pagebypaigebks's reviews
206 reviews

“What are storytellers but time travellers, taking us somewhere only the stars can remember?“

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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Content Warnings: death, violence

We are immediately brought back into the action and intrigue of Zehaira in this book! Not only do we continue to explore the mysteries of book one, we are also introduced to new and even more complex storylines. I enjoyed how Yara's character grew and developed as she struggled to figure out what was right. Not only did Yara grow personally, but her relationships with her friends and family were also intriguing to read about. The plot kept me engaged and the action grabbed my attention right away. The magic and the rich history of the world of Zehaira were the main focus of this sequel, which made it even more immersive. Additionally, it was filled with both happy and stressful moments that created a balanced tone. The ending did tie up a few loose ends however there was one element that I would have changed.

Overall, The City Beyond the Stars is a story of heart, determination, and the power of friends and family.

“Being small doesn’t scare me. Zero is small, but it’s the most powerful number of all.”

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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I loved getting to learn more about Kat in City of the Dead! The various puzzles and intricacies of this mission gave her a real chance to shine. The plot was exciting and full of action and plot twists that I couldn't see coming. Even though there is a large cast of characters, they each are so unique and exciting to read about. The writing style adapts and changes to match the personality of each of the City Spies and keeps you glued to the page. I really enjoyed learning more about Mother and his family, along with how Kat came into the City Spies. As this series continues, I definitely think that readers of all ages could enjoy it. With that exciting cliffhanger, I'm excited to read book 5 soon!

“Never forget that ‘ordinary’ is part of ‘extraordinary’, you can’t have one without the other.”

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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Content Warnings: kidnapping

Another fantastic instalment to the series! Just like the books before, Forbidden City was action-packed with intriguing puzzles, daring escapes, and great character development. I haven't read many books that feature a chess tournament before so that aspect was very interesting to learn about. The writing style immediately pulls you in. I could vividly picture each of the settings as the team travelled around the world for this complex mission. We got to learn even more about each character's backstory, including Mother, the leader of the City Spies. Their development makes you love each of the characters even more than before, and you can't help but be excited for them when they succeed. I really enjoy how every book centres around one of the kids in the City Spies, it gives each of them a chance to shine, while also featuring their relationships with the group. The plot was exciting at every turn and kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting more. As with the first two books, I definitely recommend the audiobook version! The narrator does a fantastic job bringing the City Spies to life.

All in all, Forbidden City was a whirlwind of excitement, action, and adventure!

“There are hundreds of words to describe every possible shade of every colour - just look inside any big crayon box. Why are there never enough words for how things feel?”

I'd like to thank Wunder Kind PR for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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Content Warnings: grief, death of a parent (in the past)

Keeping Pace is a coming-of-age story that explores how complex relationships can be, and the struggles of perfectionism. I really enjoyed how much growth Grace went through as a character. Grace is very much a perfectionist and when she commits to something, she dives in head first. But this leads to conflicts in all aspects of her life. Most importantly, it leads to an inner conflict where Grace is beginning to equate how she does in school to how much value she has as a person. By putting herself out there and trying new things, she begins to unlearn some of these habits. Throughout the summer, Grace began to understand how to express her feelings and emotions better with her mother and sister which was very heartwarming to see. In addition to family relationships and friendships, there was also a cute romance side plot that was fun to read about. However, I wish we could have learned more about the side characters, like Grace's sister and cousin, and explored their stories a bit more. Even though there were many characters and side plots, the writing flowed nicely and was easy to follow, making the story feel cohesive as a whole.

“You cannot rewrite parts of life. Not even little parts. They all matter, and they all contribute to the whole of things.”

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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Content Warnings: animal death, mention of domestic violence, addiction, ill parents

Walkin' The Dog is a very emotional story about family, belonging, and of course, dogs. If you're planning on recommending this book to younger readers please check out my content warnings above as there are some heavy topics discussed. Overall, I enjoyed reading about Louis' journey toward self-confidence. Through his experience as a dog walker, he learned about how important it is to take action and be a positive contributor to his community. It also brought him closer to family and friends which he relied on for support throughout the book. At times I found the writing style to be a bit confusing and scattered which took me out of the story. The overall pacing of the story also felt somewhat disjointed with some chapters being very action-packed and fast, while others were very slow. My favourite parts of this book were the dogs. I loved learning about each of their personalities and how they interacted with their owners and Louis.

“I’ve always believed in love at first sight.”

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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If you're looking for a book that'll put a smile on your face, pick this up! The Ballad of Darcy and Russell is equal parts an adorable rom-com and a journey about family. Both Darcy and Russell are going to college and each has their own struggles they're working through. I loved seeing how they came together and supported one another throughout the book. When they initially meet there is a "love at first sight" moment however, what I enjoyed the most about the romance was what came afterwards. They took time to get to know one another and focused on their self-growth. While the romance was really cute, I also enjoyed the family dynamics of each of the main characters. Both families have their problems and how they deal with them is very different. In terms of side characters, I loved reading about them and wished I could have gotten to know them a bit more. Even though the course of the book took place over a day, the pacing was very well done. It felt like the perfect amount of urgency without being too fast-paced. Speaking of, I actually binge-read this book all in one day 😂. With an adorable meet-cute, intriguing plot twists, and heartfelt moments, The Ballad of Darcy and Russell is the perfect feel-good rom-com to read this summer!

“My best can be imperfect. I can be a work in progress."

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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This was a delight to read! I definitely recommend Finally Fitz to everyone looking for a great summer time book. The plot was engaging and I just had to know what happened next. The writing style was fun and easy to follow and made the story so bingeable! One of my favourite aspects of Fitz's character was how she struggled with perfectionism. It was very relatable and I loved how the author approached the topic. Fitz is constantly working toward leaving the ideals of perfectionism behind. I loved following her journey with this and seeing her development as a character throughout the course of the story. The fashion aspect and Fitz's summer fashion school were an intriguing part of the plot. I enjoyed learning about Fitz's creativity and her love of creating something new out of older clothes. However, I would have liked this aspect of the story to be a bit more fleshed out and explored. We can't forget about the romance! It was so adorable from the very beginning. If friends to lovers is a favourite trope of yours then you'll love Finally Fitz! Levi and Fitz had great chemistry and it was so much fun looking back into their childhood history. The fake dating aspects were also well done and so heartwarming! Not only are romantic relationships a focus of the story, but relationships with family are as well. Seeing Fitz's family dynamic with her sisters and her parents was very intriguing. We got to learn more about each of her sisters and how impactful it was for Fitz when she feel left out of the loop. I couldn't get enough of seeing them grow together and navigate their complex emotions and misunderstandings, it made all of the characters feel so real!

Filled with heart, perfectly imperfect characters, and of course plants, Finally Fitz is a must-add to your tbr.

“The only true measure of our character is how we respond to someone who needs our help.”

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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Content Warnings: death of a parent, death, violence

This book was packed with magic! It was filled with rich world-building and an intriguing history of the kingdom it takes place in. I could easily imagine it being real as there were distinct traditions and customs as well as lore woven throughout the story. That being said it did feel as though the action took a while to get started. At some points, the plot dragged a bit but otherwise, it was full of action and adventure! The magical creatures were exciting to learn about and added another intriguing element to the story. I especially enjoyed learning about the jinn and the familiars. The Kingdom Over the Sea also talks about grief and the pain of going through it as a child. The importance of family and friends and finding a place where you belong is also explored and I really enjoyed seeing Yara grow. I'm excited to see how the story continues in the next book in the series! Filled with magic, adventure, grief, and self-determination, readers everywhere will be swept into a magical world with The Kingdom Over the Sea.

“It’s like wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, is never as exciting as what’s about to come.”

I'd like to thank First Second Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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I thought the art style was super cute! It was engaging and fun to look at, plus it fit the tone of the book really well. I enjoyed learning about Kathy's story and seeing her grow. Continental Drifter talks about feeling like you don't belong and how much of an impact it is. We follow Kathy as she encounters different experiences in her life that change how she views the world. I would have liked for a few scenes to be drawn out more but overall I enjoyed the pacing of the story. Filled with messages of family, hope, and confidence, Continental Drifter is a story about living as your truest self.

“This story… has ‘star-crossed lovers’ written all over it.”

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

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Content Warnings: death, violence

If you love cozy fantasy then you need to read this book! F.T. Lukens does an amazing job of creating an immersive world with vibrant characters. From the first page, I was immediately transported to a town stuck in eternal winter. The world-building and mythology of Otherworldly were also very in-depth. I loved the characters! Ellery was the perfect mix of grumpy and determined, and Knox was such a sweet and bright light! The found family vibes were also a great touch. They definitely made me smile! However, I would have enjoyed getting to learn a bit more about the side characters and other people in the town. The writing style matched the cozy plot perfectly and the pacing was evenly balanced with exciting action scenes and heartwarming sweet moments. Otherworldly is perfect for cozy fantasy readers everywhere who can’t get enough of the found family and grumpy x sunshine tropes!