWs: Slight romance, gore, and violence. Anxiety is present through a lot of the story. Kidnapping is integral to the story. Child abuse is touched on.
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Marie mixes perfumes to sell on market day in her small eighteenth-century French town. She wants to make enough to save a dowry for her sister, Ama, in hopes of Ama marrying well and Marie living in the level of freedom afforded only to spinster aunts. But her perfumes are more than sweet scents in cheap, cut-glass bottles: A certain few are laced with death. Marie laces the perfume delicately—not with poison but with a hint of honeysuckle she’s trained her sister to respond to. Marie marks her victim, and Ama attacks. But she doesn’t attack as a girl. She kills as a beast.
Marking Ama’s victims controls the damage to keep suspicion at bay. But when a young boy turns up dead one morning, Marie is forced to acknowledge she might be losing control of Ama. And if she can’t control her, she’ll have to cure her. Marie knows the only place she’ll find the cure is in the mansion where Ama was cursed in the first place, home of Lord Sebastien LeClaire. But once she gets into the mansion, she discovers dark secrets hidden away—secrets of the curse, of Lord Sebastien . . . and of herself.
Review: For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It had a well done story and I was immediately intrigued by it in the beginning. It had great world building as well.
However, I felt like the plot of the book differed from where the characters were going. The sisters are supposed to be super bonded but aren't really in the book? The book slowed down significantly after the first few chapters. And the character development suffered a lot from the slow book and the lack of connection between them and the reader.
Verdict: It was ok, but could be better.
Book: Stalking Shadows
Author: Cyla Panin
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: 1 same sex couple
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, retelling
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Publication Date: September 14, 2021
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 14+ (kidnapping TW, anxiety TW, romance, child abuse TW, slight violence and gore)
Explanation of CWs: Slight romance, gore, and violence. Anxiety is present through a lot of the story. Kidnapping is integral to the story. Child abuse is touched on.
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Marie mixes perfumes to sell on market day in her small eighteenth-century French town. She wants to make enough to save a dowry for her sister, Ama, in hopes of Ama marrying well and Marie living in the level of freedom afforded only to spinster aunts. But her perfumes are more than sweet scents in cheap, cut-glass bottles: A certain few are laced with death. Marie laces the perfume delicately—not with poison but with a hint of honeysuckle she’s trained her sister to respond to. Marie marks her victim, and Ama attacks. But she doesn’t attack as a girl. She kills as a beast.
Marking Ama’s victims controls the damage to keep suspicion at bay. But when a young boy turns up dead one morning, Marie is forced to acknowledge she might be losing control of Ama. And if she can’t control her, she’ll have to cure her. Marie knows the only place she’ll find the cure is in the mansion where Ama was cursed in the first place, home of Lord Sebastien LeClaire. But once she gets into the mansion, she discovers dark secrets hidden away—secrets of the curse, of Lord Sebastien . . . and of herself.
Review: For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It had a well done story and I was immediately intrigued by it in the beginning. It had great world building as well.
However, I felt like the plot of the book differed from where the characters were going. The sisters are supposed to be super bonded but aren't really in the book? The book slowed down significantly after the first few chapters. And the character development suffered a lot from the slow book and the lack of connection between them and the reader.
Verdict: It was ok, but could be better.
Placeholder for another book by same publisher until book is on Goodreads. See Storygraph for my review of Class 6: Secrets S1 E8
Disclaimer: I received the early audiobook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Before We Disappear
Author: Shaun David Hutchinson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: September 28, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNFed
Explanation of CWs: can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 512
Synopsis: Jack Nevin’s clever trickery and moral flexibility have served him well his entire life—making him the perfect assistant to the Enchantress, one of the most well-known stage magicians in early-twentieth-century Europe. Without Jack’s steady supply of stolen tricks and copycat sleight-of-hand illusions, the Enchantress’s fame would have burned out long ago—not that she would ever admit it.
But when they’re forced to flee the continent for America, the Enchantress finds a new audience in Seattle at the 1909 Alaska–Yukon–Pacific World’s Fair Exposition. She and Jack are set to make a fortune until a new magician arrives on the scene. Performing tricks that defy the imagination, Laszlo’s act threatens to overshadow the Enchantress and co-opt her audience. Jack has no choice but to hunt for the secrets behind Laszlo’s otherworldly illusions—but what he uncovers isn’t at all what he expected.
What makes Laszlo’s tricks possible is, unbelievably, a boy that can seemingly perform real magic. Wilhelm’s abilities defy all the laws of physics. His talents are no clever sleights-of-hand. But even though Laszlo and Wilhelm’s act threatens to destroy the life Jack and the Enchantress have built, Jack and Wilhelm have near-instant connection. As the rivalry between the Enchantress and Laszlo grows increasingly dangerous and dire, Jack finds he has to choose between the woman who gave him a life and the boy who is offering him love. It's a new star-crossed romance about the magic of first love from acclaimed author Shaun David Hutchinson.
Review: DNFed at 10%. I have tried to get through this book for months and it’s just not working for me. I’m sure the story is interesting but it’s just not sticking with me.
Verdict: I’m sure it’s good, but not for me.
Book: Before We Disappear
Author: Shaun David Hutchinson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: September 28, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNFed
Explanation of CWs: can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 512
Synopsis: Jack Nevin’s clever trickery and moral flexibility have served him well his entire life—making him the perfect assistant to the Enchantress, one of the most well-known stage magicians in early-twentieth-century Europe. Without Jack’s steady supply of stolen tricks and copycat sleight-of-hand illusions, the Enchantress’s fame would have burned out long ago—not that she would ever admit it.
But when they’re forced to flee the continent for America, the Enchantress finds a new audience in Seattle at the 1909 Alaska–Yukon–Pacific World’s Fair Exposition. She and Jack are set to make a fortune until a new magician arrives on the scene. Performing tricks that defy the imagination, Laszlo’s act threatens to overshadow the Enchantress and co-opt her audience. Jack has no choice but to hunt for the secrets behind Laszlo’s otherworldly illusions—but what he uncovers isn’t at all what he expected.
What makes Laszlo’s tricks possible is, unbelievably, a boy that can seemingly perform real magic. Wilhelm’s abilities defy all the laws of physics. His talents are no clever sleights-of-hand. But even though Laszlo and Wilhelm’s act threatens to destroy the life Jack and the Enchantress have built, Jack and Wilhelm have near-instant connection. As the rivalry between the Enchantress and Laszlo grows increasingly dangerous and dire, Jack finds he has to choose between the woman who gave him a life and the boy who is offering him love. It's a new star-crossed romance about the magic of first love from acclaimed author Shaun David Hutchinson.
Review: DNFed at 10%. I have tried to get through this book for months and it’s just not working for me. I’m sure the story is interesting but it’s just not sticking with me.
Verdict: I’m sure it’s good, but not for me.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Beast So Beautiful
Author: Carlyle Labuschagne
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, new adult readers, fantasy, retellings
Publication Date: April 20, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, child abuse TW, romance, slight gore)
Explanation of CWs: A few instances of violence and gore. Child abuse is shown. There is some small romance scenes.
Publisher: CHBB Publishing
Pages: 177
Synopsis: A darkness falls over the land when the Queen of Rurith dies.
Consumed with grief, King Ivar blames their son, Prince Leif, for her demise, and locks him away in the castle.
The Prince is left in total despair, until a girl, with hair the colour of a red sunset and green eyes shows him mercy.
For six years she visits him in secret, giving him hope where none existed before.
But Ruith hides many treacherous things that threaten to bring the Kingdom to its knees.
Until the Prince and his beastly curse are released.
Review: This was an okay book. The world development was well done and for the most part the book was well plotted. It was intriguing for most of the book and I was intrigued by it.
However, I felt kinda underwhelmed by the book. The pacing was off, the book didn’t flow well, and it was kind of a choppy read. The book did a lot of telling and very little showing. The book is weirdly written and I just didn’t care about this book towards the end of it.
Verdict: It’s ok.
Book: A Beast So Beautiful
Author: Carlyle Labuschagne
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, new adult readers, fantasy, retellings
Publication Date: April 20, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, child abuse TW, romance, slight gore)
Explanation of CWs: A few instances of violence and gore. Child abuse is shown. There is some small romance scenes.
Publisher: CHBB Publishing
Pages: 177
Synopsis: A darkness falls over the land when the Queen of Rurith dies.
Consumed with grief, King Ivar blames their son, Prince Leif, for her demise, and locks him away in the castle.
The Prince is left in total despair, until a girl, with hair the colour of a red sunset and green eyes shows him mercy.
For six years she visits him in secret, giving him hope where none existed before.
But Ruith hides many treacherous things that threaten to bring the Kingdom to its knees.
Until the Prince and his beastly curse are released.
Review: This was an okay book. The world development was well done and for the most part the book was well plotted. It was intriguing for most of the book and I was intrigued by it.
However, I felt kinda underwhelmed by the book. The pacing was off, the book didn’t flow well, and it was kind of a choppy read. The book did a lot of telling and very little showing. The book is weirdly written and I just didn’t care about this book towards the end of it.
Verdict: It’s ok.