Susan
Thank you Putnam and.Penguin Young Adult Books for the copy that I read.
Book Rating : 3.5 Stars rounded to 4
Reader Age: Appropriate for a Middle Schooler with just a touch of mild realistic and age appropriate cussing, an excellent mystery, and very mild slow burn romance (kissing only)
The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor was an original and intriguing Middle School Style Dark Academia / Romantasy read. I was a bit surprised by how slow the beginning of the book was, but with all the world building and the establishment of a very unique magical system with Scriptomancy that is needed, this pace is understandable. In this vivid and detailed book, Taylor needs to establish quite a lot of context and backstory for the reader to understand how Maeve's world operates; however, I would have enjoyed a more of an immersive presentation of all this information and to have this paced out a little more, because at some points this establishing information felt overwhelming and it caused to to break from the story to process it all. At some points, I just needed stop watching Maeve's world be created around me and begin experiencing it for myself. Although I wonder if part of this could have been my age and experience as a fantasy reader which gives me more context than a younger reader would have. However, once I was abput a thrid of th way into the book, and I was instructed into into the of Scriptomancy and the mystery behind Maeve's Father, i was able to see the value of that world building and explore Maeve's story. At that point the character development and the detailed world building came together and the book did draw me in. Again, this was a fun read that my younger self would have adored.
This was an appropriate book for a younger reader and the hints of first love and romance between Maeve and Tristan would be appropriate for that younger reader, something that I did factor into my this review and rating.
A Note About This Review: I understand that book I am reading is an early review copy, and with a little more editing and attention to early pacing, I can easily see this book being the start of an enchanting new Magical World that any reader, adult or young adult will fall into
Thank you Putnam and.Penguin Young Adult Books for the copy that I read.
Book Rating : 3.5 Stars rounded to 4
Reader Age: Appropriate for a Middle Schooler with just a touch of mild realistic and age appropriate cussing, an excellent mystery, and very mild slow burn romance (kissing only)
The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor was an original and intriguing Middle School Style Dark Academia / Romantasy read. I was a bit surprised by how slow the beginning of the book was, but with all the world building and the establishment of a very unique magical system with Scriptomancy that is needed, this pace is understandable. In this vivid and detailed book, Taylor needs to establish quite a lot of context and backstory for the reader to understand how Maeve's world operates; however, I would have enjoyed a more of an immersive presentation of all this information and to have this paced out a little more, because at some points this establishing information felt overwhelming and it caused to to break from the story to process it all. At some points, I just needed stop watching Maeve's world be created around me and begin experiencing it for myself. Although I wonder if part of this could have been my age and experience as a fantasy reader which gives me more context than a younger reader would have. However, once I was abput a thrid of th way into the book, and I was instructed into into the of Scriptomancy and the mystery behind Maeve's Father, i was able to see the value of that world building and explore Maeve's story. At that point the character development and the detailed world building came together and the book did draw me in. Again, this was a fun read that my younger self would have adored.
This was an appropriate book for a younger reader and the hints of first love and romance between Maeve and Tristan would be appropriate for that younger reader, something that I did factor into my this review and rating.
A Note About This Review: I understand that book I am reading is an early review copy, and with a little more editing and attention to early pacing, I can easily see this book being the start of an enchanting new Magical World that any reader, adult or young adult will fall into
The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner was a good solid read that had many of the tropes that I annoy reading. If you find tropes like Tropes : He falls first, Second chance romance, a female main character who is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professional, told via Multiple timelines and Dual POVor if you fell in love with Allie and Noah in Nicholas Spark's The Notebook, then this book will whisk you away in a sweet and touching story of love found and lost, hearts broken and mended, and the strength of Love and Souls to find their back to each other.
I really enjoyed the way that Ellie and Jack's story was kept alive through his written story and that his words were the ones that cause her to question what she thought she knew and begin her on a journey of exploration and reunion. Science meets art and the balance of that pairing creates change. I liked that message that love is that point.
The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner was a good solid read that had many of the tropes that I annoy reading. If you find tropes like Tropes : He falls first, Second chance romance, a female main character who is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professional, told via Multiple timelines and Dual POVor if you fell in love with Allie and Noah in Nicholas Spark's The Notebook, then this book will whisk you away in a sweet and touching story of love found and lost, hearts broken and mended, and the strength of Love and Souls to find their back to each other.
I really enjoyed the way that Ellie and Jack's story was kept alive through his written story and that his words were the ones that cause her to question what she thought she knew and begin her on a journey of exploration and reunion. Science meets art and the balance of that pairing creates change. I liked that message that love is that point.
This is a book that I literally devoured in two sittings. Told with a keen eye for detail and in a writing style that will transport you, Hawkins' The Heiress is a book that will make you rethink your next family gathering and cause you to keep a keen eye on you family...because this book shows that you never really know the whole story of what motivates the people around you. I loved the way the storylines converged and showed different aspects of the moments as a reader I thought I knew.
One sentence review: This is story of twists and turns that has the best gothic feel that would make Willie Collins proud...if dysfunctional families, backstabbing and conveying relatives, and plot twists around every corner make your fingers itch to open a cover, this is a book you don't want to miss.
This is a book that I literally devoured in two sittings. Told with a keen eye for detail and in a writing style that will transport you, Hawkins' The Heiress is a book that will make you rethink your next family gathering and cause you to keep a keen eye on you family...because this book shows that you never really know the whole story of what motivates the people around you. I loved the way the storylines converged and showed different aspects of the moments as a reader I thought I knew.
One sentence review: This is story of twists and turns that has the best gothic feel that would make Willie Collins proud...if dysfunctional families, backstabbing and conveying relatives, and plot twists around every corner make your fingers itch to open a cover, this is a book you don't want to miss.