I have... mixed feelings about this second instalment. On the one hand, I found myself caring much more fo#1) Aurora Rising ★★★★ #2) Aurora Burning ★★★
I have... mixed feelings about this second instalment. On the one hand, I found myself caring much more for Tyler, Finian and Zila than I had before. On the other, I found myself hating aurora and kal, and found pretty much all of the romances cringy.
My favourite thing about Aurora Rising was the characters. I am a sucker for a large cast of characters, particularly misfits. Unfortunately, I felt like some of them *cough* aurora and kal *cough* regressed in their development. I feel like I need to expand on my growing dislike of their relationship. I'm not saying that I need relationships to be toxic or problematic- but it feels like lazy writing to have them be hopelessly devoted to one another and just call it 'fate'. There has to be stronger emotion and angst beyond just calling each other 'beshmai'. I started to feel sorry for the rest of the squad who had to endure them.
The plot, in typical Jay & Amie fashion, was fast paced and a wild ride. I was immersed in the story from the very first page where we got a recap (why is this not more common?) of aurora rising- reminiscent of Olaf's recounting of Frozen in the sequel. I enjoyed the plot while I was reading it, but not as much as in the first book. I appreciate the new elements and characters this book brought, and I think it will be worth it for the last book. However, I overall found the book underwhelming.
This book was overflowing with dramatic, over the top scenes and clichés. While that didn't detract from enjoyment- I actually think its part of the series's charm- I know it will be a common critique from other people. If you dislike tropes and drama you have been warned!
I am really hoping that Aurora Burning simply suffered from second book syndrome and does not signal the path the rest of the series is heading down. That being said, I think I am in the minority here, as the majority of reviews I have seen view this book as an improvement. If you enjoyed the first instalment, I would recommend continuing. If you didn't like the first book however, I don't think it is worth reading the rest.
"We choose who we are. Every day. Every minute. The past is gone. Tomorrow is worth a million yesterdays." ...more
Amanda Foody is quickly becoming one of my favourite YA fantasy authors and I am so happy about it! Wh#1.) Ace of Shades ★★★★.5 #2.) King of Fools ★★★★
Amanda Foody is quickly becoming one of my favourite YA fantasy authors and I am so happy about it! While not quite as fast paced and fun as its predecessor, King of Fools is a solid sequel and I can't wait for the third book.
Second book syndrome is real but for the most part, I think this book didn't fall prey to the unfortunate trend. It was long, and did drag at times but overall this book did an incredible job of taking the characters, world and plot from Ace of Shades and expanding them.
I first want to talk about the absolute highlight of this book- Enne. That. Character. Development. Though. This, ladies and gentlemen is how you write a strong female lead without having to make her give up all the feminine sides of her identity. Enne has stayed true to her roots, while also experiencing character growth and coming into her own. Her girl gang was just *chefs kiss* amazing. It allowed us to see different sides of her, and really delve into who she is.
"It didn't matter whether she decked herself in knives or pearls. The world would always demand that a girl apologise for herself, but she would apologise for nothing."
We are still in New Reynes, one of my favourite fantastical worlds I have read about. The atmosphere in typical Amanda Foody style, makes you feel as if you are with the characters playing cards, walking along the streets or in a glitzy casino.
"You're trying to write yourself a legend, but you forget- all stories from the North Side are penned in blood."
However, the tone of this book felt vastly different the first. This instalment showed different, often unsavoury sides of our characters and we really delved into the gritty aspects of the politics. It feels as if the first book was a grand illusion, and in this book the curtain got ripped away. If you recall my review for Ace of Shades you would know how much I loved Levi. In King of Fools though, we got to see his flaws and discover that maybe he isn't really as in control as he presented himself to be. This was aided through the addition of a third point of view, Jac. I was initially uncertain when I saw he would have his own chapters, but they ended up being some of my favourites. They allowed us to see Levi through the eyes of someone who is not a) Levi or b) in love with Levi. I kind of hate this book for at times making me hate Levi, but I can appreciate the way his character was done.
Once I passed roughly the 150 pg mark, this book began to pick up. And boy oh boy was it STRESSFUL. It was at the same time fun and anxiety inducing to try and figure out who was backstabbing who and where people's loyalties really lay. King of Fools was much more politically centred than the first, so it was very heavy on the intricacies of New Reynes' gangs and governments (which are much more interconnected than you may think)
Overall, I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first mostly because of the major shift in tone that I was not prepared for and the 700+ pages that could have probably been cut down slightly. I am really excited to see where Queen of Volts takes the story, but I need some time to recover from that ending!...more
Woven in Moonlight was an impressive debut from Isabel Ibañez. The fantasy setting, based off Bolivia was refreshing and unique. The atmosphere was enWoven in Moonlight was an impressive debut from Isabel Ibañez. The fantasy setting, based off Bolivia was refreshing and unique. The atmosphere was enthralling and immersive. Descriptions of the food, clothing and palace made the world tangible.
Woven in Moonlight covers the aftermath of war and the intricacies of morality when nothing is black and white. There were clear parallels between political and cultural aspects of past and present Bolivia, and the Spanish Inquisitor overthrow of the native Incan people.
The characters were a bit hit and miss for me. For the most part I liked our main character, though she could get on my nerves at some stages. I loved Rumi and his sarcastic banter. I thought Atoc was a well developed villain who definitely gave me the creeps. However some others felt a bit one dimensional to me.
I personally was a fan of the romance! It was slowburn- but that paid off in the end. I would love to read more books following these characters.
The magic of this book was what really brought it to life. Abilities such as magical weaving and reading the stars just elevated it to another level.
It was hard to believe this is a debut, as the writing was lyrical, descriptive and beautiful.
Isbañez masterfully wove those elements into a whimsical and intoxicating novel.
My main problems with this story was 1. It was very predictable. I guessed very very early on who El Lobo was, and thought it was so obvious that it couldn't possibly be him. But no, I was right.
2. The story lacked the tension that should be present from being a decoy in the midst of the enemy. She was more focused on her inner turmoil than her surroundings and it showed, I was very surprised no one figured out she was a decoy- she didn't make it difficult. I would have expected since she had been the Condesa's decoy since she was so young- she would be... better at it?
overall, I would recommend this one when it releases in January 2020 Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this title....more
'What Kind of Girl' is the type of book that has the ability to deeply affect many people. This book impacted me in a visceral w4.5 rounded to 5 stars
'What Kind of Girl' is the type of book that has the ability to deeply affect many people. This book impacted me in a visceral way, and I can tell that I will be left thinking about it long after I closed the last page.
One of the main reasons I loved this story so much was the raw emotions it pulled from me, as well as the ways it made me question my own morals. That in itself is one of my favourite parts of reading. Simply through experiencing another's life for a few hundred pages- your mindset can shift.
This book begins with a girl going into her principal’s office with a black eye. Her boyfriend Mike, the ‘golden boy’ hit her- and it wasn’t the first time. The book shows the school’s reaction, the mixed opinions, the victim blaming, the justifications people come up with.
I recommend going into this book not knowing much apart from that, as it is very easy to be spoiled. Even saying the character’s names is a potential spoiler, and I have seen several reviews giving too much information. A unique element of this book is using superlatives like the popular girl, the bulimic, the burnout etc. to tell the story. It is up to you to try and figure out the connection.
Trigger warnings for graphic depictions of self harm, daring abuse, homophobia, drug use and bulimia.
I am a person who gets triggered rarely, if ever, by books. However, in some scenes, I had to close the book and get out of that headspace for a few seconds. To me, that was part of the intent of this book. By creating an uncomfortable and uneasy feeling, readers can experience empathy that will hopefully transcend from fictional characters to real people experiencing these very real problems.
What Kind of Girl didn’t necessarily have a satisfying ending, but I think that suited this story. Wrapping it up with a neat little bow is, unfortunately, unrealistic. And pretending that it isn’t would feel dismissive of those who have actually gone through this situation and have to deal with repercussions.
Overall, if you feel you can handle the subject matter- I would highly highly recommend picking this one up when it releases in February.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the advanced copy! ...more
Warriors, Witches, Women brings old myths and folktales to life by casting them in a modern light. The book would relate the tales to feminism, climat Warriors, Witches, Women brings old myths and folktales to life by casting them in a modern light. The book would relate the tales to feminism, climate change and the Me Too movement. This made centuries old stories relevant and engaging.
This book tells the story of some of the countless women who have had their tale shrouded because they were Too loud. Too powerful. Too smart. These women were either cast a witches, ugly and unloveable- cast as the villain, or erased from history, warning others to not follow their lead.
Not going to lie, the large majority of myths I know is from from Percy Jackson- so this was very informative and entertaining. I know I, and many others have been given a very white washed version of mythology. This collection however brings women from all over the world to show women of all colours, sizes and sexualities.
The book is formatted with a beautiful illustration of the woman, followed by 3 pages of information about her. The illustrations in this book were breathtaking, and I would recommend checking it out for the sole purpose of seeing some of the gorgeous pictures.
Some of the stories felt like a fairy tale. “Behind her fly her three magical birds, said to sing songs that can heal all sadness, wake the dead from their slumber and send the living whistling happily to their doom” - Rhiannon, Celtic goddess/fairy
Some of my favourite stories, and ones I would recommend you learn more about include: ➽ Baba Yaga ➽ Cassandra ➽ Berchta ➽ Rhiannon ➽ Cihuateteo ➽ Baobhan sith ➽ Ma’at
However, for me it was not quite digestible. Big chunks of text tend to remind me of textbooks and my eyes immediately glaze over, which began to happen a few times while reading this.
Overall, this book was very informative and for the most part engaging. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about mythological women from across the globe- those famous, infamous and largely unknown. _____________________________________________________________ Thanks to White Lion Publishing for the ARC
"Remembrance…It’s a rumor, a whisper passed in the fields and veiled behind sheets of laundry. A hidden stop on the underground road to freedom, a saf"Remembrance…It’s a rumor, a whisper passed in the fields and veiled behind sheets of laundry. A hidden stop on the underground road to freedom, a safe haven protected by more than secrecy…if you can make it there. "
Remembrance is a book that transcends genres. Set in both historical periods and modern day, lightly weaving in a magical /sci fi/ fantastical element.
With majority all black cast, this book focuses on the realities of African-American people throughout the years. Contrasting storylines show the difference, but also similarities between these women hundreds of years apart- the lingering effects of colonialism and slavery.
We mainly follow 3 characters Ohio, present day: Gaelle works at a nursing home, and leads a largely normal life- except she discovers she may not be as normal as she thinks. Haiti, 1791: Abigail is a houseslave, but is forced to leave during the historical Haitian Slave Revolts. She meets two strangers who teaches her more about spiritual and magical abilities. She learns she has the ability to warp spacetime, and creates a safe space for Africans on the Underground Railroad, called Remembrance. New Orleans, 1857: Margot is a young house slave, and has to flee when plagues and diseases start to spread.
I enjoyed the beginning of this, Margot and her story in particular. I loved seeing the lives of these women intertwine. My investment and interest began to wane when the fantastical element was introduced. The pacing was also not ideal for me. It would pick up... and then fizzle out again. Every time I got invested it would switch POVs.
This is definitely very original and diverse, so if you think you will enjoy the themes, you should check it out when it releases in January.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book! ...more
New York. Magic. Phoenixes. Gay. Adam Silvera. An indestructible combination right? Wrong.
L I K E S
- The idea I will expand on this later, but I reallNew York. Magic. Phoenixes. Gay. Adam Silvera. An indestructible combination right? Wrong.
L I K E S
- The idea I will expand on this later, but I really thought I would love this book for a variety of reasons. The summary intrigued me, and my excitement was only increased because it was by one of my favourite authors. The bare bones idea of this book was amazing, but unfortunately the execution didn't do it justice. I think it could make a good movie if adapted right!
- Ness A character only introduced towards the latter half of the book- but for some unknown reason I found myself being so much more excited when he entered a scene.
- The romance Now this is both a like and dislike for me. This book has been largely marketed as a gay fantasy with phoenixes- and I was so excited! And while that is technically true, the romance is not a very big component at all. It was practically non-existent. I was so excited to see a traditionally conservative genre be more diverse, but we didn't really see much. Of course, the representation is still valid even if he isn't in a relationship, but it felt very safe to me and didn't push the bounds of fantasy. That being said, the small romantic moments were good, and I would love to see it develop over following books.
D I S L I K E S
- The writing style This was surprising to me, as I have read Adam Silvera's book 'What if It's Us' cowritten with Becky Albertalli and loved it. Like one of my favourites of the year loved it. For some reason, this writing style did not gel with me one bit. From the beginning I found myself pulled out of the story because of strange sentence structure and weird slang. The writing felt emotionless (odd for someone almost infamous for writing emotional stories).
- The world building New York. Magic. Phoenixes. For a world with so much possibility for magic, intrigue and atmosphere- this world just felt lifeless and 2D.
- TLI (aka Too Little Information) What is the difference between a spell walker, blood caster, celestial, Spector, halo knight etc? Don't ask me because I sure don't know. I don't think this is just a me issue either, as many reviews I have read have this same complaint. We are simply thrown into the world with no explaination for anything. We are given page upon page descriptions of how Brighton's youtube videos and subscriber count are going (please don't get me started) but nothing about the stuff I actually cared about. I want to know more about the blackout, the politics, how powers work, phoenixes, what their relationship with humans is, what they can do (wow I just realised how little this book that supposedly centres around phoenixes includes about them). Anything except for Brighton and his viewer count. Ugh. Can you tell I'm a little bitter?
- half hearted attempts at addressing real world issues This book seemed like it started to try and include real world issues, but backed out halfway through and just left little snippets without giving the time to properly address them. (for example: wand violence. seemingly trying to address the problem of gun violence in a different context which I always appreciate. However, I searched the ARC document for mentions of it, and it was literally mentioned once then never again.)
- The.Cliches. Cliches and tropes don't usually bother me- after all they have become popular because they work well and add something to the story. I can't really get into this without spoiling it but just think of any stereotypical rip off harry potter fantasy and you'll probably get the same in this book. My problem is that nothing new or different was added to the tropes to make them slightly new or different. I found myself full on rolling my eyes at some points because it was so outrageously tropey.
- The characters and by the characters I mean Brighton. No, just kidding- but kind of not. All the characters felt like like carbon copies of each other but with one or two defining qualities. For example Brighton's was his need for popularity and power, Mirabella's was her thirst for vengeance, Luna's was being evil. Hopefully in the next books we can have a deeper look into each of the characters and their motivations- but in here they seemed drastically underdeveloped.
O V E R V I E W I know I seem mostly negative in this review, but it is just that I was expecting so much more from it- and I believe it had so much potential to be an epic story. However, I did find myself enjoying the story more towards the end and it was very nice to see some different and diverse perspectives in fantasy. I will be continuing this series- I still have hope it will improve!
I would hate for it to seem as though I am contributing to boxing authors into one genre, but in this case I think Adam's writing style is simply suited better to his emotional contemporaries. That being said, I will continue this series and I have faith in him that they will be better once he has more experience and feedback from this first instalment.
thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!...more
If you liked 'Captive Prince' by C S Pacat, but wanted more politics, fantasy and romance, and less problematic and slightly questionable themes and sIf you liked 'Captive Prince' by C S Pacat, but wanted more politics, fantasy and romance, and less problematic and slightly questionable themes and scenes- this book is for you!
It features an enemies to lovers male/male romance, but it is super wholesome and cute.
"sometimes we leave because we care too much to stay"
Derek and Callen, our two main characters are forced into an arranged marriage to try and mend the bad blood between their families. In this world, relationships are not exclusively M/F, as many of these historical fantasies tend to be. While Callen had previously been in a relationship with a woman, no one considers it strange that he is marrying a male. I loved that this story didn't have the typical struggling about your sexuality, and constantly being defied because of who you love. Don't get me wrong, that is such an important and topical issue- but it is nice to escape to a fantasy world where LGBTI+ relationships are just a part of life, nothing out of the ordinary.
My only issues with this book is the pacing and instalove. Despite this being enemies to lovers, the two characters went from hating each other to saving each others' lives in a very short period of time. I wish the romance was a little bit more developed.
This book came out on the 25th of November, so overall I would definitely recommend checking it out!
"he was sixteen- the age when everything was painted black and white, right and wrong, with nothing in between. Both Derek and their mother knew all too well how washed-out those colours became in time"...more
"Words give wings even to those who have been stamped upon, broken beyond all hope of repair."
I loved this so much! The Mime Order is the second insta"Words give wings even to those who have been stamped upon, broken beyond all hope of repair."
I loved this so much! The Mime Order is the second instalment in 'The Bone Season' series, and wow. It definitely did not suffer from second book syndrome. I enjoyed this so much more than the first book- and I anticipate my love will escalate each successive book from here!
The only thing that held me back from giving this a full five stars was the first part of the book, before Warden showed up. After that though, it was perfection! The ending was breathtaking, all the little threads that Samantha Shannon skilfully wove through the novel ended up converging in such an unexpected way.
The new elements introduced into this book were so intriguing! I loved learning more about Jacob's Island, the more shady areas of London, and just how deeply rooted Scion's corruption is.
I can't wait to read 'Song Rising' and the next book to be released in 2020!
“Some revolutions change the world in a day. Others take decades or centuries or more, and others still never come to fruition. Mine began with a moment and a choice. Mine began with the blooming of a flower in a secret city on the border between worlds.”...more
my 2019 wishlist 1. world peace 2. a niffler 3. a solid 7 more books in this series
sincerely, a now emotionally unstable Sarah
But honestly,Dear Santa,
my 2019 wishlist 1. world peace 2. a niffler 3. a solid 7 more books in this series
sincerely, a now emotionally unstable Sarah
But honestly, this series grew exponentially better with each book, and I would give my first born child for just a few more books so I can see Damen and Laurent thrive. ...more
Meet Me at Midnight is the perfect enemies to lovers summer romance balanced with just the right amount of humour, bhow much do you hate me right now?
Meet Me at Midnight is the perfect enemies to lovers summer romance balanced with just the right amount of humour, banter and pranks.
We follow our main characters Asher and Sidney, star swimmers. Each year they and their families rent summer houses by the lake. But instead of spending their holidays relaxing- they take place in an intense prank war. From Kool-aid in the shower to mayonnaise covered floors, they are constantly on high alert, waiting for the other to making their move and planning their own retaliation. But it is now their last summer before going off to college, and they may have to team up against a common enemy.
Sparks will fly, but who knows if they will be the romantic kind or the explosive one?
This book was just what I needed. It was well written and easy to keep flipping the pages. I felt myself instantly connected to the characters, and really invested in their lives. Jessica Pennington did an excellent job at developing their relationship. By using dual POVs and a few flashbacks to their first summer, we get a clear understanding of not just one of the characters, but both. Their relationship progressed at just the right speed and there wasn't unnecessary drama added in to add roadblocks. Everything felt realistic and true to character.
"I was so scared of losing you, that I lost you anyway."
Admittedly, not much happens apart from a few pranks and parties but that didn't bother me personally. I was in it for the characters, which is just what I want from contemporary romances. The banter was A+ and the characters acted and spoke in a way that was true to their age (what a concept).
I loved the little details that made this story refreshing and new. The war board games they played at parties was really fun to read about, and I really related to Sidney in her strategic mind and competitive nature (I wonder why no one wants to play monopoly with me?) The entire time I read this I craved the chocolate chip pancakes Sidney would make Asher and wanted to go swim in a lake.
Something I really appreciated in this book was that Sidney was an athlete as well as Asher. A common trope of YA contemporary is that the boy is the athletic one, but in Meet Me at Midnight, they both were. As well as that, we see the actual training and work that goes into being a swimmer. From early morning swims to running, training and going to the gym.
Overall, if you are looking for a new hate to love summer romance- look no further!
“Everything is real on Coney Island- and nothing is real”
summary Peggy Battenberg is the black sheep daughter of one of the wealthiest and most afflu“Everything is real on Coney Island- and nothing is real”
summary Peggy Battenberg is the black sheep daughter of one of the wealthiest and most affluent families in the early 20th century America. However, she is not your typical heiress. She is a ’New Woman’, working in a bookshop and trying her best to distance herself from her family. However, when she is told she must accompany them to New York, she cannot refuse to her chagrin. They stay in an opulent hotel next to the famous theme park ‘Dreamland’
Peggy is told not to mix herself with the common folk of Coney Island, but never one to conform to her family’s expectations, she sneaks into the darkness to Dreamland. While on her adventures around the theme park, she meets a Serbian artist named Stefan. Their secret romance ignites under the veil of night on a beach, however everything gets entangled when bodies of young girl’s bodies start to appear, ensnaring Peggy into a web of murder, corruption and mystery.
likes Set with the backdrop of the glamorous yet corrupt 1911 New York, the atmosphere is where Nancy Bileyeau excels. The descriptions of the hotel, the beach, the sweltering heat allowed a clear image of a this place that I have never been to. The descriptions of the aristocratic, extravagant yet reputation obsessed Battenberg family was sone so well I felt as if I were one of the wealthy, both the most free and the most trapped as Peggy discovers. When in Dreamland, I could taste the hot dogs, see the fireworks, smell the popcorn and hear the raucous crowds. This is at its core, a mystery book and the unsettling nature of it added suspense and a tinge of darkness to the story.
Peggy’s world she once thought gilded was corrupting from the inside out.
This book explores privilege, and how it can be difficult to recognise when it is not yourself affected. Peggy had thought herself a ’new woman’, working and living a largely ordinary life, however her family name gets her many advantages she was unaware of, being sheltered from the ‘less desirable folk’ her whole life. Meeting Stefan and others around Dreamland allows her prejudices and assumptions to be slowly fracture. She learns of the disparity between classes, and realises that while she is still disadvantaged from being a woman in that time- she is one of the lucky ones.
Bigotry and racism toward immigrants is a particular focus of this novel. Peggy is disgusted at how they are instantly blamed, used as scapegoats. Generalised as ‘Anarchists’, the residents of Coney Island turn their noses up at anyone not born in their country. Unfortunately, while set more than a hundred years ago, the issue is still at the forefront political discourse, not only in the US, but the entire world.
The characters were for the most part very well developed. At the beginning, I struggled to grasp how their large family was connected, however I soon got the gist of it. Lydia was my favourite! I think I would have preferred to read from her perspective as she was such an interesting and complex character, with the most growth. Closely followed by Ben. I’m not sure what drew me to him, because he is immoral and mean and manipulative, but that just made his character more intriguing to me.
dislikes
Why does every good story just need to be ruined with Insta-love? Whyyyyy? That may be a bit dramatic, but so was this romance. Saying I love you after meeting for like the second time? No thanks.
That being said, my thoughts on the romance may be tinged by me thinking the love interest was like 60 for about 50 pages. I’m not sure how that happened, but it was a REAL shock when they kissed. Even once I figured out he was NOT an elderly man, my brain still pictured him as a grandpa every time he was on the page. That sort of killed the romance for me.
I shipped Peggy with someone else, even though I absolutely HATE myself for it. If you’ve read this you probably know and if not… just know I hate my brain and I need to stop reading messed up new adult romances.
The Ending I’m not going to give anything away, but I didn’t like the ending. I had a bunch of theories and all of them would been more shocking and intense than the one we were given (that isn’t even a brag, my theories are always super convoluted- but that just shows how bad this ending was) It was not only VERY rushed, but didn’t really make that much sense. When they told us the murderer I thought it must have been a red herring, because it was so obvious that it was surprising. I don’t understand this character’s motivations for what they did. It was almost suggested they had some form of mental illness, which I did not appreciate.
overview Well written and atmospheric, Dreamland was an interesting look at life in turn of the century New York, without glamourising it completely. Don’t go into this for the romance or murder mystery because you will probably be disappointed. This novel’s true strength lies in its descriptions and characters. I would recommend this loosely for fans of the Night Circus (take that with a whole jar of salt because I have never read it, but for some reason it gives me those vibes. I could be very off though) While slow paced at times, this book felt very realistic and as if I was in the midst of this world. ...more
How to Be Fine is the perfect book for those wanting to gain insights and tips from self help- without having to sift through hundreds of books. AfterHow to Be Fine is the perfect book for those wanting to gain insights and tips from self help- without having to sift through hundreds of books. After living by the rules of over 50 books, these authors share the best and worst advice they have been given.
Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer are hosts of the podcast 'By the Book', where they live by the rules of a different self help book for two weeks and share what worked for them, and what didn't. I have recently really gotten into their podcast, so I was really excited to see how their voices would translate to written form. I was not disappointed!
The book was organised into sections of - things that worked - things that didn't work - things we wish more books recommended
The chapters were only a few pages, condensing 200+ pages of advice into little bite-sized chunks. The way it was organised made it easy to convince yourself 'just one more chapter!' which would turn into just another chapter. and another. At the same time, this book would work well as a few pages a day sort of book for whenever you need a little pick me up or motivation.
I found that the structure worked really well to make the book digestible, filled with short snippets of information, humour, anecdotes and insightful observations.
"How dare any book have the balls to give us a hard time for buying into the lies constructed by others and presented to us as truths? That's literally victim blaming. Telling people they are responsible for the social inequities and biases that hold them back in life is just another way of jeeping oppressed people down and in no way promotes self-care or living life to the fullest"
I am always wary of 'celebrities' or people who use their fame to write a book without really knowing the craft. But after reading over 50 books for the podcast, I shouldn't have been surprised that this would not fall into that trap. The writing was well done, and their voices shone through in an honest and raw way that would not have been possible with a ghost-writer.
If you have listened to the podcast, some of this might be repetitive to you, but there are a few new insights in here, as well as inner musings that might not have been included in the episode.
If you have not listened to the podcast, I would still recommend it! I don't think being a listener is a pre-requisite for the enjoyment of this book. This is a good jumping off point if you want to get into self help, because even if you disagree with the opinions voiced in this book- you can get recommendations of books you might want to check out!
Irises in the snow is a swoonworthy m/m romance holiday novella that you should not miss out on!
This book was expertly done, I often find novellas anIrises in the snow is a swoonworthy m/m romance holiday novella that you should not miss out on!
This book was expertly done, I often find novellas and short stories to be underwhelming and underdeveloped but this was really well fleshed out, but fast paced and addicting at the same time. In the short time we know our characters, we get a real glimpse into their personalities, struggles and dreams. I felt very connected to the main character Justin, as well as Elliot. I loved the subplot of art, it added another layer that I appreciated.
The holiday setting was so fun! It made me get into such a christmasy mood, as it is set in a couple of days leading up to Christmas and then afterwards. Despite this, the book is not an entirely feel good, happy go lucky romance. Justin's father is recovering from cancer and Justin is trying to hold up the struggling family business by himself while letting go of his dreams.
My favourite part of this novella though was of course the romance. It was developed meticulously and not rushed at all. The sexual content of this book is non-explicit, but even the descriptions of small moments like hands touching had my heart racing!
I would love to see more from these characters, and I will definitely check out some of Isabelle Adler's upcoming or past releases!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this novella!...more
Hot Nights In Morocco is a steamy, summer, hollywood esque romance.
this was by no means my favourite romance ever, but it was a quick and mindless reHot Nights In Morocco is a steamy, summer, hollywood esque romance.
this was by no means my favourite romance ever, but it was a quick and mindless read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The chemistry, angst and smut was really good, and even though the plot was very far fetched and unbelievable in some places, it felt like pure escapism. There was some nice fluff, but it also had a darker undertone because of the plotline about both characters pasts. I think the sideplot could have been good, but it seemed to be sorted out very quickly, and I didn't really see the full ramifications of it.
Overall, this was a fun and fast romance that I would recommend to people looking for a smutty read but with a bit of a plot too.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!...more
I Killed Zoe Spanos is a twisting, psychological, young adult thriller. It incorporates a true crime "It was an accident, but... I killed Zoe Spanos."
I Killed Zoe Spanos is a twisting, psychological, young adult thriller. It incorporates a true crime podcast, police investigations and unreliable narrators in a unique and engaging way. We follow Anna, who recently got hired as a nanny for an affluent family in the Hamptons. When she arrives, she discovers that she has an uncanny likeness to Zoe Spanos, a local girl who has recently disappeared. Anna took on the job to start a clean slate after a year of hangovers and blackouts, but a few months later finds herself thrust into the spotlight when she gets charged with Zoe's murder.
I had relatively low expectations for this book considering I have been let down by some YA mystery/thrillers I have read recently. But I found myself thoroughly enjoying I Killed Zoe Spanos, and being hooked for the entire duration.
"Zoe Spanos is missing. And we’re missing Zoe”
I think the element that brought this book above the others I have read is the mixed media format and production of the audiobook. If you have access to it, I would highly recommend reading this book audibly. Interspersed throughout the book are podcast episodes trying to uncover the truth behind Zoe's disappearance. As a fan of true-crime podcasts, I found the one included to sound really true to form and elevate my enjoyment. It has sound effects, interviews and many different narrators to give the full effect. Apart from the podcast parts, I found the audiobook to be enjoyable for the more traditional chapters. It really enhanced the atmosphere and tension for me. (here is a link to it on libro.fm if you are interested!)
While I guessed a couple of the twists, I was ultimately surprised by the culmination of the story. I was hoping for a slightly more explosive and shocking ending, it was overall satisfying. I would recommend this to lovers of true-crime podcasts, unreliable narrators and twisty mysteries. I am excited to see what Kit Frick does next, and am grateful to her for renewing my faith in the YA thriller category! ...more
Slow burn romance, curses, Greece, deception and murder combine in this novel to create an intriguing blend of romance and suspense.
We arS U M M A R Y
Slow burn romance, curses, Greece, deception and murder combine in this novel to create an intriguing blend of romance and suspense.
We are thrown into the story of Annalisse, an antiques appraiser still reeling from the mysterious death of her friend Sam. When she spots a connection to the murder at a gallery opening, she gets thrown into a world of danger and intrigue. Her life gets tangled with the Greek playboy, Alec Zavos and she has to decide who to trust as the stakes get increasingly higher.
L I K E S
the romance
I was so here for the angst between Annalisse and Alec, and the slow burn was what kept me reading for the first half of the book. There was one slightly steamy scene that I was so here for as well!
the setting & descriptions
This book leads you on a crazy hunt around the world, and the lush descriptions of the Greek island, the boat, the antiques gallery. I felt like I was right there with the characters.
D I S L I K E S
the last quarter
I was LOVING this book for the first half of the book (mostly for the romance if i'm being honest) but it slowed down after that, and the last quarter was just a mess to me. I kept being very confused about who was who, there seemed to be a new reveal every page but it didn't affect me very much because I had no clue who the people were. I still don't know who the villain/s was, were there two? One? Five? Confusion!
O V E R A L L
I was living for the first half of this novel, loved the romance and intrigue. After that halfway point however, my interest waned and by the last quarter I lost interest completely. I might check out the sequel when it comes out, as I do still want to find out what happens to these characters that I loved.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book!...more
Know My Name is one of the most well written, powerful and thought provoking memoirs I have ever read.
This book follows Chanel Miller, determined toKnow My Name is one of the most well written, powerful and thought provoking memoirs I have ever read.
This book follows Chanel Miller, determined to reclaim her identity after being erased and described as an 'unconscious intoxicated woman' or simply 'brock turner's victim.'
“The barricades that held us down will not work anymore. And when silence and shame are gone, there will be nothing to stop us. We will not stand by as our mouths are covered, bodies entered. We will speak, we will speak, we will speak.”
This book was incredibly difficult to read at times. I didn't rate this 5 stars in spite of those moments, but because of them. While it made me uncomfortable at times, Chanel Miller and countless other women have to live with that discomfort everyday. The personal, expressive and emotional writing made it so easy to empathise with her. It broke my heart, made me angry, moved me.
Miller includes relevant commentary about the US legal system, the complicity of institutions such as Stanford and her identity as an Asian American woman. This case is so infuriating to me because of the overt and brazen role privilege played in obstructing justice.
"If punishment is based on potential, privileged people will be given lighter sentences. Brock was shielded inside projections of what people like him grow up to become, of are supposed to become. The judge argued he'd already lost so much, given up so many opportunities. What happens to those who start off with nothing to lose?"
Similarly to another memoir of related subject matter-Notes on a Silencing - i didn't find it flawless. But the 'flaws' only added to the reality and authenticity. It is like the cover, detailing kintsugi or golden joinery. It is the Japanese art of mending pottery with lacquer and gold, highlighting the cracks and damages rather than hiding them. Broken things can still be beautiful.
Even if you don't read this book, I would highly recommend her victim impact statement. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author herself. This statement was included at the end, and it was such a powerful thing to be able to hear this in her own voice, as she wanted it to be said. That being said, I would definitely recommend listening to the entire audiobook. It made me feel even more connected with her story, making me choke up hearing the emotion in her voice.
“Hold up your head when the tears come, when you are mocked, insulted, questioned, threatened, when they tell you you are nothing, when your body is reduced to openings. The journey will be longer than you imagined, trauma will find you again and again. Do not become the ones who hurt you. Stay tender with your power. Never fight to injure, fight to uplift. Fight because you know that in this life, you deserve safety, joy, and freedom. Fight because it is your life. Not anyone else's.” ...more
This is the 5th book in the 'Gina Harte' series, but I heard from multiple people that this could be read as a standalone. And while I was bdnf at 50%
This is the 5th book in the 'Gina Harte' series, but I heard from multiple people that this could be read as a standalone. And while I was by no means confused, I just felt disconnected from the characters. I didn't care about Gina or Susan or Mary or anyone.
I was promised a dark domestic thriller, but I just got a lot of random and unnecessary emotional musing from Gina about her mother (for some reason this lady reminded her of her dead mother and she would mention it CONSTANTLY. I just wanted to finish this book to see if maybe she had a twin sister or something? If you've read this let me know)
I was bored, and frankly, not thrilled.
I like books that explore police investigations and detective storylines, but even that wasn't enough to force myself to finish this book.. I don't even really care to find out what ended up happening and who the kidnapper/killer was.
Is it really summer if you don’t read at least one Kasie west or Sarah Dessen book? I think not.
Before you look questioningly at the date this was postIs it really summer if you don’t read at least one Kasie west or Sarah Dessen book? I think not.
Before you look questioningly at the date this was posted- hi hello my name's Sarah and I live in Australia. The mysterious land of vegemite and backwards seasons.
So yep, summer. Kasie West. This was exactly what I was looking for- a few hours of mindless, adorable, summery goodness.
I would definitely recommend the audiobook for this one, because a central theme of the book is podcasting, and the narrator makes it seem like you are listening to an actual podcast.
I loved Diego! He was the sweetest little cinnamon roll ever. He cooks, loves his family, wants to travel the world, seems confident but underneath is shy and a bit insecure.
I loved how despite a major plot point being that both our main character and her best friend having feelings for the same boy, their friendship wasn't compromised for the sake of romance! I loved their friendship, and am so glad it didn't turn girl-hatey.
This has quickly become my favourite Kasie West novel! (But considering this is only the second one I have ever read, it isn’t difficult)
If you have any recommendations for which of hers I should read next let me know! 'By Your Side' sounds the most intriguing to me, solely because: Library + cute boy = Sarah happy...more
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