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Such a wonderful follow up book to the first! Shane Arbuthnott did an excellent job of showing Molly's growth as a person, both physically and mentally. While I loved her youthful vigor and passion in the first book, I loved her tenacity and selflessness in this book even more. Molly comes to understand that she's part of something so much bigger than herself and, rather than shy away, she embraces it wholeheartedly. Consequences be damned.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was that it felt a little slow in places. I know that there was a lot to pack into this second book, and so I was willing to let it go, but I did miss the breakneck pace and adventure of the first book. This second installment is much more internal, or much more character based. It doesn't make it bad, by any means. Just different. I acknowledge that.
I'll follow Molly wherever she goes next. You can count on that.
Although I've read many iterations of the traditional tale of The Snow Queen, it continues to be a story that has a special spot in my heart. I love the concept of a friendship so deep, and so pure, that nothing can keep them apart. I've also always loved the fact that this is the type of story where a girl rescues a boy, rather than the other way around! So, it's no surprise that I was so eager to read this graphic novel take on this beloved story.
Sadly, I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. While the bones of the story are intact, and the characters are still all true to themselves, I felt like this version zipped along too quickly to really bring out the aspects of the story that I love. The lack of time makes it so that the story is a more watered down version, and you really don't get the epic feel of Gerda's journey. I feel like this was additionally hampered by the simplicity of the illustrations in this book. The Snow Queen leaves so much space for gorgeous panels, filled with icy backdrops and epic journeys. It all just felt too flat to me, and left a bit disappointed.
For staying true to the story I love, I'm willing to give three stars. I just wanted more.
What first drew me to A Single Stone was the fact that this is essentially a younger version of the YA and Adult dystopian novels that I love. I was so excited to see how Meg McKinlay would bring Jena's sheltered world to life, and how she would address the society as a whole. I won't lie, I had pretty high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it failed to reach quite as high as my expectations were set.
To start with the positives, I can say that Jena's society is fairly well laid out in this book. The reader quickly understands that the mountain, and the harvest, are the focal point of life in this small society. Status in Jena's world is based on how much one is able to contribute to the community, and that means that the girls who can descend into the mountain are the elite. I loved this concept, and especially loved the fact that Jena's backstory didn't allow her to be too proud. Her life hasn't been an easy one, and so Jena takes nothing for granted. Which is important in this story.
What I missed, mainly the further I got into the book, was real character development. Although Jena definitely learns the dark secrets that her society hides, she never really grows as a person. I think, and this is completely my opinion, that the lack of real dialogue in this book is really what sets it back. We see what Jena thinks. We see what she does. We never see her really stand up for herself, or her beliefs, though. It made really falling in love with her as a character, and therefore with the characters around her, a lot more difficult.
In fact, I think what this book really needed was just more time. More pages to bring Jena into her own. More opportunity for interactions with her fellow community members and, especially, more time for adventure in the mountain. The book flew by, but I was left at the end feeling like something was missing. I loved the concepts presented in this book, but I feel like they weren't as fleshed out as they could be. So I'm sitting at a three star rating.
So let's see. How do I break down exactly how I felt about this particular volume of Robots in Disguise? Well, first off, I loved a lot of the art for various reasons. While the story itself was a bit difficult to wrap my head around, I loved the fact that it allowed for some interesting panels. Take the one below, for instance. There's a lot of jumping back and forth in time in this part of our story, and the panels manage to evoke that perfectly.
I also really liked the fact that there's a lot more backstory given in this volume. I learned a lot about Optimus Prime/Orion Pax and his crew. There's also an annual issue in here that hearkens back to the Transformers of old, and so I was able to get some insight into how their whole civilization came to be in the first place. Which, of course, further cemented in my mind that war is inevitable. They are always at war, even when they think they're not, and I sense that's coming around again.
The tension keeps mounting. Starscream, Bumblebee, Prowl and Metalhawk are all part of this never ending series of backstabbing and undermining one another. It's gotten to the point where I feel anxious every time I open a new issue. I'm terrified that war is on the horizon, and yet I can't stop reading because I have to know which “side” will win. I put side in quotes because let me tell you, I'm not even sure who is backing who anymore at this point. It's all so twisted. I suppose politics always are.
Then, there's Arcee. She's quickly become my favorite here, mainly because she's decided that the only person she backs is herself. I don't know which side she's on. It's possible she'll make me angry later. For now though, she's my favorite. She's the perfect example of an assassin, and yet I think there's something more than that to her. Time will tell.
So why the three star rating? Mainly, I just wasn't feeling this volume. There's a lot of backstory, some gorgeous art, but at the very basic level it felt like there was something missing. This series hasn't had the same kind of levity as MTMtE, and I've accepted that, but even so I felt like something besides that was missing. I can't put my finger on it.
Still, the ending was a cliffhanger and a half! I can't wait to see what happens next.
Keltair's Ride caught my eye because of the mesh between Fantasy elements and a mainly M/M erotic novella. I'm a sucker for anything Fantasy based at the best of times, but what drew me even further into this was the fact that it was set in Middle Ages Ireland. As soon as I saw that Dulaine was a púca, and that Keltair was half-sidhe, I was officially sold. I'm fascinated by that whole mythology and I couldn't wait to see how this all tied in. What can I say? I'm hopelessly in love with roguish characters, and even more so with characters who use their charms wisely.
Which, as expected, our titular character fully embodies. I was a little disappointed that we didn't see the full effect of his charming personality, as we're more told how persuasive he can be rather than shown, but I was still sold on his character almost instantly. The bond between him and Dulaine was evident from the start, and I only grew to love the two of them more the further I got into the story. I would have loved even more interaction between just these two, and I'm hoping that's coming. As it stands, the ending had me a bit teary eyed anyway. The whole crew gets stuck in the middle of something they weren't expecting, and it allows all of them to shine. I was hooked, and it made me power through to the end.
In terms of steam factor, I can safely tell you that this book is actually not too over the top. There are definitely some descriptive scenes, but there's also a lot of love flowing underneath it all even at these times. It just feels like a natural part of the story, and I appreciated that because it allows the Fantasy aspect of this to continue to be front and center. That's not to say that Keltair isn't a cheeky little character with quite the libido, because he most definitely is. It's just a nice balance that I wasn't expecting.
I would love to see more character development, and hopefully more vivid personalities, in the next installment of this story! This has set the series up with great bones, and all I want is just a little more meat on those bones! I want more charismatic Kelatir, more intriguing Dulaine, and even more gruff and lovable Farrell. I honestly can't wait!
Before I get into the grit of this review, I have to share that Mark Hollock's book falls outside the norm of what I generally read. I've been attempting to branch out into more speculative and science fiction, and get lost in stories that really make me think about our world. I can tell you, The Beyond Now Device definitely fits that bill. This is a book that takes a hard look at how we fit into the “now” that we inhabit, and how the past makes us who we are. I found myself fully immersed in the lives of the characters, as they tried to find out how their actions really affected the future, and I'll admit it was a little jarring. So take my review with a grain of salt, because I'll be the first one to honestly say that this isn't my general cup of tea.
On the positive side of things, I thought the characters in this book were really well drawn. They each felt like whole individuals, and watching them interact with one another was like watching real life unfold. As I grew to know them better, and understood their quirks, I realized how well their personalities played off of one another. The four main characters are as diverse as any reader could ask for, and I loved watching them interact. It was a pleasure to read a book that contained real people, and their real flaws.
What I could have done without, and kept me really enjoying this book as much as I wanted to, was the use of Niko and his creation as a plot device. While the actual movements forward in time were interesting and vital to the story, the device that created those movements felt forced. That, and Niko as a driver of the story felt even more forced. His brief appearances felt like mini info dumps instead of blending in with the overall story. I just wanted the characters to have to figure things out themselves. Watching time creep ever closer to the events that they had experienced through the device, and watching them try to figure out how to change things, was fascinating. Such clever characters, with such human flaws. It was great.
My only other issue with this book, and it is a small one, was the fact that the actual device itself is never really explained. I know that this book is more in the speculative, rather than science, fiction realm. However I couldn't help but feel like I'd missed out on an opportunity to really understand how the “time travel” really took place. Granted, the focus here is on the idea of time/space and our place in it. My inquisitive mind wouldn't let that small hole go though, and it bothers me even as I write this.
Overall though, I though that The Beyond Now Device was a pretty solid book. There were portions that felt a little slow, or a little forced, but the concept was fascinating and the characters were great. Anyone going into this book should keep in mind that this is a very character heavy book. If that's your type of read, you'll enjoy this too.
I've been hemming and hawing over what to write about The F-It List for a few days now. The truth is that I actually enjoyed this book for the most part. I loved that it wasn't overly depressing. That Alex was witty, intelligent, and yet just flawed enough to make her feel like a real person. Julie Halpern wasn't afraid to create a character who can equal parts feel guilty about her friend's illness, and still embrace the happiness that comes her way. I so appreciated that. Illness sucks, and being helpless while a friend is ill sucks even more, but Halpern shows that you're still allowed to live your life.
The F-It List embraces the idea of living for the moment. Becca's list isn't one of those bucket lists that is filled with things like skydiving and swimming with dolphins. Hers contains all those little things that we never do because we always think we'll have time for them later. Like sleeping on the beach. Or making a move on that hot guy you've been watching since the beginning of the year. I was enamored with the fact that her list was full of things that, although they seem insignificant at first, are absolutely part of who she wanted to be. No dream is too small.
What else did I love? The fact that there is so much nerdy goodness in this book. Alex is obsessed with horror movies, and all you horror buffs out there will appreciate her taste in movies. These movies played a big roll in who she was, and how she got by. There's also a huge nod in the direction of Firefly fans, which contributed to a part of this book that actually made me laugh out loud. We all want to meet our idols. Becca does just that, and then some!
Sadly, we've now come to the part where I have to tell you what I didn't like about this book. I'll keep it short, I promise. The main problem I had with The F-It List was the way Alex and Becca were so oversexualized. I've been a teen, I know that talking about/having sex is a part of that stage of life. In this case though, it felt like overkill. I appreciated the fact that Julie Halpern acknowledged that yes, girls can be just as crass as guys at times. However the amount of times it came up actually started to pull me out of the story.
I think this had the potential to be a perfect read for me. Two best friends, who are brutally honest with one another, each trying to overcome their own struggles while being strong for one another. If the story had backed off on the sex and swearing just a little bit, just enough to let the sweetness of this friendship shine through, it would have been exactly what I was looking for. As it stands, I still think this deserves a three star rating. After all, I did have more than my fair share of chuckles at Alex's expense!
Murder mysteries are fairly new to my preferred reading genres, but I've been having a blast with them. It's a lot of fun to play amateur detective alongside a good character, and even more fun to get hit with that perfect unseen twist. When Cam Lang offered me The Concrete Vineyard for review, I was excited to give it a shot! I actually visited the area this is set in pre-Covid, and that made me even more eager to dive right in.
Starting with the characters, which we all know are my favorite part, Lang knocks it out of the park. I had a lot of love for Kris. His witty personality, his love of bicycle rides, and his deep love for his family all wrapped up into a great character. I appreciated that he tackled everything that came his way with grit and grace. Even better though, was the fact that all of the other characters around him weren't flat. We all know how easy it is for characters to fade into the background. Instead, they were all an excellent match for Kris' wit, and had unique personalities all their own.
In terms of plot, I enjoyed the journey for the most part. I'll admit, that there were places during this story that I felt dragged a bit. Some of the paragraphs felt more wordy than they needed to be, which made it so that I had to re-read pages sometimes to get to the meat of the story. I won't deny that I also skimmed a few chapters that were very dialogue heavy after the first few. They didn't always feel like they advanced the plot. The good part is that there is definitely not a plot hole in sight. If you are the type of reader who worries about that sort of things, fear not.
It was the plot-twist that really got me, and I am happy to report that the ending threw me for a loop as well. This was one of the few books I've read where I wasn't sure who the killer was at all, and that was a wonderful feeling!
I can't deny that it was Mia's ace rep that put Thanks for Listening on my radar. As a book club organizer, I'm always on the lookout for books that highlight all parts of the queer community, to give as recs to my members. The fact that this was a YA book made me especially happy, since it's nice to have a wide range of stories to share with different age groups. It's true that I also saw a little bit of myself in Mia. I too, was the friend who always wanted to fix her friends' problems and would often give us little bits of myself to avoid conflict. I was also the person who was always willing to give advice, but never willing to take it myself. I'm sure this book is going to resonate with a lot of readers out there for the same reason.
What I really liked though, was that Horan allows her characters to show some realistic growth within these pages. Mia finds a person who helps her blossom, and start to understand that her friendships may not be the healthiest. She learns to stand up for herself, and actually communicate her feelings. Younger me so needed a book like this, and so I see a lot of good here. Especially because Horan's solution isn't to cut Mia off from her issues, but instead to show how she can work on them.
Now I will say that even though the book is written from the POV of high school, this book is written in what felt like a younger voice. Which felt a little odd, since there are mentions of sex. It also bothered me a bit how oblivious Mia seemed to be about anything related to dating. I know Mia's character was ace, but I find it hard to believe that she wouldn't be able to spot a potential date when she was in high school and best friends with people in a relationship. Still, I can admit that it did make for some cute scenes so I was willing to keep reading on.
To wrap things up, this was a cute read but it just felt a little younger than I was expecting. I liked the messages about friendship and evolving, and really like Mia. The backdrop of high school theater was so well done. It made me smile more than once! For all those reasons, I'm happy to award this book a solid three star rating.
YA mysteries and thrillers are still relatively new territory for me, mainly because I still always seem to gravitate towards my safe fantasy territory. Which is why, when the opportunity to review a book like The Color of Lies presents itself, I'll happily oblige. This story in particular caught my attention because our protagonist had synesthesia. How CJ Lyons planned to incorporate that into Ella's story intrigued me, because it seemed to me that the ability to read auras would really come in handy in the event of a thriller. Ah, how right I was.
It should be noted that I don't have a lot of background knowledge of synesthesia, and I always assumed that it revolved around colors. So it was so fascinating to me to meet Ella's family members, each with their own unique way of experiencing the world. In particular, Ella's uncle Joe had the ability to taste words. How cool is that? I just kept imagining what that would be like, to be able to taste the things that you say. Absolutely fascinating, if I do say so myself.
I also really enjoyed Ella as a main character. She was enough of an adult to keep the teen angst to a minimum, but enough of sheltered child to make this whole mystery really flow. Her love for her family and friends made me fall for her pretty quickly, but her love of art really sealed the deal. Had this book only been from Ella's point of view, I think I would have been completely smitten.
Unfortunately, this is a dual POV book. I normally am not a fan of dual POV anyway, but I really felt Alec's portion took away from some of the growth that we could have seen from Ella. I'll admit, Ella does get a fair bit more time in the limelight than Alec does. However since Alec starts out the story holding all the cards, and Ella has to play catch up, it makes her seem a little weak. I knew she wasn't. CJ Lyons has written a strong character who, despite her whole life being turned upside down multiple times, pushes through. I just wanted more of that, and more of her.
As for the plot line, I'm of the opinion that it was actually pretty easy to unravel. My inkling about how the book was going to end started around the 1/3 mark, and the further the read the more I knew that I was absolutely right. I know that Lyons was trying to lay a trail of breadcrumbs. In fact, I think that some of that actually was done well. However there is a lot in the first half of the book that all but lights a neon sign pointing to what will happen at the end. As I said, I don't read a ton of mystery and I was able to unravel it. I'm not sure how die hard readers of this genre will feel.
All in all, this was a pretty solid read. The Color of Lies drew me in with its premise, and kept me reading because I fell in love with the characters. Although the plot wasn't quite as twisty as I hoped for, that didn't stop this from being a book I all but flew through. I know this will be a satisfying read for a lot of you out there, and so I'll happily recommend you adding it to your reading list.
Much love to N.H. Roncolato for being my first foray back into adult Fantasy. It's been almost a year since the last time that I really sat still and devoured a book in this genre. To be fair, I've been reading YA like mad, so it's not surprising. Still, I was really looking forward to The Redemption of Brian O'Connor. I was ready for an epic new world, vivid characters, and hopefully some battle scenes! As it turns out, Roncolato delivered on all accounts. Color me a happy bookworm.
Brian's character is one that settles deep into your soul, pretty quickly. Marked as a man who has nothing but death following in his wake, Roncolato wastes no time in showing the reader what kind of man Brian actually is. In fact, he's the kind of man who would protect the weak, and and pity the dying. The kind of man who has revenge in his heart, but love also. It's easy to see that Brian isn't just what the stories make him out to be. He's a layered, intriguing character that never ceased to keep me guessing.
As for the story, it really revolves around the journey that Brian has set himself on. He has information that must be delivered and, if he can manage it, he has a man that he's sworn to kill. I loved how vast the world was that Brian and his group of brave souls traversed. From tiny towns struggling to make it by, to massive castles, to sweeping forest, these men traveled through it all. What I love most about this though was that it really gave me time to find out so much about each character. They talked, laughed, and grew to understand one another. They grew into a family. My heart was wrapped up in theirs, which made the ending of this book so much more difficult. Oh, did you think I was going to spoil it? No, friends. It's too good to spoil.
If I had one qualm, it would probably be the times that characters would speak in other languages, and there were no translations. I realized after a while, that later in the paragraph there would be a summary of what was said. However, I would have really loved to “hear” the words directly from the mouths of these amazing men. It frustrated me that I wasn't able to decode what they were originally talking about, and I ended up skimming a lot of the passages where that happened.
As it stands, I happily award 4 stars to The Redemption of Brian O'Connor. If you're looking for a Fantasy book that has a ton of heart, look no further. This one is great.
I purposely held this book to read this month because I love a good romantic read around this time of year. Let's be honest, I am a sucker for a happy ending. This is the time of year that I surround myself with romantic comedies, and I felt like 100 Kisses fit snugly into that category. Happily, I can report out that I was correct!
Kylee is our protagonist, and my past self immediately identified with her. The girl who prefers to fade into the background, who has unrequited crushes, and whose friends lovingly, albeit obnoxiously, are trying to pull her out of her shell. This girl had my heart from page one, and I would be lying if I told you that I was not rooting for her to get her special kiss. I am a happy ending addict after all.
This book has a pretty good pace, as Kylee and her friends navigate the rocky terrain of school life and understanding the opposite sex. There were a few times that I felt things slow down a little much, but then they would pick right back up again. It was also nice to see things from both Kylee and Emerson's points of view. I am not always a fan of dual POV books, but 100 Kisses does it well. Both characters have their own distinct personalities, and bring a different kind of humor to the overall story. It was especially good to slowly unravel Emerson's back story from his memories. I liked that it wasn't all laid out at the beginning, as it leant an extra intrigue to the story.
So why the three star rating? Like most of the romantic comedies that we love, this book was a fairly formulaic. It was simple to put together when funny scenes would be inserted, or where the point was that the two characters would get into a fight. I would have loved to have it mixed up a bit more. My other big issue falls into the same category, in that the characters felt like they were just filling a preset role. With the exception of Kylee and Emerson, most of them felt a bit like cardboard cutouts. It felt like they were there to simply fill space. I would have loved a little more vividness from them. I feel it would have filled in Kylee's story even better.
Keep in mind that none of that kept me from devouring this book, or cheering at the ending. Happy endings are always cheer worthy after all. Bottom line? If you are looking for a read that it sweet, heartfelt, and full of that coming of age vibe? This is your next read.
Every time I read a historical thriller, it makes me wonder why I don't put more on my list. Thankfully authors like Larry Rodness are kind enough to choose me as a reviewer, and I get the opportunity to once again remember how much fun it is to be lost in a read that is outside of my norm. When I first read the synopsis, what intrigued me most was the idea of a single item having so much power. The power to throw an entire religion into absolute chaos. What would someone do with all of that power? I was eager to found out.
The beginning of this story is excellently crafted, in my opinion. It gives you all the relevant information surrounding the Judas Robe, and provides the footing necessary to weave your way through the rest of this twisty story. It was also much appreciated that, although there are historical reference points, the story doesn't ever feel bogged down. One of my biggest issue with historically based stories is that there tend to be big infodumps that feel forced into place. Rodness proves that you can share the key points, without making the reader lose traction. If anything, the intro made me more excited for what was to come.
Now here's where I had a bit of issue. From the first time I met Joel, I knew that I was going to like him. As a protagonist he is the kind of person who feels realistic and therefore relatable. Part of me knew that he was going to be thrown into danger, probably sooner rather than later. However I enjoyed getting to get to know him, and the intricacies of the relationships he had with the people around him. I have to give kudos where they are due, all of the characters that he comes into contact with also feel like real people, so it makes it easier to understand Joel's motivations later on. However, this is also the part of the story where I started to feel a little lost.
It is tough to explain fully without accidentally spoiling anything for potential readers, so I'll tread as lightly as I can. By the point that the reader is fully immersed in Joel's world, there are so many plot points flying out in all directions. It makes sense, since the underlying plot of this book is vast. There are so many different groups vying for this one item of power, all for their own reasons. The larger that the story grows, and the more characters that there are to follow on their own separate small quests, the harder that it gets to follow everyone.
At one point Joel's girlfriend was so angry at him that her personality completely changed, and I had to flip back a chapter to realize that I missed a key point where that change happened. I really wanted things to be a little tighter, so that I could more easily find myself immersed in this epic story. Instead I felt like I was grasping at all the threads and trying to keep them in one bundle. By the end I was caught up again, and the ending was extremely satisfying. Thus, the 3-star rating.
Overall I did enjoy this story immensely, and am looking for more from Larry Rodness! Like I said, this is generally not my genre of choice. So the fact that I enjoyed this so much makes me extra happy. I will be waiting for more!
Pardon me while I compose myself, because this was a really emotional book to read. In fact, because of recent life events, I had to set this aside for a while because it was a little bit too much. Trust me when I say, that's a compliment of the highest order to Joshua Max Feldman. Start Without Me is breathtakingly beautiful. It's a love letter to all the people out there who are holding it together the best they can, while struggling to find their happiness in a world that seems to overlook them. It's all about finding another person, even fleetingly who accepts you and pushes you in equal measures. In other words, Feldman's book is about life. Both the good and the bad.
What first struck me about this story was honestly how upset I kept getting at Adam. It's funny how when a character is flawed, perhaps in a way that hits home, you want to scream at them to be more perfect. We expect our characters to make all the right decisions when, in fact, they should be just as human as we are. Adam was definitely rough around the edges. I loved that you could see the earnest, desperate person underneath all of that rough facade though and, eventually, it endeared me to him. When he met Marissa, and I found myself loving her as well, the story really took off for me. These two had such different lives, such different problems, and yet they managed to band together long enough to prop each other up during a difficult time.
The dialog in this book was spot on. The snippets of life lessons, spouted again and again because they are what you're supposed to say to people who are struggling struck me hard. However it was the deep conversations that were had in this book, the ones that were messy and emotional, that really did me in. I've always been one of those people who feels the need to fix problems for other people, even while I'm piling up my own problems behind a closed door. Watching Marissa and Adam, two lost people who found one another, continuously do this same thing just pummled me. How do you hide from what you're storing behind that door, when the person you're trying to help keeps opening it up? Argh. I'm still thinking about some of the scenes in this book.
Long story short, if you want to read something that is perfect and happy this isn't the book for you. However if you want to read something beautiful, gritty, and full of hope, then Start Without Me should absolutely be on your reading list. It's the kind of read I think a lot of people need around the holidays, and I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to read it. It wasn't an easy read, but it was a necessary one.
My heart is still hurting for Jake Stein, I tell you what. I started Yeled Tov, planning to read a few chapters in between chores. Instead, I ended up stuck on the couch and reading this book intensely. Daniel M. Jaffe's book is raw. It's an unapologetic trip into the mind of a boy who is not only told by his religion that the way he feels is unnatural, but also by society as whole. It's a story about hiding who you are, until you can't anymore. This book simply tore at my heart.
Jake's character is instantly likable. He's your standard teenage boy, headed into college and looking forward to the future. Sweet, well-mannered, and full of promise. Or, at least, he is on the outside. Inside Jake is a mess. Jaffe does such a perfect job of showing the reader how conflicted our protagonist is about the truth of who he is. When your whole goal in life is to be a yeled tov (a good Jewish boy), how does having “deviant” sexual feelings fit into that? Jake's story isn't a new one, but it's definitely one that needs to be told as many times as possible. Jaffe allows the reader to step into Jake's shoes, and see how rough young adulthood can really be.
Truthfully, my only small complaint with this book was that each section felt just mildly too short. I know this is a semi-autobiographical novel. I also know that in real life our stories don't just comfortably flow from one chapter to the next. Still, I adored Jake. His struggle, his feelings, I just wanted to crawl deeper into his story and really sit next to him for a while. There's something heartbreakingly beautiful about watching someone fall apart, and then put themselves slowly back together again. I'll never tire of reading books that really make me feel.
Fair warning, this book really is at the upper end of Young Adult labeling. There isn't any actual sex depicted, but there are plenty of things very close to that making their way onto the page. If you are uncomfortable with the proper names for genitalia, or with briefly mentioned oral sex acts, this might be a book that you want to avoid. As I mentioned above, this book is raw. It's starkly written, right down to the poor choices that our budding protagonist makes as he tries to figure himself out. It didn't offend me in the slightest, since it's written as an important part of the story. Still, I feel like it's fair to put it out there for potential readers. Trust me, this book is worth your time.
Ok, this series just continues to be absolutely amazing. I seriously can't believe that beautiful balance that exists here between hilarious dialogue, gorgeous illustrations, and a brilliant storyline. I'll admit that this series isn't all fun and games. There's a lot of deep mythology surrounding Angela's existence, after all she is technically an Asgardian. Plus, Kieron Gillen and Marguerite Bennett aren't afraid to touch on a lot of topics that are important to our current society. They just do it in a way that makes for quite a ride, every single issue.
This particular issue really pushes into the forefront the reason why Angela and Sera are on their particular quest. I kept wondering why they would put themselves so at risk. Why they would be willing to lose one another, again, for the sake of this child. Now that I know? Well, I'm on their side. Apparently so are the Guardians of the Galaxy, who do make a cameo in this issue. I LOVE Gamora, so this made me happy.
Sometimes it's nice to take time away from all the heavy stuff, and just read something nice and light. I like to call it “brain candy”, because it gives my mind a little treat to devour while I wind down from dealing with serious book emotions. That's how I stumbled upon A Slice Of Magic! I wanted to get lost in something sweet (no pun intended) and fun. The prospect of a magical pie shop sounded like just what I needed, and I was right.
Now, this isn't the most complex plot I've ever read, true. However that's not what I went into this book for in the first place. Mayes easily nails the feel of a small town in this book. A place where everyone knows everything about everyone else, and it's pretty easy to get a reputation. A place where being a new arrival means being the center of attention, whether you want to be or not. I loved the town of Hocus Hills. I settled in easily, fell in love with the residents (especially Henry swoon), and was enamored with the vibes that this book gave off. Susanna may have had a rough start, but you couldn't pick a sweeter place to get your footing.
What hampered this story, I think, was how quickly it needed to move in order for everything to wrap up. While it made for an easy read, it also never allowed any time for any real plot points to be hashed out. Susanna starts to pick up on the fact that Hocus Hills might be much more than it seems and then, suddenly, everything is all wrapped up and the book is over. I wanted more time to learn about the magic around the town. I wanted more magical pies, and more sweet romance. I just wanted more. This book felt like the frame of a story, rather than the complete story. A lot of what I wanted to know the entire time I was reading was revealed at the end, in an info dump. I was a little sad about that.
Still, as I said above, I started this book to get lost in something fun. A Slice of Magic definitely provided me that. If only it had been a little more fleshed out, and I'd had more time with my newly found town of lovely people, I would have loved this book endlessly. As it stands, I'll happily reward this a three star rating. It was sweet, a little silly, and an easy read. Now I want pie, and I can't wait to see what happens in this town next.
This is my first book by Celine Kiernan, but it definitely won't be my last. Although Begone the Raggedy Witches is aimed at young readers, this is a story that will resonate with readers of all ages. It's a story filled with family love, tough choices, and beautifully created magic. Books like this make my heart sing, because they don't talk down to their intended audience. Kiernan weaves an exquisitely vivid world around Mup and her family, and it's one that I guarantee you won't mind being lost in.
Mup is such a delightful character, that I fell into step with her instantly. She's everything that a young girl would look up to, facing everything that comes her way with a kind heart and a brave face. It was so satisfying to read from her point of view, and Kiernan does a stellar job of making her feel just as real as you and I. Her love for her family is fierce, and her tiny spirit even fiercer. In other words, Mup is the perfect person to face the trials that unexpectedly come her way and it makes this book a joy to read.
There is no lack of action here either, and the plot zips along at a pace that perfectly matches Kiernan's elegant writing. Everything is described just enough to settle the reader right into the dark land that Mup's mother Stella finds herself in. There are no punches pulled as war breaks out, and Mup is unfortunate enough to be right in the middle of it. As I said before, I love stories that don't talk down to their readers and this definitely fits that bill. Kiernan shows just how dark things can get, but how brightly one can shine in the midst of that as well.
What else can I say? This book was just a delight to read, and I'm so happy that I had to the chance to review it. There will always be this special place in my heart for Middle Grade books. Authors like Celine Kiernan, who weave magical places for young readers to visit, are my favorite. So, I loved this! I think you might too.
Okay, I'm so conflicted. This manga is ADORABLE. It's full of cute panels with adorable bears, and equally adorable girls, hugs, kisses and the sweetest outfits. (Manga girls are always so stylish.) HOWEVER, this story is also full of a whole bunch of really confusing ideas that don't make 100% sense by the end of this volume. I'm assuming that's because I'm supposed to have the next volume ready to go, so I can follow on the with the story line. I've noticed that a lot of manga does weird stop points like this, in volume form. I just have so many questions!
Points to this for being really sweet, and full of great girl relationships both of the friendship and the actually “more than friendship” kind. I also give a lot of credit to this book for occasionally breaking the 4th wall. I giggled a few times when Kureha mentioned how things happening to her felt like a manga. What a coincidence!
Manga of this type takes a little bit of getting used to for a lot of people. I've learned that there are a lot of little in-jokes that are rampant in manga, and I've come to expect them now. There is a scene in here with an exhibitionist (nothing is shown, no worries). There are also jokes about being a womanizer, and some about “pure untouched” women. So if general fanservice is not your jam, and you're more into sweet, innocent manga, steer clear.
Otherwise, I think I'll continue with this! I'm still confused, but I'm intrigued enough to keep on keeping on.
My first impressions of this book were a little rough, to be honest. I have to admit that I'm not the best at reading from multiple points of view and that, coupled with not having my footing in this dystopia at first, made the first few chapters a bit rocky. As I read on, however, I soon fell into step with the characters who lead us through this story. I understood that this was a future where survival was based on how important you were to the people in town. Where, although resources are limited, there are still good people who help others. Where, just like real life, there are those who take advantage of everyone else. Once I got my bearings, I was set. I knew this would be a book I'd devour.
Devour it, I did. I know that this book is technically classified as dystopian, but what I found on these pages had so much more hope than I'm used to in this kind of story. Jake, Sophie and Martha were each so different and yet they came together in a way that really made me smile. The setting for this story, an old historic mining town in Canada, felt perfect to me. Small, surrounded by nature, and the perfect way to really expose the damage that had been done to the world by the people who were now trying to survive in it. Like I mentioned above, so many people were still good people in this book. They fought for others, cared for others, and shared. It was lovely to read a story where, although it had dark undercurrents and violence, a little bit of love still shown through.
Martha, in particular, stood out to me. She has her own story arc, that winds through those of the others, and it really lets the reader further delve into the world that Liddell has built and where all the devastation came from. She was quirky, to be certain, but that made me love her more. Imagine knowing that your world was destroyed by someone close to you, and feeling like you were now the only one who could save it. Those are some big shoes, let me tell you what.
So why the three star rating? I think my biggest issue with this story was really the fact that it took so long for me to get enough information to finally feel invested. Although I appreciated the slow build up of facts, it also hindered my reading somewhat. I wanted to know why I should care about the people I was walking along with. That came eventually, but not quite fast enough. My other gripe was about the ending. After all the drama I'd gone through with my new friends, it felt like everything just wrapped up into a perfect forever after. Going from a tension filled, secret laden story into a place where suddenly everything is sunshine made me feel lost. It just didn't flow.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book. I powered through it, and I don't regret diving into Liddell's world at all! This story may have needed a bit more polish, but I'm definitely still a fan. I'll be back for more.
My purchase of this book was a serious case of cover love, I make no apologies for that. Plus I have a deep love for anything dealing with the world beyond the veil, whether you call them Fae, Siog, Elves, etc! So it wasn't hard to believe that I'd love this book. Stasia Morineaux promised me a world filled with creatures from beyond my understanding. A world where death wasn't the end, but simply the beginning of something new. I was already enchanted, and so ready to settle in.
I have to admit that Isabeau wasn't my favorite character at first. Morineaux does an excellent job of fleshing out the type of person that Isabeau is, from her fashionable clothing down to her old world roots. I did love that Isabeau refused to go quietly into her new life. After all, who would want to leave behind everything they love? However I couldn't let go of how whiny and self-centered she felt for a long while. Watching poor Liam, who just wanted to do his job mind you, try to deal with her made me want to hug him and pinch her. The good news is, that she gets a ton better!
In fact, as Isabeau became Iliana, and the world around her new life started to unfold, I fell deeply for this book. I loved the idea of a whole squad who deals with the predetermined death of us all. I watched as Iliana bloomed, became a whole new person, and really started to realize how important she was. Her fierce attitude became a boon, and her stubbornness became the perfect way to unearth the truth behind everything going on. I liked her a lot, and it made me so happy.
There's a lot to love about this story. The lore behind Iliana's new life is rich and, for the most part, eventually very well explained. Even the characters who are not in the limelight most of the time are fleshed out, and feel like someone you'd want to spend time with. The reason that this book lost a little of my love, and ended up at a three star rating, was simply that all of what I mentioned above took a lot longer than I would have liked. This book moves slowly. At times, it feels like Iliana's brain is just looping and looping with the same thoughts. The amount of time that it took Gideon to finally explain things to her didn't feel natural, but more convenient. A way to keep the reader going through all of the romance parts.
Oh, and the romance. While I definitely loved the heat between Gideon and Iliana, it was just so drawn out. I felt like after a while it lost its ability to make me smile, and started to feel like a chore instead. Some of the interactions between the two of them felt so forced. With Gideon always being hard to discern, and Iliana wondering how on Earth she was going to survive without him. If that type of scene had been cut by about half, it would have made a bigger impact on me. I loved their forbidden love, but I didn't want that to be all I was reading about.
This book ends on a rather harsh cliffhanger, which makes me hopeful that there might be more. One can hope! I want to see further beyond the veil.
What first caught my eye about Realm was definitely the cover art and so, if you're in that same boat, let me tell you now that it's a little misleading. Roxana, while definitely a strong woman, was not in any way a warrior princess. In fact, as I learned through reading this book, Roxana actually spent most of her life with baggage caravans and in palace rooms. Like most women at the time, her life was dictated by those around her. So while this book does indeed feature Roxana as a strong woman, it's a slow journey that builds up to the ending. If you were hoping for a fast moving, epic journey, you might be a little disappointed. If you're looking for a deep dive into an intriguing woman's life? This is your book.
I will admit that, as I mentioned above, this book does move a little slower than I thought it would. The upside of that is the fact that the reader really gets a chance to know Roxana intimately. I fell in love with her from the moment she stepped onto the page. A loyal daughter and sister, full of fire, and the only one who could really match up to Alexander. Weis did a fabulous job of following this woman through her journey as Alexander's wife. Through the long marches, the dangerous coups, and even through her slow descent into love with the man who she wasn't even sure she liked. While I did feel like some of the length probably could have been cut, since some of the dialogue felt a little repetitive, I did love that it put me so far into Roxana's world.
My only other gripe, and the reason for the three star rating, was that this historical fiction novel didn't focus as much on the characters as I would have liked. I was fascinated by Morella, Cleopatra, Hephaestion and so many of the other side characters. There were so many things that I really wanted to know about them. Even Alexander, although I know he isn't the focus of this book per say, felt a lot more flat than I anticipated. While being lost in the brutal world of the ever expanding empire was fascinating, I wanted that connection to the people who were forging ever forward. That's what I love about historical fiction, are the little liberties taken with things that actually happened. I wanted a little more liberties taken in this story.
All in all though, I did enjoy my time spent in Weis' story. If you're a fan of Roxana's story, or even interested in it, this is an excellent way to experience it.
This started out really promising, as a tongue in cheek poke at Fantasy writing. It devolved quickly into something mean and spiteful though, alas. I can't finish this.
It's no secret that I'm huge fan of Sci-Fi, and also a big reader of Middle Grade fiction. So, it should be easy to see why I agreed to a review for The Captain's Daughters by Doreen D. Berger. It hit both those targets quite nicely, and the synopsis definitely intrigued me. I love books where parents fight for their kids. I love when stories write characters that love one another so deeply, that you can feel that connection. Truth be told, I had high hopes for this book.
As it turns out, this was quite a romp through the cosmos! Diane and Robin were feisty sisters, with that bond that I was craving. Even better, William Marsh was an excellent dad. I don't want to spoil anything, but I loved the backstory behind how he became the sisters' guardian. Their love for one another was well written, and I knew that they would do anything to be back together. Which made the tension in this book easier to take, especially since it's written for a younger age group. It was exciting, but there was always that level of “okay” hiding behind everything else.
So why the three star rating? It really came down to the writing style, overall. Although Diane and Robin were supposed be 12 years old, their personalities felt more immature than that. It was a bit frustrating in places, mostly where the action was dragged down by it. I am a big fan of writing characters as true to their age as possible, and 12 year olds are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. What was harder for me though, was the fact that much of this story is told in flashbacks. It didn't always flow with the main part of the story, and sometimes didn't seem to tie in to what was happening in the present. Although some of them were cute memories, they didn't add anything to my enjoyment of the story.
Final verdict? This was a sweet story, that didn't stray too far into topics that would uncomfortable for younger readers. It had great family dynamics, which was a nice addition. If the characters had been a little more vivid, and the story line had been better paced, I know I would have loved this even more. As it stands, this is a solid read!
So I will not lie, my need to read something fluffy and warm is what led to me Christmas At The Little Knitting Box. There is a soft spot in my heart for anything that revolves around fiber crafts, and after visiting New York last year I was feeling nostalgic. I hoped for something magical, that would get me into the holiday spirit. Friends, Rolfe absolutely delivered that for me.
I immediately fell in love with Cleo, and her tiny shop. Her passion for yarn, her deep love for the city she lived in, and her interactions with people around her just wrapped me up in warmth. Rolfe slowly unrolls Cleo's past, and allows the reader a deeper glimpse into the why she is the person she is today. When she is dropped smack dab into Dylan's path, magic happens. In fact, the chemistry between these two is absolutely wonderful from the first moment. I ate it up.
Kudos too to Rolfe for Dylan's character. Romance novels are one of the only places I often see single dads highlighted, but Dylan is so much more than that. His love for his kids radiates from this story, and the fact that he wants to be even more in their lives than he already is made me a bit teary eyed. This is honestly the first time that I have loved both characters in a romance novel with so much fervor. I wanted them to be happy, and I wanted them to be happy together.
There were a few small things that I had qualms with, but none of them were enough to shatter the magic of this book. If you're looking for something to take you away for a few hours, to make you remember why the Christmas season is so wonderful, this is your book. Just be prepared to sigh happily quite often.