Let me just list all the reasons why you should definitely pick up Leah Johnson’s debut novel. ASAP:
1. Amanda and Liz are so cute together? Gahhh I loLet me just list all the reasons why you should definitely pick up Leah Johnson’s debut novel. ASAP:
1. Amanda and Liz are so cute together? Gahhh I love them as a couple. 2. Every one of the characters � I want to cheer on them all as much as they all rally and cheer Liz to break the tradition at her high school. 3. The friendship between Jordan and Liz? We love to see former friends mending tensions and becoming friends again.
Reread in audiobook in 2022 because it's been a hot minute and I started the second book only to realize I remember essentially nothing RIP.
1. Family,Reread in audiobook in 2022 because it's been a hot minute and I started the second book only to realize I remember essentially nothing RIP.
1. Family, friendship, court politics, mythology � basically everything that I could ask for in a fantasy. 2. Nadia is so precious?! I swear if harm comes to her I will fight like Malik fights for her. 3. I don’t know about the rest of you but I did NOT see the ending coming. I am invested and want the sequel (but mainly I just want more Nadia page time).
On a scale of K-Pop novels to read and ones to avoid, this one is definitely a to read.
1. I hated all the fat shaming but I also love the fat positiviOn a scale of K-Pop novels to read and ones to avoid, this one is definitely a to read.
1. I hated all the fat shaming but I also love the fat positivity from Skye; she’s a character you really want to cheer on from the beginning of the book all the way through the end. 2. The romance felt unnecessary. 3. I’d pick up the sequel in a heartbeat if there is one.
I feel like I got misled from the synopsis, which made If I Never Met You sound fluffy and cute with fake dating? Am I alone in this? The book falls mI feel like I got misled from the synopsis, which made If I Never Met You sound fluffy and cute with fake dating? Am I alone in this? The book falls more along the lines of Laurie getting back at her ex after he suddenly breaks it off after nearly two decades, and most of the book is about their relationship rather than the fake dating with Jamie. Other than that, it focuses on the sexism Laurie faces on a daily basis, and I was definitely not in the mindset for that.
Nutshell:If I Never Met You had hilarious moments, but overall, it was disappointing.
1. Eponine truly gets the chance to shine in this retelling; I think Kester Grant gave her the justice she shouldLes Miserables retelling? Sign me up.
1. Eponine truly gets the chance to shine in this retelling; I think Kester Grant gave her the justice she should’ve deserved from the musical. 2. I gave no fucks about Cosette in the musical but Grant’s version of Ettie is so innocent and hilarious, and she grows by the end of the book. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t remember what the musical Cosette did. 3. Knowledge of the musical is crucial to enjoying The Court of Miracles at its fullest. There are many nods and parallels that it’s important to get at least the basic grasp of what went on; otherwise, it’s just confusing.
A copy of the book was provided for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore does not affecA copy of the book was provided for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore does not affect the opinion or content of the review.Don't Read the Comments took me a while to get into, mainly because I wasn't in the right mood for it. (There's also the gameplay, which while makes the book realistic, it's not for everyone.) Smith's latest novel follows Divya, a streamer with a large following who goes by the name D1V and takes steps to make sure she's safe while online.
I loved how Don't Read the Comments makes commentary about real-world issues such as misogyny and racism, especially as someone with a huge platform. I especially loved how this is a nod to virtual relationships being built and how while they can be meaningful, they can also be harmful.
A copy of the book was provided for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore does not affecA copy of the book was provided for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore does not affect the opinion or content of the review.Why are some of you still sleeping on Rin Chupeco’s novels???
1. Two storylines throughout that flawlessly come together by the end. 2. The entire main cast (Odessa, Lan, Arjun and Haidee) are an absolute delight to read and follow along. I think I was really there for the dolugongs, though. 3. There are some fragments in the world building, but from my experience with Chupeco’s past novels, they’ll be answered in the next book. Personally I did like this one better than The Bone Witch because I feel there is a better balance of world building and plot, and character. (Note: this is a personal preference, though.) 4. This was hard to get into at first considering the mental state I was in when starting the book, the current state of the world feeling too close to the underlying topic, and how I just got out of a major reading slump. 5. Because 4 is unlucky, there must be a fifth, and my fifth is read this for the cute dolugongs.
Snow White retelling with a villain origin story? Yes, please. The Evil Queen was right up my alley of preferred reads but it ended up being a huge diSnow White retelling with a villain origin story? Yes, please. The Evil Queen was right up my alley of preferred reads but it ended up being a huge disappointment because after trekking maybe 45% of the book I called it quits.
1. Romance felt like it was overshadowing the story. I honestly don’t remember much other than Roth and Everly lusting after each other the moment they meet. Hell, I don’t even remember half the other characters. 2. The pacing felt slow. I think partially this may be a personal preference, but also it didn’t feel like there was anything much beyond them theorizing who might be who in the Snow White fairytale and journeying in Enchantia. 3. I just wasn’t a fan of the writing style.
Reread 2021 in audio because I guess I like pain in anticipation for Jade Legacy.
Jade City caused SO. MUCH. DISTRESS. In a good way, thankfully. FondaReread 2021 in audio because I guess I like pain in anticipation for Jade Legacy.
Jade City caused SO. MUCH. DISTRESS. In a good way, thankfully. Fonda Lee creates characters that will make you want to be invested in and care about them, but then rip out your heart while you're crying. The story was a little hard to get into at first only because I spend 98% of my reading with YA, but once I got used to it, I really enjoyed Jade City! I loved being immersed in the world of Kekon and jade with the growing tensions between the No Peak and Mountain clans. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know when and if something will explode between the clans, and I'm on the hunt* for Jade War as soon as my library pile dwindles down.
*I have a copy of Jade War right now! I totally wrote the review sometime last year and never scheduled it until months later. But hey, better than January 2019? Just kidding, I've got some from February and March probably.
Quite frankly, Frankly in Love was a huge disappointment, and I think partially it might have been the marketing of the book, which focused on the fluQuite frankly, Frankly in Love was a huge disappointment, and I think partially it might have been the marketing of the book, which focused on the fluffy fake-dating.
That... wasn't the case at all. Yoon's debut novel focuses on family, culture, identity, friendship, etc. There were a lot of complex and important issues, even though fake dating was part of it. It just isn't the biggest part of the novel.
This is likely a personal preference, but I personally found Frank annoying, especially considering how fake dating is handled here. (view spoiler)[There are no excuses for cheating, even if it's to get your parents off your back. Frank was cheating on Brit and it felt like... where he's using his parents' potential reaction as an excuse? (hide spoiler)] It's not just how the fake dating is handled - there's also Q, who is such a fun character. I love his friendship with Frank, but I don't like how that ending feels... dismissive? Rushed? Q deserves better than the shit he got handed, friends, and I will die on this hill.
It's no secret I hated and loved , so I was curious how I would react to The Queen of Nothing. Plus after the It's no secret I hated and loved , so I was curious how I would react to The Queen of Nothing. Plus after the ending in the second book? Yes, please, gimme. I waddled myself onto the hold list immediately after it appeared I could. I got the book quickly, too.
~ Cardan definitely gets what he deserves. Honestly, that was peak entertainment since I'm not his biggest fan, and it wasn't something I saw coming. ~ Cardan has a way with words what the actual fuck is the wordplay going on here, Holly Black. ~ I feel like there's something missing from this finale, but I enjoyed it overall!
Bookwyrms and friends, Don't Bet on Love turned out to be a massive cringefest for me that I ultimately called it quits 55% through the book. The concBookwyrms and friends, Don't Bet on Love turned out to be a massive cringefest for me that I ultimately called it quits 55% through the book. The concept sounds like the start of a light and fluffy read set in high school but instead flopped out of the water. Much of the writing felt forced and the story didn't just wasn't engaging or interesting enough for me to push through to the end.
I thought I would enjoy The Rebellious Sister a lot more than I did, but unfortunately, that didn't turn out to be the case. Noffke and Anderle give uI thought I would enjoy The Rebellious Sister a lot more than I did, but unfortunately, that didn't turn out to be the case. Noffke and Anderle give us very little info about the magical world they build, ruled by the House of Seven. We don't learn about how the House of Seven came to be, and we definitely don't get a look into the lives of those who aren't the ruling body of magicians. What do they do if they're not a Councilor or Warrior? How are the families chosen when being replaced? There are so many questions about the world of the Unstoppable Liv Beaufont.
But I did enjoy enough of The Rebellious Sister that I'm interested in reading the sequel and hope some of the questions about the world will be answered then. I adored Plato as Liv's sidekick animal companion, and I particularly enjoyed the humor and wit of Liv and Rory's interactions as they got to know each other while helping Liv gain better control of her magic. The Rebellious Sister is a good start to a series, and I'm hoping The Uncooperative Warrior will be more enjoyable.
The author/publisher provided a free copy of the book for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a review copy does not guarantee a positive reviewThe author/publisher provided a free copy of the book for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a review copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore do not affect the opinion or content of the review. I really wanted to enjoy Shadow Frost with promises of assassins, monsters and darkness set in a fantasy world. But as much as the interactions between the characters were a delight to read and I loved every second of it, the writing style just isn't my type. I personally didn't feel the book was worth investing more time into, and I'm sad to say I had to DNF this at 34%.
I am blaming my good friend for introducing me to this gem because I read I Dare You ¾±²ÔÌýone sitting. (Okay, to be fair, I wasI am blaming my good friend for introducing me to this gem because I read I Dare You ¾±²ÔÌýone sitting. (Okay, to be fair, I was bored that day and decided to read a little. I entered the book not knowing it would be all the way through to the very end. Damn it, Sam.)
Despite being a sports romance (which I normally steer clear of), I Dare You by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a wholesome read set in college with a cute romance. I adore the texts between Delaney and Mav as she tried to figure out who the mysterious texter was. Full of humor and adorable moments, I Dare You is perfect for those who want to sit down and read a good romance set in college or with an athlete.
Where's the sequel because Descendant of the Crane sure as fuck deserves one. As a stand-alone, Joan He's debut feels like a partially formed world wiWhere's the sequel because Descendant of the Crane sure as fuck deserves one. As a stand-alone, Joan He's debut feels like a partially formed world with incomplete characters and loose plot holes that aren't solved by the end. Honestly, if I didn't know this is a planned series but not official, I would be extremely disappointed.
But if I'm looking at it as a first in a series, Descendant of the Crane is a strong start; I loved all the twists being thrown and the world Joan He builds, added on top of family secrets and court politics. My only issue is the romance, which didn't feel necessary to the story.
Geekerella is such an adorable and cute read featuring everything fandom related. It's a retelling of Cinderella with a happily ever after and set at Geekerella is such an adorable and cute read featuring everything fandom related. It's a retelling of Cinderella with a happily ever after and set at a convention, which really makes the inner fangirl in me sigh happily. The first novel in Ashley Posten's Once Upon a Con series is a quick and light read for those who enjoy cute romances with fandom.
Side note: my local library removed this from the Hoopla catalog when I tried renewing it back in June and I may or may not have cried a little inside. I had to put this on my TBR again and start it over, rude much??? I still appreciate all they've done, though. Other than the fact I more than likely lost my soul during my childhood within the shelves.
In quick and rapid-fire succession about Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen...
~ Amanda Dolan is a phenomenal narrator. She makes the pages come alive in theIn quick and rapid-fire succession about Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen...
~ Amanda Dolan is a phenomenal narrator. She makes the pages come alive in the ears if you know what I mean. Regal accent for the queen, awesome rambling skills that show Mare is nervous, fabulously "bitchy" voice for Evangeline, etc. Dolan might even top (Don't worry. I still like your skills.)
~ Someone tell me the song title and composer of the music at the beginning and the end of the audiobook because I love it. It has this ominous feeling that I like. Oh, and I admit I'm a music geek.
~ There are some things I question. 1) Why would you use a shield that contains Mare's powers if you're trying to kill her? I mean, you KNOW her power. 2) I don't think I caught how Silver blood became silver. Is it something as simple as, I don't know, putting a bit of silver in Botox before injecting it? *strokes imaginary beard thoughtfully*
~ The end. Any book that actually has an unpredictable ending is instantly music in my ears (not that I'm being biased, but let's just say you get more merit) � when you read so many books, things tend to repeat. But that's a discussion for another day.
~ You're like The Winner's trilogy. I don't need to say anything more, because . If I write this one as a letter, I'll plagiarize my own self.
I don't know what to say about this one. (Aside from the fact the author is just another evil writing spawn...)
Anyways. Let's get this up and out of tI don't know what to say about this one. (Aside from the fact the author is just another evil writing spawn...)
Anyways. Let's get this up and out of the way: I enjoyed much much better than Ice Like Fire. In fact, it would have been great as a stand alone novel as well, aside from the fact it would be an open-ended ending that would probably just demand a series in the end.
Ice Like Fire is basically a reconstruction phrase for the Winterians, who are recovering from the harsh conditions of their work camps in Spring (or maybe another kingdom). Under Cordell's orders (and because Winter is in debt to the kingdom for their assistance in getting rid of Angra), the Winterians are mining and searching for the origins of the conduits, and the source of powerful magic. When they find the magic chasm, everyone has different viewpoints: Theron wants to open the chasm and unite the world, Meira wants to keep the chasm closed and answers, and Mather just wants the Winterians to be free.
And to hopefully accomplish all of that and gain allies, Meira and Theron set off on a journey to the other kingdoms, primarily Summer, Yakim, and Ventralli. If you ask me, nothing terribly action packed is going on in this sequel unless visiting kingdoms and seeing their traditions in action is considered "action."
But let's talk about this love triangle established from Snow Like Ashes and continuing with Ice Like Fire. Mather is compassionate and loyal and quotable, and Theron makes fantastic comments and has big dreams for the kingdoms. Both with good intentions and not exactly considered annoying thus far. I haven't actually made any progress with this love triangle � not when it comes to going with one side or another.
Ultimately, though, stay away from Ice Like Fire. The first book is more enjoyable, but the second book will leave readers wanting closure that won't actually happen until later on this year.
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