Chelsea T

This was by far my favorite book of the Selection series. I love coming back to this novella sometimes. It was cute and swoony and it made me realize that Marlee really should have been the protagonist of the Selection series.

I mean, come on, a girl who enters a competition for a prince, but falls in love with a guard instead? It could have been about the pressure of being the people's favorite and keeping up a facade when all you want to do is run into the arms of the one you can't have. That's way better than a girl running between two guys the whole series.

I only wish that we got to see the exact moment they got caught. What they're thoughts were. When they snuck away. And I still don't believe the whole hidden and plain sight when Marlee's face was so prominent. Couldn't they send their life together as Eights? It would be a better end to a sweet love story. A little cliche but it's makes more sense.

But besides that, I liked what we got and I loved how they wanted to take each other's pain and not see the other suffer. This novella is definitely a recommend and perfect read for romance lovers.

I wasn't really into this book at first but I got into as the story progressed. Parker is unlikable but she grows on you a bit. But I still feel like she the type of person to say something like “people can't handle me being real”, when really she's being petty. Some of thing she got mad about was petty. I don't know if it's just me but what Scott did wasn't THAT bad. Yes, it was enough to stop talking to Scott and breakup with him but not enough to make up some rules and keep everyone at arm's length.

At first her relationship with was Jason was cute and I wanted them to be together. I liked how they met and thought they would be more compatible than her with Scott. But their first date was so...average, nothing special. It only went downhill from there. Their relationship was so one-sided and unfair. Jason didn't do enough to come to her defense or understand some things about blind people and Parker was just using him, which I think is a bit worse.

I felt like Parker wanting to be with him was sudden. But towards the end I became more open to their relationship and...











!!SPOILER!!

...I'm surprised they didn't end up together in the end. Although, I liked the deal Parker made with Scott and Scott concerns about not wanting to be with her yet, made complete sense and felt real.

!!SPOILER!!











So in the end, although I didn't like the book at first, I stuck it through and I'm really glad I did, it was a nice causal read with awesome blind representation, I loved having a blind main character. All of dialogue felt real and really walked me through what Parker was feeling and her daily life. And that cover so beautiful.

Overall four out of five stars.

Red Queen

☆☆☆☆

Status: Finished

Type: More than three books

Series: Red Queen

Mare Barrow lives in a world divided by the color of blood. There's the Reds, people with Red blood, they are the laborers of the Kingdom of Norta. Then there's the Silvers, people gifted with superhuman abilities, they are very rich and rule Norta. But Mare is different, she a Red, but she has abilities like a Silver. One day, Mare gets a job at the palace as a servant and, in front of hundreds of Silver Elite, unveils her ability, which is lightning. Now she has pretend to be a Mareena Titanos, made up silver nobility, while secretly join a rebel group, called the Red Dawn.


Victoria does a wonderful job at world building and I like the idea of Queenstrail. Although, the whole society is divided by this thing has already been done, Victoria's superb writing makes it feel like it's not a cliché. I just adore the cover and the way the blood is dripping down the crown. It's just gorgeous! Although, I liked this book, unfortunately I just couldn't get into the sequel and therefore, will not be reading the rest of the series, but I will watch the movies when they come out.

Pros
• Mare is a really strong and brave throughout the entire book. While other may see that as poor character development, I think it really defines Mare.
•Queenstrial, I really like the idea of it
•Mare power is electrokinesis, which is one of my favorite powers!

Cons
•There is a love triangle, I don't think it was bothersome.

Favorite character: Maven

The fire prince is really nice, but he's does something that makes me sad. (I'm not telling! :) )

Least Favorite Character: Queen Elara

I cannot stand her!! She manipulative and evil!

I rate Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, four stars out of five.

DNFThis was a good story but it's just not anything new. I mean the PTSD representation is great and original but I hate the cliche cocky Boy meets Girl and Girl is the ,only one that understands him. The book was just kinda cliche for me and not that unique or different.

I don't know how to feel about this book.

On one hand, it was nice seeing someone else selection for once and Amberly be the calm eye to Clarkson's storm. I like that she was from Honduragua and had headaches because if the bad water and air there. It was very realistic and it made me how much better America has it, even with her lower caste. She complained in her story that she's poor and all but at least she had clean air and water and didn't have to worry about headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds.

But this isn't about her, this is about Amberly, who has no backbone whatsoever. Her Clarkson relationship is straight up abusive. Which I guess should not have surprised me because he was abusive to his son in The Selection.

Amberly has no thought for herself and only lives for Clarkson. She said she was in love with him since she was seven. So much so that she always sung a happy birthday song to him on his birthday. She was obsessed with him. She is submissive and obedient like a dog and immediately does whatever he says.

There this scene where Amberly reveals that her family has some health and he actually DISGUSTED by it:

“I paused before answering. “Not exactly. But my sister gets nosebleeds sometimes.” “Do you just have a sickly family?” Clarkson asked, a hint of disgust in his voice. “No,” I replied, both wanting to defend myself and embarrassed to explain. “I live in Honduragua.” He raised his eyebrows in understanding. “Ah.”

But wait there's more! You might want to sit down the a whole lot more that came from

Clarkson suggests Amberly to cut her hair:“Do you think it's [her hair] maybe too long?” “Umm. I don't know, Your Highness.” I ran my fingers over it. My hair was clean and well taken care of. Did I somehow look messy without being aware of it? “What do you think?” He tilted his head. “It's a very pretty color. I think it might be nicer if it was shorter.”

Amberly complies immediately:

I sat there for a moment, considering. Then, abandoning my cake, I went to my room. My maids were there, waiting as always. “Martha, would you feel comfortable cutting my hair?”

When Martha ask how much, Amberly says to the bottom of her shoulder blades:

“I know. But can you do it? And would you still be able to make it pretty?” I pulled at the thick strands, imagining them cut off.

But when Martha asks why, Amberly responds with:

I crossed in front of her, heading into the bathroom. “I think it's time for a change.”

No, you did it because the Prince said your hair was too long.

Another one, Amber is talking about her life and explains what she does.

“Stop.” I looked at my lap. I couldn't help what I did for a living.

She so insecure around him and when he asks if she mentioned this to anyone, which she hadn't, he responds with this:

He looked to the ceiling and back to me. “You are never to tell anyone what you do. If anyone asks, your family owns a coffee plantation, and you help run it. Be vague and never, ever let on that you do manual labor. Are we clear?” “Yes, Your Highness.” He eyed me a moment longer, as if to reinforce the point. But his command was all I needed. I'd never not do anything he asked me to.

When he says jump, she jumps high. Then his parents burst in and have fight that get physical and he tears everything up, but after he's done:

He stormed across the room and stopped in front of me, a finger pointing at my face. “If you ever tell anyone what you heard, or what I did, so help me, God . . .”The angry tears glistened in his eyes as he continued. “You never let on, you understand?”

And of course, she complies. I stopped looking after this. I could go all day long about how abusive their relationship is and how Amber has no backbone.

I guess you could argue that Clarkson himself had a bad childhood and did have the best examples of love, but he could always choose not to be like his parents. It's not easy but also not impossible. Although he was better than his parents in a way, he still grew up to be abusive and controlling, not mention he cheated on Amberly when she was nothing but faithful and lived for him.

There some romantic moments but nothing of that can beat out the abusive nature of the relationship. Sometimes, abusive relationships do start out really nice.

I can't believe I used to swoon over this. But now I eyes are open and I see how terrible this novella is. If you want an example of an abusive relationship, this is novella for you! If you want a wwwaaayyy better love story in the Selection series, The Favorite is what I recommend.

A Thousand Pieces of You

☆☆

Status: DNF

Type: Duology

Series: Firebird

Maguerite is the daughter of two famous brilliant scientists, who have invented a device named the Firebird that transports you between parallel universes. Everything is well, until Maguerite dad is murdered, allegedly by their assistant Paul. Now, Mauguerite, along with Theo-another assistant of theirs-have to take the Firebird and jump across dimensions to find Paul-who jumped across dimensions also-and kill him, to avenge her father's death. But when the truth comes out, it arises more questions than answers.


This book got boring to me. It was nice at first, until it became all about love, love, love. And don't even get started with the love triangle. It was just unnecessary. It's clear from the beginning that she likes Paul, Theo is just someone she flirts with. They don't like each other, they just flirt just because. She is also Mary Sue. Like at a club, all the boys were falling all over her. In one of her alternative universes, she's a Russian princess, everyone seems to favor her, even her AU father, Vladimir, over the other kids. Another thing, I feel like Paul is more stoic than shy and I'm was concerned how Mag was soo determined to just straight murder this guy, not thinking of the consequences. And I hate how she gets so hype about killing him but the moment he says "I didn't do it", she just believes him right away, with like, no evidence or anything. He could be lying for all she know. He could be a good actor and know how to hide it. Just like the Selection, this is a romance, not science fiction. You know, why couldn't this be about Maguerite and her sister, Josie? All in all, I may skip this one, read the sequel, and give the series a second chance. Stinkin' pretty covers!

Pros:
•The cover is pretty
•I like the whole jumping into alternate universes thing
•Maguerite is artsy and barely knows anything of science, unlike the rest of her family.

Cons:
•Dull
•All about romance
•I think Paul and Mag have sex, I dont know, I didn't get around to that part.

No favorite or least favorite characters

I rate A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray two out of five stars.

An Ember in the Ashes

☆☆☆☆

Status: Finished

Type: Trilogy

Series: An Ember in the Ashes

This book was awesome! Whoo, that was a roller coaster ride that was blast. Boy, did I have fun reading this book. Trickery, betrayal, death, and a little bit of romance! Beware of the love triangle between Helene, his best friend, and Laia, but Helias all the way. (Found out in the second book that Elias is twenty. A twenty with a seventeen-year-old? I'm sorry but I just don't support dating way older guys if you're under the age of nineteen. Plus, Elias and Helene are too perfect for each other.)

Anyway, I had fun with this book, although some of Laia choices could be gotten her caught. Other than that, great with stellar and original writing and plot!

PROS
▪Pace keeps moving
▪Keeps you at your toes
▪Really evil characters
▪All original

CONS
▪(Elias potentially dating a teenager)
▪Some of the choices Laia made

Overall, I rate An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, four out of five stars.

“I've never thought about all the empty spaces at the Moon Festival, all the places where the disappeared, the dead, and the lost should be.”

Black and brown people vote more than we get credit for, first of all. We've stopped a lot of assholes from getting into office and voted out plenty, too.” pg 41, Duke

Good book about voting, not a black rom tho

After Duke is rejected from voting at his local polling place, Marva makes it her personal mission to help him find where he can vote. As the two spend more and more time together, they have candid conversations about voting and grief while also confronting their relationships with the people in their lives.

I like the Voting Booth. It's not my favorite but it's had some really good conversations about race and how important voting really is. Some situations that come up in the book hit me with the reality of voter suppression and how it impacts people.

Although, I felt like the main characters lacked chemistry. They didn't start to see each other differently until the VERY end. It wouldn't have been a problem if this book wasn't marketed as a romance and people weren't commenting about them as a couple. Duke had more chemistry with his friend, Kendall than Marva. Marva also irritated me sometimes. She was very pushy about voting but I get that she was just passionate about it. The ending was also very rushed.

All in all, I would say The Voting Booth is perfect for people that are about to vote or want to learn more about voter suppression, but I wouldn't call this a black romance at all.

Okay, but didn't click for me

After nineteen year old Evie Jones is betrayed by her best friend and disgraced by the media, she is forced to relocate to New York and stay with her grandmother for a while. But after a argument, her grandmother disappears and it's up to her and a boy named Milo to find her.

Pros

+fast paced. This book was very short and a very fast read.
+black romance rep. Even though the romance was really on the back burner it nice to read something with black protagonists in a contemporary setting and not surrounding by issues of race or in poverty.

+fame scene. I like the articles and transcripts sprinkles in-between the chapter it really bring the Hollywood scene to life
+Milo. I like how mostly patient and understanding Milo was. There was only a few time he got really angry. He was always down to help.

Cons

-not a lot of action. Most the book focuses on the same area or Milo's band. I was really disappointed that I didn't really get to explore more area of New York. There more standing around talking then action.
-slightly repetitive in the beginning. Near the beginning tends to state facts or backstories about the characters over and over again. It's doesn't last long but it does get a bit tiring.
-not enough development. While Evie became a bit more open, less selfish, and began to not share what people think, she is mostly still the same. We never really see her development grow over time. It just all there at the end.
-barely any chemistry. I like romance was the main focus or a huge factor but in consequence of we only get a few moments with Evie and Milo. The chemistry is too weak for them to be a full blown romance.


I don't know what about this book didn't click for me. I felt like I was slogging through it even though it was pretty fast read. I VERY appreciative for the black romance rep but this book just didn't do for me.

“This is not true power. True power is when I stood on the Nine-Tailed Fox with Yang Guang's corpse at my feet, playing by my own rules. Victorious by my own standards. Reliant on no one but myself.” - Zetian pg 137, Ch. 15

After her sister is killed, Zetian offers herself up to be a cocubine pilot, one of the pair that powers a Chrysalis, a sure death sentence for girls.

But she kills Yang Guang through a mind link and is labeled the Iron Widow. She is paired with an even more powerful and feared pilot, Li Shimin, and together they just may be Huxia's last hope to save it from the Hunduns and maybe even stop more girls being sacrificed.

This book was dark, had some nice twists, and a hint of poly romance.

This book is not feminist or wholly happy. It full of war, trauma, and hard decisions.

I'm conflicted about this book because on one hand, I like it. On the other, I hated Zetian's characterization.

I liked that Zetian actually killed. She said she was gonna kill people and she did it with no hesitation. I like the inclusion of Zetian's disability and it's presence throughout the WHOLE book, not just half of it. I liked the poly romance and the fact the characters don't care what anyone thinks about it. Their relationship, however underdeveloped, was cute. I love the different Chrysalises and their names and the idea of Matches and Crownings. And the cover is BEAUTIFUL.

Yet, on the con side, Zetian wasn't really morally grey to me, she was just grey and acted on her emotions a lot without thinking of the consequences. Just literally just like Mare from Red Queen. Like almost textbook. Hates everyone (& women they met) around them, grew up in a different mindset despite not given a reason for them to, no real character development, just strong throughout the whole book. Zetian seems too much like “I'm not like other girls”. Every other sentence she says is dripping in sarcasm and cockiness. In fact, sometimes her dialogue seems very modern. Its feels very weird and out of place.

I hate that Li Shimin was just book's trauma bucket and Zetian seem more in love with her best friend than with Li Shimin & her friend seems more in love with Li Shimin than her. We never really see their relationship develop or when, it's just they're are there for each other, holding hands.

I've seen this book described and marketed as feminist but in my opinion, it's far from it. I don't see it AT ALL. Almost every interaction with another woman is negative. There is no coming together in solidarity moment. She barely even thinks about the other women unless the situation calls. I feel like she wants to destroy the pilot system and social norms way more than liberating all woman.

This book had some fun parts and awesome twists but the execution and dialogue could have been better. I may stay tuned for the second one.

Really Good Book

To start off, this is a very slow paced book with a very causal tone with heavy elements thrown in. It works but you have to lots of time on your hands. It not action driven but it's interesting enough to keep you wondering what's gonna happen next.

To be honest, Christy kinda frustrated me sometimes. She felt guilty for the error of her ways but kept doing bad things anyway that hurt others. But I guess sometimes we all we find ourselves in that place. We know what we're doing is bad but we keep doing it because it's easier or we're running away from our problems, afraid to confront and the feelings and baggage that come with them. So I do blame her too much but that doesn't stop it from being a little frustrating.

But I will say that all the flaws and problems the character had in this book felt so real, it was all written very realistically. I also like the different POV and Christy thought process as she faced obstacles and come face to face with her past.

I liked May's faith and the relationship Christy and May built with each other.

Vince was a believable villain. I liked that we got to see his POV, it added an interesting view on him and the story.

Overall, I liked seeing Christy journey as she begins to open up and confront her issues and let God in her life. It can be a bit preachy at times but nothing too big. This was a good book that anyone can read, religious or not.

"And just like that, with the emptiness on my finger, the literal weight lifted off my hand, I feel that much freer to make my own decisions. I feel less like I owe my daddy my word, less like I owe Dom my body, and more like I belong to me and only me." -Monique

Confessions of An Alleged Good Girl is a near perfect and uplifting letter for all soft girls but especially the soft black girls.

For All the soft girls that were labeled as good girls. For all the soft girls that had to grow up in strict religious homes. For the ones who had to discover things, like sex education and positive relationships, later in life.

This book is has some really good messages about purity culture and the harmful effects of not teaching about sex and how proper & accessible sex education is the solution. Plus, I like the SexEd facts that are sprinkled in, it really taught me more on what Vaginismus is, the condition that Monique has, & how important SexEd is.

I like how it always touches on toxic relationships and a bit of sexism. How our worth shouldn't be tied to someone and we should never be pressured into anything. The book always show what a good relationship looks like.

The only gripe I have is with Sasha's role in the book. I felt like she didn't have as much page time and development as Reggie did. I also think the blurb is a little misleading, Reggie's less of a bad boy, although he had done some bad things, and more of a class clown. Those are two completely different personalities.

Other than that, I loved Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl and having a soft black girl as the main character. We need more of them across all genres, including YA. This book had good message on SexEd and great awareness for Vaginismus.

This book was just....okay.

I'm not really sure how I feel about it. It's just equal parts dull, equal parts boring, equal parts interesting, and equal parts cool.

There's nothing remarkable about this book but it's isn't the worse thing on the market.

It's mainly just mystery, dialogue, disguises, secrets and running through cities.

The writing was very awkward at times. You can really tell that this was one of Jodi Meadow's older books. I've read Before She Ignites and her writing has grown.

I didn't like Wilhelmina all that much. She made some stupid, impulsive decisions sometimes and was kind of selfish and pestimistic. I don't know if this is the writing, but every five pages she reminds the readers of the horrors she went through, and that her parents were shot in front of everyone. The book tries to paint her as some warrior and expert fighter but loses her daggers and attention often during fights. She didn't really act like a Queen or leader at all for the whole book until near the end. I felt she had little development, I felt like she didn't really change that much over the course of the book.

I don't know if I will be reading the second book, I'll probably just skim through to get some closure.

If you like slow-paced mystery fantasy books with a heavy focus on espionage then this is the book for you.

Because, and I'll say it louder for the people in the back”—she leans closer to me—“there is no single path to success. Stop judging people whose success looks different than yours.” -Ch 29, pg 321 Bridget (Stella)

Good, but could have been better

Bitter enemies, Stella Greene and Wesley Clarke are forced to work together when are chosen to be partners on a rat project. However, on the forum of their favorite show, Warship Seven, they unknowingly connect and start talking to each other. As they struggle to find the true identity of their online aliases, the two grow closer and closer in real life.

I loved the parallels between the show, Warship Seven and what happening with Wesley and Stella. The forum felt like a real fandom, even the misogynistic comments from sexist that Stella was in the middle of. The interlude of scenes from the Warship transcripts, blogs, and fics were so cute and awesome to read. And I like that book showed what its like to be poor and that just because you're rich doesn't your happy or everything handed to you.

However Stella was annoying. While I don't hate her, she was so judgmental and sometimes said things to her family, especially about/to her sister, was very rude and out of line. She thinks just because she has good grades and on track to college means she better than everyone else in her family. She constantly thought because Wesley was rich meant that he didn't have any problems and that life was easy for him. It was annoying.

I didn't really have anything to say about the romance, online they were great friends but in real life, it didn't replay go anywhere. They were mostly just mad at each other for things they did or said. It could have been better.

Overall, three stars.

Merged review:

Because, and I'll say it louder for the people in the back”—she leans closer to me—“there is no single path to success. Stop judging people whose success looks different than yours.” -Ch 29, pg 321 Bridget (Stella)

Good, but could have been better

Bitter enemies, Stella Greene and Wesley Clarke are forced to work together when are chosen to be partners on a rat project. However, on the forum of their favorite show, Warship Seven, they unknowingly connect and start talking to each other. As they struggle to find the true identity of their online aliases, the two grow closer and closer in real life.

I loved the parallels between the show, Warship Seven and what happening with Wesley and Stella. The forum felt like a real fandom, even the misogynistic comments from sexist that Stella was in the middle of. The interlude of scenes from the Warship transcripts, blogs, and fics were so cute and awesome to read. And I like that book showed what its like to be poor and that just because you're rich doesn't your happy or everything handed to you.

However Stella was annoying. While I don't hate her, she was so judgmental and sometimes said things to her family, especially about/to her sister, was very rude and out of line. She thinks just because she has good grades and on track to college means she better than everyone else in her family. She constantly thought because Wesley was rich meant that he didn't have any problems and that life was easy for him. It was annoying.

I didn't really have anything to say about the romance, online they were great friends but in real life, it didn't replay go anywhere. They were mostly just mad at each other for things they did or said. It could have been better.

Overall, three stars.

Snow like Ashes

☆☆☆☆

Status: Finished

Type: Trilogy

Series: Snow Like Ashes

When the Kingdom of Winter is conquered and defeated by the Kingdom of Spring, it's up to 8 Winterian refugees to find and fix Winter's broken conduit, save it's enslaved citizens, and take back their Kingdom.

Meira, one of the refugees, longs to do something more than hunt for food. She wants to fight, along with the other refugees. The only person that's stopping her is Sir, the refugees' leader, who refuses to let her fight and help find Winter's conduit. One day, thanks to her best friend, Prince Mather, Sir agrees to let Meira finally help find the conduit and she succeeds! However, this leads Meira to problems that seem impossible to overcome, feelings that she may have for Mather and another prince, and secrets that change Meira's life forever.


I really LOVED this book. At first, I thought this book was going to be super boring and regreted buying it, but it turned out to be one of my favorite books so far. This book deserves way more recognition than it has; It's really good. The cover is very unique and pretty, I love it.

Pros

• I REALLY like the idea of seasons being kingdoms and I love how they each have different characteristics. Like Winterians have white hair and Summerians have ginger hair. Autumn is my favorite.
• I love the refugees determined and fire for bringing the Kindom of Winter back and saving the enslaved Winterians.
•I love the rocky relationship between Sir and Meira. I like reading Meira's struggles and passion to get Sir to approve of her.

Cons

• Yes, there is a love triangle BUT it's really not the main focus. Trust me, you'll barely notice it's there, so please don't let that be discourage you.
• There's about one cliché, but I can't tell you because it may be a spoiler.
• There is a attempted rape scene in this book, just be aware.
• It's a little slow paced at times.

Favorite Character: Theron.

The Cordellian prince is really nice and really helps Meira when she feeling conflicted or confused.

Least Favorite Character: Noam

The Cordellian King is a trickster and a troll. He's very tempered and hotheaded and doesn't care about anything but benefiting himself.


Overall, I rate Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch, four out of five hearts.

Good book with beautiful writing and worldbuliding


“Peace comes when stories are celebrated, not erased.” -Tarisai, Ch.29, ph 289

Good book with beautiful writing and worldbuliding. But as the book slowed down I think my interest kind of waned. But all in all, the world in the book is so beautiful with unique places, cultures, trials that the characters go through. There was a lots of character development with them confronting their trauma and gaining self confidence.

I liked the idea of the council siblings and the Ray and how they could speak to each other through it. I like how they each was Appointed their own part to play in the world. I also like how the each have their own Hallow, a supernatural gift, like Kirah with healing and Tarisai with seeing memories. It's awesome and unique to each of them.

The down fall is that it was too slow paced for me and I wished we got learn about the other council siblings outside of Kirah, Dayo and Sanjeet, but overall it was a really good book.

“Theoretically, I want to share my work. I want to fully own this thing I want to spend my life doing. I want to not care when people call it a guilty pleasure, or have the courage to convince them why they're wrong. Or even better, the confidence not to care what they think.” -Rowan, pg 120

Rivals Rowan and Neil Mcnair have always been at each other throats trying to best one another. Yet with graduation around the corner, that battle nearly over. Rowan and Neil have only one more chance to beat each other in the annual competition, Howl. 

Pros 

+Jewish rep. You a lot times especially in movies, the only Jewish representation I come across was a cheater mentioning their Jewish and don't celebrate Christmas. That it. Like an afterthought. But I appreciate TdTnTm for actually showing the audience Judaism and how it impacts the characters live. It isn't just an afterthought in this book, it's actually representation. 

+it was really nice seeing a slow burn romance. Their romantic feelings grew at the perfect speed. I felt like their chemistry was realistic. 

+Conversations about romance novel and female empowerment. There are more than several of conversations about the importance of romance novels and how they're not trashy and can actually add to the feminist movement. I LOVED reading about Rowan's love for romance novels and her relatable feelings about admitting she wants to be a writer. 

+Parents and Rowan. I loved Rowan and with her parents and that they were parents were so trusting and there. Usually, YA novels try to write the parents out, so it's a nice change for once. 

+I love reading the note, texts and emails in between chapters. It was cute and creative.

+The idea of Howl and the safety zones are awesome and so creative especially the clues. 

+I loved how soft and sweet Neil was. Even when Rowan lashes out at him, he didn't go for a low blow, he went for the truth. 

+I also like the conversations and Rowan struggle with graduating and what the future holds. It was very realistic and made me think back on my high school years. 

Cons 

-I felt like the conflict with her friends was solved pretty quickly. They never really talked about it. One moment they were mad at each other, the next they were cool. I don't know I just felt like something was missing. I would have liked to see more of them. 

Besides the one above, I genuinely can't find any more things I didn't like about the book. The Jewish rep and conversations romance novels really blew me away and I really appreciate. I would definitely like to read more YA books with Jewish rep in them. Other that I definitely recommend this book, especially for graduating high school students and anybody who is Jewish.

Anomaly by Krista McGee

☆☆☆☆

I enjoyed this book. This is the first Christian dystopian I've read. It has more like a sci-fi feel to it. It is refreshing to see a dystopian about God. I like the main character Thalli and like John who introduces the Designer to her. There's a slight love triangle, but it didn't amount to anything. The only complaints I have is the slow pacing and the little to no action. It kind of makes the book seem a bit bland, but it was nice getting to see all the advanced technologies and hear about God. I wish more Christian books like these existed.

PROS
▪dystopian-sci-fi about God
▪interesting technology
▪Characters Thalli and John

CONS
▪slow pacing
▪little to no action
▪immediate, undying belief in God

I rate Anomaly by Krista McGee four stars out of five.

Quotes:

“I exhale, not realizing I have been holding my breath.”

“But maybe making things easy isn't part of His plan.”

“I love you, Thalli.” Berk whispered the words in my ear, and I repeated them to him.”

“Death is inevitable. But I do not fear it. I am ready.”

“No. I will die the way I finally learned to live. Fully aware. At peace. With a heart so full of love that even as it slows, it is still full.”

“You can have both, Theo. No one's gonna question your loyalty. Friendships shouldn't have limitations. The only rule is don't be a dick to people you care about.” - Darren, Ch. 20, pg 269

It was a cute kinda quick read.

I'm surprised at the social commentary that this book had from being black queer boy to pressure and expectations from adults pushing their dreams on you.

I really like the group he meets and the inclusion of a non binary character.

Problems I can say I had with the book was the exposition. There was a lot of it. A person would mention someone if or something and there would be paragraph of the whole history with that thing. I think it slows down over the course of the book and in the beginning it's very noticeable. The other one was phones. I don't know if this is the impression of teenagers these days but every time something happens someone right there recording it with their phone. Like no lie, every single time. It's bothers me a bit even with some truth to it.

So this book's not my favorite or anything but I didn't hate it. It had lots of queer & diverse characters and good social commentary, even it doesn't really go deep, deep into these things. It was a cute read that kept me entertained and managed to finish reading in a few days.

“When they pulled apart, he placed his forehead against hers and said, “I'm sorry it took me so long to get to you.” “You're here now. That's all that matters,” she said, wrapping her arms around him.” -Silas & Raven

I kind of bought this book on impulse and it was pretty good.

I expected to be more like an enemies to lovers book and it seemed like it was headed that way I first but in my opinion it was dropped too fast, and the book was more of a Should We/Should We Not romance. Sometimes I struggled to see why they couldn't say yes.

But other than that Raven and Silas make a great cute couple and I wanted them to be together. Their chemistry was great and Silas is definitely a keeper. I liked their relationship with the Mountaintop team and the inclusion LGBT+ married couple and a drag queen scene. The writing was also beautifully crafted.

Overall it was really nice book, especially if you're into Should We/Should We Not romances. This was my first Mimi Grace book and I will be reading more from her.

The Divergent Series

☆☆☆☆

Status: DNF

Type: Trilogy

Series: Divergent

In Beatice Prior's world, everyone is divided by personality and live in factions; her faction, Abnegation is all about being selfless; Amity, the kind; Candor, the honest; Dauntless, the brave; and Erudite, the intelligent. Every year, every single 16-year old is required to take the Aptitude Test, a test that is supposed to tell you where you best belong. When Beatrice takes her Aptitude Test, she learns that she is Divergent, something that is dangerous, different, and could break the system. At the Choosing Ceremony, a ceremony where all sixteen old choose their faction for the rest of their life, she chooses Dauntless, where during intiation, she changes her name to Tris and meets Four, her mentor who she falls in love with, and teaches her how to hide her divergence. Will Tris be able hide her divergence?


I REALLY like the idea of the factions, it's very realistic and I kinda wish we could try it in real life. The only reason I stopped reading was because I kinda lost interest after Insurgent, but that doesn't mean I don't like the series.

Pros:

•The factions. As I stated above they're very realistic and I love how they all have their own characteristics. Despite it's reputation, Erudite is my favorite.
•I like how in Insurgent, we get an inside look at Amity and Candor.
Zeke's brotherly relationship with Uriah. I have a soft spot for brotherhood.
•Tris is really weak at the beginning of the series, but she gets stronger throughout the series.
•Fernando. He was the only nice Erudite in the series, only to be killed off minutes later.
•Fanfiction-Friendly

Cons:

•Slow-paced at times.
•Erudite is portrayed as evil. Almost every Erudite is evil or mean in the series. It's a bummer because I really like Erudite.


Favorite Character: Christina

She tough and not again to say what's on her mind. I just wish I got to see more of her. Maybe Veronica could make a novella from her POV.

Least Favorite Character: Peter

Peter is just a flat out jerk.


Overall, I rate Divergent, Insurgent, and Alliegant by Veronica Roth, four out of five hearts.

The Selection

☆☆☆

Status: DNF* (*At the time that I read the series, The Heir and The Crown were not out yet.)

Type: Trilogy

Series: The Selection

Ilea is a kingdom divided by castes and the higher you go, the poorer you are. America Singer (Guess what she does?) is a Five, every night she sneaks into a tree house to her secret boyfriend, Aspen Lesger. One night, he breaks it off with her and encourages her to join the Selection, a competition where 35 girls compete each against one another for Prince Maxon. Just as she starts to fall for Maxon, Aspen shows up as a guard at the castle. Conflicted, America has to choose who she wants to spend the rest of her life with, Prince Maxon or Aspen?

I felt like this series is completely focused on America and her love triangle. This should considered a romance, not dystopian. I really dont know what to say, except the cover are very pretty and America is Mary-Sue to me. I felt like EVERYTHING had to be about her from the prettiest dress to being the special one out of 35 girls. But if this does become a movie, I would watch and I adored Kriss, she was my favorite. All in all, I'm just not a superfan of this series.

Pros

•Covers are really pretty
•The book does give you fluffy feelings
•America's fire for justice for those around her
•I like how the each caste has different jobs. Seven is my favorite.

Cons

•Barely features the competition
•We dont see enough of the other Selection girls
•There a love triangle
•America can be whiny and undesicive at times.