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simplyalexandra's Reviews (890)
4 stars - I recommend if you enjoy epic adventure novels (think long spans of time and space), as well as fantasy elements.
This book follows Rose, who was born facing North, by her mother's superstitions that predestines her to be wild and always seeking adventure. Fearing that life for her, she lies, and says she was born facing East, meaning she will be level headed and happy at home. However, Roses's destiny will be that of a North child, and everything sets into motion one day when a white bear comes to take her away from her home. Rose must leave with the white bear, figure out his curse, and then journey to the ends of the earth to save him.
I didn't know what to expect from this one, but I really enjoyed it. It was different from most fantasy that I read, in that it was much more-so adventure based than fantasy element based. I loved that Rose goes on a journey across Europe to save the white bear. Think, Stardust or LOTR (long treks, lots of interactions with different people, etc.) I love how much research Pattou put into the cultures of the people Rose interacts with, as well as specific methods behind things mentioned in the book. I felt like I learned so much about all kinds of interesting topics like: early navigation tools, Inuit culture and customs, sailing, weaving, etc. etc. It was really fascinating. I thought that this book was also fun in the way that it was written. I loved the vivid descriptions of the landscapes, etc. I also enjoyed that this was written in alternating perspectives by chapter, but that it was still chronological. I did find that I wasn't quite as connected to Rose and the White Bear as I could have been... possibly because of the alternating perspectives? I found the very end to be a bit anticlimactic.. (I won't spoil it) ...but overall I really loved this story! I know several of you are reading this for Erin's challenge, so I will be super interested to see what you thought!
Initial Thoughts After Reading:
Magical!
This book follows Rose, who was born facing North, by her mother's superstitions that predestines her to be wild and always seeking adventure. Fearing that life for her, she lies, and says she was born facing East, meaning she will be level headed and happy at home. However, Roses's destiny will be that of a North child, and everything sets into motion one day when a white bear comes to take her away from her home. Rose must leave with the white bear, figure out his curse, and then journey to the ends of the earth to save him.
I didn't know what to expect from this one, but I really enjoyed it. It was different from most fantasy that I read, in that it was much more-so adventure based than fantasy element based. I loved that Rose goes on a journey across Europe to save the white bear. Think, Stardust or LOTR (long treks, lots of interactions with different people, etc.) I love how much research Pattou put into the cultures of the people Rose interacts with, as well as specific methods behind things mentioned in the book. I felt like I learned so much about all kinds of interesting topics like: early navigation tools, Inuit culture and customs, sailing, weaving, etc. etc. It was really fascinating. I thought that this book was also fun in the way that it was written. I loved the vivid descriptions of the landscapes, etc. I also enjoyed that this was written in alternating perspectives by chapter, but that it was still chronological. I did find that I wasn't quite as connected to Rose and the White Bear as I could have been... possibly because of the alternating perspectives? I found the very end to be a bit anticlimactic.. (I won't spoil it) ...but overall I really loved this story! I know several of you are reading this for Erin's challenge, so I will be super interested to see what you thought!
Initial Thoughts After Reading:
Magical!
4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy fantasy, adventure, steam punk, and strong female characters.
Aileana Kameron is the most eligible lady in Edinburgh. After her mourning of her mother's death comes to a close, she is sent back out into society to find a husband. However, hunting faeries makes it quite difficult to concentrate on polite conversation and dancing with her many suitors. By night, Aileana slays faeries with the help of Kiaran McKay, practice to one day avenge her mother's death. What he doesn't know... is that she's been dangerously hunting them alone as well. What she doesn't know... is that she's a part of something much bigger than her own quest for revenge.
I didn't know what to expect with this one, but I found it really quite delightful. I thought that the setting was really interesting, and the steam punk elements were really fun. I've only read one other steam punk book, so I say that as an outsider. I love, love, loved that Aileana is an inventor, and that she designed and invented things with her mother. I think that's so interesting and fun. I loved that this was action packed, and there was a bit of romance, but not too much. I particularly enjoyed the various scenes where she battled alongside Kiaran or Gavin. I liked that we get a taste of the larger "world" this story is set in, without losing the current setting.
Aileana Kameron is the most eligible lady in Edinburgh. After her mourning of her mother's death comes to a close, she is sent back out into society to find a husband. However, hunting faeries makes it quite difficult to concentrate on polite conversation and dancing with her many suitors. By night, Aileana slays faeries with the help of Kiaran McKay, practice to one day avenge her mother's death. What he doesn't know... is that she's been dangerously hunting them alone as well. What she doesn't know... is that she's a part of something much bigger than her own quest for revenge.
I didn't know what to expect with this one, but I found it really quite delightful. I thought that the setting was really interesting, and the steam punk elements were really fun. I've only read one other steam punk book, so I say that as an outsider. I love, love, loved that Aileana is an inventor, and that she designed and invented things with her mother. I think that's so interesting and fun. I loved that this was action packed, and there was a bit of romance, but not too much. I particularly enjoyed the various scenes where she battled alongside Kiaran or Gavin. I liked that we get a taste of the larger "world" this story is set in, without losing the current setting.
3.75 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy fantasy, adventure, and strong female characters, and if you've read the first book.
Aileana's adventure against evil continues. (I don't want to spoil anything!)
While I enjoyed this book and the continuation of Aileana's story, I was initially thrown off, and overall a little bummed to lose the setting of the first book. I won't spoil anything for you guys, but I missed the dichotomy of her character's life, and I really really missed her inventions, tinkering, and the bits of steampunk woven into the first book. I also felt like when the setting changed... the world went from being the size of a pond (with potential to unfold) to the size of the Pacific. It was just a bit jarring since I read them one after the next. All that being said, I did enjoy this book, and I found parts of it to be really satisfying. I enjoyed some of the new characters that were introduced, and learning more about the larger world the story is set in. Overall this book had a more dystopian vibe than the other one.
Aileana's adventure against evil continues. (I don't want to spoil anything!)
While I enjoyed this book and the continuation of Aileana's story, I was initially thrown off, and overall a little bummed to lose the setting of the first book. I won't spoil anything for you guys, but I missed the dichotomy of her character's life, and I really really missed her inventions, tinkering, and the bits of steampunk woven into the first book. I also felt like when the setting changed... the world went from being the size of a pond (with potential to unfold) to the size of the Pacific. It was just a bit jarring since I read them one after the next. All that being said, I did enjoy this book, and I found parts of it to be really satisfying. I enjoyed some of the new characters that were introduced, and learning more about the larger world the story is set in. Overall this book had a more dystopian vibe than the other one.
Fantastic guidebook! Love the way the maps are broken down, and focus on touristy and off-the-beaten path attractions. Loved that each map was broken down by a theme (museums, art, animals, green spaces, religious places, etc. lots of quirky and super specific ones too). Lots of fun while planning.
Full Review:
3 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy contemporary YA and family drama. This one felt a bit younger than most I have read, but also dealt with some difficult topics. I did not like it nearly as much as "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" everything about it had quite a different vibe.
This book follows Isabel "Belly" as she spends her summer at her family friend's beach house. She's spent every summer there, since before she was born. Her and her brother grew up with Beck's boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. Since she was 10 years old, Belly has been in love with Conrad. As they all get older, things are changing rapidly, and it might just be their last summer at the beach house.
If you've been reading my reviews for a bit, you'll know that I LOVE LOVE LOVED Jenny Han's "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" series. I decided to read this one at the very end of summer, because when would be a better time? Overall I did not love it like I did her other series, but it was still an entertaining read. I liked the idea of her family's tradition to spend the summer at the beach with another family, like one big family. I liked seeing Belly come of age a little bit, but it still felt quite young for YA. I read it in an evening, so it was certainly entertaining enough. I felt like Conrad was kind of a brat for most of the book... and I honestly like Jeremiah better. LOL. I definitely found myself wanting to know the quirky details, habits, interests, etc. of the characters because those details were so much of what I loved in the other series. We'll see how the rest of the book goes. I'm not good at reading a series and not finishing it. :)
Right After Reading:
Wavering between 3 and 4 stars. It was a cute read. It felt really young to me, and I definitely am not as attached to the characters as I was with To All The Boys I've Loved Before. We'll see how the rest of the series goes.
3 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy contemporary YA and family drama. This one felt a bit younger than most I have read, but also dealt with some difficult topics. I did not like it nearly as much as "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" everything about it had quite a different vibe.
This book follows Isabel "Belly" as she spends her summer at her family friend's beach house. She's spent every summer there, since before she was born. Her and her brother grew up with Beck's boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. Since she was 10 years old, Belly has been in love with Conrad. As they all get older, things are changing rapidly, and it might just be their last summer at the beach house.
If you've been reading my reviews for a bit, you'll know that I LOVE LOVE LOVED Jenny Han's "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" series. I decided to read this one at the very end of summer, because when would be a better time? Overall I did not love it like I did her other series, but it was still an entertaining read. I liked the idea of her family's tradition to spend the summer at the beach with another family, like one big family. I liked seeing Belly come of age a little bit, but it still felt quite young for YA. I read it in an evening, so it was certainly entertaining enough. I felt like Conrad was kind of a brat for most of the book... and I honestly like Jeremiah better. LOL. I definitely found myself wanting to know the quirky details, habits, interests, etc. of the characters because those details were so much of what I loved in the other series. We'll see how the rest of the book goes. I'm not good at reading a series and not finishing it. :)
Right After Reading:
Wavering between 3 and 4 stars. It was a cute read. It felt really young to me, and I definitely am not as attached to the characters as I was with To All The Boys I've Loved Before. We'll see how the rest of the series goes.
3 stars - I recommend if you enjoy contemporary YA and family drama. This one felt a bit younger than most I have read, but also dealt with some difficult topics. I did not like it nearly as much as "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" everything about it had quite a different vibe.
More summer shenanigans.
Hmm... I liked this one a bit more, mostly because Belly was a bit more mature. However, the inability to communicate with anyone was enraging for me. It's very much like New Moon, Bella is acting out to get Edward's attention. I did like seeing chapters from other character's POV, but I wanted a bit more of it. I like how Han flashes back to things in the past that clear things up later.
More summer shenanigans.
Hmm... I liked this one a bit more, mostly because Belly was a bit more mature. However, the inability to communicate with anyone was enraging for me. It's very much like New Moon, Bella is acting out to get Edward's attention. I did like seeing chapters from other character's POV, but I wanted a bit more of it. I like how Han flashes back to things in the past that clear things up later.
3 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy contemporary YA and family drama. This one felt a bit younger than most I have read, but also dealt with some difficult topics. I did not like it nearly as much as "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" everything about it had quite a different vibe.
More summer shenanigans.
What... ? This one was just a hot mess of events. Your boyfriend cheats on you and tries to fix it with a marriage proposal (at 18!) and you say 'yes'?! Holy cow you guys. I had a hard time understanding the character's motivations in this one. I still liked the flash backs and multiple POVs. I liked the ending.. .but it also did that thing, making living your life and finding yourself something you cannot do if you are married or in a committed relationship. Just one of my all-time biggest pet peeves. (for obvious reasons...) I overall wouldn't recommend this series. If you were avoiding reading To All The Boys I've Loved Before because you didn't like this series, don't worry. They aren't alike hardly at all. Go ahead and read the other series. It's much better, IMHO. :)
More summer shenanigans.
What... ? This one was just a hot mess of events. Your boyfriend cheats on you and tries to fix it with a marriage proposal (at 18!) and you say 'yes'?! Holy cow you guys. I had a hard time understanding the character's motivations in this one. I still liked the flash backs and multiple POVs. I liked the ending.. .but it also did that thing, making living your life and finding yourself something you cannot do if you are married or in a committed relationship. Just one of my all-time biggest pet peeves. (for obvious reasons...) I overall wouldn't recommend this series. If you were avoiding reading To All The Boys I've Loved Before because you didn't like this series, don't worry. They aren't alike hardly at all. Go ahead and read the other series. It's much better, IMHO. :)
4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy action, adventure, and time travel elements. If you're not into fantasy, it's really the only element that's abnormal. No magic, etc. This is the first book in a series, but a series of just two books. #winning
This book follows Etta, a violinist on her way to her debut. When she begins her performance for The Met in NYC, she begins to hear feedback and runs off stage. She's soon ushered into a stairwell, and pushed... into another century. She awakens on a ship in the 18th century, in the Caribbean. She must quickly figure out what is going on, as she's been summoned to the leader of the travelers... who everyone seems to be afraid of. While on the ship she meets Sophia (the one who pushed her through the portal), and Nicholas (a freed slave, and the new captain of she ship she's on, as he's taken it by force). When the leader of the travelers gives her a seemingly impossible task, she must travel through time to retrieve an artifact. Adventure ensues.
I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was a cool concept, and I liked that while the time travel element is fantasy, it doesn't have any other magic or creatures in it. :) It's kind of like Outlander in that way. I also loved how much focus there was on inequality, and societal issues. Nicholas is half black and a freed slave, and Sophia struggles with being treated as a child for being female. I thought it was cool how they brought Etta from the present to put those issues into perspective. I also kind of love pirate-y plots, so the whole first part being on a ship was fun, I was actually kind of sad when they left the ship. LOL. I really enjoyed that the time traveling took them to many interesting times and places. It wasn't just one or two. I shipped (har) Etta & Nicholas, but I will say that for some reason the way it read made him seem quite a lot older than her... which he is not. The sections kind of switch back and forth between their perspectives, but then not so much. It's not really confusing, but it is a bit unusual. I wouldn't say this ends on a cliff-hanger, but it does bring up some new information in the last few pages. I'm excited to see where the final installment in the duology takes the story, I've already seen a few of the times/places they go from the goodreads synopsis, and I cannot wait!
This book follows Etta, a violinist on her way to her debut. When she begins her performance for The Met in NYC, she begins to hear feedback and runs off stage. She's soon ushered into a stairwell, and pushed... into another century. She awakens on a ship in the 18th century, in the Caribbean. She must quickly figure out what is going on, as she's been summoned to the leader of the travelers... who everyone seems to be afraid of. While on the ship she meets Sophia (the one who pushed her through the portal), and Nicholas (a freed slave, and the new captain of she ship she's on, as he's taken it by force). When the leader of the travelers gives her a seemingly impossible task, she must travel through time to retrieve an artifact. Adventure ensues.
I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was a cool concept, and I liked that while the time travel element is fantasy, it doesn't have any other magic or creatures in it. :) It's kind of like Outlander in that way. I also loved how much focus there was on inequality, and societal issues. Nicholas is half black and a freed slave, and Sophia struggles with being treated as a child for being female. I thought it was cool how they brought Etta from the present to put those issues into perspective. I also kind of love pirate-y plots, so the whole first part being on a ship was fun, I was actually kind of sad when they left the ship. LOL. I really enjoyed that the time traveling took them to many interesting times and places. It wasn't just one or two. I shipped (har) Etta & Nicholas, but I will say that for some reason the way it read made him seem quite a lot older than her... which he is not. The sections kind of switch back and forth between their perspectives, but then not so much. It's not really confusing, but it is a bit unusual. I wouldn't say this ends on a cliff-hanger, but it does bring up some new information in the last few pages. I'm excited to see where the final installment in the duology takes the story, I've already seen a few of the times/places they go from the goodreads synopsis, and I cannot wait!
4 Stars - I recommend if you are looking for a contemporary read with diverse voices and endearing characters. I particularly loved the commentary on the "American Dream" and how the characters found their places within that.
This novel follows Dimple, a Indian girl who has just graduated from high school. She's been accepted to Stanford and cannot wait to start her life in web design. She's shocked that her parents are letting her go to Stanford, and even more so when they agree to let her go to a summer coding camp at SFSU. Rishi is the oldest son in his family, he's traditional, a romantic, a pragmatist, and so ready to meet his "future wife", Dimple. When he shows up at coding camp and tells her as much, she throws iced coffee in his face. When they're paired together for the coding project they'll challenge each other's ideas of tradition and bravery.
I just loved this book! I loved that this book had main characters from a culture different than my own and gave more representation to POC in the YA genre. I loved the balance between Indian family tradition and the American dream. It was so fun to read these characters and watch them learn from one another. I also loved that Dimple was into tech, and Rishi was into art. I feel like this book does a really nice job of challenging traditional cultural, societal, religious, gender, etc. etc. roles in a very thoughtful way. I loved reading Rishi's commentary on beliefs and religion, when asked why he says, "Oh my gods" instead of "Oh my god". (long quote, but I loved it):
"This is how it works in the US: In the spring we are constantly subjected to bunnies and eggs wherever we go, signifying Christ's resurrection. Then right around October we begin to see pine trees and nativity scenes and laughing fat white men everywhere. Christian iconography is all over the place, constantly in our faces, even in casual conversation. This is the bible of comic book artists...He had a come to Jesus moment, all of that stuff. So this is my way of saying, Hey, maybe I believe something a little different. And every time someone asks me why 'gods,' I get to explain Hinduism."
This is the one that really got me though:
"I feel like I need to speak out, because if no one speaks out, if no one says, This is me, this is what I believe in, and this is why I'm different, and this is why that's okay, then what's the point? What's the point of living in this beautiful, great melting pot where everyone can dare to be anything they want to be?"
Wow, right?! What a statement, what a truth. I've felt that way so much (in the past year especially), when did America stop being proud that we are a "great melting pot, where everyone can dare to be anything they want to be"? I'm still proud. That's the America I believe in, so to read it put into words so well had my heart beaming. Thank you, Sandhya Menon.
My only complaint was that I wish there was a bit more explanation on the phrases and words that were in Hindi. Sometimes they were translated, sometimes I could get the gist, but I wanted to know what they meant all the way through the book. I'm just like that. I'm the one who always wants to translate everything, and use all the footnotes, etc. I did however, appreciate that she used Hindi. It really made it feel authentic to hear these families and characters speaking in a Hindi-English hybrid. I also appreciated the author's colorful phrasing, "Aberzombie" and "Douche Nozzle" were particularly delightful. LOL
This novel follows Dimple, a Indian girl who has just graduated from high school. She's been accepted to Stanford and cannot wait to start her life in web design. She's shocked that her parents are letting her go to Stanford, and even more so when they agree to let her go to a summer coding camp at SFSU. Rishi is the oldest son in his family, he's traditional, a romantic, a pragmatist, and so ready to meet his "future wife", Dimple. When he shows up at coding camp and tells her as much, she throws iced coffee in his face. When they're paired together for the coding project they'll challenge each other's ideas of tradition and bravery.
I just loved this book! I loved that this book had main characters from a culture different than my own and gave more representation to POC in the YA genre. I loved the balance between Indian family tradition and the American dream. It was so fun to read these characters and watch them learn from one another. I also loved that Dimple was into tech, and Rishi was into art. I feel like this book does a really nice job of challenging traditional cultural, societal, religious, gender, etc. etc. roles in a very thoughtful way. I loved reading Rishi's commentary on beliefs and religion, when asked why he says, "Oh my gods" instead of "Oh my god". (long quote, but I loved it):
"This is how it works in the US: In the spring we are constantly subjected to bunnies and eggs wherever we go, signifying Christ's resurrection. Then right around October we begin to see pine trees and nativity scenes and laughing fat white men everywhere. Christian iconography is all over the place, constantly in our faces, even in casual conversation. This is the bible of comic book artists...He had a come to Jesus moment, all of that stuff. So this is my way of saying, Hey, maybe I believe something a little different. And every time someone asks me why 'gods,' I get to explain Hinduism."
This is the one that really got me though:
"I feel like I need to speak out, because if no one speaks out, if no one says, This is me, this is what I believe in, and this is why I'm different, and this is why that's okay, then what's the point? What's the point of living in this beautiful, great melting pot where everyone can dare to be anything they want to be?"
Wow, right?! What a statement, what a truth. I've felt that way so much (in the past year especially), when did America stop being proud that we are a "great melting pot, where everyone can dare to be anything they want to be"? I'm still proud. That's the America I believe in, so to read it put into words so well had my heart beaming. Thank you, Sandhya Menon.
My only complaint was that I wish there was a bit more explanation on the phrases and words that were in Hindi. Sometimes they were translated, sometimes I could get the gist, but I wanted to know what they meant all the way through the book. I'm just like that. I'm the one who always wants to translate everything, and use all the footnotes, etc. I did however, appreciate that she used Hindi. It really made it feel authentic to hear these families and characters speaking in a Hindi-English hybrid. I also appreciated the author's colorful phrasing, "Aberzombie" and "Douche Nozzle" were particularly delightful. LOL
