Lili V
With only memories of his Gran, small treasures that were sneaked past Mrs.Cumlin's inspections, Maxwell Unger lives through the night and dark of the High Echelon's world. Getting monthly injections of grotesque liquid was a result of Max's allergy to “sun particles.” The stories of silver owls and Silver Prophecies are practically forbidden to speak. So is Max's Gran's death. With the slow deterioration of his memory, Max tries to visit his owl tree and his silver owl every night. One night he finds a girl under his tree. A peculiar one, at that; raggedy clothes, wild dirty hair, and as thin as a chopstick. Crowding an aggressive attitude, Artemis Rose Eccles is like no one Max had ever met before. Speaking almost a foreign language, Rose endears Max with her crazy antics of the liars in the High Echelon. When the slow realization of the truth of Rose's remarks grows to be too much for Max, a slew of adventures and a final journey to the Frozen Zone are the only solutions that sought to defeat the impending Darkness sweeping the land. Will the end result be what Max and Rose were hoping for all along, or will there be too many near-death experiences to get to their destination in time?
The Owl Keeper is the mesmerizing tale of a young, weak boy that blooms into a brave and powerful Night Seer, with the help of Rose–his best friend, his silver owl and some memories of Gran and a better time. Reading through the best friends' adventures in the gloominess of High Echelon territory was entertaining and kept you interested till that final journey to find the Owl Keeper. Reading about all of the crafted, ugly-looking creatures in The Owl Keeper was intricately satisfying because of its detail. Rose and Max learn to appreciate each other in more ways than one; and upon that a very unique friendship. With a poem of a prophecy hanging over there heads, the pair try to break down its meaning in order to end at their desired destination. Through their fantastic views of the forests and chilling woods, you will keep wondering in your mind what will happen next, and will they get through this.
The Owl Keeper was set in Max's point of view of the situations around him, but with one switch I believe that the author could have made this book great in any–and I do mean any, even little Miranda's point of view. However, since I don't ordinarily read MG books, it took me a while to really get into the story. With other readers or frequenters of MG novels, this most likely may not happen; if you don't frequent MG novels, you might experience a little difficulty in the beginning, all there is to do is wait for the good parts, because they are there! Brodien truly knows what she's doing with the her characters, the only mishap is that she needs to work a bit on the magic storytelling. From time to time, the pace and some details of the story made me question the authors choice for choosing such a young male lead. However, I do believe that may be a bit biased since I used to young adult novels. In the end, Max really showed the side of his childishness and bravery all in one. The Owl Keeper really is an enchanted, mystical read that you won't want to miss. I'd love to know what happens to Max after the last page.
Grade: B
This was a great read. A picture book that did a lot of story-telling. I was expecting a bit more from the ending, but the narrative style was captivating enough to keep me hooked.
Joy's whole life was summed up entirely by pleasing others, and giving what they wanted. She did this because it was what was taught to her to do with her ability to Hear. Hearing Whispers was something the women of her mom's side of the family were born with. Dealing with the constant desires–wishes, hopes, dreams–of the people around her was bombarding when she was little. By the age of eleven, Joy could handle the Whisper's and even grant some of them. However, with her sister, Jessica, it was a totally different story. Always making Joy's life a living hell at home, Icka–Jessica–wanted her baby sister to feel the constant crowding she felt everyday.
When Joy finally confronts Icka for the first time, it shocks both of them, it lights a fire to new discoveries in the family and in Joy's way of life. Instead of always trying please everyone that wants something, Joy slowly comes to terms to the revelation that she needs to please herself; and find out the truth of her gift. When she hears a stray Whisper from her sister, Joy automatically feels that something is not right and that Icka is in danger. From the very beginning, she attracted attention from an unknown follower. Always there, wondering. Then when Joy unexpectedly and indirectly knows she needs his help to find her sister, he's there along for the ride; to save her sister from killing her Whispers.
When I first started reading Whispers, I cannot deny that I had low expectations. I'd been reading one star- to two star-reviews of Whisper for a while now. When it was finally my turn to read it, I knew I was determined to see why such negative buzz was generating in the blogosphere. What I didn't expect to find was the hidden comical, slash hip referenced heartfelt read Whispers turned out to be. Frankly, I don't know what some reviewers were thinking (though I respect their opinions) but this was a brand new view between a not-so-hidden family struggle that still had problems underneath mom's bubbly exterior. Whispers centered around a gift/curse that came with spontaneous headaches when someone was trying to block their Whispers from others. The constant issues between the sisters was extremely enticing to my senses of being an only-child. And the frequent flashbacks in the beginning were a bit disturbing when I wished the book to move forth with main action of Joy's story, but really were building up the history of of Joy and Icka's relationship through their years. Having a seventeen-year-old sister who knew how to ruin Joy's birthday parties, left some mystery when she was really absent for her fifteen's. Through many people's Whispers, new and broken friendships, and heart wrenching memories, Whispers goes through a tale of one Hearer's new identity found when another stopped pushing it her toward it. By the end, you get to read for yourself Joy's new found bravery and her true love for her sister.
With funny phrases like “hiccough”, and some really weird encounters with another being that may be dealing with something more wrenching than her own gift, Joy's tale will suck you in. So deep that you'll be screaming profanities at your front door when the ice cream truck drives by, vainly hoping they'll stop blaring their corny jingle so fing loud.
Recommended to all ages. Since I'd never forewarned any against this before, I'll start now: there is some profanity in the novel, and a slightly crazed scene at the end. But if you're like me, you'll love every word of it! Buy this when it releases next month, and spread the word of what you think you'd Whisper about the most.
Grade: A
10/03/20
Still perfect for me.
6/07/19
4.5 stars!
THIS WAS SO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD. There. That's a coherent review, right?
Honestly when I first started this book, less than 50 pages in, I instantly thought, “oh shit, this is like Ancillary Justice-good...” In terms of my love for it, it really was that good. It even had some fluid gender identity that paralleled Ancillary which was a nice coincidence. The author's ability to drop you into a full-fledged world with it's own customs, religions, cultures, races, nations, etc. rivals some of fantasy's best in execution. It didn't have to spend entire chapters breaking down scenery to immerse the reader into this fantastical world.
Obvs going to continue with the series (especially after that ending though!) and read everything else by Jemisin because holy moly this was honestly perfect for me.
In the voice of a London-local named Gemma, Stolen is a letter that she writes directly addressing her kidnapper. She never expected that her vacation trip to Vietnam with her parents would take a detour to Aussie. Unknown territory. When she wakes up, she doesn't know where she is, what he's done to her, or how in the world could he have stolen her away at an airport. All of these questions she asks herself, he–name apparently Ty–knows the answers to. Only when they get to their destination does she realize that he is no ordinary kidnapper. You know the question all victims of kidnappers want to ask when their kidnappers, and even if they don't, you know they're thinking it at least: Why? Well, Ty's reason is tied to his back-story and most surprisingly, to hers as well.
Stolen was unbelievably different from what you'd ever expect it to be, that which makes this “victim's” story compelling and addictive to know. Even the most dull of parts adds to the moments that Gemma's experiencing being in her captor's “desert.” Christopher radiated something quite imaginary when she wrote in detail this “letter” from Gemma to her captor. Always referring to him as “You” throughout the entirety of this letter. It had me on edge constantly to the point where in the crucial final moments of the ending, I really didn't think I'd be able to read it. Some many emotions this book induced, I felt like a blubbering baby, and inevitably found myself liking the kidnapper more and more. Stolen opened my eyes to the meaning of becoming something when your not in your usual surroundings, and analyzing what you were when you had safety.
Highly recommended. Read about one person's seemingly hopelessness turn into something far more complicated and unpredictable.
Grade: A
I have to say up front that this is not a happily ever after book, and I'm slowly starting to realize that most books in general–excluding romance, of course–are not all going to end up that way. When it comes to facing the reality in life, and making hard decisions like choosing whether or not you want to keep your baby when you're so young, you must go through the grueling process of looking at what's led to you there and facing the truth about people you depend on. Jumping Off Swings tells a story about how one girl's decision affects the lives of the people around her. So many voices are to be heard in this book, you will not be able to ignore any. Speaking of ignorance, I noticed that it was a major theme, as well as emptiness. Ellie feels like she has no one except her best friend, Corrine to help her through this process of gradual-heartbreak and undeniable situations. Slowly, she figures out that Corrine's not the only one looking at for her, even when her family's not.
When the other characters are introduced into Ellie's story, they all have a role to play throughout her pregnancy. Once the cat comes out of the bag, no one's more shocked and affected than the father. It was healthy, I guess you could say, to read a guy's point of view when it comes to finding out that his “one-night-stand” where he lost his virginity ended up impregnating the girl with the sad, expectant eyes. Admittedly, I just wanted to punch the group of guys that all have a “set” opinion about Ellie because they've been with her. But then, I wanted to yell at Ellie for being so naive. And then...well, I blamed the parents. I don't know if it's because I'm a teenager myself but if the parents aren't there for you throughout your life and don't guide you in any way, odds are there is going to be one mistake in your life that's going to indirectly be their fault. Ever since I was little, in my head I've always built up this argument in my head that “kids take things literally when they're young, and parents have no clue.” They either don't care, or can't see how their way of life is affecting their child every single day as the child is growing up. As Ellie's parents weren't there for her, but a friend's mother was.
Before I go into full-on rant mode, I want to say that Knowles did a fantastic job in gripping your attention with Jumping Off Swings. It showed that people are not perfect, and that they all have different ways of coping. This short, multi-p.o.v book was amazing empathetic, and broken up into every few months to get the true aspect of the progressing due date. There were just minor things I would have argued with that are most likely due to my biased opinions, but nothing major can turn you away from this book.
Grade: B
Okay, for once I'm going to skip to my own little made-up synopsis. There are four specific words that sum up this story, in a nutshell: crudely honest yet deceitful. Straight-up. The fact that it's written in blog-format is just a bonus, I swear. By the time you get through the first few posts of self-knowing to self-questing, you're hooked. I got a head-ache from reading straight from the start to page 174. (‘Course, that could have been also because it was the middle of the night.) The sexual innuendo is definitely most of the main reason, everything else, random facts. You will laugh at the most saddening parts because you inevitably know what's going to happen next, yet it still manages to catch you by surprise because you sure as hell aren't psychic. Undiscovered Gyrl, I guess you could say is a discovering novel. Makes sense, right? “Kate” remains anonymous throughout, but yet how can she? She's telling a life-story, but is it really hers? You don't know who she is, so....It's riveting and quite appalling at times, a can't look away sort of thing. This might be one of the shortest reviews ever, but no doubt it is one of the best. Book, not review. ;) (Although...)
I was initially think of making this a “crudely honest” review, to portray the fragility of the main character but also of the arrogant strength that young adults cannot survive without (that Allison so dearly states, and for that I thank him!). Hopefully, I can at least go out with a bang! How's this:
Recommended to all YAs out there deferring from their freshman year of college, (males get ready for boners and females, changing of the undies will soon be in order) for you will not stop ‘til you pass out from trying stand-up when you've been in your reading position so long–has happened, beware!
Warning: Wrote review with still a third of the novel left to cherish; if I had reviewed it after finishing it all (like normal people, bleh) I would have most likely forgotten what I had read the previous day, has happened!
Welcome to the world where the answer to every problem is having more sex. Seriously, it was hilarious how I was caught off guard for the majority of the times they had sex. It's been a couple days since I read this and all that stuck in my memory is mafia queen, everyone has a troubled past - except that one guy (the FMC's past most of all was HELLA GLOSSED OVER), and all the sex.
And really, isn't that all your looking for in these types lol?
This was middle of the road for me. I really like Tijan's books but I think this is a forgettable one for me. It very much felt like she was trying to make an “updated” version of the Fallen High series in a standalone. None of the characters stood out to me besides the FMC and that's probably because there were just too many of them in one book.
(Side note - I don't like the cover. It's SO photoshopped with the background, the atrocious font, the pose of the model looks unnatural, and what is with that broken heart icon?? Nothing looks cohesive. As someone who's made a few book covers, this one just bugs me.)
A curse.
A girl.
And, in the end, a grave.
Ethan Wate had no idea how he got the dreams in the first place, and once the girl they're centered around shows up in Gatlin County, everyone can feel the storm forming and the countdown beginning. Lena Duchannes knows what's coming, however, that doesn't stop the shock of finding the of her dreams–literally and figurately–in her Uncle Macon Melchizedek Ravenwood's town. Ravenwood is considered the small town's “Haunted Mansion” and they have no idea how on target they are. There is a secret blowing through Gatlin County and the people you know best, may actually be people you know least about. After his mother died, Ethan's household has never been the same. There are charms and trinkets in hidden, and not-so-hidden places, left behind by the infamous house housekeeper–more like a best friend and mother–Amma. As for Ethan's father, with his mind so vulnerable, is the most predictable and the most unseen in his own house. Lila's death seems to have affected him the most–argumentatively–as in, he locks himself away in their–now his–study. Day and Night.
Anyway, Ethan has had a consistency his whole life, and has been waiting for the graduation of his senior year. To go to all the places pinned on the map posted on his bedroom wall. Anything to get out of Gatlin. That is, of course, until Lena came to town.
Seeing the girl from his dreams at his high school–Jackson High–leaves Ethan with heart-pounding hormones raging, and a surprise soon in store. Another one, anyway, and it will not be the last. Not only will Ethan get involved with the mysterious, and non-mentioned side of his small town, he gets involved with a whole new species, so to speak. When the time comes, will Ethan survive the final battle, the war? Or will history, undoubtably repeat itself?
I have to say, that after reading possibly half or two thirds of this novel, I seriously considered reading more books in a male's perspective. Teenage male, of course. wiggles eyebrows suggestively Anywho, the southern lilt brings something of authenticity and the small town county rivalry that I imagine will never die. And will be just as entertaining. Beautiful Creatures just makes you want to hop on a plane, go to a tiny southern town, and see for yourself if that's what the environment is really like. Just to see if it's as suspenseful or boring–not likely–as it claims to be?
I love how Ethan can pick up different vibes from people, some more than others and some to loose to excuse. One of the things, I dare not forget to mention, is the connection the two main characters have going for them. Not only do they have some history–one-hundred-and-fifty years-ago-history, but the soul-gripping mind-reading link you will not soon forget. Recommended to all YAs who love the south and have a little patience with this monstrous page-turner.
I'm surprised that this was less than I expected. It really seemed like this would be a major turning point in the series, and maybe it was, but I was just disappointed.
Definitely the biggest stand-out I've seen so far in the UF genre. Some authors just gotta stop repeating the same thing, but Banks definitely had me intrigued. I like her interest in architecture, it mixes quite well with the bad-ass paranormal, Maliha Crayne. Can't wait to read sacrifice!
Grade: B+
Zoe's life has been difficult ever since her little sister, Abria was diagnosed with Autism. Zoe tries to avoid her little sister but helps out when absolutely necessary–or if she got paid for it. When Abria runs away like usual under Zoe's watch she starts to freak out a bit. Until, of course, a man holding Abria appears out of nowhere and gives her such a penetrating stare that Zoe immediately feels at ease. Even though she doesn't know why. Matthias.
Going home to the unpredictable rants of Abria and their brother Luke's addiction, Zoe doesn't have an outlet for all the baggage that she carries at home except escaping to the horrendous parties that in the end make her feel pitiful. When things start to get even more out of control, Matthias, Abria's guardian angel begins to make more and more appearances. Through emotional roller coaster rides, we as readers, get a view of the inside life of familial instability, with the lessening pressure of a bit of a fantasy rush.
Reading Jennifer Laurens fourth novel, I had some expectations ready to be met once I had read one of the books under her alias JM Warwick, A Season of Eden. A Season of Eden was an incredible read about forbidden love, and as I read the summary of this book, I thought the same. However, from the very beginning I got the impression that this was going to be completely different and Laurens' didn't disappoint. Zoe's constant frustrations seemed so real and palpable, I believed I was going to start spewing off in anger myself. Filled with multiple high points in the plot, Heavenly was a jab-packed page-turner that had me opposing the necessity of sleep.While it had its slight rough edges like many books that take on many event plays in their plots, Laurens' had skillful twists and turns that made Heavenly a fantastic, sentimental read.
My favorite character in the entire novel had to be Chase, the intelligent big-eyed geek, that shared Zoe's gift in seeing guardian angels. It seemed like he was the bit of stability Zoe could use in a sea messed with partying. Him and Matthias of course. Zoe and Matthias' romance connection starts off with penetrating gazes and soulful smiles, that soon bloom off into something more titillating.
Recommended to all, not only YA, for a romantic read that leaves you aching with a want unquenchable.
I give this rating because the majority of the novel did lag a lot for me and I think chunks of the book–mainly the minute details of certain lakes, and forestry and overall description–could have been edited out. I did, however, absolutely adore the last third of the book, and the epilogue was fantastically executed. I just think it could have been more impressionable were it 100-150 pages shorter.
too convenient, formulaic, and there are more subtle ways to be a martyr
first foray into a ya romance in a long. time. i should have stayed away, this one's on me
The characters and their interactions were better in this one but the writing took a nose dive. So many of the same concepts were repeated and I got tired of reading about the world ending. Also, the amount of epilogues is ridiculous. They could have been included within the story itself to cut down on the fabricated melodrama.
Okay, I have a confession to make, I didn't read the entire book. * Ignoring the less than polite comments, because I know they're well deserved.* Just hear me out for a second, will you? You actually expected me to read word-for-word the whole novel? You're freaking kidding, right? I mean this has to be one of the most frustrating novels to get through, in exsistence. I mean, just anticipating from the tidbits held back from various characters, you know that the secrets, and unshared information will only get worse, right?
Sabina Kane has to be filled with the emotions of an empath at a funeral from which the deceased was deeply loved. Such rage, sadness, frustration overall was damn consuming for the times I cried for her fate, literally. (Okay, this may be a bit over the top, but give me a break, I haven't slept all night).
To say that the research done to create this novel was undoubtbly different, would be like saying a work of Picasso is neat. Neat! Damned if I didn't know the backstory on Lilith and Cain! I do now....Jaye Wells is a creator of the arts; no matter how many times you just want to throw the book down because you think you just can't take it anymore.
Sabina only knew about her heritage, her lineage from the tidbits her Grandmother was willing to share. After a month of going after an ambiguous man, her life and fate and destiny are taked in a whole oppistie direction.
If you can't take frustrating or guilt that the protanganist will throw at you, like someone I know–me–then this is not for you. If you can read between the lines and read the whole plot of the book, like someone else I know–me, again–then you'll absolutely love it! Confusing? I know; I, seriously need to sleep or drink some caffine... Whichever, I need to do it before I fall out of this chair... (Why's the computer screen tilted? Crash! Ow...)
This is my first Dakota Cassidy novel, and I'm ecstatic to say, “Thank fucking God, because it is freaking awesome.” Excuse my French. Kiss & Hell is definitely going into My Favorite Pile–for so many reasons. Now that I look back, I realize that the first half of the novel's setting is in Delaney's East Village, New York home. Plus her store, where she makes her seances for hard-earned cash. Somebody's got to feed those six tongue-lolling mouths. Clyde stumbles upon Delaney right in the middle of a very crucial money-crisis seance. This beginning their humorous, heartfelt, frustratingly dramatic frenzy of a relationship.
A month. All they have to perform the impossible. A month where “Clyve” Atwell is to make Delaney fall in love with the idea of getting all her desires come true by him before making her off herself with the revelation of his unlife in Hell. Of course, that was what was supposed to happen–before Clyde with a d came along and switched assignments. Now they have a month to convince Hell it's really Clyve making Delaney fall in love, not Clyde. And figure out why Clyde ever became a demon, when he and every probable detail of his supposed life clearly states otherwise. Doesn't it? Or is the investigation going to rub a little close to someone's cough Delaney's cough past? And that doesn't even include Marcella–might as well call her the she-devil, Kellan–Delaney's brother also being mentioned in the Underworld. The cause for Lucifer's untimely reappearence in Delaney's medium life being that hopeless, terrifying night fifteen years ago. Usually, the jumping-to-conclusions, and the keeping-secret-schemes-to-oneself is what frustrates me to no end. It was indead the same case here, but, frankly, I've learned that is waht keeps you going, reading. What really baffled me was Delaney's strong-willed, good-humor nature, albeit at some unappropriate times–like talking about your bf's explosion to smitherings–throughout the whole book. You can tell she uses it to sort of mask some under-the-surface feelings, but that's just who she is, how she's been reduced to after so long in isolation. Another thing I admire about Delaney/Dakota is her sense of music and TV show references–which pretty much got me singing that I also love Andrea Bocelli and Michael Buble (blame my mother), and will look into “Ghost Whisperer” with J-Love.
Author Info: All I know about Dakota Cassidy is she thinks I'm direct (and she has joined the penny-sized club) and that she likes my comebacks, and I have the tweets to prove it. Neener, neener, neener.
Really unique world. The characters and relationships were meh and if this didn't have just a hint of bl I wouldn't have finished it probably, but the storytelling was intriguing and the dystopian landscape was very easy to picture.
2.5
Very repetitive but I did enjoy the FMC though she's a little too hardcore to be believable. The author maxed out all her abilities and made her too badass, which is weird to say considering I love overpowered characters. It just left her character a little boring because all the description around her training was very bland when I don't think assassins should be bland?? I could see where she and the MMCs need to develop in their emotional evolvement, and the author did a great job differentiating the 3 MMCs. Their inner dialogue was very immature though and I could not believe for a second they fell madly in love with the FMC (and subsequently ruined their years-long friendships) IN A DAY!! Considering how many times this is brought up, how it stunted their growth as mature human beings, suffice to say, was utterly ridiculous.
