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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received this finished copy and e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Heartless Prince
Author: Angela De Vito (story & illustrator) and Leigh Dragoon (written by)
Book Series: Standalone for now
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Blind side character
Recommended For...: graphic novel, young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: YA Graphic Novel Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (Violence, Gore, Parental death, Death, Kidnapping)
Explanation of CWs: Violence and gore are shown and fairly frequent. There is a kidnapping scene. There is parental death implied. There is death shown.
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 160
Synopsis: Evony is an orphaned princess from a kingdom destroyed by a power-hungry witch. Prince Ammon has recently been drawn to her, or at least he’s drawn to her uncanny ability to sense when familiars—servants to the witches—are approaching his kingdom’s borders. And Evony, well Evony has always longed for something more with Ammon. Wanting to prove himself to his kingdom and parents, Ammon takes Evony outside the borders to fight the familiars head-to-head. All is well until they’re captured by witch Aradia, who steals Ammon’s heart and leaves his body to turn into one of her familiars. What’s worse, his sister Nissa has been taken hostage by Aradia’s daughter. Evony makes it her miss onto retrieve Ammon’s heart and save Nissa, taking her into the mysterious Witchlands. There, she will discover a secret about her past that will change everything.
Review: For the most part I really liked it! The illustrations were amazing and so beautiful. The plot was strong. The character development was good and the world building was great. The book was very short, but it did well to have a well done arc and climax in the story. I’m excited to see a book 2 to this story.
The only issues I had with the book are that not a lot of the players were well developed and the time skip kept out a ton of useful details. The book is also really vague in what’s happening unless you read the synopsis.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Heartless Prince
Author: Angela De Vito (story & illustrator) and Leigh Dragoon (written by)
Book Series: Standalone for now
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Blind side character
Recommended For...: graphic novel, young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: YA Graphic Novel Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (Violence, Gore, Parental death, Death, Kidnapping)
Explanation of CWs: Violence and gore are shown and fairly frequent. There is a kidnapping scene. There is parental death implied. There is death shown.
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 160
Synopsis: Evony is an orphaned princess from a kingdom destroyed by a power-hungry witch. Prince Ammon has recently been drawn to her, or at least he’s drawn to her uncanny ability to sense when familiars—servants to the witches—are approaching his kingdom’s borders. And Evony, well Evony has always longed for something more with Ammon. Wanting to prove himself to his kingdom and parents, Ammon takes Evony outside the borders to fight the familiars head-to-head. All is well until they’re captured by witch Aradia, who steals Ammon’s heart and leaves his body to turn into one of her familiars. What’s worse, his sister Nissa has been taken hostage by Aradia’s daughter. Evony makes it her miss onto retrieve Ammon’s heart and save Nissa, taking her into the mysterious Witchlands. There, she will discover a secret about her past that will change everything.
Review: For the most part I really liked it! The illustrations were amazing and so beautiful. The plot was strong. The character development was good and the world building was great. The book was very short, but it did well to have a well done arc and climax in the story. I’m excited to see a book 2 to this story.
The only issues I had with the book are that not a lot of the players were well developed and the time skip kept out a ton of useful details. The book is also really vague in what’s happening unless you read the synopsis.
Verdict: It was good!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Shadow of Light
Author: Molly E. Lee
Book Series: Ember of Night Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, urban fantasy, angels, demons
Publication Date: November 30, 2021
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (abuse, violence, gore, kidnapping, animal abuse, sexual content, religion, possession, and language)
Explanation of CWs: There is some abuse flashbacks shown. Violence and gore are frequent. Kidnapping is mentioned, not shown. Animal abuse to a dog is shown very briefly but it’s during a big fight by the villains of the novel and the dog limps away and is later fine. Sexual content is shown. Religion is brought up a few times and inspiration is taken from it. There are a couple of possession scenes. Curse words are frequent.
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 400
Synopsis: I just saved the boy I’m falling for from a gruesome death by a demon. And what does he have to say? I’m the key to opening the gates of Hell. I mean, a thank-you would’ve been nice. Or another scorching-hot, forbidden kiss. Either way, destiny will have to find someone else to torment, because I’m so done.
Or I was, until my little sister starts cackling exorcist-style and stares at me with eyes that aren’t hers. They’re Marid’s, the Greater Demon I just kicked back to the dark realm he came from. Possessing Ray whenever he wants is his ultimate revenge.
The only way to break the tether between them includes a road trip through Hell, aka the Ather. I quickly discover nothing is as it seems in this place. Yeah, there are realms of terror, greed, and desire, but there’s also peace, and a beauty I never knew existed...and it’s eerily familiar.
With each obstacle we encounter, I slip a little further into the chaotic energy of my growing dark powers. And when an unexpected betrayal hits me square in the chest, I freefall into them.
Fate painted me as the monster of nightmares, and after this? Destiny is about to learn just how monstrous I can be.
Review: Overall, I really loved this book as well! I thought it was a well done sequel and it held its own with its own story and issues separate from the first book but still connected. The character development was sound, I loved the new characters, I loved all the twists and turns, and I enjoyed the world building. The book also had a strong plot and I enjoyed the ride. I also highly enjoyed having the triggers in the front of the book.
However, I did think that some of the book was repetitive in the plot. I felt like the same conflict resolution conflict resolution rhythm repeated a few times in the book and it was a bit dull in the middle and a little at the end. The book also kind of did the same thing with the romance aspects. The book’s pacing also slowed down in the center and a little towards the end.
Verdict: It was great! Loved it!
Book: Shadow of Light
Author: Molly E. Lee
Book Series: Ember of Night Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, urban fantasy, angels, demons
Publication Date: November 30, 2021
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (abuse, violence, gore, kidnapping, animal abuse, sexual content, religion, possession, and language)
Explanation of CWs: There is some abuse flashbacks shown. Violence and gore are frequent. Kidnapping is mentioned, not shown. Animal abuse to a dog is shown very briefly but it’s during a big fight by the villains of the novel and the dog limps away and is later fine. Sexual content is shown. Religion is brought up a few times and inspiration is taken from it. There are a couple of possession scenes. Curse words are frequent.
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 400
Synopsis: I just saved the boy I’m falling for from a gruesome death by a demon. And what does he have to say? I’m the key to opening the gates of Hell. I mean, a thank-you would’ve been nice. Or another scorching-hot, forbidden kiss. Either way, destiny will have to find someone else to torment, because I’m so done.
Or I was, until my little sister starts cackling exorcist-style and stares at me with eyes that aren’t hers. They’re Marid’s, the Greater Demon I just kicked back to the dark realm he came from. Possessing Ray whenever he wants is his ultimate revenge.
The only way to break the tether between them includes a road trip through Hell, aka the Ather. I quickly discover nothing is as it seems in this place. Yeah, there are realms of terror, greed, and desire, but there’s also peace, and a beauty I never knew existed...and it’s eerily familiar.
With each obstacle we encounter, I slip a little further into the chaotic energy of my growing dark powers. And when an unexpected betrayal hits me square in the chest, I freefall into them.
Fate painted me as the monster of nightmares, and after this? Destiny is about to learn just how monstrous I can be.
Review: Overall, I really loved this book as well! I thought it was a well done sequel and it held its own with its own story and issues separate from the first book but still connected. The character development was sound, I loved the new characters, I loved all the twists and turns, and I enjoyed the world building. The book also had a strong plot and I enjoyed the ride. I also highly enjoyed having the triggers in the front of the book.
However, I did think that some of the book was repetitive in the plot. I felt like the same conflict resolution conflict resolution rhythm repeated a few times in the book and it was a bit dull in the middle and a little at the end. The book also kind of did the same thing with the romance aspects. The book’s pacing also slowed down in the center and a little towards the end.
Verdict: It was great! Loved it!
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from Netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Two Truths and A Guy
Author: Jeannine Henvey
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: trans MC
Recommended For...: can’t recommend, DNFed
Publication Date: October 21, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: DNFed, can’t recommend but there is a lot of deadnaming, misgendering, and homophobia in the book. There’s also some disordered eating in the book that is shown.
Explanation of CWs: see above
Publisher: Fire & Ice Young Adult Books
Pages: 323
Synopsis: (not including due to issues with the synopsis including deadnaming and misgendering).
Review: DNFed at 13% and skimmed through the rest. So I got the book for early review, but after seeing all of the issues surrounding the book, including dead-naming and misgendering a trans character, I do not feel inclined to read this one any further. I do see where the author has replaced the synopsis, but the issues remain. The book focuses on Stella and it’s almost just a whole book devoted to her and her pity party about her twin. There’s a ton of homophobia in the book, a lot of misgendering, and deadnaming. The book has been triggering for many trans own voice readers and I urge you to look into their reviews. There is also disordered eating shown in the book, which was triggering for me.
Verdict: No.
Book: Two Truths and A Guy
Author: Jeannine Henvey
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: trans MC
Recommended For...: can’t recommend, DNFed
Publication Date: October 21, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: DNFed, can’t recommend but there is a lot of deadnaming, misgendering, and homophobia in the book. There’s also some disordered eating in the book that is shown.
Explanation of CWs: see above
Publisher: Fire & Ice Young Adult Books
Pages: 323
Synopsis: (not including due to issues with the synopsis including deadnaming and misgendering).
Review: DNFed at 13% and skimmed through the rest. So I got the book for early review, but after seeing all of the issues surrounding the book, including dead-naming and misgendering a trans character, I do not feel inclined to read this one any further. I do see where the author has replaced the synopsis, but the issues remain. The book focuses on Stella and it’s almost just a whole book devoted to her and her pity party about her twin. There’s a ton of homophobia in the book, a lot of misgendering, and deadnaming. The book has been triggering for many trans own voice readers and I urge you to look into their reviews. There is also disordered eating shown in the book, which was triggering for me.
Verdict: No.
dark
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Mystery in the Hill
Author: Aaron Qualio
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: mystery, thriller
Publication Date: March 13, 2021
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight violence and gore, some religion)
Explanation of CWs: There is slight violence and gore. There is also some religious imagery.
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co.
Pages: 79
Synopsis: A small Wisconsin town is shaken to its core when four high school boys stumble upon an unexpected discovery. As past and present secrets are exposed, more unsolved mysteries are revealed, leading to more danger than anyone could have ever imagined.
Review: This book was ok. The plot kept me interested in the book and I liked how there was dual plotlines going on with two different timelines. The writing for that was well done and the mystery angle of the book made it a fun read.
However, there was a lot of extra stuff that took away from the book and it really threw me off. The characters were also dull and flat and I didn’t connect with any of them. The pacing slowed down tremendously in the middle. The book was also super easy to figure out mystery wise and it just could have used more layers and character development.
Verdict: It was ok!
Book: Mystery in the Hill
Author: Aaron Qualio
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: mystery, thriller
Publication Date: March 13, 2021
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight violence and gore, some religion)
Explanation of CWs: There is slight violence and gore. There is also some religious imagery.
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co.
Pages: 79
Synopsis: A small Wisconsin town is shaken to its core when four high school boys stumble upon an unexpected discovery. As past and present secrets are exposed, more unsolved mysteries are revealed, leading to more danger than anyone could have ever imagined.
Review: This book was ok. The plot kept me interested in the book and I liked how there was dual plotlines going on with two different timelines. The writing for that was well done and the mystery angle of the book made it a fun read.
However, there was a lot of extra stuff that took away from the book and it really threw me off. The characters were also dull and flat and I didn’t connect with any of them. The pacing slowed down tremendously in the middle. The book was also super easy to figure out mystery wise and it just could have used more layers and character development.
Verdict: It was ok!
adventurous
medium-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from Smith Publicity. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Doizemaster: Phantasm Creed
Author: Tony M. Quintana
Book Series: Standalone for now
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: November 16, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore)
Explanation of CWs: There is some fighting and magic violence and some gore.
Publisher: Crystal Carriage Publishing LLC
Pages: 370
Synopsis: When bloodthirsty metal soldiers from the empire of Zaphyrelia infiltrate the divine barrier protecting the magically-infused oasis of Azahar, an unlikely hero is found in Dashiel Ermitage, a simple librarian's apprentice with a longing for adventure.
After a valiant battle, with the metallic menace finally defeated, Azahar faces a greater problem: the barrier that protects the land is weakening, leaving them vulnerable to their enemy.
Dashiel's wish for excitement becomes a reality when he is recruited to join the Cobalt Phantasms, an elite order that hopes to provide relief to the Zaphyrolean people suffering under a tyrannical rule. Armed with a mythical weapon and a childhood dream, he must leave Azahar and find a way to protect the town he loves on a journey that takes him through a wonderful but dangerous 19th-century world of flourishing machines and dwindling magic.
His new life, however, is threatened by a long-held secret that if shared, will end his adventuring.
Will Dashiel prove to be the hero Azahar needs to overcome their enemies, or will this closely guarded secret destroy his chances to save everything he holds dear?
Review: For the most part I really liked this one! I thought that the magic system was great and it was a fun read. The relationships between the characters was where the story shined and it was so fun to read their dialog. The character development was well done and the world building was phenomenal. The story is also very strong plot wise and I enjoyed the writing.
The only issue I had with the book is that it felt a little unevenly paced in some places in the book, but other than that it was well done!
Verdict: I recommend for the fantasy lovers!
Book: Doizemaster: Phantasm Creed
Author: Tony M. Quintana
Book Series: Standalone for now
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: November 16, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore)
Explanation of CWs: There is some fighting and magic violence and some gore.
Publisher: Crystal Carriage Publishing LLC
Pages: 370
Synopsis: When bloodthirsty metal soldiers from the empire of Zaphyrelia infiltrate the divine barrier protecting the magically-infused oasis of Azahar, an unlikely hero is found in Dashiel Ermitage, a simple librarian's apprentice with a longing for adventure.
After a valiant battle, with the metallic menace finally defeated, Azahar faces a greater problem: the barrier that protects the land is weakening, leaving them vulnerable to their enemy.
Dashiel's wish for excitement becomes a reality when he is recruited to join the Cobalt Phantasms, an elite order that hopes to provide relief to the Zaphyrolean people suffering under a tyrannical rule. Armed with a mythical weapon and a childhood dream, he must leave Azahar and find a way to protect the town he loves on a journey that takes him through a wonderful but dangerous 19th-century world of flourishing machines and dwindling magic.
His new life, however, is threatened by a long-held secret that if shared, will end his adventuring.
Will Dashiel prove to be the hero Azahar needs to overcome their enemies, or will this closely guarded secret destroy his chances to save everything he holds dear?
Review: For the most part I really liked this one! I thought that the magic system was great and it was a fun read. The relationships between the characters was where the story shined and it was so fun to read their dialog. The character development was well done and the world building was phenomenal. The story is also very strong plot wise and I enjoyed the writing.
The only issue I had with the book is that it felt a little unevenly paced in some places in the book, but other than that it was well done!
Verdict: I recommend for the fantasy lovers!
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from Smith Publicity. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Love and Other Sins
Author: Emilia Ares
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Diversity: MC that was in foster care
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 17+ (sexual assault, recollections of child abuse, foster care system, discussions of suicidal thoughts, and mention of miscarriage)
Explanation of CWs: Sexual assault and Miscarriage is mentioned. Child abuse is shown in recollections. The foster care system is present in the book. There are discussions of Suicide.
Publisher: SERA Press
Pages: 326
Synopsis: Mina’s life is going according to plan; she’s acing AP Calc and is perfectly content with her nonexistent social life. Though only a high school junior, Mina knows time is an investment, and she’s putting all her capital into academics. Oliver, a child abuse survivor who grew up in the foster care system, is ready to burn down his old life and start from scratch—complete with a new name and emancipation papers—in L.A. When the two are thrown together through circumstance and develop an unexpected connection, they discover how hard it is to keep the past in the past.
Review: This was a so-so book for me. I felt like the characters were well developed and I liked the story for the most part. The book also did well with the world building and after I was able to get into the book it was a sweet romance. The book also did well with complex themes.
However, I really didn’t like this book. The book was not well written in my opinion. I say this because there was a time, when Oliver is being introduced, that the author just info dumped all of this trauma about the character. The amount of trauma dumping that happened was really off-putting and it triggered me a little bit too. The author also just told all of this information instead of letting it come out naturally. The book was also weirdly paced as it alternated between fast and slow and I really couldn’t connect with Mina at all and ended up skimming a lot of her chapters.
Verdict: It wasn’t for me but might be for you.
adventurous
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Fire Wave
Author: Ana Stanojevic
Book Series: Fire Wave Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, superhero
Publication Date: March 1, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore)
Explanation of CWs: There is lots of violence and some gore.
Publisher: Kobo/Indie Published
Pages: unknown, ebook
Synopsis: Aiyana never expected that her life would change drastically.
After having a near-death experience and her company being attacked, Aiyana is shocked to wonder who would attack the work place and for what purpose. She found out that some classified chemicals had been stolen from Ihode Labs but despite the warning from the Head of the Company, Aiyana pursues her curiosity even further.
She soon learns that there is an evil brewing, nestled somewhere in Earth. Wanting to stop the threat, Aiyana never expected to do something that would be out of her league.
Review: This book was okay overall. I liked the story and the writing was on point. I liked the characters and I felt like the dialog was great and well done. The plot was also fairly strong and it kept me going throughout the book.
However, I felt like the book had some issues. The pacing was too fast for me and it felt like I couldn’t keep up with what was going on. The characters didn’t feel that well developed and the world building was a bit underdeveloped as well. I think if the book was a bit longer and more expanded it would have been better for me.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Fire Wave
Author: Ana Stanojevic
Book Series: Fire Wave Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, superhero
Publication Date: March 1, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore)
Explanation of CWs: There is lots of violence and some gore.
Publisher: Kobo/Indie Published
Pages: unknown, ebook
Synopsis: Aiyana never expected that her life would change drastically.
After having a near-death experience and her company being attacked, Aiyana is shocked to wonder who would attack the work place and for what purpose. She found out that some classified chemicals had been stolen from Ihode Labs but despite the warning from the Head of the Company, Aiyana pursues her curiosity even further.
She soon learns that there is an evil brewing, nestled somewhere in Earth. Wanting to stop the threat, Aiyana never expected to do something that would be out of her league.
Review: This book was okay overall. I liked the story and the writing was on point. I liked the characters and I felt like the dialog was great and well done. The plot was also fairly strong and it kept me going throughout the book.
However, I felt like the book had some issues. The pacing was too fast for me and it felt like I couldn’t keep up with what was going on. The characters didn’t feel that well developed and the world building was a bit underdeveloped as well. I think if the book was a bit longer and more expanded it would have been better for me.
Verdict: It was good!
emotional
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I received the finished book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Other Side of Friendship
Author: David Grant
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Autistic side character (son), Jamaican MC, Latina side character
Recommended For...: fiction, contemporary
Publication Date: October 24, 2020
Genre: Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (mental health, war)
Explanation of CWs: There is some war talk in the book and some talk about mental health and wellbeing.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 300
Synopsis: Tyrone Washington has thousands of online friends, so he should have no problem making friends in real life. After all, he's a successful Army colonel, happily married, and pursuing his dreams. Everything is going well for Tyrone until he and his cousin, Harold, make a bet about which one of them will make a new friend first. Fortunately for Tyrone, he is scheduled to attend the prestigious Eisenhower School at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., so he'll have the opportunity to meet career executives from numerous government agencies. Tyrone is confident he'll make a new good friend in no time.While attending the Eisenhower School, Tyrone unexpectedly becomes fast friends with his classmate, Melissa Lee Park. As their friendship unfolds, Tyrone discovers that winning the bet will be harder than he imagined. The realization that making friends as an adult is not solely a one-sided endeavor hits Tyrone like a ton of bricks. As his friendship with Melissa progresses, Tyrone finds himself in situations that put his military career, family, and mental health in jeopardy. Will Tyrone be smart enough to navigate life on the other side of friendship?
Review: Awww I liked this book. The book does well to explore the different levels of friendship and what real friendship is. I feel like I learned something from the book because I struggle to maintain friendships due to a variety of reasons. The book was a good comfort read and it was very sweetly told. The book had well done character development and the world building was well done. The writing was good and I liked the plot overall.
The only issue I really had with the book is that the pacing was a bit off and it felt too fast for the story, but overall I loved it.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: The Other Side of Friendship
Author: David Grant
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Autistic side character (son), Jamaican MC, Latina side character
Recommended For...: fiction, contemporary
Publication Date: October 24, 2020
Genre: Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (mental health, war)
Explanation of CWs: There is some war talk in the book and some talk about mental health and wellbeing.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 300
Synopsis: Tyrone Washington has thousands of online friends, so he should have no problem making friends in real life. After all, he's a successful Army colonel, happily married, and pursuing his dreams. Everything is going well for Tyrone until he and his cousin, Harold, make a bet about which one of them will make a new friend first. Fortunately for Tyrone, he is scheduled to attend the prestigious Eisenhower School at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., so he'll have the opportunity to meet career executives from numerous government agencies. Tyrone is confident he'll make a new good friend in no time.While attending the Eisenhower School, Tyrone unexpectedly becomes fast friends with his classmate, Melissa Lee Park. As their friendship unfolds, Tyrone discovers that winning the bet will be harder than he imagined. The realization that making friends as an adult is not solely a one-sided endeavor hits Tyrone like a ton of bricks. As his friendship with Melissa progresses, Tyrone finds himself in situations that put his military career, family, and mental health in jeopardy. Will Tyrone be smart enough to navigate life on the other side of friendship?
Review: Awww I liked this book. The book does well to explore the different levels of friendship and what real friendship is. I feel like I learned something from the book because I struggle to maintain friendships due to a variety of reasons. The book was a good comfort read and it was very sweetly told. The book had well done character development and the world building was well done. The writing was good and I liked the plot overall.
The only issue I really had with the book is that the pacing was a bit off and it felt too fast for the story, but overall I loved it.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I received this finished copy from HarperCollins. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: No Humans Allowed!
Author: Madeline Roux and Timothy Probert (Illustrator)
Book Series: Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeon Academy Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Black MC with 2 moms and is adopted
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, d&d
Publication Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (Violence, Bullying, Destroyed town, Gore, War, Parental death, Adoption trauma)
Explanation of CWs: Violence and gore are apart of this book. There is a lot of sword fighting and other fighting in this book. There is also a destroyed town that might be a little scary for some kids. There is a huge fight scene that is setting the series up for a war-like plot. Parental death is briefly mentioned. Adoption trauma is shown and discussed. There is also some serious bullying in the book.
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 204
Synopsis: Welcome to Dungeon Academy, where monsters and creatures train for the dark world that awaits just beyond the dungeon walls! But Zellidora “Zelli” Stormclash is a bit—different. She’s the one thing monsters and creatures of the Forgotten Realms fear the most: Zelli is a human!
Knowing she’ll never be accepted, Zelli’s parents disguise her as a minotaur in hopes she’ll blend with the academy’s monstrous surroundings. Zelli does her work, keeps to herself, and becomes “invisible” to everyone.
While in History of Horrible Humans class, Zelli learns of the great human adventurer, Allidora Steelstrike, who oddly resembles her. Could Zelli also be a Steelstrike? Seeking answers to her true lineage, Zelli embarks on a dangerous adventure.
But she won’t be alone. A vegan owlbear, a cowardly kobold, and a shapeshifting mimic will join Zelli on her quest for truth in a world that holds no place for them. And who knows? Perhaps these monstrous misfits may discover some truths of their own
Review: For the most part I really enjoyed this book. It had so many fun D&D elements in it and it really brings out the adventurous spirit in me as a reader. I loved the character development and the plot. The book also did well to incorporate the illustrations into the book.
However, the book was a little confusing for me. The world building was a little non-existent in the book and while some things got explained later on, I was thrown into the read without any explanation and it was super confusing. The book was also incredibly fast paced and it didn’t really stop to take time to explain what was going on.
Verdict: It was good, just not enough detail for me.
Book: No Humans Allowed!
Author: Madeline Roux and Timothy Probert (Illustrator)
Book Series: Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeon Academy Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Black MC with 2 moms and is adopted
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, d&d
Publication Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (Violence, Bullying, Destroyed town, Gore, War, Parental death, Adoption trauma)
Explanation of CWs: Violence and gore are apart of this book. There is a lot of sword fighting and other fighting in this book. There is also a destroyed town that might be a little scary for some kids. There is a huge fight scene that is setting the series up for a war-like plot. Parental death is briefly mentioned. Adoption trauma is shown and discussed. There is also some serious bullying in the book.
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 204
Synopsis: Welcome to Dungeon Academy, where monsters and creatures train for the dark world that awaits just beyond the dungeon walls! But Zellidora “Zelli” Stormclash is a bit—different. She’s the one thing monsters and creatures of the Forgotten Realms fear the most: Zelli is a human!
Knowing she’ll never be accepted, Zelli’s parents disguise her as a minotaur in hopes she’ll blend with the academy’s monstrous surroundings. Zelli does her work, keeps to herself, and becomes “invisible” to everyone.
While in History of Horrible Humans class, Zelli learns of the great human adventurer, Allidora Steelstrike, who oddly resembles her. Could Zelli also be a Steelstrike? Seeking answers to her true lineage, Zelli embarks on a dangerous adventure.
But she won’t be alone. A vegan owlbear, a cowardly kobold, and a shapeshifting mimic will join Zelli on her quest for truth in a world that holds no place for them. And who knows? Perhaps these monstrous misfits may discover some truths of their own
Review: For the most part I really enjoyed this book. It had so many fun D&D elements in it and it really brings out the adventurous spirit in me as a reader. I loved the character development and the plot. The book also did well to incorporate the illustrations into the book.
However, the book was a little confusing for me. The world building was a little non-existent in the book and while some things got explained later on, I was thrown into the read without any explanation and it was super confusing. The book was also incredibly fast paced and it didn’t really stop to take time to explain what was going on.
Verdict: It was good, just not enough detail for me.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Nanny Dearest
Author: Flora Collins
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: thriller, mystery
Publication Date: November 30, 2021
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 17+ (sexual assault possibly, animal violence, animal death, violence, mental health, alcohol consumption, parental death, grief)
Explanation of CWs: There is one possibly sexual assault scene, but it was really vague and non-descriptive so it’s hard to tell what really happened. Animal violence and animal killing/death described in detail. Mental health used in an unfavorable manner. Alcohol consumption and drunkenness are shown in the book. There is also a parental death scene in the book and a lot of the book focuses on the main character’s grief.
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Sue Keller is lost. When her father dies suddenly, she's orphaned in her mid-twenties, her mother already long gone. Then Sue meets Annie. It’s been twenty years, but Annie could never forget that face. She was Sue’s live-in nanny at their big house upstate, and she loved Sue like she was her own.
Craving connection and mothering, Sue is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue starts to uncover the truth about Annie's unsettling time in the Keller house all those years ago, particularly the manner of her departure—or dismissal. At the same time, she begins to grow increasingly alarmed for the safety of the two new charges currently in Annie's care.
Told in alternating points of views—Annie in the mid-'90s and Sue in the present day—this taut novel of suspense will keep readers turning the pages right up to the shocking end.
Review: For the most part this was an ok book. The story was interesting and it kept me intrigued. I also felt like the character development was well done and the world building was solid.
However, I had a lot of issues reading this book. It was hard to read and it was very draining to keep reading. The book was incredibly slow and nothing really happened until about 75% of the way through. The book is also told in a weird way and I just couldn’t connect with it at all. I was also really off-put by what I felt was the use of mental illness in this book and I especially had issue with the use of animal abuse and violence being used to make someone the villain of the story. That’s really off-putting to me as a reader.
Verdict: It wasn’t for me.
Book: Nanny Dearest
Author: Flora Collins
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: thriller, mystery
Publication Date: November 30, 2021
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 17+ (sexual assault possibly, animal violence, animal death, violence, mental health, alcohol consumption, parental death, grief)
Explanation of CWs: There is one possibly sexual assault scene, but it was really vague and non-descriptive so it’s hard to tell what really happened. Animal violence and animal killing/death described in detail. Mental health used in an unfavorable manner. Alcohol consumption and drunkenness are shown in the book. There is also a parental death scene in the book and a lot of the book focuses on the main character’s grief.
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Sue Keller is lost. When her father dies suddenly, she's orphaned in her mid-twenties, her mother already long gone. Then Sue meets Annie. It’s been twenty years, but Annie could never forget that face. She was Sue’s live-in nanny at their big house upstate, and she loved Sue like she was her own.
Craving connection and mothering, Sue is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue starts to uncover the truth about Annie's unsettling time in the Keller house all those years ago, particularly the manner of her departure—or dismissal. At the same time, she begins to grow increasingly alarmed for the safety of the two new charges currently in Annie's care.
Told in alternating points of views—Annie in the mid-'90s and Sue in the present day—this taut novel of suspense will keep readers turning the pages right up to the shocking end.
Review: For the most part this was an ok book. The story was interesting and it kept me intrigued. I also felt like the character development was well done and the world building was solid.
However, I had a lot of issues reading this book. It was hard to read and it was very draining to keep reading. The book was incredibly slow and nothing really happened until about 75% of the way through. The book is also told in a weird way and I just couldn’t connect with it at all. I was also really off-put by what I felt was the use of mental illness in this book and I especially had issue with the use of animal abuse and violence being used to make someone the villain of the story. That’s really off-putting to me as a reader.
Verdict: It wasn’t for me.