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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, mature content, violence, gore, trigger warnings for mentions of rape)
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price--and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction―if they don't kill each other first.- Amazon.com
Audible has amazing sales sometimes. They’re called the $4.95 sales and they can sometimes have awesome books on there. One of those awesome books I bought in a recent $4.95 sale was Six of Crows. While I own the book in hardback, I read so many review books that I do not have time to read many of the other books on my bookshelves and I recently purchased the Six Of Crows box from Enchanted Book Box (check out their November box btw! It’s gonna be awesome!) so I felt like I had to get to know these characters that everyone raves about! The audio book was fantastic! The voice actors they casted for this audio book were perfect. The character development of this book was well done. At once point I thought that I wouldn’t know about the back story of Jesper or Wylan, but their development came and it was as equally well done. The plot development was also well done. It twisted and turned where I didn’t expect it to. The writing was superb and while it had a air of high fantasy, it was still very easy to follow along.
While I did enjoy the book immensely and I feel like I NEED the second book now, I did think that this book might not be for everyone. For starters, the pacing is a bit slow. There are multiple POVs (7 throughout the whole book) and each POV can start where another one ended or where another one began, meaning you could be hearing what each of the 6 were doing at the same time while they were all split up. The other thing is that the ending of the book became a little confusing for me. Maybe I just became confused and didn’t understand what all went on, but I had to listen to it twice to understand it.
Verdict: Leigh Bardugo is one of the most talked about author’s I see on instagram and I can now see why that is. She’s an amazing writer and this book has easily became a favorite of mine. I loved how the story took place from the perspective of the “bad” guys rather than the “good” guys, which really made the reader question who are the good and bad guys in this fight and if there are any totally good or bad guys at all. I’d totally recommend this book for any YA Fantasy lover and anyone who’s looking for an action-packed book!
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, mature content, violence, gore, trigger warnings for mentions of rape)
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price--and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction―if they don't kill each other first.- Amazon.com
Audible has amazing sales sometimes. They’re called the $4.95 sales and they can sometimes have awesome books on there. One of those awesome books I bought in a recent $4.95 sale was Six of Crows. While I own the book in hardback, I read so many review books that I do not have time to read many of the other books on my bookshelves and I recently purchased the Six Of Crows box from Enchanted Book Box (check out their November box btw! It’s gonna be awesome!) so I felt like I had to get to know these characters that everyone raves about! The audio book was fantastic! The voice actors they casted for this audio book were perfect. The character development of this book was well done. At once point I thought that I wouldn’t know about the back story of Jesper or Wylan, but their development came and it was as equally well done. The plot development was also well done. It twisted and turned where I didn’t expect it to. The writing was superb and while it had a air of high fantasy, it was still very easy to follow along.
While I did enjoy the book immensely and I feel like I NEED the second book now, I did think that this book might not be for everyone. For starters, the pacing is a bit slow. There are multiple POVs (7 throughout the whole book) and each POV can start where another one ended or where another one began, meaning you could be hearing what each of the 6 were doing at the same time while they were all split up. The other thing is that the ending of the book became a little confusing for me. Maybe I just became confused and didn’t understand what all went on, but I had to listen to it twice to understand it.
Verdict: Leigh Bardugo is one of the most talked about author’s I see on instagram and I can now see why that is. She’s an amazing writer and this book has easily became a favorite of mine. I loved how the story took place from the perspective of the “bad” guys rather than the “good” guys, which really made the reader question who are the good and bad guys in this fight and if there are any totally good or bad guys at all. I’d totally recommend this book for any YA Fantasy lover and anyone who’s looking for an action-packed book!
The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond
2.0
Rating: 2/5
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (adult content, torture, violence, trigger warnings for torture)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice’s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact.
The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . . .
Never mention The Pact to anyone.
Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples.
And then one of them breaks the rules.
The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule.
For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare. - Amazon.com
Let's start off with my need for thrillers is completely gone now. I had to DNF this book because it got way to weird and uncomfortable for me. While I thought that the characters were well developed and the writing was pretty good, I got a Stepford Wives and The Gift vibe from this book and it really creeped me out to a point where I had a few nightmares about it. When that happens that's when I call it quits on a book. Aside from the nightmares and the overall creepy vibe of this book, I felt that the books plot and pacing were off. It was probably my being uncomfortable that made this book too weird for me.
Verdict: I can't really give a detailed review like I normally do because of how quickly I DNFed the book, but if you enjoy thrillers and if you loved reading The Stepford Wives or loved watching The Gift you might like this book!
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (adult content, torture, violence, trigger warnings for torture)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice’s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact.
The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . . .
Never mention The Pact to anyone.
Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples.
And then one of them breaks the rules.
The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule.
For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare. - Amazon.com
Let's start off with my need for thrillers is completely gone now. I had to DNF this book because it got way to weird and uncomfortable for me. While I thought that the characters were well developed and the writing was pretty good, I got a Stepford Wives and The Gift vibe from this book and it really creeped me out to a point where I had a few nightmares about it. When that happens that's when I call it quits on a book. Aside from the nightmares and the overall creepy vibe of this book, I felt that the books plot and pacing were off. It was probably my being uncomfortable that made this book too weird for me.
Verdict: I can't really give a detailed review like I normally do because of how quickly I DNFed the book, but if you enjoy thrillers and if you loved reading The Stepford Wives or loved watching The Gift you might like this book!
Sara's Game by Ernie Lindsey
2.0
Rating: 2/5
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: DNF-ed cannot recommend
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review courtesy of Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I think I'm in a DNF spree. I had to DNF this book after about 100 pages. It's not because the book was poorly written or not interesting, but because I knew how it would end from the beginning. And a spoilery look at the end proved my theory to be right. That completely ruined the book for me and while it was my fault I can't help but wonder if the book could have been written in a different way to avoid the ending from being guessed completely at the beginning of the book.
Verdict: If you enjoy thrillers, please give this a read! It seems to be highly enjoyable for a lot of people and I hope one day to return to this book and reread it.
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: DNF-ed cannot recommend
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review courtesy of Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I think I'm in a DNF spree. I had to DNF this book after about 100 pages. It's not because the book was poorly written or not interesting, but because I knew how it would end from the beginning. And a spoilery look at the end proved my theory to be right. That completely ruined the book for me and while it was my fault I can't help but wonder if the book could have been written in a different way to avoid the ending from being guessed completely at the beginning of the book.
Verdict: If you enjoy thrillers, please give this a read! It seems to be highly enjoyable for a lot of people and I hope one day to return to this book and reread it.
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
4.0
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some sexual references, tiny gore, realistic ways on how the world will collapse).
Pages: 337
Author Website
Amazon Link
I usually have a hard time getting into books when I first start them. Call it my rebellious nature taking control or just that I hate starting over at page one even if it’s a different book. But that was not the case with this book. This book was, in short, absolutely everything I want in a dystopian novel. The world building and realistic circumstances of this possible event made me legitimately scared for the future and heavily invested in Laura’s life. The format was told in diary format, so I was invested in learning about what happened to Laura and her family from day to day. I found that while told through diary format all of the characters were fairly well developed and the plot was intriguing. The pacing was also well done and the story kept me interested throughout the whole of the book.
The only issues I found with this book were the sexist comments and that I’m not receiving much information outside of the family’s town. This book, while wonderfully well written, is really sexist. I thought for sure the book would make some big show in the end about how all of these comments are untrue, but it really didn’t. The character grew and became stronger, but the comments weren’t ever mentioned again. Usually I don’t have issue with these comments if they’re within a historical setting, but this book takes place at least in the 2000s and by then I’m pretty sure women had sufficiently proved themselves to be just as strong as men.
Verdict: Avoiding all the sexist comments, this book is a terrific read for any dystopian reader! I’m not immediately heading to my local grocery store to stockpile food and water before an asteroid crashes into the moon.
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some sexual references, tiny gore, realistic ways on how the world will collapse).
Pages: 337
Author Website
Amazon Link
I usually have a hard time getting into books when I first start them. Call it my rebellious nature taking control or just that I hate starting over at page one even if it’s a different book. But that was not the case with this book. This book was, in short, absolutely everything I want in a dystopian novel. The world building and realistic circumstances of this possible event made me legitimately scared for the future and heavily invested in Laura’s life. The format was told in diary format, so I was invested in learning about what happened to Laura and her family from day to day. I found that while told through diary format all of the characters were fairly well developed and the plot was intriguing. The pacing was also well done and the story kept me interested throughout the whole of the book.
The only issues I found with this book were the sexist comments and that I’m not receiving much information outside of the family’s town. This book, while wonderfully well written, is really sexist. I thought for sure the book would make some big show in the end about how all of these comments are untrue, but it really didn’t. The character grew and became stronger, but the comments weren’t ever mentioned again. Usually I don’t have issue with these comments if they’re within a historical setting, but this book takes place at least in the 2000s and by then I’m pretty sure women had sufficiently proved themselves to be just as strong as men.
Verdict: Avoiding all the sexist comments, this book is a terrific read for any dystopian reader! I’m not immediately heading to my local grocery store to stockpile food and water before an asteroid crashes into the moon.
The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid
5.0
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, death, mentions of rape)
Pages: 416
Author Website
Amazon Link
Summary: A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.
Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.
When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.
As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.
I picked this book up for the butterfly on the cover if I’m going to be completely honest. Which I always am with you guys. You’re probably the only ones I don’t hide anything from. Feel special? Now what if I told you that there was someone out there that was basically made for you, made to protect to you forever and always, and even after your death they would avenge you? Don’t you feel really special now? Well that’s the actual job of a Diabolic. They protect the one they’re bonded to forever and always… and that’s the problem our protagonist faces. This book is amazing to say the least. The character development is fantastic. Even though we are looking through the eyes of the protagonist, we are accurately given descriptions and motives to all of the characters. The storyline and plot are well done as well. The story is a lot of political intrigue and motive, but the action in the book keeps the story moving well. The world building is also well done. While we’re in a very different world than the one we live in, never did I feel confused or frustrated while reading the book.
The only issue I could find with this book is that the pacing is a little fast for me, but by the end I thought the pacing perfectly matched the tone of the book. However, it might not be for everyone.
Verdict: If you’re a sci-fi lover or a newbie to the genre, I highly suggest this book. You won’t regret reading it.
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, death, mentions of rape)
Pages: 416
Author Website
Amazon Link
Summary: A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.
Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.
When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.
As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.
I picked this book up for the butterfly on the cover if I’m going to be completely honest. Which I always am with you guys. You’re probably the only ones I don’t hide anything from. Feel special? Now what if I told you that there was someone out there that was basically made for you, made to protect to you forever and always, and even after your death they would avenge you? Don’t you feel really special now? Well that’s the actual job of a Diabolic. They protect the one they’re bonded to forever and always… and that’s the problem our protagonist faces. This book is amazing to say the least. The character development is fantastic. Even though we are looking through the eyes of the protagonist, we are accurately given descriptions and motives to all of the characters. The storyline and plot are well done as well. The story is a lot of political intrigue and motive, but the action in the book keeps the story moving well. The world building is also well done. While we’re in a very different world than the one we live in, never did I feel confused or frustrated while reading the book.
The only issue I could find with this book is that the pacing is a little fast for me, but by the end I thought the pacing perfectly matched the tone of the book. However, it might not be for everyone.
Verdict: If you’re a sci-fi lover or a newbie to the genre, I highly suggest this book. You won’t regret reading it.
All The Things We Lost by Kayla Tirrell
4.0
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: YA Romance/Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (some violence and slight sexual content)
Pages: 192
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: After her mother’s death, eighteen-year-old Katie finds herself in a town she never thought she'd see again. Lost in turmoil and sadness, hope surfaces when she comes face to face with Julian for the first time in years.
However, he isn’t the same boy she left behind. Reserved and covered in bruises, everyone in River Valley avoids him. Rumors of his activities run rampant.
Julian is barely keeping it together. He’s the sole provider for his family after his dad leaves. His dreams to go to college are ruined. Even his relationship with his older brother leaves its mark.
Can Katie and Julian find hope and love in each other, or will the struggle to survive their desperate situations prove too much?
All The Things We Lost is a young adult contemporary romance perfect for both teens and adults. It is the first in a series of books, each revolving around a different couple living in the same, small town.
After the slew of fantasy and sci-fi reads I have waded through this month I just HAD to stop and read this cute little teen romance story and I didn’t regret it. It was charming and delightful. The characters were very well developed, their struggles felt real, and I cried. Like ugly cried. The world building was decent for this type of book and the pacing is well done. I also thought for the most part that the plot was good and it did keep me interested in reading the rest of the book.
The only slightly off-putting thing about this book is that it’s sometimes cliché and some of the things that happen in the book are a bit predictable. However, that doesn’t detract from how well written and interesting the book is. It’s also great for a good cry.
Verdict: If you like teen romance books, this is your new favorite series!
Genre: YA Romance/Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (some violence and slight sexual content)
Pages: 192
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: After her mother’s death, eighteen-year-old Katie finds herself in a town she never thought she'd see again. Lost in turmoil and sadness, hope surfaces when she comes face to face with Julian for the first time in years.
However, he isn’t the same boy she left behind. Reserved and covered in bruises, everyone in River Valley avoids him. Rumors of his activities run rampant.
Julian is barely keeping it together. He’s the sole provider for his family after his dad leaves. His dreams to go to college are ruined. Even his relationship with his older brother leaves its mark.
Can Katie and Julian find hope and love in each other, or will the struggle to survive their desperate situations prove too much?
All The Things We Lost is a young adult contemporary romance perfect for both teens and adults. It is the first in a series of books, each revolving around a different couple living in the same, small town.
After the slew of fantasy and sci-fi reads I have waded through this month I just HAD to stop and read this cute little teen romance story and I didn’t regret it. It was charming and delightful. The characters were very well developed, their struggles felt real, and I cried. Like ugly cried. The world building was decent for this type of book and the pacing is well done. I also thought for the most part that the plot was good and it did keep me interested in reading the rest of the book.
The only slightly off-putting thing about this book is that it’s sometimes cliché and some of the things that happen in the book are a bit predictable. However, that doesn’t detract from how well written and interesting the book is. It’s also great for a good cry.
Verdict: If you like teen romance books, this is your new favorite series!
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
5.0
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, suicide trigger warning)
Pages: 435
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: None, I bought my own copy!
Synopsis: Two teens must learn the “art of killing” in this Printz Honor–winning book, the first in a chilling new series from Neal Shusterman, author of the New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
Scythe is the first novel of a thrilling new series by National Book Award–winning author Neal Shusterman in which Citra and Rowan learn that a perfect world comes only with a heavy price.
Meet the book that made me run out and buy a robe and sickle. I am now a Scythe (in my mind) and I will glean without bias and malice. Seriously though this book was written so intelligently. The characters were amazing and well developed. The plot and pacing were awesome. I can’t recommend this book enough if you love dystopians. I can’t think of anything else to describe how amazing this book was and how beautiful it fits into the dystopian world along side of classics like The Hunger Games and Divergent.
However, I do have to say that the book does have some big ex machina moments that made some of the more unbelievable moments in the book solvable out of the blue. However, if you don’t mind these types of things then this book is an enjoyable read.
Verdict: Glean without malice and bias. Also go read this amazing book.
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, suicide trigger warning)
Pages: 435
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: None, I bought my own copy!
Synopsis: Two teens must learn the “art of killing” in this Printz Honor–winning book, the first in a chilling new series from Neal Shusterman, author of the New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
Scythe is the first novel of a thrilling new series by National Book Award–winning author Neal Shusterman in which Citra and Rowan learn that a perfect world comes only with a heavy price.
Meet the book that made me run out and buy a robe and sickle. I am now a Scythe (in my mind) and I will glean without bias and malice. Seriously though this book was written so intelligently. The characters were amazing and well developed. The plot and pacing were awesome. I can’t recommend this book enough if you love dystopians. I can’t think of anything else to describe how amazing this book was and how beautiful it fits into the dystopian world along side of classics like The Hunger Games and Divergent.
However, I do have to say that the book does have some big ex machina moments that made some of the more unbelievable moments in the book solvable out of the blue. However, if you don’t mind these types of things then this book is an enjoyable read.
Verdict: Glean without malice and bias. Also go read this amazing book.
The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer
3.0
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, gore, violence, death, trigger warnings for suicide and infant death)
Pages: 288
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: None! This is my copy of this book!
Synopsis: It's been more than two years since Jon Evans and his family left Pennsylvania, hoping to find a safe place to live, yet Jon remains haunted by the deaths of those he loved. His prowess on a soccer field has guaranteed him a home in a well-protected enclave. But Jon is painfully aware that a missed goal, a careless word, even falling in love, can put his life and the lives of his mother, his sister Miranda, and her husband, Alex, in jeopardy. Can Jon risk doing what is right in a world gone so terribly wrong?
This is it! It’s the final book in the Life As We Knew It Series and I have feelings! Not a lot of them, but enough! Going into this book you’ll notice the voice is of Jon, Miranda’s younger brother, and it’s written in the same diary format but from third person like how Alex’s book was. The world was excellently well developed. The story plot and pacing are pretty well done and the writing is really well done in terms of making the book sound like it’s from Jon’s point of view.
However, there are some problems with this book. The characters are just thrown into this world without rhyme or reason, some characters were disposed of for little or no reason whatsoever. There were unnecessary plot twists that didn’t need to be in there. The previous main characters disappeared at the end of the book and nothing was really solved in the book. In essence, this wasn’t a satisfying ending for me and I’m slightly disappointed in this book.
Verdict: Read the ending, but don’t expect anything spectacular.
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, gore, violence, death, trigger warnings for suicide and infant death)
Pages: 288
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: None! This is my copy of this book!
Synopsis: It's been more than two years since Jon Evans and his family left Pennsylvania, hoping to find a safe place to live, yet Jon remains haunted by the deaths of those he loved. His prowess on a soccer field has guaranteed him a home in a well-protected enclave. But Jon is painfully aware that a missed goal, a careless word, even falling in love, can put his life and the lives of his mother, his sister Miranda, and her husband, Alex, in jeopardy. Can Jon risk doing what is right in a world gone so terribly wrong?
This is it! It’s the final book in the Life As We Knew It Series and I have feelings! Not a lot of them, but enough! Going into this book you’ll notice the voice is of Jon, Miranda’s younger brother, and it’s written in the same diary format but from third person like how Alex’s book was. The world was excellently well developed. The story plot and pacing are pretty well done and the writing is really well done in terms of making the book sound like it’s from Jon’s point of view.
However, there are some problems with this book. The characters are just thrown into this world without rhyme or reason, some characters were disposed of for little or no reason whatsoever. There were unnecessary plot twists that didn’t need to be in there. The previous main characters disappeared at the end of the book and nothing was really solved in the book. In essence, this wasn’t a satisfying ending for me and I’m slightly disappointed in this book.
Verdict: Read the ending, but don’t expect anything spectacular.
Thornhill by Pam Smy
4.0
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery/Horror
Recommended Age: 14+ (death, psychological horror, trigger warnings for suicide)
Pages: 544
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received this book through KidLitExchange! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: 1982: Mary is a lonely orphan at the Thornhill Institute For Children at the very moment that it's shutting its doors. When her few friends are all adopted or re-homed and she’s left to face a volatile bully alone, her revenge will have a lasting effect on the bully, on Mary, and on Thornhill itself.
2017: Ella has just moved to a new town where she knows no one. From her room on the top floor of her new home, she has a perfect view of the dilapidated, abandoned Thornhill Institute across the way, where she glimpses a girl in the window. Determined to befriend the girl and solidify the link between them, Ella resolves to unravel Thornhill's shadowy past.
Told in alternating, interwoven plotlines―Mary’s through intimate diary entries and Ella’s in bold, striking art―Pam Smy’s Thornhillis a haunting exploration of human connection, filled with suspense.
This is probably the most unique book I’ve read in my life. The book is told in duel POV. The present day is told entirely in picture format, the 1982 written version in diary format. I think this format works amazingly well for the book and I was able to connect to both of the girls. The writing was amazing, the plot was intriguing and the pacing was excellent. The world building for both time periods was also detailed and impressive as they were both done in different ways.
However, I do fear that some of the subject material in the book might be a little bit too mature for middle grade kids. The book deals with a lot of heavy topics and while I found it amazing, I do want to caution parents to make sure your child is emotionally mature enough for some of the warnings I listed above.
Verdict: Amazingly unique and dark. Perfect for the young horror fans.
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery/Horror
Recommended Age: 14+ (death, psychological horror, trigger warnings for suicide)
Pages: 544
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received this book through KidLitExchange! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: 1982: Mary is a lonely orphan at the Thornhill Institute For Children at the very moment that it's shutting its doors. When her few friends are all adopted or re-homed and she’s left to face a volatile bully alone, her revenge will have a lasting effect on the bully, on Mary, and on Thornhill itself.
2017: Ella has just moved to a new town where she knows no one. From her room on the top floor of her new home, she has a perfect view of the dilapidated, abandoned Thornhill Institute across the way, where she glimpses a girl in the window. Determined to befriend the girl and solidify the link between them, Ella resolves to unravel Thornhill's shadowy past.
Told in alternating, interwoven plotlines―Mary’s through intimate diary entries and Ella’s in bold, striking art―Pam Smy’s Thornhillis a haunting exploration of human connection, filled with suspense.
This is probably the most unique book I’ve read in my life. The book is told in duel POV. The present day is told entirely in picture format, the 1982 written version in diary format. I think this format works amazingly well for the book and I was able to connect to both of the girls. The writing was amazing, the plot was intriguing and the pacing was excellent. The world building for both time periods was also detailed and impressive as they were both done in different ways.
However, I do fear that some of the subject material in the book might be a little bit too mature for middle grade kids. The book deals with a lot of heavy topics and while I found it amazing, I do want to caution parents to make sure your child is emotionally mature enough for some of the warnings I listed above.
Verdict: Amazingly unique and dark. Perfect for the young horror fans.
Love Like Sky by Leslie C. Youngblood
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from KidLitExchange and Disney Hyperion. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: MG Contemporary
Recommended Age: 10+ (love, illness, and blended families)
Pages: 304
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Disney-Hyperion has bought debut author Leslie C. Youngblood's middle-grade novel Love Like Sky, as well as a sequel. Love Like Sky follows Georgie as she tries to find her place in her “blended-up” family, with both her parents remarried and a new teenage stepsister she'll do anything to win over. When a devastating illness strikes her stepsister, Georgie will do whatever it takes to make her better and bring her family together. Publication of the first book is scheduled for fall 2018.
While divorce and blended families are something of the norm in real life, in literature it’s still so obscure. I love how this book was so bold in making this the focal point of the novel. This will be sure to help kids who find themselves in similar situations. I also loved the character development and I thought the plot and writing was very well done as well.
However I thought that it lulled in some parts and that the pacing wasn’t very fluid throughout the novel. This didn’t hamper the reading experience overall for me, but it was a little jarring.
Verdict: Heart-wrenching book that will tear your soul out and stomp on it! Enjoy!
Rating: 4/5
Genre: MG Contemporary
Recommended Age: 10+ (love, illness, and blended families)
Pages: 304
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Disney-Hyperion has bought debut author Leslie C. Youngblood's middle-grade novel Love Like Sky, as well as a sequel. Love Like Sky follows Georgie as she tries to find her place in her “blended-up” family, with both her parents remarried and a new teenage stepsister she'll do anything to win over. When a devastating illness strikes her stepsister, Georgie will do whatever it takes to make her better and bring her family together. Publication of the first book is scheduled for fall 2018.
While divorce and blended families are something of the norm in real life, in literature it’s still so obscure. I love how this book was so bold in making this the focal point of the novel. This will be sure to help kids who find themselves in similar situations. I also loved the character development and I thought the plot and writing was very well done as well.
However I thought that it lulled in some parts and that the pacing wasn’t very fluid throughout the novel. This didn’t hamper the reading experience overall for me, but it was a little jarring.
Verdict: Heart-wrenching book that will tear your soul out and stomp on it! Enjoy!