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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I bought my own copy of the book. Support your authors! All opinions are my own.
Book: Gearbreakers
Author: Zoe Hana Mikuta
Book Series: Gearbreakers Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Bisexual Asian inspired MC, Lesbian Asian inspired MC, sapphic romance
Recommended For...: young adult readers, sci-fi, LGBT, queer, dystopian, mechas
Publication Date: June 29, 2021
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Dystopian
Age Relevance:16+ (violence, gore, religion, sexual content, cursing, torture, alcohol consumption, death, parental death, romance)
Explanation of Above: There was a lot of violence, weapons and physical, and gore with blood and some mentions of vomit. There is also a lot of death mentioned, especially parental death. Religion is discussed and mentioned throughout the book. There is some very vague sexual content mentions and torture is mentioned and shown throughout the book. There is a lot of cursing. There is one mention of alcohol consumption. There is some slight romance.
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 401
Synopsis: We went past praying to deities and started to build them instead...
The shadow of Godolia's tyrannical rule is spreading, aided by their giant mechanized weapons known as Windups. War and oppression are everyday constants for the people of the Badlands, who live under the thumb of their cruel Godolia overlords.
Eris Shindanai is a Gearbreaker, a brash young rebel who specializes in taking down Windups from the inside. When one of her missions goes awry and she finds herself in a Godolia prison, Eris meets Sona Steelcrest, a cybernetically enhanced Windup pilot. At first Eris sees Sona as her mortal enemy, but Sona has a secret: She has intentionally infiltrated the Windup program to destroy Godolia from within.
As the clock ticks down to their deadliest mission yet, a direct attack to end Godolia's reign once and for all, Eris and Sona grow closer--as comrades, friends, and perhaps something more...
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. The book is incredibly action packed and it’s constantly going. The book is multi POV and reminds me a lot of Iron Widow and Crier’s War. The world building is decent and the character development is great. The book has a lot of fun moments in it and it also has some of the most interesting villains I’ve seen in a bit.
However, I was severely confused by the beginning of the book until about halfway through it and I still think that I didn’t fully grasp the concept of it. The book needs a lot more background building and it honestly feels like a book that was supposed to be two books but had to be squeezed into one. It began weirdly and it felt complete at several points mid book.
Verdict: It’s good just confusing.
Book: Gearbreakers
Author: Zoe Hana Mikuta
Book Series: Gearbreakers Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Bisexual Asian inspired MC, Lesbian Asian inspired MC, sapphic romance
Recommended For...: young adult readers, sci-fi, LGBT, queer, dystopian, mechas
Publication Date: June 29, 2021
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Dystopian
Age Relevance:16+ (violence, gore, religion, sexual content, cursing, torture, alcohol consumption, death, parental death, romance)
Explanation of Above: There was a lot of violence, weapons and physical, and gore with blood and some mentions of vomit. There is also a lot of death mentioned, especially parental death. Religion is discussed and mentioned throughout the book. There is some very vague sexual content mentions and torture is mentioned and shown throughout the book. There is a lot of cursing. There is one mention of alcohol consumption. There is some slight romance.
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 401
Synopsis: We went past praying to deities and started to build them instead...
The shadow of Godolia's tyrannical rule is spreading, aided by their giant mechanized weapons known as Windups. War and oppression are everyday constants for the people of the Badlands, who live under the thumb of their cruel Godolia overlords.
Eris Shindanai is a Gearbreaker, a brash young rebel who specializes in taking down Windups from the inside. When one of her missions goes awry and she finds herself in a Godolia prison, Eris meets Sona Steelcrest, a cybernetically enhanced Windup pilot. At first Eris sees Sona as her mortal enemy, but Sona has a secret: She has intentionally infiltrated the Windup program to destroy Godolia from within.
As the clock ticks down to their deadliest mission yet, a direct attack to end Godolia's reign once and for all, Eris and Sona grow closer--as comrades, friends, and perhaps something more...
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. The book is incredibly action packed and it’s constantly going. The book is multi POV and reminds me a lot of Iron Widow and Crier’s War. The world building is decent and the character development is great. The book has a lot of fun moments in it and it also has some of the most interesting villains I’ve seen in a bit.
However, I was severely confused by the beginning of the book until about halfway through it and I still think that I didn’t fully grasp the concept of it. The book needs a lot more background building and it honestly feels like a book that was supposed to be two books but had to be squeezed into one. It began weirdly and it felt complete at several points mid book.
Verdict: It’s good just confusing.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Blackwater
Author: Jeannette Arroyo and Ren Graham
Book Series: Blackwater book 1
Rating: 3.5/5
Diversity: Puerto Rican asthma user MC, Black character, poc characters, chronic autoimmune disorder character who is an ambulatory wheelchair user
Recommended For...: young adult readers, graphic novel, fantasy, werewolves, ghosts, LGBT, queer
Publication Date: July 19, 2022
Genre: YA Graphic Novel Fantasy
Age Relevance: 14+ (bullying, revenge and negligence, dead animal, animal gore, abelism, cursing, violence, homophobia, abelism)
Explanation of Above: There are scenes of bullying, homophobia, and abelism. There is a huge scene of abelism initiated by revenge and the negligence could have led to someone getting severely hurt. While I felt the character who caused it to be remorseful, that should have been shown more explicitly in the book and proclaimed as wrong because younger teens reading this might not realize that the action could potentially kill someone. There are also scenes of dead animals (deer) and animal gore (deer). There is some cursing in the book and some very slight violence as well.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 304
Synopsis: Tony Price is a popular high school track star and occasional delinquent aching for his dad’s attention and approval. Eli Hirsch is a quiet boy with a chronic autoimmune disorder that has ravaged his health and social life. What happens when these two become unlikely friends (and a whole lot more . . .) in the spooky town of Blackwater, Maine? Werewolf curses, unsavory interactions with the quarterback of the football team, a ghostly fisherman haunting the harbor, and tons of high school drama.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed this graphic novel. I liked the story overall and I thought it was pretty good. The world building was decent and it highlighted the atmosphere well. The book had a good beginning story and I’d like to see more.
However, I have concerns about the book. To start with: the book is way too short and the plot was just beginning when it ended. The book did good to show abelism and then try to show how the characters were atoning for it, but I think that should have been more pronounced in the book, especially for the particular scene where one character almost caused another to die. I would have also liked to see more character development, especially for a book that claims to be a queer romance but not have a single frame of romance between the two characters.
Verdict: It was ok, but there should have been more.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Many Daughters of Afong May
Author: Jamie Ford
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Chinese characters and MC, Queer characters mentioned
Recommended For...: fantasy, historical fiction, magical realism, mental health
Publication Date: August 2, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction Fantasy
Age Relevance: 17+ (gore, violence, death, war, misogyny, sexual assault, cursing, PTSD, anxiety, depression, illness, derogatory words, sex trafficking, racism, suicide, drugs, rape, romance, religion)
Explanation of Above: There is some gore, in the form of blood and vomit, and physical and weapon violence shown in the book. There is also death shown and mentioned, as well as war. The book shows and mentions a lot of mental health disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicide. There is some misogyny shown in the book, as well as derogatory words said in the book in a historical context but not directly at any particular people or in a rude manner. There is some racism shown and mentioned as well in the book. Sexual assault is mentioned, sex trafficking is vaguely mentioned in the book, and there is a non-graphic rape scene in the book. There is cursing throughout the book. Illness is mentioned in the book. There is some romance in the book. The Christian religion is sparsely mentioned in the book.
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living.
As Washington’s former poet laureate, that’s how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has truly come to haunt her. Fearing that her child is predestined to endure the same debilitating depression that has marked her own life, Dorothy seeks radical help.
Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family: Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England at a famous school with no rules; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America.
As painful recollections affect her present life, Dorothy discovers that trauma isn’t the only thing she’s inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period. A stranger who’s loved her through all of her genetic memories. Dorothy endeavors to break the cycle of pain and abandonment, to finally find peace for her daughter, and gain the love that has long been waiting, knowing she may pay the ultimate price.
Review: For the most part, this was a fun read. The book reads a lot like everything everywhere all at once. The highlight of the book was all the different daughters and how they lived their lives and what they experienced. The world building was great for every story and the character development was well done.
However, all of the different plot points are a bit discombobulating. It was really confusing in the beginning and it took a lot to get into. The book was also kinda slower paced in a couple of places, which slowed down the story. The ending was also really confusing and not well explained.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: The Many Daughters of Afong May
Author: Jamie Ford
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Chinese characters and MC, Queer characters mentioned
Recommended For...: fantasy, historical fiction, magical realism, mental health
Publication Date: August 2, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction Fantasy
Age Relevance: 17+ (gore, violence, death, war, misogyny, sexual assault, cursing, PTSD, anxiety, depression, illness, derogatory words, sex trafficking, racism, suicide, drugs, rape, romance, religion)
Explanation of Above: There is some gore, in the form of blood and vomit, and physical and weapon violence shown in the book. There is also death shown and mentioned, as well as war. The book shows and mentions a lot of mental health disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicide. There is some misogyny shown in the book, as well as derogatory words said in the book in a historical context but not directly at any particular people or in a rude manner. There is some racism shown and mentioned as well in the book. Sexual assault is mentioned, sex trafficking is vaguely mentioned in the book, and there is a non-graphic rape scene in the book. There is cursing throughout the book. Illness is mentioned in the book. There is some romance in the book. The Christian religion is sparsely mentioned in the book.
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living.
As Washington’s former poet laureate, that’s how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has truly come to haunt her. Fearing that her child is predestined to endure the same debilitating depression that has marked her own life, Dorothy seeks radical help.
Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family: Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England at a famous school with no rules; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America.
As painful recollections affect her present life, Dorothy discovers that trauma isn’t the only thing she’s inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period. A stranger who’s loved her through all of her genetic memories. Dorothy endeavors to break the cycle of pain and abandonment, to finally find peace for her daughter, and gain the love that has long been waiting, knowing she may pay the ultimate price.
Review: For the most part, this was a fun read. The book reads a lot like everything everywhere all at once. The highlight of the book was all the different daughters and how they lived their lives and what they experienced. The world building was great for every story and the character development was well done.
However, all of the different plot points are a bit discombobulating. It was really confusing in the beginning and it took a lot to get into. The book was also kinda slower paced in a couple of places, which slowed down the story. The ending was also really confusing and not well explained.
Verdict: It was good!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Author: A.F. Steadman
Book Series: Skandar Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, unicorns, mythology, magic
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
Genre: MG Fantasy
Age Relevance: 13+ (parental death, poverty, depression, animal violence, animal death, panic attack, death, gore, emotional abuse, suicide)
Explanation of Above: There is parental death mentioned and poverty alluded to. There are mentions of depression and there is one panic attack shown. There is also some emotional abuse of a child shown and there is one very VERY vague mention of a suicide (throwing themselves off a cliff is how it’s stated). There is some animal violence shown toward the unicorns and there is animal death mentioned throughout the book in regards to unicorns. There is some death mentioned or alluded to the in the book and some very slight gore in the form of body parts seen and rotting flesh mentioned.
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 448
Synopsis: Skandar Smith has always yearned to leave the Mainland and escape to the secretive Island, where wild unicorns roam free. He’s spent years studying for his Hatchery exam, the annual test that selects a handful of Mainlander thirteen-year-olds to train to become unicorn riders. But on the day of Skandar’s exam, things go horribly wrong, and his hopes are shattered…until a mysterious figure knocks on his door at midnight, bearing a message: the Island is in peril and Skandar must answer its call.
Skandar is thrust into a world of epic sky battles, dangerous clashes with wild unicorns, and rumors of a shadowy villain amassing a unicorn army. And the closer Skandar grows to his newfound friends and community of riders, the harder it becomes to keep his secrets—especially when he discovers their lives may all be in graver danger than he ever imagined.
Skandar is thrust into a world of epic sky battles, dangerous clashes with wild unicorns, and rumors of a shadowy villain amassing a unicorn army. And the closer Skandar grows to his newfound friends and community of riders, the harder it becomes to keep his secrets—especially when he discovers their lives may all be in graver danger than he ever imagined.
Review: I really love this book! I think it’s a great HP replacement book and it’s got such a great story and adventure. The book has amazing world building and the characters are very lovable and well developed. I thought that the book also did well when it talked about equality and prejudice, which I think kids in the middle grade age range can understand.
The only issue I had with the book is that it does read young, so if you’re an older reader then you might have a few issues reading this book, but it’s very age appropriate.
Verdict: I love it! Highly recommend!
adventurous
medium-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Threat to Remain
Author: Frances Ellen
Book Series: Asters Trilogy Book 3
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, urban fantasy, alternative worlds, romance, political fantasy
Publication Date: July 20, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Age Relevance: 16+ (slight sexual content, violence, gore)
Explanation of Above: There is some fighting and some blood gore. There are also mentions of sexual content and such, but nothing too graphic.
Publisher: Wolfkin Bv
Pages: 240
Synopsis: A Threat To Remain is the last in a trilogy of magic- and action-packed prequel novellas featuring Asters and Affinites battling Dark Kings and their Disciples for the Surface of the world and the safety of humans. The Aster stories are a fantasy series written for young adults aged 13 and older. The novellas are intended to be read in sequence. The first novella in the series is A Queen To Come.
South America remains a mystery. The retreating research and rescue teams are still not safe. Darkness stalks them, and not all make it back to home base alive. Percy Kelly is the only known survivor of the Disciple attack in the Amazon Rainforest. He is the only one who can shed light on what happened, but is too traumatised to speak of what he has seen.
Meanwhile, chaos continues to unfold in North America. Sophie and Sky are trapped by Mitrik, and his best inner-circle soldiers. Lian is gravely injured and has no way of getting healed. Nathan and Matu are on the outside, with no way of getting back in.
The Asters will have to be smarter than their enemy, and use their magic in ways they didn’t even know was possible. Only then will they have any chance of staying alive and taking down the North American King and his uprising.
Review: For the most part I liked this ending! The pacing issue was much better and I loved how everything came to a head. I thought that the author did good to keep the readers on their toes with all of the twists and turns and the character development was very well done. The book ending was good and I enjoyed the journey.
The only issue I had with this one is that I felt like some of the world building was a bit lacking, but overall it was great!
Verdict: It was great!
Book: A Threat to Remain
Author: Frances Ellen
Book Series: Asters Trilogy Book 3
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, urban fantasy, alternative worlds, romance, political fantasy
Publication Date: July 20, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Age Relevance: 16+ (slight sexual content, violence, gore)
Explanation of Above: There is some fighting and some blood gore. There are also mentions of sexual content and such, but nothing too graphic.
Publisher: Wolfkin Bv
Pages: 240
Synopsis: A Threat To Remain is the last in a trilogy of magic- and action-packed prequel novellas featuring Asters and Affinites battling Dark Kings and their Disciples for the Surface of the world and the safety of humans. The Aster stories are a fantasy series written for young adults aged 13 and older. The novellas are intended to be read in sequence. The first novella in the series is A Queen To Come.
South America remains a mystery. The retreating research and rescue teams are still not safe. Darkness stalks them, and not all make it back to home base alive. Percy Kelly is the only known survivor of the Disciple attack in the Amazon Rainforest. He is the only one who can shed light on what happened, but is too traumatised to speak of what he has seen.
Meanwhile, chaos continues to unfold in North America. Sophie and Sky are trapped by Mitrik, and his best inner-circle soldiers. Lian is gravely injured and has no way of getting healed. Nathan and Matu are on the outside, with no way of getting back in.
The Asters will have to be smarter than their enemy, and use their magic in ways they didn’t even know was possible. Only then will they have any chance of staying alive and taking down the North American King and his uprising.
Review: For the most part I liked this ending! The pacing issue was much better and I loved how everything came to a head. I thought that the author did good to keep the readers on their toes with all of the twists and turns and the character development was very well done. The book ending was good and I enjoyed the journey.
The only issue I had with this one is that I felt like some of the world building was a bit lacking, but overall it was great!
Verdict: It was great!
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A World to Lose
Author: Frances Ellen
Book Series: Asters Trilogy Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, urban fantasy, alternative worlds, romance, political fantasy
Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Age Relevance: 16+ (slight sexual content, violence, gore)
Explanation of Above: There is some fighting and some blood gore. There are also mentions of sexual content and such, but nothing too graphic.
Publisher: Wolfkin Bv
Pages: 240
Synopsis: A World To Lose is the second in a trilogy of magic- and action-packed prequel novellas featuring Asters and Affinites battling Dark Kings and their Disciples for the Surface of the world and the safety of humans. The first novella in the series is A Queen To Come.
The Queen has vanished from the face of the earth - her magic along with her. The impending threat that the Queen's birth predicted looms over the Asters as they now realise that they will one day have to face it without her. But there is no time to grieve.
The Small Council still doesn't know what happened in Brazil that night, and they send an investigative team in to find out.
But things are not as they seem. And it isn't long before members of the team start to go missing.
Meanwhile, the King of the North American Underworld is mobilising his troops. The rare magic he and his Disciples were so afraid of is no more, and he is taking his chance.
The Asters are tasked with quelling the uprising. Despite their loss of faith in themselves, the Asters are still expected to protect the humans on the Surface of the world. They must pull together to stand any chance against the very first King they have ever faced.
Review: For the most part I thought this was a great book and a vast improvement from book 1. The characters were more developed and the world building was still great. The book was well written for the most part and I loved the storyline of this book. I also loved that it picked up immediately from the first book.
However, it is so much slower than the second half of book 1 and the pacing issues are disjointing. The book also becomes a bit more of a political fantasy, which is off-putting due to how the first book was.
Verdict: It was good! Great improvement!
Book: A World to Lose
Author: Frances Ellen
Book Series: Asters Trilogy Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, urban fantasy, alternative worlds, romance, political fantasy
Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Age Relevance: 16+ (slight sexual content, violence, gore)
Explanation of Above: There is some fighting and some blood gore. There are also mentions of sexual content and such, but nothing too graphic.
Publisher: Wolfkin Bv
Pages: 240
Synopsis: A World To Lose is the second in a trilogy of magic- and action-packed prequel novellas featuring Asters and Affinites battling Dark Kings and their Disciples for the Surface of the world and the safety of humans. The first novella in the series is A Queen To Come.
The Queen has vanished from the face of the earth - her magic along with her. The impending threat that the Queen's birth predicted looms over the Asters as they now realise that they will one day have to face it without her. But there is no time to grieve.
The Small Council still doesn't know what happened in Brazil that night, and they send an investigative team in to find out.
But things are not as they seem. And it isn't long before members of the team start to go missing.
Meanwhile, the King of the North American Underworld is mobilising his troops. The rare magic he and his Disciples were so afraid of is no more, and he is taking his chance.
The Asters are tasked with quelling the uprising. Despite their loss of faith in themselves, the Asters are still expected to protect the humans on the Surface of the world. They must pull together to stand any chance against the very first King they have ever faced.
Review: For the most part I thought this was a great book and a vast improvement from book 1. The characters were more developed and the world building was still great. The book was well written for the most part and I loved the storyline of this book. I also loved that it picked up immediately from the first book.
However, it is so much slower than the second half of book 1 and the pacing issues are disjointing. The book also becomes a bit more of a political fantasy, which is off-putting due to how the first book was.
Verdict: It was good! Great improvement!
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Queen to Come
Author: Frances Ellen
Book Series: Asters Trilogy Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, urban fantasy, alternative worlds, romance
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Age Relevance: 16+ (slight sexual content, violence, gore)
Explanation of Above: There is some fighting and some blood gore. There are also mentions of sexual content and such, but nothing too graphic.
Publisher: Wolfkin Bv
Pages: 216
Synopsis: The five Asters, brothers and sisters in magic, battle an unknown Dark King to ensure their new Queen ascends to the throne, in this debut YA fantasy prequel series. Together with Affinites, who have no magic but unique affinities for specific skills, the Asters have been protecting humans from the Dark Kings' reigns of terror for generations; even since their first and, until now, only Queen bestowed six Affinites each with one of her own magic powers 500 years ago. The one unique magic that the original Queen didn't pass on would only return if there was a dire need of it: to bring balance back into the world. Now, 500 years later, her reincarnation predicts a threat to the peaceful existence that generations of Asters had created and protected.
Up until her eighteenth birthday the new Queen was brought up as human in a secret location, with no knowledge of the crown she will be expected to wear or the rare magic she possesses. She will join the Asters, and she will become the most powerful creature to ever live. But a Dark King knows of her upcoming accession, and will do whatever it takes to stop it. He starts abducting Affinites in the hopes that one of them might know the Queen's secret location. He wants to steal her magic before she learns how to use it against him. It is up to the five Asters to make sure that he doesn't.
Sky can fly and shimmer to anywhere in the world.
Nathan can control the nature around him.
Sophie can heal the worst of injuries.
Matu can break through the most solid of walls.
Lian can shut out any feeling of pain until his dying breath.
It is the greatest challenge of their lives. And up against a King they know nothing about, time is not on their side.
Review: For the most part I thought this was a great book. I was intrigued about the world and the characters were well developed. The voices felt distinct and once the story got going it was really good and interesting. I also liked the magic system in the book and loved that it was set in an alternative world.
However, it took me so long to get into the book. I struggled a lot with the beginning and it was a bit repetitive. The beginning is also a hot mess of information in the beginning and it was a bit off-putting.
Verdict: It was good, but the beginning needs an overhaul.
Book: A Queen to Come
Author: Frances Ellen
Book Series: Asters Trilogy Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, urban fantasy, alternative worlds, romance
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Age Relevance: 16+ (slight sexual content, violence, gore)
Explanation of Above: There is some fighting and some blood gore. There are also mentions of sexual content and such, but nothing too graphic.
Publisher: Wolfkin Bv
Pages: 216
Synopsis: The five Asters, brothers and sisters in magic, battle an unknown Dark King to ensure their new Queen ascends to the throne, in this debut YA fantasy prequel series. Together with Affinites, who have no magic but unique affinities for specific skills, the Asters have been protecting humans from the Dark Kings' reigns of terror for generations; even since their first and, until now, only Queen bestowed six Affinites each with one of her own magic powers 500 years ago. The one unique magic that the original Queen didn't pass on would only return if there was a dire need of it: to bring balance back into the world. Now, 500 years later, her reincarnation predicts a threat to the peaceful existence that generations of Asters had created and protected.
Up until her eighteenth birthday the new Queen was brought up as human in a secret location, with no knowledge of the crown she will be expected to wear or the rare magic she possesses. She will join the Asters, and she will become the most powerful creature to ever live. But a Dark King knows of her upcoming accession, and will do whatever it takes to stop it. He starts abducting Affinites in the hopes that one of them might know the Queen's secret location. He wants to steal her magic before she learns how to use it against him. It is up to the five Asters to make sure that he doesn't.
Sky can fly and shimmer to anywhere in the world.
Nathan can control the nature around him.
Sophie can heal the worst of injuries.
Matu can break through the most solid of walls.
Lian can shut out any feeling of pain until his dying breath.
It is the greatest challenge of their lives. And up against a King they know nothing about, time is not on their side.
Review: For the most part I thought this was a great book. I was intrigued about the world and the characters were well developed. The voices felt distinct and once the story got going it was really good and interesting. I also liked the magic system in the book and loved that it was set in an alternative world.
However, it took me so long to get into the book. I struggled a lot with the beginning and it was a bit repetitive. The beginning is also a hot mess of information in the beginning and it was a bit off-putting.
Verdict: It was good, but the beginning needs an overhaul.
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Dust of the Red Rose Knight
Author: James Bennett
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Queer MC and characters
Recommended For...: fantasy, retelling, Arthurian retellings, queer romance, historical fiction
Publication Date: in Kickstarter to be publisher
Genre: Fantasy Retelling
Age Relevance: 18+ (sexual content, cursing, violence, gore, romance)
Explanation of Above: There is some romance and sexual content in this book. There is a fair use of cursing in the book. There is some violence and gore in the book as well.
Publisher: BOTH Press
Pages: 120
Synopsis: It befell in the days of Arthur Pendragon that there lived a thief and a lover of men called Tomas, the Red Rose Knight...
When Tomas O’Lincoln, half-fairy and outlaw, learns that knights from Camelot hunt him in the forest, he fears he must pay for his crimes. Desperate for shelter, the Enchantress sends him on a reluctant quest to find his way to the Fortress Impenetrable, deep in the darkling heartwood.
Only behind the high black walls of the Archimago’s castle will Tomas learn a Truth Most Vital and come face-to-face with his destiny… But is it a destiny he wants?
Bawdy, humorous and magical, The Dust of the Red Rose Knight is a queer Arthurian romance from the acclaimed author of The Ben Garston Novels, in the finest tradition that never was.
Review: I really liked this short read! I thought the book did well to promise what it was: a dyslexia friendly read. I immediately noticed there was a difference in how the words were presented in the book and the spacing in the e-book. The story was quick and fast paced. The story is funny and has a great plot overall.
However, I did feel like the quickness of the book and how short it is didn’t give the characters a chance to fully develop. I also feel like the book could have been a little bit better with the world building.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend, especially for those who need a bit of a different format to read in.
Book: The Dust of the Red Rose Knight
Author: James Bennett
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Queer MC and characters
Recommended For...: fantasy, retelling, Arthurian retellings, queer romance, historical fiction
Publication Date: in Kickstarter to be publisher
Genre: Fantasy Retelling
Age Relevance: 18+ (sexual content, cursing, violence, gore, romance)
Explanation of Above: There is some romance and sexual content in this book. There is a fair use of cursing in the book. There is some violence and gore in the book as well.
Publisher: BOTH Press
Pages: 120
Synopsis: It befell in the days of Arthur Pendragon that there lived a thief and a lover of men called Tomas, the Red Rose Knight...
When Tomas O’Lincoln, half-fairy and outlaw, learns that knights from Camelot hunt him in the forest, he fears he must pay for his crimes. Desperate for shelter, the Enchantress sends him on a reluctant quest to find his way to the Fortress Impenetrable, deep in the darkling heartwood.
Only behind the high black walls of the Archimago’s castle will Tomas learn a Truth Most Vital and come face-to-face with his destiny… But is it a destiny he wants?
Bawdy, humorous and magical, The Dust of the Red Rose Knight is a queer Arthurian romance from the acclaimed author of The Ben Garston Novels, in the finest tradition that never was.
Review: I really liked this short read! I thought the book did well to promise what it was: a dyslexia friendly read. I immediately noticed there was a difference in how the words were presented in the book and the spacing in the e-book. The story was quick and fast paced. The story is funny and has a great plot overall.
However, I did feel like the quickness of the book and how short it is didn’t give the characters a chance to fully develop. I also feel like the book could have been a little bit better with the world building.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend, especially for those who need a bit of a different format to read in.
adventurous
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Pen Thief and the Chamber of Power
Author: Tasha Madison
Book Series: The Pen Thief Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: June 7, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 12+ (violence, gore, bullying)
Explanation of Above: There is some violence and gore mentioned and shown in the book. There is also mentions of bullying.
Publisher: Author Academy Elite
Pages: 230
Synopsis: Chosen to Protect.
Destined to Defend.
Arnie Schmidt has survived high school bullying and crushing heartbreak. Now, he must confront his deepest fear … the truth about his mysterious powers that may change his life and future forever.
Meanwhile, brutal forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on destroying him. To defeat them, Arnie must find the strength to trust himself and those closest to him while undertaking a desperate quest to distinguish fact from fiction.
Deep in the archives of the Fellowship of Guardians—where long-awaited answers slumber—Arnie gains the insight he needs to navigate the unknown. But, the improbable thrusts him into a labyrinth of secrets, unexpected adventures, and a fight to escape an imminent danger. As his world shatters, he must delve into the depths of his power and encourage the abilities of others if he is going to conquer old wounds long enough to survive.
Can Arnie embrace his destiny before ancient shadows ruin the promise of a hidden prophecy?
Review: For the most part this was a fun read. The book immediately picks up where we left off in the first one and the book is very action packed. Overall I liked the book. The world building was a bit better in this one and the premise immediately draws you in.
However, I did have issues with this one as well. I, once again, felt like this was an all-dialogue read. The magic system is still not fully developed in my opinion and the character development in this book stalled out. I was very confused by some of the actions of the characters and I feel like this book and series needs a bit more meat on it and more editing. The book also continues to read really young.
Verdict: It’s ok.
Book: The Pen Thief and the Chamber of Power
Author: Tasha Madison
Book Series: The Pen Thief Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: June 7, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 12+ (violence, gore, bullying)
Explanation of Above: There is some violence and gore mentioned and shown in the book. There is also mentions of bullying.
Publisher: Author Academy Elite
Pages: 230
Synopsis: Chosen to Protect.
Destined to Defend.
Arnie Schmidt has survived high school bullying and crushing heartbreak. Now, he must confront his deepest fear … the truth about his mysterious powers that may change his life and future forever.
Meanwhile, brutal forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on destroying him. To defeat them, Arnie must find the strength to trust himself and those closest to him while undertaking a desperate quest to distinguish fact from fiction.
Deep in the archives of the Fellowship of Guardians—where long-awaited answers slumber—Arnie gains the insight he needs to navigate the unknown. But, the improbable thrusts him into a labyrinth of secrets, unexpected adventures, and a fight to escape an imminent danger. As his world shatters, he must delve into the depths of his power and encourage the abilities of others if he is going to conquer old wounds long enough to survive.
Can Arnie embrace his destiny before ancient shadows ruin the promise of a hidden prophecy?
Review: For the most part this was a fun read. The book immediately picks up where we left off in the first one and the book is very action packed. Overall I liked the book. The world building was a bit better in this one and the premise immediately draws you in.
However, I did have issues with this one as well. I, once again, felt like this was an all-dialogue read. The magic system is still not fully developed in my opinion and the character development in this book stalled out. I was very confused by some of the actions of the characters and I feel like this book and series needs a bit more meat on it and more editing. The book also continues to read really young.
Verdict: It’s ok.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Pen Thief and the Orbit of Uncertainty
Author: Tasha Madison
Book Series: The Pen Thief Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 12+ (violence, underage alcohol consumption, bullying)
Explanation of Above: There is some violence shown in the form of punching. Underage alcohol consumption is mentioned. There is also some bullying mentioned in the book.
Publisher: Author Academy Elite
Pages:236
Synopsis: How do you pen your own destiny when you’re destined to control a magical pen?
Arnie Schmidt is an unremarkable seventeen-year-old nerd who works at his uncle’s accounting firm. Nothing exciting happens to him. Ever. The most exhilarating experience he had was sharing an elevator with his office crush once. It was a pleasure never to be repeated!
When his high school bully gets a job in the mail room and starts to make moves on Arnie’s dream girl, Arnie thinks his dull existence is over. However, a chance encounter at a yard sale changes his boring life forever.
An endless array of peculiar circumstances emerge, transforming Arnie’s average existence into one more extraordinary. One moment, he’s planning the epitaph on his tombstone, the next he’s trying to keep a vintage relic from sending him to an early grave and upsetting the entire balance of the universe.
What’s a timid number cruncher to do? Can Arnie protect his newfound treasure before it’s lost or stolen? Only time—and the unparalleled power of an enchanted fountain pen—will tell!
Review: For the most part the book was pretty good. The book had pretty good writing and the characters were well developed. I liked the premise of the story and I was interested in the book from beginning to end.
However, there were some issues I had with the book. The book didn’t do well to develop the magic system or the world building. I thought that the book was entirely too fast paced. I also felt like the book was all dialogue and very little atmosphere setting. The book is also targeted to much younger audiences.
Verdict: It’s ok.
Book: The Pen Thief and the Orbit of Uncertainty
Author: Tasha Madison
Book Series: The Pen Thief Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 12+ (violence, underage alcohol consumption, bullying)
Explanation of Above: There is some violence shown in the form of punching. Underage alcohol consumption is mentioned. There is also some bullying mentioned in the book.
Publisher: Author Academy Elite
Pages:236
Synopsis: How do you pen your own destiny when you’re destined to control a magical pen?
Arnie Schmidt is an unremarkable seventeen-year-old nerd who works at his uncle’s accounting firm. Nothing exciting happens to him. Ever. The most exhilarating experience he had was sharing an elevator with his office crush once. It was a pleasure never to be repeated!
When his high school bully gets a job in the mail room and starts to make moves on Arnie’s dream girl, Arnie thinks his dull existence is over. However, a chance encounter at a yard sale changes his boring life forever.
An endless array of peculiar circumstances emerge, transforming Arnie’s average existence into one more extraordinary. One moment, he’s planning the epitaph on his tombstone, the next he’s trying to keep a vintage relic from sending him to an early grave and upsetting the entire balance of the universe.
What’s a timid number cruncher to do? Can Arnie protect his newfound treasure before it’s lost or stolen? Only time—and the unparalleled power of an enchanted fountain pen—will tell!
Review: For the most part the book was pretty good. The book had pretty good writing and the characters were well developed. I liked the premise of the story and I was interested in the book from beginning to end.
However, there were some issues I had with the book. The book didn’t do well to develop the magic system or the world building. I thought that the book was entirely too fast paced. I also felt like the book was all dialogue and very little atmosphere setting. The book is also targeted to much younger audiences.
Verdict: It’s ok.