In a fantasy world vaguely reminiscent of World War I, Iris is in fierce competition to be a columnist at the best newspaper in the city. Her mother'sIn a fantasy world vaguely reminiscent of World War I, Iris is in fierce competition to be a columnist at the best newspaper in the city. Her mother's a drunk, and her brother's off fighting, so she really needs the money. Her rival, Roman Kitt, is some rich boy - but he can write. When her typewritten letters to her brother are magically answered by a mysterious writer, and they begin a penpal relationship, Iris finds herself falling in love... not realizing that the mysterious writer is Roman.
The worldbuilding of this novel was intriguing, because the element of having gods be responsible for the wars felt very distant, but it did allow for the magically tied typewriters to not seem out of place. For the most part the story read like historical fiction, which I enjoyed. The rivalry between Iris and Damon was great, because even though they outwardly hated each other, each of them secretly admired the other's writing and were attracted to each other. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger and I'm not quite sure I can trust who is showing up at the end. I hope the second book gets more into the fantasy part of this historical fantasy....more
Kat Van Tassel is the direct descendant of Katrina Van Tassel, but she doesn't want to stay in Sleepy Hollow. She's frustrated with her boyfriend BlakKat Van Tassel is the direct descendant of Katrina Van Tassel, but she doesn't want to stay in Sleepy Hollow. She's frustrated with her boyfriend Blake, and doesn't believe in the Headless Horseman - until her mother gives her Katrina's diary to read. Now, a new girl named Isadora Crow has come into town, and Kat's life is eerily resembling Katrina's.
Having recently read The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Story of Sleepy Hollow, I appreciated this as an updated retelling with some key differences that kept me from getting bored. I enjoyed the genderbent Ichabod in Isadora and the mild romance blooming between her and Kat, as well as the way Ichabod and Brom were both portrayed as being somewhat different from the originals that made the chapters of Katrina's diary more interesting. ...more
Ella, Rory, and Yuki are returning to Grimrose Academie a short time after their friend Ari was found drowning in a presumed suicide. Nani, a new studElla, Rory, and Yuki are returning to Grimrose Academie a short time after their friend Ari was found drowning in a presumed suicide. Nani, a new student from Hawaii, finds herself roomed with Rory and Yuki in Ari's absence, and discovers a book of fairytales Ari had left behind. As the girls read through the book and Ari's notes within, they discover a disturbing history of missing and dead students who correspond with the fairy tales, and new murders give solving the mystery of Ari's death an impending timeline.
I never read book descriptions, so I wasn't expecting the fairytale connection - the way each girl is linked to a fairytale is pretty subtle until it suddenly isn't. The dark academia vibes, with a library stalked by a cat named Mephistopheles, are great for an autumn read, and the Sapphic tension game is strong here, with two f/f couples, is balanced by a straight romance and an asexual character. Though I had some suspicions, I hadn't figured out who the murderer was by the reveal. This is the first in a duology, and while one mystery was solved, there were still many questions remaining, and I might just have to read the second book to get some closure!...more
After her friend commits suicide, Sloane and her friends begin to investigate a series of murders and missing persons reports in their small town wherAfter her friend commits suicide, Sloane and her friends begin to investigate a series of murders and missing persons reports in their small town where a cult called The Chorus has a stronghold.
The story was a little confusing and unclear until the creepy man started appearing. While he was truly creepy and I typically enjoy stories centered around cults, I had a hard time getting into the mindset of the cult and why they would be killing people. The tone of the story had a sort of dreamy feel to it that worked - I just would have liked a bit more in terms of clarity....more
Corey left the town of Lost, Alaska months ago, leaving her best friend Kyra behind. But now she's going back, because Kyra has died. Everyone in LostCorey left the town of Lost, Alaska months ago, leaving her best friend Kyra behind. But now she's going back, because Kyra has died. Everyone in Lost says Kyra committed suicide, but Corey doesn't think so and she plans to prove it. She doesn't expect everyone in Lost to treat Kyra like a martyr and a prophet, nor to be treated like an outsider. As Corey sifts through the letters Kyra's parents never sent her and all of Kyra's artwork, she tries to understand Kyra's mental condition and how well she knew her best friend.
I've had this book on my reading list for years - I had actually requested an ARC from Netgalley but neglected to read it in time. From the description I was expecting more of a murder mystery. Instead this was more introspective, about how different people can view mental illness differently. Kyra repeatedly says that the town loved her because of her mental illness (bipolar disorder) and Corey loved her despite her mental illness. Both sides contributed to Kyra's feelings of alienation. The cult-like feeling of the town was intriguing and I kept expecting to get something more from them, only none of them really stood out to me - they were a group of hostile people who seemed to want to harm Corey for reasons that didn't make much sense to me. Kyra was probably the brightest character in the whole story, and only appeared in flashbacks. I didn't feel like Corey had a character arc at all - she left with the same suspicions she entered with. The concept about mental illness was really the centerpiece....more
Cath arrives at the hospital where Wren has been brought for alcohol poisoning. Between her mother showing up and bringing up the old wounds of her abCath arrives at the hospital where Wren has been brought for alcohol poisoning. Between her mother showing up and bringing up the old wounds of her abandonment and her father's panic and precarious mental state, Cath is grateful for Levi's presence, especially after Wren wakes and still doesn't want to admit the depth of her problems. But once Wren and Cath make amends, Cath can return to her fanfiction. With the minutes counting down until the release of the final Simon Snow book, Cath races to complete her story, and deepens her relationship with Levi.
I had forgotten the cliffhanger of volume 3, but was quickly drawn into the family drama. Cath's emotional barriers get broken down, and it furthers her connection to Levi. I didn't remember the novel ending quite so openly. Somehow it works, and everything about this reminded me of how much I loved the novel....more
I found this prequel story for free on Barnes & Noble and had to download it - I did enjoy the first 13 to Life novel but haven't had time to read theI found this prequel story for free on Barnes & Noble and had to download it - I did enjoy the first 13 to Life novel but haven't had time to read the rest, and a prequel story wasn't going to spoil the rest of the series for me. While the entire "book" was 31 pages, only about 8 of those pages were the prequel story - the rest was a preview of 13 to Life (the prologue and first couple of chapters).
There was a certain atmosphere in the story, as Jessie, Amy, and Sarah go for a run and hear an animal in the woods. I was hoping for more details about the initial wolf attacks in the other town or even more details about Amy's hatred of Sarah and why Jessie was being so nice to her (I feel like this was covered in 13 to Life, but I read that a while ago and I don't remember).
Overall, this was a fun extra but doesn't really add much to the series.
Merged review:
I found this prequel story for free on Barnes & Noble and had to download it - I did enjoy the first 13 to Life novel but haven't had time to read the rest, and a prequel story wasn't going to spoil the rest of the series for me. While the entire "book" was 31 pages, only about 8 of those pages were the prequel story - the rest was a preview of 13 to Life (the prologue and first couple of chapters).
There was a certain atmosphere in the story, as Jessie, Amy, and Sarah go for a run and hear an animal in the woods. I was hoping for more details about the initial wolf attacks in the other town or even more details about Amy's hatred of Sarah and why Jessie was being so nice to her (I feel like this was covered in 13 to Life, but I read that a while ago and I don't remember).
Overall, this was a fun extra but doesn't really add much to the series....more
Jerika isn't thrilled about being dragged to a small town in Maryland for the summer to help with a dying grandmotI read this ARC via Netgalley Shelf.
Jerika isn't thrilled about being dragged to a small town in Maryland for the summer to help with a dying grandmother she's never met, but she hopes to find some inspiration for her photography portfolio. The break from her boyfriend James is welcome, too. Amidst the family drama, Jerika discovers an attraction to a local girl, Kat, as well as mysterious "echoes" - ghostlike entities that haunt the town.
From the cover I had thought this would be a horror novel, but this was a lot less about the echoes and a lot more about familial relationships. Jerika's grandmother had left her mother and uncle when they were young, and then when Jerika's mother had her, she also left Jerika for a few years. The theme of being trapped in the town was reflected by the echoes and in Jerika's relationship with Kat - wanting to stay, but also feeling trapped. I liked the photography aspect and the setting was wonderfully rendered, the relationships all nuanced and realistic. This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, yet it was lovely and a quick read.
Merged review:
I read this ARC via Netgalley Shelf.
Jerika isn't thrilled about being dragged to a small town in Maryland for the summer to help with a dying grandmother she's never met, but she hopes to find some inspiration for her photography portfolio. The break from her boyfriend James is welcome, too. Amidst the family drama, Jerika discovers an attraction to a local girl, Kat, as well as mysterious "echoes" - ghostlike entities that haunt the town.
From the cover I had thought this would be a horror novel, but this was a lot less about the echoes and a lot more about familial relationships. Jerika's grandmother had left her mother and uncle when they were young, and then when Jerika's mother had her, she also left Jerika for a few years. The theme of being trapped in the town was reflected by the echoes and in Jerika's relationship with Kat - wanting to stay, but also feeling trapped. I liked the photography aspect and the setting was wonderfully rendered, the relationships all nuanced and realistic. This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, yet it was lovely and a quick read....more
Since her father disappeared in the Wood, Winter has been the guardian. She must stay on the path, and return the travelI read this ARC via Netgalley.
Since her father disappeared in the Wood, Winter has been the guardian. She must stay on the path, and return the travelers she meets to their time, because the Wood is a gateway. When the same traveler, a man from a time past in Brightonshire, reappears more than once, and tells Winter that he might know something about her father's disappearance, Winter decides she needs to break the rules.
By the cover, I thought this would be a horror story - I love a good horror story set in the forest! I wasn't expecting time travel, although I really liked that concept of "thin places" where one could wander into some other time. For me I would have liked to know more about how the Wood worked, and less about Winter's attempts to live a normal life at school, where she has one friend who seems only concerned with Winter getting a boyfriend. I also feel like Winter's mother could have developed more as a character - she's a freaking professor (I don't know if I'm remembering it right, but of history?) and her knowledge could have come in very handy. With just her parents and her Uncle Joe teaching her, I still have a hard time thinking that she could learn enough of every language to converse with travelers and send them back (well... I suppose if all the travelers are saying is, "Where am I?" then I guess she wouldn't have to learn that much of the language). It's a fun, thrilling story if I don't let myself think to hard about it, or about the ending and what, if anything, Winter learned from all this.
Merged review:
I read this ARC via Netgalley.
Since her father disappeared in the Wood, Winter has been the guardian. She must stay on the path, and return the travelers she meets to their time, because the Wood is a gateway. When the same traveler, a man from a time past in Brightonshire, reappears more than once, and tells Winter that he might know something about her father's disappearance, Winter decides she needs to break the rules.
By the cover, I thought this would be a horror story - I love a good horror story set in the forest! I wasn't expecting time travel, although I really liked that concept of "thin places" where one could wander into some other time. For me I would have liked to know more about how the Wood worked, and less about Winter's attempts to live a normal life at school, where she has one friend who seems only concerned with Winter getting a boyfriend. I also feel like Winter's mother could have developed more as a character - she's a freaking professor (I don't know if I'm remembering it right, but of history?) and her knowledge could have come in very handy. With just her parents and her Uncle Joe teaching her, I still have a hard time thinking that she could learn enough of every language to converse with travelers and send them back (well... I suppose if all the travelers are saying is, "Where am I?" then I guess she wouldn't have to learn that much of the language). It's a fun, thrilling story if I don't let myself think to hard about it, or about the ending and what, if anything, Winter learned from all this....more
Devlin is awakened in the middle of the night to find herself being kidnapped into a wilderness rehabilitation program fI read this ARC via Netgalley.
Devlin is awakened in the middle of the night to find herself being kidnapped into a wilderness rehabilitation program for teens. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of kids with various issues and two "counselors" tasked with forcing them on a weeks-long hike, she isn't exactly eager to open up about all the things that piss her off - especially not with Sheridan, who has even more of a chip on her shoulder. But then they enter a part of the woods that is far too quiet, and the first night, both counselors go missing. The group must work together to survive... but none of them are the type who wants to cooperate.
Once I got past a bit of confusion as the POV (3rd person limited) switched between Devlin and Ollie, I really enjoyed this novel. What they encounter in the forest was a unique kind of creature that seemed perfectly designed to unsettle these kids with their traumatic pasts. There wasn't a huge reveal of Devlin's past as I was expecting; even though bits of her past are unearthed, the main thrust of the story is everyone learning to trust each other without knowing all the details. This made it hard for the reader to know what was real to the point where I was second-guessing everyone up until the end. I expected a final scare, but that was the only tiny disappointment I had....more
Lauren is new to town, having moved after an incident back in California. Things are going well with her weekly hoI read this ARC via Netgalley Shelf.
Lauren is new to town, having moved after an incident back in California. Things are going well with her weekly hookup, Robbie Cresmont, until Lauren's new soccer teammates find out about it. Turns out Robbie was the main suspect in the death of Vic, their teammate, and Robbie's brother Trevor was involved in the death of his girlfriend, Jess. Then Lauren finds Vic's bloody bikini top in Robbie's family's boat. Now she's on a mission to figure out which Cresmont is a murderer, while enduring the bullying of her teammates and the threat of her past.
This mystery had so many twists, I absolutely didn't guess who it was until very close to the end. Lauren was an interesting protagonist because she wasn't afraid to make enemies due to her past. There were a lot of characters, but they were easy to differentiate and had strong personalities. The story moved quickly to the thrilling conclusion, with a solid amount of wrap-up to make the story feel complete.
Content advisory: Casual sex (in chapter one), sexual situations, teen drinking and drug use, murder, suicide, bullying, blackmail.
Merged review:
I read this ARC via Netgalley Shelf.
Lauren is new to town, having moved after an incident back in California. Things are going well with her weekly hookup, Robbie Cresmont, until Lauren's new soccer teammates find out about it. Turns out Robbie was the main suspect in the death of Vic, their teammate, and Robbie's brother Trevor was involved in the death of his girlfriend, Jess. Then Lauren finds Vic's bloody bikini top in Robbie's family's boat. Now she's on a mission to figure out which Cresmont is a murderer, while enduring the bullying of her teammates and the threat of her past.
This mystery had so many twists, I absolutely didn't guess who it was until very close to the end. Lauren was an interesting protagonist because she wasn't afraid to make enemies due to her past. There were a lot of characters, but they were easy to differentiate and had strong personalities. The story moved quickly to the thrilling conclusion, with a solid amount of wrap-up to make the story feel complete.
Content advisory: Casual sex (in chapter one), sexual situations, teen drinking and drug use, murder, suicide, bullying, blackmail....more
It's Florence in the 1500s, and the Medici rise to power has not been supported by everyone, especially not Rosa, I read this ARC via Netgalley Shelf.
It's Florence in the 1500s, and the Medici rise to power has not been supported by everyone, especially not Rosa, who lost her family when the Medici soldiers put down a rebellion in her village. But with the new Medici pope, Rosa has an idea: to steal the Medici fortune. She'll need help, and finds it with Sarra the Tinkerer, Giacomo (who enjoys explosions), Khalid (the brawn), and unexpectedly, from Michelangelo and his assistant who is great at forgery. But the Medicis are powerful, and the locked room was booby-trapped by Leonardo da Vinci.
This was the heist novel I didn't know I needed. I was a big fan of the TV series "The Borgias" and this told the side of those not in power. Each member of the heist squad had a good reason to want both money and revenge against the Medicis. While this had a large cast, I was never confused between characters as they each had different goals and pasts. There were a few romances that bloomed along the way, and I really loved the historical details and cameos - Michelangelo was a fun character - and one of my favorite tropes, where characters in historical fiction use fairly modern sayings, kept this feeling fresh. Overall this was a fun read and perfect for fans of Six of Crows.
Merged review:
I read this ARC via Netgalley Shelf.
It's Florence in the 1500s, and the Medici rise to power has not been supported by everyone, especially not Rosa, who lost her family when the Medici soldiers put down a rebellion in her village. But with the new Medici pope, Rosa has an idea: to steal the Medici fortune. She'll need help, and finds it with Sarra the Tinkerer, Giacomo (who enjoys explosions), Khalid (the brawn), and unexpectedly, from Michelangelo and his assistant who is great at forgery. But the Medicis are powerful, and the locked room was booby-trapped by Leonardo da Vinci.
This was the heist novel I didn't know I needed. I was a big fan of the TV series "The Borgias" and this told the side of those not in power. Each member of the heist squad had a good reason to want both money and revenge against the Medicis. While this had a large cast, I was never confused between characters as they each had different goals and pasts. There were a few romances that bloomed along the way, and I really loved the historical details and cameos - Michelangelo was a fun character - and one of my favorite tropes, where characters in historical fiction use fairly modern sayings, kept this feeling fresh. Overall this was a fun read and perfect for fans of Six of Crows....more
Scott Westerfeld just has this way of coming up with visions of the future that speak of today's society.
In this future, most inconveniences and trouScott Westerfeld just has this way of coming up with visions of the future that speak of today's society.
In this future, most inconveniences and troubles of the past have been eradicated. But in Scarcity, a required class, the students will have to experience one of those things for two weeks. One student chooses to experience the common cold. Another chooses teenage hormones. And that's when things get a little out of control...
This was a fun little story that maintains a sense of humor while pointing out how our society might be flawed.
Merged review:
Scott Westerfeld just has this way of coming up with visions of the future that speak of today's society.
In this future, most inconveniences and troubles of the past have been eradicated. But in Scarcity, a required class, the students will have to experience one of those things for two weeks. One student chooses to experience the common cold. Another chooses teenage hormones. And that's when things get a little out of control...
This was a fun little story that maintains a sense of humor while pointing out how our society might be flawed....more
Stella lives in New America, where young girls must have chaperones to ensure that they follow the rules: no speaking to men or boys outside of VisitaStella lives in New America, where young girls must have chaperones to ensure that they follow the rules: no speaking to men or boys outside of Visitations, following curfew, reading only approved books. When Stella's chaperone, Sister Helen, dies suddenly, Stella begins to question if she was murdered, especially when Stella's new chaperone, Sister Laura, allows Stella to break the rules. Stella is enjoying her newfound freedom when her father informs her that she'll need to marry - and Stella begins to plot her escape.
This reminded me a lot of The Handmaid’s Tale, where women are forced into very specific roles in a religious society. Even though there is a threat of rape, none is shown, but even going to a "Hush Hush" party can lead to being called a "slut." The narrative moves along quickly with plenty of tension as Stella tries to hide her illicit activities and also try to figure out if Sister Helen's death was a murder and learn about the "real world" Sister Laura speaks of. While the premise feels a bit familiar and overly simplistic, it was an exciting dystopian read....more
Bella's life is pretty stressful, between having to take care of her little sister Ricci as they are shuttled between thI read this ARC via Netgalley.
Bella's life is pretty stressful, between having to take care of her little sister Ricci as they are shuttled between their divorced parents' homes, and the death of her grandmother Laurel, which Bella blames herself for. Sometimes it's nice to have a few drinks and forget it all. Then Bella's boyfriend dumps her, and Bella finds herself needing a little drink more and more, until one really bad night, after which Bella wakes up in the hospital and ends up at rehab.
I loved Girl in Pieces and this was very much in the same vein, including the recovery arc as Bella tries to get her life back together. She struggles to see herself as an alcoholic, simply because she doesn't see what she's doing as different from what her father does, or what her friends do. She literally hits rock bottom and still struggles to see it, and realistically, struggles even after she begins her recovery because with alcohol, it's often there. The hurdles don't stop with detox and rehab, either. This story had some emotional moments and some characters don't have a happy ending, but Bella's story can provide some hope....more
As the thirteenth child, Hazel has never gotten much, especially since her parents promised her to a god called The DreaI read this ARC via Netgalley.
As the thirteenth child, Hazel has never gotten much, especially since her parents promised her to a god called The Dreaded End, as a means of offloading her (and getting some money) - only it takes until she's nearly a teenager to show up and claim her. Now Hazel finds herself in a magical cottage that cares for her every need, learning to be a healer. In her training she learns that if she sees a Deathshead, she must kill the patient - and her ability to do that will be tested when she is brought on to heal the king of a mysterious illness.
I'm not at all familiar with the fairytale "Godfather Death," but this certainly had the feel of a fairytale retelling. I loved this as much as House of Salt and Sorrows and Small Favors - I felt transported into this magical universe. Hazel was an easy protagonist to identify with, especially for those of us with many siblings. While her parents didn't get a redemption arc, there was a level of explanation of addiction as to why they behaved as they did. With thirteen siblings, it's hard to really make each of them a fully fleshed character, but really this story was more about Hazel being on her own than about her actual family, and about the games gods play with human lives. The worldbuilding was quite intriguing and visually lovely - a bit dark for cottagecore but close....more
Rory lives with her foster brother Fenn, struggling to get by in Hawaii. They're both 18 and on their own, and neither can remember anything from befoRory lives with her foster brother Fenn, struggling to get by in Hawaii. They're both 18 and on their own, and neither can remember anything from before they were 10. Sure, she's had some problems where her mind sets things on fire, but nothing's been too bad until Mr. Creepy shows up at the diner where she waitresses. He tells her of a prophecy. Fenn doesn't think she should believe this stranger, but Rory is curious, especially given her past. Soon Rory is on a quest involving dragons and portals and magic keys, hoping she can find her destiny.
First off, the cover is gorgeous and a huge reason why I picked up this book. The plot is fairly formulaic in terms of a fantasy/quest novel, where everything is laid out by a prophecy and there are magic objects she needs to find, but I haven't seen too many novels about girls who are dragons (big exception being A Game of Thrones, and Danaerys doesn't actually turn into a dragon). I really liked the growing relationship between Rory and Fenn, so I was quite disappointed that Fenn disappeared for the latter half of the book. I also wanted more about Zordon, the villain... Not being a huge fan of fantasy, I preferred the first half of the book to the second half, where all the world-hopping and questing began, but a fantasy buff might feel otherwise.
Merged review:
Rory lives with her foster brother Fenn, struggling to get by in Hawaii. They're both 18 and on their own, and neither can remember anything from before they were 10. Sure, she's had some problems where her mind sets things on fire, but nothing's been too bad until Mr. Creepy shows up at the diner where she waitresses. He tells her of a prophecy. Fenn doesn't think she should believe this stranger, but Rory is curious, especially given her past. Soon Rory is on a quest involving dragons and portals and magic keys, hoping she can find her destiny.
First off, the cover is gorgeous and a huge reason why I picked up this book. The plot is fairly formulaic in terms of a fantasy/quest novel, where everything is laid out by a prophecy and there are magic objects she needs to find, but I haven't seen too many novels about girls who are dragons (big exception being A Game of Thrones, and Danaerys doesn't actually turn into a dragon). I really liked the growing relationship between Rory and Fenn, so I was quite disappointed that Fenn disappeared for the latter half of the book. I also wanted more about Zordon, the villain... Not being a huge fan of fantasy, I preferred the first half of the book to the second half, where all the world-hopping and questing began, but a fantasy buff might feel otherwise....more
Louisa is living on the streets when she is offered a job: as a servant in a hospice house. She prefers her thieving lifestyle but can't turn down theLouisa is living on the streets when she is offered a job: as a servant in a hospice house. She prefers her thieving lifestyle but can't turn down the money. Even before arrival at Coldthistle House, things start getting strange. Her new master is a mysterious man with a large collection of caged birds, she isn't allowed on the third floor, and one of the other servants looks a lot like an imaginary friend Louisa invented as a child. On the plus side, there's a boy named Lee who Louisa likes, but when she discovers that most of the residents of Coldthistle House are there because they are evil, she can't believe that Lee belongs there.
This had a really cool Gothic feel that I wish I hadn't read it as an ebook. There weren't as many photos as in the author's Asylum series and those that were included added some ambiance. The pages from the book Louisa finds in the forbidden room also added some interesting aspects that related to the story. There were a lot of cool elements... I feel like if I had read this as a print book I probably would have read it a lot faster, and because I read it so slowly, I lost a bit of the urgency and some of the more complex connections between things. Still, I loved the atmosphere, and I liked the friendship developing between Louisa and Lee.
Merged review:
Louisa is living on the streets when she is offered a job: as a servant in a hospice house. She prefers her thieving lifestyle but can't turn down the money. Even before arrival at Coldthistle House, things start getting strange. Her new master is a mysterious man with a large collection of caged birds, she isn't allowed on the third floor, and one of the other servants looks a lot like an imaginary friend Louisa invented as a child. On the plus side, there's a boy named Lee who Louisa likes, but when she discovers that most of the residents of Coldthistle House are there because they are evil, she can't believe that Lee belongs there.
This had a really cool Gothic feel that I wish I hadn't read it as an ebook. There weren't as many photos as in the author's Asylum series and those that were included added some ambiance. The pages from the book Louisa finds in the forbidden room also added some interesting aspects that related to the story. There were a lot of cool elements... I feel like if I had read this as a print book I probably would have read it a lot faster, and because I read it so slowly, I lost a bit of the urgency and some of the more complex connections between things. Still, I loved the atmosphere, and I liked the friendship developing between Louisa and Lee....more
When Merlin is kidnapped and fae begin to attack the surrounding villages, Arthur's court isn't sure how to proceed. Morgan Le Fay, however, strikes aWhen Merlin is kidnapped and fae begin to attack the surrounding villages, Arthur's court isn't sure how to proceed. Morgan Le Fay, however, strikes a deal to hunt down Merlin, and gets two volunteers - Lancelot, who wants to help the peasants, and Tristan, a mysterious stranger at court - even though she'd rather travel alone. Lancelot fancies Tristan, who gives off mixed signals. It doesn't seem like they can work together, never mind fight off an army of magical creatures.
I'm always a sucker for an Arthurian tale, and I enjoyed the legend of Tristan & Isolde merged with this one. I'm not sure how familiar that particular legend is, but it had a twist that explained Tristan's behavior. The story, however, felt drawn out and the romance between Tristan and Lancelot felt a bit forced. ...more
Atlas, following her recently-passed father's bucket list, has signed up to help clear hiking trails. Now she is known as Maps, and in taking on a newAtlas, following her recently-passed father's bucket list, has signed up to help clear hiking trails. Now she is known as Maps, and in taking on a new identity, doesn't tell anyone about her father. Things are rough on the trail, but she begins to make friends with Books, Junior, Sugar, and King - and in the case of King, more than friends. The summer is ending quickly, and with it these fragile relationships may not survive.
It took me over a month to read this, mostly because I didn't have time but also because I didn't feel super compelled by the story. It was more of a cozy slow burn with a side of angst. I also struggled with the trail names that didn't give any indication of gender, so it was hard to tell the characters apart sometimes. King and Maps's relationship was uneven, with Maps being unsure of him most of the time even when it felt super obvious that he liked her. ...more
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