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samantha_randolph
Super cute, novella length f/f romance with Jewish rep! Perfect for people who like low drama, high swoon reads
Steel Lily takes place in a steampunk/dystopian (but not THAT far into the future)world where people live under Domes instead of the sky. After WWIII, the Earth was badly damaged and the air polluted, making everyone have to live under a metal-like dome. How does it operate? Steam. Enter Avery, a uniquely talented girl whose parents are missing. Avery is an Elementist, meaning at least in her case, that she can produce steam. While it may sound like claim-to-fame ability, she is often shunned by her peers for her gift. When she is taken to a new school to further develop her powers, she discoveries much more than she bargained for including mystery, hidden agendas, and romance.
I signed up to receive a free ARC ebook (in exchange for an honest review), because I thought this story sounded unique, and it wonderfully, wonderfully was. From the first few chapters, I felt really engrossed in Avery's world. It was easy to imagine this tough, lonely girl trying to deal with being different, having powers, and protecting those she loves. Avery might actually be one of my favorite protagonists, not because she is any of the above, but because of her reactions to things. So many times when I'm reading a book, I wonder why the main character went along with something, with little or no question. They might have the most stubborn side and a fierce backbone, but when something happens, they just kind of go along with it. Avery is not like this. She questions everything in an intelligent, firm way, showing that she doesn't trust easily. Given the world she lives in, that is a very good thing. She had a great way of describing the world around her without it feeling too explanation-y. The best world-building is often the one that happens gradually and without being obvious, and I think that's what this book had.
The plot was very reasonably paced, and I loved the characters more and more after every twist and turn. The character development was so smooth. Every time one of the characters had a break through, I felt like grabbing some confetti and throwing them a party for gaining such a new insight. While Avery was my favorite character, I loved the personalities the secondary characters brought. Alice, Avery's best friend, is very sweet and her friendship with Avery is natural and logical. I can easily picture them being best friends in real life. Sari was also a character I liked getting to know.
But we all know this a young adult story, and usually the best of those have a great romance. Hello, Jaxon. Jaxon is moody, sarcastic, sweet, unpredictable, and surprisingly heartwarming at times. The relationship between him and Avery is something readers will have to uncover for themselves, but I loved every second of it. It was unique, and not like a lot of YA relationships I've read. Jaxon and Avery are so similar, and they have a connection that left me teary at times (no shame!).
Other things I loved: the wit, the title (and the moment when I found out why the title was that, ALL THE FEELS), the cover, and the way the plot transitions were handled.
No book is perfect, so the thing I will say I would have liked more in this book is the Elementalist powers. We see Avery's frequently, but I would have enjoyed learning more about them in other people. I'm assuming/hoping/begging that there will be a sequel, so there's plenty of room to find out more about them, so it's not a big minus by any means, just a notable one.
5/5 steam-powered stars.
I signed up to receive a free ARC ebook (in exchange for an honest review), because I thought this story sounded unique, and it wonderfully, wonderfully was. From the first few chapters, I felt really engrossed in Avery's world. It was easy to imagine this tough, lonely girl trying to deal with being different, having powers, and protecting those she loves. Avery might actually be one of my favorite protagonists, not because she is any of the above, but because of her reactions to things. So many times when I'm reading a book, I wonder why the main character went along with something, with little or no question. They might have the most stubborn side and a fierce backbone, but when something happens, they just kind of go along with it. Avery is not like this. She questions everything in an intelligent, firm way, showing that she doesn't trust easily. Given the world she lives in, that is a very good thing. She had a great way of describing the world around her without it feeling too explanation-y. The best world-building is often the one that happens gradually and without being obvious, and I think that's what this book had.
The plot was very reasonably paced, and I loved the characters more and more after every twist and turn. The character development was so smooth. Every time one of the characters had a break through, I felt like grabbing some confetti and throwing them a party for gaining such a new insight. While Avery was my favorite character, I loved the personalities the secondary characters brought. Alice, Avery's best friend, is very sweet and her friendship with Avery is natural and logical. I can easily picture them being best friends in real life. Sari was also a character I liked getting to know.
But we all know this a young adult story, and usually the best of those have a great romance. Hello, Jaxon. Jaxon is moody, sarcastic, sweet, unpredictable, and surprisingly heartwarming at times. The relationship between him and Avery is something readers will have to uncover for themselves, but I loved every second of it. It was unique, and not like a lot of YA relationships I've read. Jaxon and Avery are so similar, and they have a connection that left me teary at times (no shame!).
Other things I loved: the wit, the title (and the moment when I found out why the title was that, ALL THE FEELS), the cover, and the way the plot transitions were handled.
No book is perfect, so the thing I will say I would have liked more in this book is the Elementalist powers. We see Avery's frequently, but I would have enjoyed learning more about them in other people. I'm assuming/hoping/begging that there will be a sequel, so there's plenty of room to find out more about them, so it's not a big minus by any means, just a notable one.
5/5 steam-powered stars.
I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Growing Disenchantments is the the second book of K.D. Berry's that I've read, and after liking the first, I loved the second (but this isn't a series, it just has some carry-over characters). What happens when a young sorcerer tries to hire a thief, Ganfrey, to still a seemingly ugly and boring painting? When you throw in two more sorcerers, a time-travel, a good/bad imp, and a hilarious security guard, a whole lot happens!
Much like Dragons Away, this book has a level of humor I haven't seen before in books. It can be dry, subtle, shocking, etc., but always funny. I can't count the times I laughed out loud while reading.
However, as much as I love a good laugh, what I loved most about this book was the surprising bits of depth found throughout. Ganfrey might be one of my favorite female protagonists. Her background story is rough (as in, the circumstances were rough, not the writing), and though she stays strong, we still see moments where she's just a scared teenager trying to find a home. Likewise, the sorcerers in this book are after as much power as they can get. Once they see what great power is like, they have to decide if it is worth it, if having all the power in world means you turn evil and alone.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a little love triangle going on in this book. It was refreshing, because it lacked the overdone love triangle-ness seen in many YA books. It was simple, light, and I liked both guys in the triangle enough to be happy with either choice Ganfrey had, if she did indeed choose one (not to give any spoilers away).
With unique, clever, and funny characters as well as a smooth plot, 4.5/stars. If you're looking for something new in YA, I would highly recommend this to you.
Growing Disenchantments is the the second book of K.D. Berry's that I've read, and after liking the first, I loved the second (but this isn't a series, it just has some carry-over characters). What happens when a young sorcerer tries to hire a thief, Ganfrey, to still a seemingly ugly and boring painting? When you throw in two more sorcerers, a time-travel, a good/bad imp, and a hilarious security guard, a whole lot happens!
Much like Dragons Away, this book has a level of humor I haven't seen before in books. It can be dry, subtle, shocking, etc., but always funny. I can't count the times I laughed out loud while reading.
However, as much as I love a good laugh, what I loved most about this book was the surprising bits of depth found throughout. Ganfrey might be one of my favorite female protagonists. Her background story is rough (as in, the circumstances were rough, not the writing), and though she stays strong, we still see moments where she's just a scared teenager trying to find a home. Likewise, the sorcerers in this book are after as much power as they can get. Once they see what great power is like, they have to decide if it is worth it, if having all the power in world means you turn evil and alone.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a little love triangle going on in this book. It was refreshing, because it lacked the overdone love triangle-ness seen in many YA books. It was simple, light, and I liked both guys in the triangle enough to be happy with either choice Ganfrey had, if she did indeed choose one (not to give any spoilers away).
With unique, clever, and funny characters as well as a smooth plot, 4.5/stars. If you're looking for something new in YA, I would highly recommend this to you.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sun Poisoned continues the story of Sophie from the first book. It starts with her and her band playing in New York and things aren't bad. But life has never been kind to Sophie for long...
This was a great sequel to the first book. The plot keeps getting more mysterious and deeper, and I loved that. I do think it took a little while for this book to really pick up, but once it did, I couldn't stop reading it. There were twists I never saw coming and so many scenes that made my heart ache, sometimes out of tragedy, sometimes out of the beauty, and sometimes out of both.
I'm so glad that Sophie and Myles' relationship continued to develop. Just because they're going steady now, doesn't mean they don't face challenges that either of them ever saw coming. I think both characters have come so far, and I cannot wait to see how they continue to develop in the next book. The secondary characters I loved from the first book came back as well as some introductions to new secondary characters that stirred everything up.
Just like the first, what I think make these books so unique is their strong realistic elements. Yes, there are vampires and yes, they play a major role, but at the heart of these books, you don't see characters just battling monsters outside, you see them battling far worse ones on the inside. None of them have one single problem about themselves they have to deal with and when they fix it, everything is fine. Instead, you see their humanity in them. They may conquer their battles, but there is never a last one. As they grow, they face new battles with new problems.
If you liked the first one, definitely read this one! It isn't a let down sequel at all. If you haven't read the first one, go read it. This is a series you don't want to miss. 4.5/5 stars.
Sun Poisoned continues the story of Sophie from the first book. It starts with her and her band playing in New York and things aren't bad. But life has never been kind to Sophie for long...
This was a great sequel to the first book. The plot keeps getting more mysterious and deeper, and I loved that. I do think it took a little while for this book to really pick up, but once it did, I couldn't stop reading it. There were twists I never saw coming and so many scenes that made my heart ache, sometimes out of tragedy, sometimes out of the beauty, and sometimes out of both.
I'm so glad that Sophie and Myles' relationship continued to develop. Just because they're going steady now, doesn't mean they don't face challenges that either of them ever saw coming. I think both characters have come so far, and I cannot wait to see how they continue to develop in the next book. The secondary characters I loved from the first book came back as well as some introductions to new secondary characters that stirred everything up.
Just like the first, what I think make these books so unique is their strong realistic elements. Yes, there are vampires and yes, they play a major role, but at the heart of these books, you don't see characters just battling monsters outside, you see them battling far worse ones on the inside. None of them have one single problem about themselves they have to deal with and when they fix it, everything is fine. Instead, you see their humanity in them. They may conquer their battles, but there is never a last one. As they grow, they face new battles with new problems.
If you liked the first one, definitely read this one! It isn't a let down sequel at all. If you haven't read the first one, go read it. This is a series you don't want to miss. 4.5/5 stars.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mermother tells the story of Briony, a human woman who, after a ship incident, mets a mermaid named Sylvie and discovers what there is under the sea.
Filled with mystery, fantasy, and a well written prose, Mermother gives a very unique look at mermaids. It tells Briony's story in a very original way. The story flows very smoothly, and the plot kept me guessing and eager to find out what happened next. I think Briony was such a great protagonist because in the middle of finding this whole other world and the not-so-light secrets kept there, she still stays strong and true to herself, even while finding parts of herself she didn't know she had.
The only reason I knock off a star is because I thought there would be more romance in it. The book seemed to lead in that direction and I kept waiting for it, and while there is some romance, the level I expected it to get to didn't happen. I think there will be a sequel, so I completely understand drawing it out, but I'm not sure if the sequel will have more or not. It's not a strong negative by any means; at the end of the day, it just makes me more eager to find out what the next book brings! 4/5 stars
Mermother tells the story of Briony, a human woman who, after a ship incident, mets a mermaid named Sylvie and discovers what there is under the sea.
Filled with mystery, fantasy, and a well written prose, Mermother gives a very unique look at mermaids. It tells Briony's story in a very original way. The story flows very smoothly, and the plot kept me guessing and eager to find out what happened next. I think Briony was such a great protagonist because in the middle of finding this whole other world and the not-so-light secrets kept there, she still stays strong and true to herself, even while finding parts of herself she didn't know she had.
The only reason I knock off a star is because I thought there would be more romance in it. The book seemed to lead in that direction and I kept waiting for it, and while there is some romance, the level I expected it to get to didn't happen. I think there will be a sequel, so I completely understand drawing it out, but I'm not sure if the sequel will have more or not. It's not a strong negative by any means; at the end of the day, it just makes me more eager to find out what the next book brings! 4/5 stars
I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Stitch...is a very hard book to describe. It's about a girl named Alessa and a boy named Issac. I can't say much on the actual story, but there are some serious surprises that would give everything away!
Though I can't say much about it, the plot was great. It really keeps you on your toes. However, the first part of it went by fairly slowly and I felt like it gave a lot of unnecessary details. But, once that part is over, it's full speed to the end.
The romance was so touching in this story. The love between the characters felt real, developed, and sincere. The characters themselves were deep and not superficial.
If you enjoy new adult/young adult reads, some paranormal/ dystopian elements, I would highly recommend this to you. 4 solid stars.
Stitch...is a very hard book to describe. It's about a girl named Alessa and a boy named Issac. I can't say much on the actual story, but there are some serious surprises that would give everything away!
Though I can't say much about it, the plot was great. It really keeps you on your toes. However, the first part of it went by fairly slowly and I felt like it gave a lot of unnecessary details. But, once that part is over, it's full speed to the end.
The romance was so touching in this story. The love between the characters felt real, developed, and sincere. The characters themselves were deep and not superficial.
If you enjoy new adult/young adult reads, some paranormal/ dystopian elements, I would highly recommend this to you. 4 solid stars.
Wow! You'll be Safe Here is the short story of a girl about to marry the man who used to sell her to other people. She is caught between the love for him that came from his rescue of her and the fear of the dangerous man he is becoming. When a kind man named Scal shows her care, she is caught on what to do.
This is a great short story with lots of action. In roughly 50 pages, it explores so many emotions and issues, while maintaining excellent character development in the background. I absolutely loved it, and it is a great short read for those who want the intensity of a novel without the length. 5 full stars!
This is a great short story with lots of action. In roughly 50 pages, it explores so many emotions and issues, while maintaining excellent character development in the background. I absolutely loved it, and it is a great short read for those who want the intensity of a novel without the length. 5 full stars!
On Par with a Fairy is the story of a young man who meets and falls for a fairy while dealing with harsh family expectations. This is a short story under 40 pages and a quick, cute read. I liked the blend of the normal world with fairies, as well as the addition of golf. I loved the little surprises throughout the book, but I won't spoil it for other readers.
The only small negative I have, and it's a personal opinion, is that I wish the legend the fairies have about being fated to be with whoever could see them would have been more stressed earlier. It had seemed like a big jump when Lark changed into a human, and I think it would have seemed more understandable if the legend had been shown stronger before or right after she changed.
Overall, this was an adorable short story, and I give it four solid stars!
The only small negative I have, and it's a personal opinion, is that I wish the legend the fairies have about being fated to be with whoever could see them would have been more stressed earlier. It had seemed like a big jump when Lark changed into a human, and I think it would have seemed more understandable if the legend had been shown stronger before or right after she changed.
Overall, this was an adorable short story, and I give it four solid stars!
The Melancholy Princess is a very cute, short story. The follows a princess who just can't find what she is looking for in life. Will she be able to find herself, and maybe a little love along the way?
This was written in a sort of Renaissance/Shakespearean timed vocabulary and dialogue, but much simpler than actual Shakespeare. It's very charming, and I enjoyed it, but if you are the type of person who doesn't like that kind of thing, I wouldn't suggest this.
I really loved the fairy tale type aspect to this story. It was so sweet and more of a fairy tale for juvenile fiction and up. I would probably recommend it most to young adults however, as it is a slightly more mature vocabulary.
Overall, it is just an adorable little tale, and I would love to read the other 8 princess tales that accompany it!
This was written in a sort of Renaissance/Shakespearean timed vocabulary and dialogue, but much simpler than actual Shakespeare. It's very charming, and I enjoyed it, but if you are the type of person who doesn't like that kind of thing, I wouldn't suggest this.
I really loved the fairy tale type aspect to this story. It was so sweet and more of a fairy tale for juvenile fiction and up. I would probably recommend it most to young adults however, as it is a slightly more mature vocabulary.
Overall, it is just an adorable little tale, and I would love to read the other 8 princess tales that accompany it!