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popthebutterfly
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Disclaimer: I received this early audiobook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Dreams Lie Beneath
Author: Rebecca Ross
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: N/A DNFed
Publication Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: N/A DNFed
Explanation of CWs: N/A DNFed
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Pages: 496
Synopsis: A curse plagues the realm of Azenor—during each new moon, magic flows from the nearby mountain and brings nightmares to life. Only magicians, who serve as territory wardens, stand between people and their worst dreams.
Clementine Madigan is ready to take over as the warden of her small town, but when two magicians challenge her, she is unwittingly drawn into a century-old conflict. She seeks revenge, but as she secretly gets closer to Phelan, one of the handsome young magicians, secrets begin to rise. Clementine must unite with her rival to fight the realm’s curse, which seems to be haunting her every turn.
Clementine Madigan is ready to take over as the warden of her small town, but when two magicians challenge her, she is unwittingly drawn into a century-old conflict. She seeks revenge, but as she secretly gets closer to Phelan, one of the handsome young magicians, secrets begin to rise. Clementine must unite with her rival to fight the realm’s curse, which seems to be haunting her every turn.
Review: DNFed at 20%. I have to be in the mood for this type of book and after trying and trying for a couple of months I’m momentarily giving up on this book. However, I do want to try it again in paperback form and not audiobook.
Verdict: DNFed but coming back later!
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
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 and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas
Author: Tiffany Schmidt
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult, romance, holiday
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 13+ (grief, parent death, romance, fatphobia, dieting TW, vomiting TW)
Explanation of CWs: Grief and parent death are discussed and grief is shown in the book. Romance is enemies to lovers without sexual content. Fatphobic comments and dieting and vomiting are shown in the book and discussed).
Publisher: Amulet
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Noelle Partridge is known for three things: being the best ballet dancer, babysitter, and person with the most Christmas spirit in her small town. But lately she’s bored by the lessons at her dance school, and her friends and father are more bah humbug than Hallmark movie marathon. So when her favorite babysitting clients ask her to accompany them on a ski trip over winter break, she packs her bags for the slopes. It helps that they’re offering double her rate—she’ll need the money for Beacon, an elite ballet academy that’s granted her an audition.
Noelle is ready to “Deck the Halls” and have fa la la la fun, until Wyatt, the older half-brother of her babysitting charges, decides to surprise his family for the holiday. He’s one of the best dancers at Beacon, and makes Noelle’s head spin faster than pirouettes. Unfortunately, she also manages to step on his toes—spoiling his surprise and complicating his secret plans. After a few missteps, Noelle and Wyatt begin to thaw toward each other and bond over the big decisions looming in each of their lives. With enough Christmas magic, Noelle might just start the New Year with lots of babysitting cash in her pocket and a chance with the pas de deux partner of her dreams.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed the book! It’s corny and punny with the usual holiday sayings. It’s done great with the character development and the world building. The book is also well written and it’s one of the cutest cozy holiday reads I’ve read recently. I also liked the message behind the book about confronting your problems head on instead of running from them.
However, Noelle as a protagonist is a bit pushy and it took me a long time to warm up to her.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas
Author: Tiffany Schmidt
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult, romance, holiday
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: YA Romance
Recommended Age: 13+ (grief, parent death, romance, fatphobia, dieting TW, vomiting TW)
Explanation of CWs: Grief and parent death are discussed and grief is shown in the book. Romance is enemies to lovers without sexual content. Fatphobic comments and dieting and vomiting are shown in the book and discussed).
Publisher: Amulet
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Noelle Partridge is known for three things: being the best ballet dancer, babysitter, and person with the most Christmas spirit in her small town. But lately she’s bored by the lessons at her dance school, and her friends and father are more bah humbug than Hallmark movie marathon. So when her favorite babysitting clients ask her to accompany them on a ski trip over winter break, she packs her bags for the slopes. It helps that they’re offering double her rate—she’ll need the money for Beacon, an elite ballet academy that’s granted her an audition.
Noelle is ready to “Deck the Halls” and have fa la la la fun, until Wyatt, the older half-brother of her babysitting charges, decides to surprise his family for the holiday. He’s one of the best dancers at Beacon, and makes Noelle’s head spin faster than pirouettes. Unfortunately, she also manages to step on his toes—spoiling his surprise and complicating his secret plans. After a few missteps, Noelle and Wyatt begin to thaw toward each other and bond over the big decisions looming in each of their lives. With enough Christmas magic, Noelle might just start the New Year with lots of babysitting cash in her pocket and a chance with the pas de deux partner of her dreams.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed the book! It’s corny and punny with the usual holiday sayings. It’s done great with the character development and the world building. The book is also well written and it’s one of the cutest cozy holiday reads I’ve read recently. I also liked the message behind the book about confronting your problems head on instead of running from them.
However, Noelle as a protagonist is a bit pushy and it took me a long time to warm up to her.
Verdict: It was good!
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Lighthouse Witches
Author: C.J. Cooke
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, paranormal, horror, thriller
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: Paranormal Horror
Recommended Age: 16+ (death, violence, gore, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, grief, trauma)
Explanation of CWs: There is a lot of mention of death, violence, and there is some gore. Sexual abuse scene. Abuse in both physical and emotional. There is also grief and some trauma shown.
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 367
Synopsis: When single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a 100-year-old lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, it's an opportunity to start over with her three daughters--Luna, Sapphire, and Clover. When two of her daughters go missing, she's frantic. She learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for women accused of witchcraft. The locals warn her about wildlings, supernatural beings who mimic human children, created by witches for revenge. Liv is told wildlings are dangerous and must be killed.
Twenty-two years later, Luna has been searching for her missing sisters and mother. When she receives a call about her youngest sister, Clover, she's initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers--except she's still seven years old, the age she was when she vanished. Luna is worried Clover is a wildling. Luna has few memories of her time on the island, but she'll have to return to find the truth of what happened to her family. But she doesn't realize just how much the truth will change her.
Review: Overall, I liked the story to an extent. It was well plotted and it was an interesting story. I also enjoyed the world building.
However, the book is almost excruciatingly slow and it’s hard to stay into the book. Mid-way through the book I had to stop and read another book because it was still very slow, but I was determined to finish the read. It was a bittersweet ending, one that I saw coming a bit. The characters, while developed, are also hard to connect with. There was also some oddball moments in the book, like with the 2021 numbers where everyone was wondering if they were a mysterious number. It was just a very odd and slow book.
Verdict:
Book: The Lighthouse Witches
Author: C.J. Cooke
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, paranormal, horror, thriller
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: Paranormal Horror
Recommended Age: 16+ (death, violence, gore, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, grief, trauma)
Explanation of CWs: There is a lot of mention of death, violence, and there is some gore. Sexual abuse scene. Abuse in both physical and emotional. There is also grief and some trauma shown.
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 367
Synopsis: When single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a 100-year-old lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, it's an opportunity to start over with her three daughters--Luna, Sapphire, and Clover. When two of her daughters go missing, she's frantic. She learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for women accused of witchcraft. The locals warn her about wildlings, supernatural beings who mimic human children, created by witches for revenge. Liv is told wildlings are dangerous and must be killed.
Twenty-two years later, Luna has been searching for her missing sisters and mother. When she receives a call about her youngest sister, Clover, she's initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers--except she's still seven years old, the age she was when she vanished. Luna is worried Clover is a wildling. Luna has few memories of her time on the island, but she'll have to return to find the truth of what happened to her family. But she doesn't realize just how much the truth will change her.
Review: Overall, I liked the story to an extent. It was well plotted and it was an interesting story. I also enjoyed the world building.
However, the book is almost excruciatingly slow and it’s hard to stay into the book. Mid-way through the book I had to stop and read another book because it was still very slow, but I was determined to finish the read. It was a bittersweet ending, one that I saw coming a bit. The characters, while developed, are also hard to connect with. There was also some oddball moments in the book, like with the 2021 numbers where everyone was wondering if they were a mysterious number. It was just a very odd and slow book.
Verdict:
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Tristan Strong Keeps Punching
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 3
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black MC and side characters, African myth and lore
Recommended For...: children’s books, middle grade, fantasy, mythology)
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, gore, some scary moments, trauma, grief)
Explanation of CWs:
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 400
Synopsis: After reuniting with Ayanna, who is now in his world, Tristan travels up the Mississippi in pursuit of his archenemy, King Cotton. Along the way they encounter new haints who are dead set on preventing their progress north to Tristan's hometown of Chicago. It's going to take many Alkean friends, including the gods themselves, the black flames of the afokena gloves, and all of Tristan's inner strength to deliver justice once and for all.
Review: I highly enjoyed this book! The character development is great and the world building is sound. I loved the story and I love that the author does not shy away from talking about society or how life is for our main character. Now only is this an important voice for children to read about, I believe that the more talked about these issues that Tristan faces are, the more tools we give children to change the future for the better for all.
The only issue I had with the book is that the beginning of the book is slow and it takes a second for me to remember everything from the previous two books, but I highly recommend this book!
Verdict: Highly recommend!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Daughter of the Deep
Author: Rick Riordan
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Bundeli Indian MC, Autistic character, Portuguese character, Black Mormon character
Recommended For...: children’s books, middle grade, fantasy, retelling, science fiction, mythology
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: MG Retelling
Recommended Age: 8+ (slight violence and gore, some scary moments)
Explanation of CWs: There are moments in this book that might frighten some younger children.
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Ana Dakkar is a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a five-year high school that graduates the best marine scientists, naval warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers in the world. Ana's parents died while on a scientific expedition two years ago, and the only family's she's got left is her older brother, Dev, also a student at HP. Ana's freshman year culminates with the class's weekend trial at sea, the details of which have been kept secret. She only hopes she has what it'll take to succeed. All her worries are blown out of the water when, on the bus ride to the ship, Ana and her schoolmates witness a terrible tragedy that will change the trajectory of their lives.
But wait, there's more. The professor accompanying them informs Ana that their rival school, Land Institute, and Harding-Pencroft have been fighting a cold war for a hundred and fifty years. Now that cold war has been turned up to a full broil, and the freshman are in danger of becoming fish food. In a race against deadly enemies, Ana will make amazing friends and astounding discoveries about her heritage as she puts her leadership skills to the test for the first time.
Review: I never thought I needed a retelling of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea but here we are and I loved it! I thought that the book was well done. There was a good mix of diversity in this book, including autism. The book also explores a variety of languages and cultures and commentates about evil, greed, and corruption of coroporations alongside the exploitation of technology. The book also does well to develop all of the characters and the world building is absolutely amazing. I also enjoyed the slights at JKR and the HP world and this book will definitely be featured as an Anti HP recommendation.
However, I do have to say that the book is predictable. The book was well written, but I could see the twists a mile away. While it didn’t deter my enjoyment, I did find it a little boring once all my theories were confirmed.
Verdict: Highly enjoyed this one!
Book: Daughter of the Deep
Author: Rick Riordan
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Bundeli Indian MC, Autistic character, Portuguese character, Black Mormon character
Recommended For...: children’s books, middle grade, fantasy, retelling, science fiction, mythology
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: MG Retelling
Recommended Age: 8+ (slight violence and gore, some scary moments)
Explanation of CWs: There are moments in this book that might frighten some younger children.
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Ana Dakkar is a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a five-year high school that graduates the best marine scientists, naval warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers in the world. Ana's parents died while on a scientific expedition two years ago, and the only family's she's got left is her older brother, Dev, also a student at HP. Ana's freshman year culminates with the class's weekend trial at sea, the details of which have been kept secret. She only hopes she has what it'll take to succeed. All her worries are blown out of the water when, on the bus ride to the ship, Ana and her schoolmates witness a terrible tragedy that will change the trajectory of their lives.
But wait, there's more. The professor accompanying them informs Ana that their rival school, Land Institute, and Harding-Pencroft have been fighting a cold war for a hundred and fifty years. Now that cold war has been turned up to a full broil, and the freshman are in danger of becoming fish food. In a race against deadly enemies, Ana will make amazing friends and astounding discoveries about her heritage as she puts her leadership skills to the test for the first time.
Review: I never thought I needed a retelling of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea but here we are and I loved it! I thought that the book was well done. There was a good mix of diversity in this book, including autism. The book also explores a variety of languages and cultures and commentates about evil, greed, and corruption of coroporations alongside the exploitation of technology. The book also does well to develop all of the characters and the world building is absolutely amazing. I also enjoyed the slights at JKR and the HP world and this book will definitely be featured as an Anti HP recommendation.
However, I do have to say that the book is predictable. The book was well written, but I could see the twists a mile away. While it didn’t deter my enjoyment, I did find it a little boring once all my theories were confirmed.
Verdict: Highly enjoyed this one!
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Fireborn
Author: Aisling Fowler
Book Series: Fireborn Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: children’s books, middle grade, fantasy
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (violence, slight gore, some scary moments, monsters, grief, kidnapping TW)
Explanation of CWs:
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Lyra. Lucy. Percy. Once in a generation, a hero emerges whose story enthralls readers worldwide.
Ember is full of monsters. Twelve gave up her name and identity to train in the art of hunting them--so she says. The truth is much more deadly: she trains to take revenge on those who took her family from her. But when Twelve's new home is attacked, she'll find herself on an unexpected journey, where her hidden past is inescapably intertwined with her destiny--and the very fate of her world.
Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was so much fun and I had a lot of fun reading it. The characters were well developed. The world building was amazing. I loved the characters and I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
The only issue I had with the book is that the beginning is a little slow and the main character isn’t that likeable for a little bit, but I think this character will speak well to a lot of younger kids who suffer from trauma and anger.
Verdict: It was amazingly well done!
Book: Fireborn
Author: Aisling Fowler
Book Series: Fireborn Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: children’s books, middle grade, fantasy
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (violence, slight gore, some scary moments, monsters, grief, kidnapping TW)
Explanation of CWs:
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Lyra. Lucy. Percy. Once in a generation, a hero emerges whose story enthralls readers worldwide.
Ember is full of monsters. Twelve gave up her name and identity to train in the art of hunting them--so she says. The truth is much more deadly: she trains to take revenge on those who took her family from her. But when Twelve's new home is attacked, she'll find herself on an unexpected journey, where her hidden past is inescapably intertwined with her destiny--and the very fate of her world.
Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was so much fun and I had a lot of fun reading it. The characters were well developed. The world building was amazing. I loved the characters and I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
The only issue I had with the book is that the beginning is a little slow and the main character isn’t that likeable for a little bit, but I think this character will speak well to a lot of younger kids who suffer from trauma and anger.
Verdict: It was amazingly well done!
emotional
funny
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 and arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Throwback List
Author: Lily Anderson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black biracial bisexual MC, Filipino side character, Puerto Rican bisexual Anxiety MC, Lesbian side character, F/f romance
Recommended For...: contemporary fiction, romance, LGBT+
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (Language, Sexism, Micro aggressions, Alcohol consumption, Grief, Anxiety, Drug use, Romance, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Abelism, Misogyny)
Explanation of CWs: There is cursing throughout the book. There is mentions and some slight show of sexism, micro aggressions, fatphobia, abelism, and misogyny. There is alcohol consumption, but all characters are adults. There is grief and anxiety shown. Drug use is mentioned and briefly shown with edibles. Romance and sexual content are shown, but the sex is fade to black.
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Pages: 391
Synopsis: Welcome to Sandy Point, Oregon: a sleepy beach town that's home to a giant anchor statue, a sometimes-karaoke-bar, and Frosty's questionably legendary Sunday Sundae Surprise. A town Jo, Autumn, and Bianca thought they'd left far behind when they graduated high school, finally moving on to greener pastures than the midway point for tourists heading to the Goonies house. But life seldom goes according to plan.
Bianca Boria-Birdy, former prom queen and valedictorian, has always been an overachiever. As she juggles managing the family tattoo parlor, caring for her grandmother, and adjusting to a new marriage, Bianca's schedule becomes stricter than ever, with no room for disruption. What she really needs is a vacation, but not even Bianca Boria-Birdy can achieve the impossible.
Autumn Kelly used to be an actress. Now she teaches drama at Sandy Point High. She may have had to kiss her movie-star dreams goodbye, but molding the next generation of performers has given her life meaning in a whole new way. Until the sudden reappearance of her ex-best friend throws everything off-balance.
Jo Freeman has it all together. With a cool job in Silicon Valley, connections at the trendiest fitness studios, and a down payment on her dream condo, she's well on her way to reaching every one of her goals before thirty. Or she was, before she got fired and landed right back home with her parents and teenage sister.
When Jo finds an old bucket list in her childhood bedroom, it sets the three women on a path that brings them closer to one another with each task. And it just might lead to a life none of them could have planned.
Review: I really enjoyed this book! I didn’t expect it to love it as much as I did but it was such a fun book! I loved the character development and the multiple POV worked for this book. I really liked all of the commentary on beauty standards, natural hair, and “success”, as well as the slight commentary on capitalism. The world building was also well done and the book is well plotted.
The only issue I had with the book is that the ending isn’t a very true “happy” ending. The characters got what they mostly wanted, but some of the issues remained. I wanted to see more of them resolved and I didn’t like to see how a character went back into the workforce even though most of the book focused on her exploring other options outside of traditional work, but it’s fairly good as is.
Verdict: It’s good!
Book: The Throwback List
Author: Lily Anderson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black biracial bisexual MC, Filipino side character, Puerto Rican bisexual Anxiety MC, Lesbian side character, F/f romance
Recommended For...: contemporary fiction, romance, LGBT+
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (Language, Sexism, Micro aggressions, Alcohol consumption, Grief, Anxiety, Drug use, Romance, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Abelism, Misogyny)
Explanation of CWs: There is cursing throughout the book. There is mentions and some slight show of sexism, micro aggressions, fatphobia, abelism, and misogyny. There is alcohol consumption, but all characters are adults. There is grief and anxiety shown. Drug use is mentioned and briefly shown with edibles. Romance and sexual content are shown, but the sex is fade to black.
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Pages: 391
Synopsis: Welcome to Sandy Point, Oregon: a sleepy beach town that's home to a giant anchor statue, a sometimes-karaoke-bar, and Frosty's questionably legendary Sunday Sundae Surprise. A town Jo, Autumn, and Bianca thought they'd left far behind when they graduated high school, finally moving on to greener pastures than the midway point for tourists heading to the Goonies house. But life seldom goes according to plan.
Bianca Boria-Birdy, former prom queen and valedictorian, has always been an overachiever. As she juggles managing the family tattoo parlor, caring for her grandmother, and adjusting to a new marriage, Bianca's schedule becomes stricter than ever, with no room for disruption. What she really needs is a vacation, but not even Bianca Boria-Birdy can achieve the impossible.
Autumn Kelly used to be an actress. Now she teaches drama at Sandy Point High. She may have had to kiss her movie-star dreams goodbye, but molding the next generation of performers has given her life meaning in a whole new way. Until the sudden reappearance of her ex-best friend throws everything off-balance.
Jo Freeman has it all together. With a cool job in Silicon Valley, connections at the trendiest fitness studios, and a down payment on her dream condo, she's well on her way to reaching every one of her goals before thirty. Or she was, before she got fired and landed right back home with her parents and teenage sister.
When Jo finds an old bucket list in her childhood bedroom, it sets the three women on a path that brings them closer to one another with each task. And it just might lead to a life none of them could have planned.
Review: I really enjoyed this book! I didn’t expect it to love it as much as I did but it was such a fun book! I loved the character development and the multiple POV worked for this book. I really liked all of the commentary on beauty standards, natural hair, and “success”, as well as the slight commentary on capitalism. The world building was also well done and the book is well plotted.
The only issue I had with the book is that the ending isn’t a very true “happy” ending. The characters got what they mostly wanted, but some of the issues remained. I wanted to see more of them resolved and I didn’t like to see how a character went back into the workforce even though most of the book focused on her exploring other options outside of traditional work, but it’s fairly good as is.
Verdict: It’s good!
dark
medium-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Madness
Author: Paitlyn Parque
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: horror, dystopian
Publication Date: August 10, 2021
Genre: Horror Dystopian
Recommended Age: 17+ (TW suicide, violence, death, gore, PTSD)
Explanation of CWs: Suicide is shown and mentioned and is a main plot point to the read. Violence and gore and death are also shown. PTSD is shown.
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 301
Synopsis: Death is not an escape.
One night Ezra Adkins is brutally murdered in her own home. As she was dying, she expects to wake up in the afterworld.
She was wrong.
She loses consciousness and awakens into a horrific game of kill or be killed. Players can be killed an infinite number of times, but the only permanent way out of the game is their actual death by suicide.
Players in the game ruthlessly hunt each other for points, while others kill for fun. Most players have given up on finding an escape from the game and spiral into insanity, killing without reason.
It’s mayhem.
Ezra soon learns who to trust and who to hunt down. But as she falls deeper into the game, she starts to lose herself as the bodies pile up. The line blurs between what she’s always known to be right and wrong.
Metal will clash. Blood will spill. Minds will break. And before it’s too late, Ezra must find an escape from the game before she becomes the real enemy.
Review: For the most part this book was ok. It was an interesting premise and I thought it was well paced and the plot was intriguing. I also thought the character development was fairly well done.
However, you really have to be in the mood for this book. The subject matter is very mature and can be triggering. The book’s characters also felt a little flat for me and I struggled to get through this book. I also feel like the title and some of the subject matter about characters being “driven to madness” can be a bit triggering and discriminatory to people who do have mental health issues.
Verdict: It was ok.
Book: Madness
Author: Paitlyn Parque
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: horror, dystopian
Publication Date: August 10, 2021
Genre: Horror Dystopian
Recommended Age: 17+ (TW suicide, violence, death, gore, PTSD)
Explanation of CWs: Suicide is shown and mentioned and is a main plot point to the read. Violence and gore and death are also shown. PTSD is shown.
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 301
Synopsis: Death is not an escape.
One night Ezra Adkins is brutally murdered in her own home. As she was dying, she expects to wake up in the afterworld.
She was wrong.
She loses consciousness and awakens into a horrific game of kill or be killed. Players can be killed an infinite number of times, but the only permanent way out of the game is their actual death by suicide.
Players in the game ruthlessly hunt each other for points, while others kill for fun. Most players have given up on finding an escape from the game and spiral into insanity, killing without reason.
It’s mayhem.
Ezra soon learns who to trust and who to hunt down. But as she falls deeper into the game, she starts to lose herself as the bodies pile up. The line blurs between what she’s always known to be right and wrong.
Metal will clash. Blood will spill. Minds will break. And before it’s too late, Ezra must find an escape from the game before she becomes the real enemy.
Review: For the most part this book was ok. It was an interesting premise and I thought it was well paced and the plot was intriguing. I also thought the character development was fairly well done.
However, you really have to be in the mood for this book. The subject matter is very mature and can be triggering. The book’s characters also felt a little flat for me and I struggled to get through this book. I also feel like the title and some of the subject matter about characters being “driven to madness” can be a bit triggering and discriminatory to people who do have mental health issues.
Verdict: It was ok.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Threat Below
Author: J.S. Latshaw
Book Series: Brathius Legacy Series Book 1
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, dystopian
Publication Date: July 29, 2015
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, violence, gore, death)
Explanation of CWs: There is violence and gore in the book, as well as death. The romance in the book is also a love triangle.
Publisher: Fernweh Books
Pages: 544
Synopsis: Three hundred years ago, something terrifying arose and pushed humanity to the brink of extinction. Now, a small remnant – the descendants of the few survivors who were able to escape the massacre below – lives above the clouds, on the top of a Mountain.
When they discover that their water supply is being poisoned Down Below, an expedition, including seventeen year-old girl Icelyn Brathius, must descend and face the monsters, the Threat Below, that wiped out civilization centuries ago.
Icelyn quickly learns that all is not what it seems as she uncovers secrets hundreds of years old and struggles to stay alive in a world where no human is fit to survive.
Review: For the most part I really enjoyed this book. It was a decent dystopian novel and I loved the vast storytelling the book had. The world building was amazingly well done and the character development was as well. The book also well plotted and the pacing was on point.
However, there was a lot of characters and it was hard to keep track of them. There was also a love triangle in the book.
Verdict: It was great!
Book: The Threat Below
Author: J.S. Latshaw
Book Series: Brathius Legacy Series Book 1
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, dystopian
Publication Date: July 29, 2015
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, violence, gore, death)
Explanation of CWs: There is violence and gore in the book, as well as death. The romance in the book is also a love triangle.
Publisher: Fernweh Books
Pages: 544
Synopsis: Three hundred years ago, something terrifying arose and pushed humanity to the brink of extinction. Now, a small remnant – the descendants of the few survivors who were able to escape the massacre below – lives above the clouds, on the top of a Mountain.
When they discover that their water supply is being poisoned Down Below, an expedition, including seventeen year-old girl Icelyn Brathius, must descend and face the monsters, the Threat Below, that wiped out civilization centuries ago.
Icelyn quickly learns that all is not what it seems as she uncovers secrets hundreds of years old and struggles to stay alive in a world where no human is fit to survive.
Review: For the most part I really enjoyed this book. It was a decent dystopian novel and I loved the vast storytelling the book had. The world building was amazingly well done and the character development was as well. The book also well plotted and the pacing was on point.
However, there was a lot of characters and it was hard to keep track of them. There was also a love triangle in the book.
Verdict: It was great!
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Fan Club
Author: Erin Mayer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Latinx side character
Recommended For...: psychological, thriller
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Recommended Age: 17+ (depression, stalkerish behavior, cult-like behavior)
Explanation of CWs: Depression is shown, but not named. The MC and side characters have stalkerish and cult-like behavior in their obsession with the celebrity and it’s a bit much.
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 336
Synopsis: In this raucous psychological thriller, a millennial office worker finds relief from her crippling ennui in the embrace of a cliquey fan club, until she discovers the group of women is bound together by something darker than devotion.
Day after day our narrator, a gloomy millennial, searches for meaning beyond her vacuous job at a women's lifestyle website—entering text into a computer system while she watches their beauty editor unwrap box after box of perfectly packaged bits of happiness. Then, one night at a dive bar, she hears a message in the newest single by child-actor-turned-international-pop-star Adriana Argento, and she is struck. Soon she loses herself to the online fandom, a community whose members feverishly track Adriana's every move.
When a colleague notices the extent of her obsession, she’s invited to join an enigmatic group of adult Adriana superfans who call themselves the Ivies and worship her music in witchy, candlelit listening parties. As the narrator becomes more entrenched in the group, she gets closer to uncovering the sinister secrets that bind them together—while simultaneously losing her grip on reality.
Review: Overall, this was an ok book. The book was interesting and it had some really well written parts about celebrity obsession and how harmful it can be to the obsessed and the obsesse. I also thought the book had well done world building and the plot is really interesting.
However, the book is weirdly written and we never find out who the actual main narrator is because the book focuses on the obsession with celebrities. The book is also slow in pace and I just couldn’t connect with the narrator or the storyline at all. The ending was also flat. I don’t think I connected well with this book because I’ve never been obsessed with celebrities and generally don’t care about them.
Verdict: It was ok, but not for me.
Book: Fan Club
Author: Erin Mayer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Latinx side character
Recommended For...: psychological, thriller
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Recommended Age: 17+ (depression, stalkerish behavior, cult-like behavior)
Explanation of CWs: Depression is shown, but not named. The MC and side characters have stalkerish and cult-like behavior in their obsession with the celebrity and it’s a bit much.
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 336
Synopsis: In this raucous psychological thriller, a millennial office worker finds relief from her crippling ennui in the embrace of a cliquey fan club, until she discovers the group of women is bound together by something darker than devotion.
Day after day our narrator, a gloomy millennial, searches for meaning beyond her vacuous job at a women's lifestyle website—entering text into a computer system while she watches their beauty editor unwrap box after box of perfectly packaged bits of happiness. Then, one night at a dive bar, she hears a message in the newest single by child-actor-turned-international-pop-star Adriana Argento, and she is struck. Soon she loses herself to the online fandom, a community whose members feverishly track Adriana's every move.
When a colleague notices the extent of her obsession, she’s invited to join an enigmatic group of adult Adriana superfans who call themselves the Ivies and worship her music in witchy, candlelit listening parties. As the narrator becomes more entrenched in the group, she gets closer to uncovering the sinister secrets that bind them together—while simultaneously losing her grip on reality.
Review: Overall, this was an ok book. The book was interesting and it had some really well written parts about celebrity obsession and how harmful it can be to the obsessed and the obsesse. I also thought the book had well done world building and the plot is really interesting.
However, the book is weirdly written and we never find out who the actual main narrator is because the book focuses on the obsession with celebrities. The book is also slow in pace and I just couldn’t connect with the narrator or the storyline at all. The ending was also flat. I don’t think I connected well with this book because I’ve never been obsessed with celebrities and generally don’t care about them.
Verdict: It was ok, but not for me.