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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received a Netgalley arc of this book from the publisher and a physical arc from @littleshopofstories! Thanks guys! All opinions are my own.
Book: Belle Revolte
Author: Linsey Miller
Book Series: Standalone so far
Rating: 3.5/5
Diversity: Asexual lesbian main character, trans men, lesbian representation, this book is just full of representation!
Publication Date: February 4, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (some gore, some violence, parent trap escapades, and some love)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Emilie des Marais is more at home holding scalpels than embroidery needles and is desperate to escape her noble roots to serve her country as a physician. But society dictates a noble lady cannot perform such gruesome work.
Annette Boucher, overlooked and overworked by her family, wants more from life than her humble beginnings and is desperate to be trained in magic. So when a strange noble girl offers Annette the chance of a lifetime, she accepts.
Emilie and Annette swap lives—Annette attends finishing school as a noble lady to be trained in the ways of divination, while Emilie enrolls to be a physician’s assistant, using her natural magical talent to save lives.
But when their nation instigates a frivolous war, Emilie and Annette must work together to help the rebellion end a war that is based on lies.
Review: For the most part, this book was very enjoyable. The book had a complex and unique magic system that was so cool and the characters were very likable. The book is also full of French influence and is an exciting read filled with twists and turns.
However, I had some issues reading this book. I felt like the book was really hard to get into in the beginning. The beginning was really rocky and disconnected from the rest of the book. The magic system was fully explained in my opinion and that made for a somewhat of a confusing read. I think the book could have done better at explaining the magic and the first few chapters could be smoothed out to flow better and slide the reader better into this world.
Verdict: An exciting read, but somewhat confusing at the beginning.
Book: Belle Revolte
Author: Linsey Miller
Book Series: Standalone so far
Rating: 3.5/5
Diversity: Asexual lesbian main character, trans men, lesbian representation, this book is just full of representation!
Publication Date: February 4, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (some gore, some violence, parent trap escapades, and some love)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 384
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Emilie des Marais is more at home holding scalpels than embroidery needles and is desperate to escape her noble roots to serve her country as a physician. But society dictates a noble lady cannot perform such gruesome work.
Annette Boucher, overlooked and overworked by her family, wants more from life than her humble beginnings and is desperate to be trained in magic. So when a strange noble girl offers Annette the chance of a lifetime, she accepts.
Emilie and Annette swap lives—Annette attends finishing school as a noble lady to be trained in the ways of divination, while Emilie enrolls to be a physician’s assistant, using her natural magical talent to save lives.
But when their nation instigates a frivolous war, Emilie and Annette must work together to help the rebellion end a war that is based on lies.
Review: For the most part, this book was very enjoyable. The book had a complex and unique magic system that was so cool and the characters were very likable. The book is also full of French influence and is an exciting read filled with twists and turns.
However, I had some issues reading this book. I felt like the book was really hard to get into in the beginning. The beginning was really rocky and disconnected from the rest of the book. The magic system was fully explained in my opinion and that made for a somewhat of a confusing read. I think the book could have done better at explaining the magic and the first few chapters could be smoothed out to flow better and slide the reader better into this world.
Verdict: An exciting read, but somewhat confusing at the beginning.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Belladonna
Author: Adalyn Grace
Book Series: Belladonna Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, romance, gothic, paranormal, thriller, mystery
Publication Date: August 30, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Age Relevance: 15+ (parental death, death, violence, gore, illness, child neglect, attempted suicide, self harm, romance, sexual content, grooming?)
Explanation of Above: There is some parental death mentions and there is death shown in the book. There is some violence with poisoning and vomit and blood gore. Illness is also shown. There is some child neglect shown in the book. There is an attempted suicide mentioned and some self harm mentions as well. There is some romance and slight sexual content. The relationship between the MC and the LI is a bit weird in that it’s a young child and an immortal being who saw her as a child, which gives off a slight grooming/predatory vibe.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.
However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.
Review: This is a beautifully written read. The book is very flowy and poetic. There are a ton of gothic vibes in it and it’s wonderfully atmospheric. For the most par the book is well written and the character development and world building are very strong. The book is probably one of those that will be on classic/future YA to read lists for a long time.
However, I thought that the twists were very easy to see coming and the book ended weird. It felt like it set up a sequel but it feels like a standalone? I also had issue with the relationship in the book. The MC is a young child and the LI is an immortal being. While there are a ton of YA books that are like that, I have always felt a bit ick about it and I do for this relationship as well, especially when you consider that the LI has been watching the MC since she was a young child? It might be other’s cup of tea, but it’s not mine.
Verdict: It’s good!
Merged review:
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Belladonna
Author: Adalyn Grace
Book Series: Belladonna Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, romance, gothic, paranormal, thriller, mystery
Publication Date: August 30, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Age Relevance: 15+ (parental death, death, violence, gore, illness, child neglect, attempted suicide, self harm, romance, sexual content, grooming?)
Explanation of Above: There is some parental death mentions and there is death shown in the book. There is some violence with poisoning and vomit and blood gore. Illness is also shown. There is some child neglect shown in the book. There is an attempted suicide mentioned and some self harm mentions as well. There is some romance and slight sexual content. The relationship between the MC and the LI is a bit weird in that it’s a young child and an immortal being who saw her as a child, which gives off a slight grooming/predatory vibe.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.
However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.
Review: This is a beautifully written read. The book is very flowy and poetic. There are a ton of gothic vibes in it and it’s wonderfully atmospheric. For the most par the book is well written and the character development and world building are very strong. The book is probably one of those that will be on classic/future YA to read lists for a long time.
However, I thought that the twists were very easy to see coming and the book ended weird. It felt like it set up a sequel but it feels like a standalone? I also had issue with the relationship in the book. The MC is a young child and the LI is an immortal being. While there are a ton of YA books that are like that, I have always felt a bit ick about it and I do for this relationship as well, especially when you consider that the LI has been watching the MC since she was a young child? It might be other’s cup of tea, but it’s not mine.
Verdict: It’s good!
Book: Belladonna
Author: Adalyn Grace
Book Series: Belladonna Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, romance, gothic, paranormal, thriller, mystery
Publication Date: August 30, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Age Relevance: 15+ (parental death, death, violence, gore, illness, child neglect, attempted suicide, self harm, romance, sexual content, grooming?)
Explanation of Above: There is some parental death mentions and there is death shown in the book. There is some violence with poisoning and vomit and blood gore. Illness is also shown. There is some child neglect shown in the book. There is an attempted suicide mentioned and some self harm mentions as well. There is some romance and slight sexual content. The relationship between the MC and the LI is a bit weird in that it’s a young child and an immortal being who saw her as a child, which gives off a slight grooming/predatory vibe.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.
However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.
Review: This is a beautifully written read. The book is very flowy and poetic. There are a ton of gothic vibes in it and it’s wonderfully atmospheric. For the most par the book is well written and the character development and world building are very strong. The book is probably one of those that will be on classic/future YA to read lists for a long time.
However, I thought that the twists were very easy to see coming and the book ended weird. It felt like it set up a sequel but it feels like a standalone? I also had issue with the relationship in the book. The MC is a young child and the LI is an immortal being. While there are a ton of YA books that are like that, I have always felt a bit ick about it and I do for this relationship as well, especially when you consider that the LI has been watching the MC since she was a young child? It might be other’s cup of tea, but it’s not mine.
Verdict: It’s good!
Merged review:
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Belladonna
Author: Adalyn Grace
Book Series: Belladonna Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, romance, gothic, paranormal, thriller, mystery
Publication Date: August 30, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Age Relevance: 15+ (parental death, death, violence, gore, illness, child neglect, attempted suicide, self harm, romance, sexual content, grooming?)
Explanation of Above: There is some parental death mentions and there is death shown in the book. There is some violence with poisoning and vomit and blood gore. Illness is also shown. There is some child neglect shown in the book. There is an attempted suicide mentioned and some self harm mentions as well. There is some romance and slight sexual content. The relationship between the MC and the LI is a bit weird in that it’s a young child and an immortal being who saw her as a child, which gives off a slight grooming/predatory vibe.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.
However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.
Review: This is a beautifully written read. The book is very flowy and poetic. There are a ton of gothic vibes in it and it’s wonderfully atmospheric. For the most par the book is well written and the character development and world building are very strong. The book is probably one of those that will be on classic/future YA to read lists for a long time.
However, I thought that the twists were very easy to see coming and the book ended weird. It felt like it set up a sequel but it feels like a standalone? I also had issue with the relationship in the book. The MC is a young child and the LI is an immortal being. While there are a ton of YA books that are like that, I have always felt a bit ick about it and I do for this relationship as well, especially when you consider that the LI has been watching the MC since she was a young child? It might be other’s cup of tea, but it’s not mine.
Verdict: It’s good!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza
Author: Laekan Zea Kemp
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Mexican/Hispanic MC and characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, Mexican Mythology and Lore, fantasy, ghosts
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: MG Mythology Fantasy
Age Relevance: 12+ (death, missing pets, prayer, grief, animal harm)
Explanation of Above: Death is all around this book. It includes several ghosts and ghost pets. There are mentions of some of the ghost pets being murdered. There are missing animals that are mentioned. There is some grief shown in the book. There is some prayer shown in the book.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Omega Morales’s family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega’s family keeps to themselves, and in private, they’re Empaths—diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega’s powers don’t quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.
When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl—known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza—shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.
Suddenly Omega’s magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what’s more important—trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.
Review: I thought this was such a cute book! I loved the magic system and the mystery in this book. I loved that the book was very open about death, which can be a scary topic for a lot of kids and adults, and it incorporated it into the story. The book had fantastic illustrations in it and the story was beautifully told. The characters were well developed as was the world building.
The only issue I had with the book is that some of the pacing was a bit off in places.
Verdict: It was so good! Highly recommend!
Book: Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza
Author: Laekan Zea Kemp
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Mexican/Hispanic MC and characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, Mexican Mythology and Lore, fantasy, ghosts
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: MG Mythology Fantasy
Age Relevance: 12+ (death, missing pets, prayer, grief, animal harm)
Explanation of Above: Death is all around this book. It includes several ghosts and ghost pets. There are mentions of some of the ghost pets being murdered. There are missing animals that are mentioned. There is some grief shown in the book. There is some prayer shown in the book.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Omega Morales’s family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega’s family keeps to themselves, and in private, they’re Empaths—diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega’s powers don’t quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.
When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl—known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza—shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.
Suddenly Omega’s magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what’s more important—trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.
Review: I thought this was such a cute book! I loved the magic system and the mystery in this book. I loved that the book was very open about death, which can be a scary topic for a lot of kids and adults, and it incorporated it into the story. The book had fantastic illustrations in it and the story was beautifully told. The characters were well developed as was the world building.
The only issue I had with the book is that some of the pacing was a bit off in places.
Verdict: It was so good! Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Edge of Anything
Author: Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: OCD rep! Own voice!
Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (mental health, depression)
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Len is a loner teen photographer haunted by a past that’s stagnated her work and left her terrified she’s losing her mind. Sage is a high school volleyball star desperate to find a way around her sudden medical disqualification. Both girls need college scholarships. After a chance encounter, the two develop an unlikely friendship that enables them to begin facing their inner demons.
But both Len and Sage are keeping secrets that, left hidden, could cost them everything, maybe even their lives.
Set in the North Carolina mountains, this dynamic #ownvoices novel explores grief, mental health, and the transformative power of friendship.
Review: I really loved this one! It was poignant and heartbreaking all in the same. The book did well with the dual POVs and the character development was amazing. The world building was also done well and I applaud the author for making realistic characters, with flaws and all. Also, hats off to the amazing OCD rep!
The only issue I had with the book is that there were some overdramatic scenes and writing that I felt was a bit out of character. Other than that, this was a great book!
Verdict: A must read!
Book: The Edge of Anything
Author: Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: OCD rep! Own voice!
Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (mental health, depression)
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Len is a loner teen photographer haunted by a past that’s stagnated her work and left her terrified she’s losing her mind. Sage is a high school volleyball star desperate to find a way around her sudden medical disqualification. Both girls need college scholarships. After a chance encounter, the two develop an unlikely friendship that enables them to begin facing their inner demons.
But both Len and Sage are keeping secrets that, left hidden, could cost them everything, maybe even their lives.
Set in the North Carolina mountains, this dynamic #ownvoices novel explores grief, mental health, and the transformative power of friendship.
Review: I really loved this one! It was poignant and heartbreaking all in the same. The book did well with the dual POVs and the character development was amazing. The world building was also done well and I applaud the author for making realistic characters, with flaws and all. Also, hats off to the amazing OCD rep!
The only issue I had with the book is that there were some overdramatic scenes and writing that I felt was a bit out of character. Other than that, this was a great book!
Verdict: A must read!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Walls
Author: L. M. Elliott
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, young adult
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: Algonquin Children's
Pages: 331
Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, mentions of war, gore, and "re-education")
Synopsis: Drew is an army brat, a hotshot athlete poised to be his high school’s star pitcher, when he has to move for the sixth time in fifteen years—this time to West Berlin, where American soldiers like his dad hold an outpost of democracy against communist Russia in Hitler’s former capital. Meanwhile, in East Berlin, his cousin Matthias has grown up in the wreckage left by Allied bombing during World War II, on streets ruled by the Communist Party’s secret police.
From the opposing sides of the Cold War, Drew and Matthias begin to overcome the many ideological walls between them to become wary friends. They argue over the space race, capitalism, socialism, and even the American civil rights movement, and bond over rock ’n’ roll—music outlawed in Matthias’s part of the city. If Matthias is caught by the Stasi’s neighborhood spies with the records or books Drew has given him, he will be sent to a work camp for “re-education.” At the same time, Drew’s friendship with the East Berlin Jugend—who ardently spout communist dogma—raises suspicions about his family’s loyalty to America. As the political situation around them gets all the more dire, Drew and Matthias’s loyalty—to their sector, their countries, their families, and each other—will be tested in ways that will change their lives forever.
Set in the tumultuous year leading up to the surprise overnight raising of the Berlin Wall in August 1961, and punctuated with real-life photographs, headlines, and personalities of the time, Walls brings to vivid life the heroic and tragic choices of the Cold War.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed this book. I loved seeing the photographs and it helped me visualize the story better. The characters were well developed and the pacing was well done. I also loved the world building and combined with the pictures this is one of those books I'd love to see high schoolers read.
The only thing I really had issue with is the plot of the book. It took me awhile to connect with the characters, but when I did I consumed the book.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Walls
Author: L. M. Elliott
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, young adult
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: Algonquin Children's
Pages: 331
Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, mentions of war, gore, and "re-education")
Synopsis: Drew is an army brat, a hotshot athlete poised to be his high school’s star pitcher, when he has to move for the sixth time in fifteen years—this time to West Berlin, where American soldiers like his dad hold an outpost of democracy against communist Russia in Hitler’s former capital. Meanwhile, in East Berlin, his cousin Matthias has grown up in the wreckage left by Allied bombing during World War II, on streets ruled by the Communist Party’s secret police.
From the opposing sides of the Cold War, Drew and Matthias begin to overcome the many ideological walls between them to become wary friends. They argue over the space race, capitalism, socialism, and even the American civil rights movement, and bond over rock ’n’ roll—music outlawed in Matthias’s part of the city. If Matthias is caught by the Stasi’s neighborhood spies with the records or books Drew has given him, he will be sent to a work camp for “re-education.” At the same time, Drew’s friendship with the East Berlin Jugend—who ardently spout communist dogma—raises suspicions about his family’s loyalty to America. As the political situation around them gets all the more dire, Drew and Matthias’s loyalty—to their sector, their countries, their families, and each other—will be tested in ways that will change their lives forever.
Set in the tumultuous year leading up to the surprise overnight raising of the Berlin Wall in August 1961, and punctuated with real-life photographs, headlines, and personalities of the time, Walls brings to vivid life the heroic and tragic choices of the Cold War.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed this book. I loved seeing the photographs and it helped me visualize the story better. The characters were well developed and the pacing was well done. I also loved the world building and combined with the pictures this is one of those books I'd love to see high schoolers read.
The only thing I really had issue with is the plot of the book. It took me awhile to connect with the characters, but when I did I consumed the book.
Verdict: It was good!
Disclaimer: I received the e-arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! I also bought my own copy. Support your authors! All opinions are my own.
Book: Rebel Rose
Author: Emma Theriault
Book Series: The Queen’s Council Book 1
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Lesbian side character, gay side character
Recommended For...: retelling fans, fantasy fans, historical fiction fans, ya readers
Publication Date: November 10, 2020
Genre: YA Retelling Historical Ficiton Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence, revolution, PTSD symptoms)
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic.
It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.
Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her past as a commoner, and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with her newfound position, there are those who would do anything to keep her from power.
When she stumbles across a magic mirror that holds a dire warning, Belle wants nothing more than to ignore the mysterious voice calling her to accept a crown she never desired. But violent factions of the revolution may already be lurking within her own castle, and doing nothing would endanger everything she holds dear. With the fate of her country, her love, and her life at stake, Belle must decide if she is ready to embrace her own strength--and the magic that ties her to so many female rulers before her--to become the queen she is meant to be.
Review: this was a really good book and a really interesting historical take on the Disney princesses. I really like the historical aspects and from what I could see and what I know of that time., I believe that it is mostly accurate. I felt like the character development was pretty well done as well as the overall plot of the book. The book kept me hooked and I pretty much read it in one sitting.
However, I did have some issues with the book. I feel like the book was really slow paced and that the action portions of the book were here and there. The book is also weirdly written in that a lot of things are repeated that I felt were unnecessarily repeated. I also didn't like that Adam's name was changed to Lio in this book. I like the little explanation that they gave for why, but his name is Adam and I don't know why the author went with that. I also felt like the world building could have been a little bit better.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Rebel Rose
Author: Emma Theriault
Book Series: The Queen’s Council Book 1
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Lesbian side character, gay side character
Recommended For...: retelling fans, fantasy fans, historical fiction fans, ya readers
Publication Date: November 10, 2020
Genre: YA Retelling Historical Ficiton Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence, revolution, PTSD symptoms)
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic.
It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.
Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her past as a commoner, and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with her newfound position, there are those who would do anything to keep her from power.
When she stumbles across a magic mirror that holds a dire warning, Belle wants nothing more than to ignore the mysterious voice calling her to accept a crown she never desired. But violent factions of the revolution may already be lurking within her own castle, and doing nothing would endanger everything she holds dear. With the fate of her country, her love, and her life at stake, Belle must decide if she is ready to embrace her own strength--and the magic that ties her to so many female rulers before her--to become the queen she is meant to be.
Review: this was a really good book and a really interesting historical take on the Disney princesses. I really like the historical aspects and from what I could see and what I know of that time., I believe that it is mostly accurate. I felt like the character development was pretty well done as well as the overall plot of the book. The book kept me hooked and I pretty much read it in one sitting.
However, I did have some issues with the book. I feel like the book was really slow paced and that the action portions of the book were here and there. The book is also weirdly written in that a lot of things are repeated that I felt were unnecessarily repeated. I also didn't like that Adam's name was changed to Lio in this book. I like the little explanation that they gave for why, but his name is Adam and I don't know why the author went with that. I also felt like the world building could have been a little bit better.
Verdict: It was good!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Opportunist
Author: Elyse Friedman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Character with muscular dystrophy
Recommended For...: thriller, mystery, contemporary, psychological thriller, adult readers
Publication Date: December 6, 2022
Genre: Thriller Mystery
Age Relevance: 18+ (sexual content, abelism, cursing, fatphobia, alcohol consumption, sexism, domestic violence, sibling death, child sexual abuse, romance, animal violence, cancer, suicide, death)
Explanation of Above: There is some romance and sexual content in the book, including sex scenes. There is some domestic violence scenes shown and one scene shown of child sexual abuse including other mentions of it in the book. There are abelist comments and fatphobic comments made, including things about diet and weightloss. There is cursing in this book along with alcohol consumption. There are sexist comments and cancer is mentioned. Death of a sibling and others are shown and mentioned, as well as a scene of suicide mentioned. Cancer is mentioned. There is a hunting scene shown and mentioned in the book in regards to deer.
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 336
Synopsis: When Alana Shropshire’s seventy-six-year-old father, Ed, starts dating Kelly, his twenty-eight-year-old nurse, a flurry of messages arrive from Alana’s brothers, urging her to help “protect Dad” from the young interloper. Alana knows that what Teddy and Martin really want to protect is their father’s fortune, and she tells them she couldn’t care less about the May–December romance. Long estranged from her privileged family, Alana, a hardworking single mom, has more important things to worry about.
But when Ed and Kelly’s wedding is announced, Teddy and Martin kick into hyperdrive and persuade Alana to fly to their father’s West Coast island retreat to perform one simple task in their plan to make the gold digger go away. Kelly, however, proves a lot more wily than expected, and Alana becomes entangled in an increasingly dangerous scheme full of secrets and surprises. Just how far will her siblings go to retain control?
Smart, entertaining and brimming with shocking twists and turns, The Opportunist is both a thrill ride of a story and a razor-sharp view of who wields power in the world.
Review: This was an interesting read. The book is a duel POV told between Alana and Kelly. Alana is a single mom who is trying to raise her child when she gets a call from her estranged brother about their father’s new girlfriend who is significantly younger than him. The brother, fearing that the woman named Kelly is just using their father for money, employees Alana to help him out Kelly to their father. Alana’s POVs offer insight into the past, especially when more evidence and details are found regarding her sister, Lillian’s, death. Kelly’s POVs offer insight into her motives for being there, which may not be entirely for love. For the most part I thought that the book was really well spun and very twisted. I didn’t see the outcome coming but I’d love to reread it to see what clues there were in the book that might have led to this outcome. The book also did great making every character slightly unlikable and they really have you rooting for the murderer in the end.
The only issue I had with the book is that the ending is just a little too simple for me and kinda goes into the “it’s all a dream” trope in a way.
Verdict: It was really good!
Book: The Opportunist
Author: Elyse Friedman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Character with muscular dystrophy
Recommended For...: thriller, mystery, contemporary, psychological thriller, adult readers
Publication Date: December 6, 2022
Genre: Thriller Mystery
Age Relevance: 18+ (sexual content, abelism, cursing, fatphobia, alcohol consumption, sexism, domestic violence, sibling death, child sexual abuse, romance, animal violence, cancer, suicide, death)
Explanation of Above: There is some romance and sexual content in the book, including sex scenes. There is some domestic violence scenes shown and one scene shown of child sexual abuse including other mentions of it in the book. There are abelist comments and fatphobic comments made, including things about diet and weightloss. There is cursing in this book along with alcohol consumption. There are sexist comments and cancer is mentioned. Death of a sibling and others are shown and mentioned, as well as a scene of suicide mentioned. Cancer is mentioned. There is a hunting scene shown and mentioned in the book in regards to deer.
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 336
Synopsis: When Alana Shropshire’s seventy-six-year-old father, Ed, starts dating Kelly, his twenty-eight-year-old nurse, a flurry of messages arrive from Alana’s brothers, urging her to help “protect Dad” from the young interloper. Alana knows that what Teddy and Martin really want to protect is their father’s fortune, and she tells them she couldn’t care less about the May–December romance. Long estranged from her privileged family, Alana, a hardworking single mom, has more important things to worry about.
But when Ed and Kelly’s wedding is announced, Teddy and Martin kick into hyperdrive and persuade Alana to fly to their father’s West Coast island retreat to perform one simple task in their plan to make the gold digger go away. Kelly, however, proves a lot more wily than expected, and Alana becomes entangled in an increasingly dangerous scheme full of secrets and surprises. Just how far will her siblings go to retain control?
Smart, entertaining and brimming with shocking twists and turns, The Opportunist is both a thrill ride of a story and a razor-sharp view of who wields power in the world.
Review: This was an interesting read. The book is a duel POV told between Alana and Kelly. Alana is a single mom who is trying to raise her child when she gets a call from her estranged brother about their father’s new girlfriend who is significantly younger than him. The brother, fearing that the woman named Kelly is just using their father for money, employees Alana to help him out Kelly to their father. Alana’s POVs offer insight into the past, especially when more evidence and details are found regarding her sister, Lillian’s, death. Kelly’s POVs offer insight into her motives for being there, which may not be entirely for love. For the most part I thought that the book was really well spun and very twisted. I didn’t see the outcome coming but I’d love to reread it to see what clues there were in the book that might have led to this outcome. The book also did great making every character slightly unlikable and they really have you rooting for the murderer in the end.
The only issue I had with the book is that the ending is just a little too simple for me and kinda goes into the “it’s all a dream” trope in a way.
Verdict: It was really good!
