Thank you so much to Peachtree Teen for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As I write this review, I fall Thank you so much to Peachtree Teen for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As I write this review, I fall more in love with Death’s Country. I called out into the void for more polyamory representation in young adult literature, and R.M. Romero heard me. Or at least that’s what I tell myself…
I have always been drawn to tragic stories. There is something so beautiful about them. For that exact reason, Death’s Country stood out to me. I am pleased to say that this book does not disappoint.
The poetry is everything I did not know I needed. Going in, I was skeptical about the style. I typically have a hard time with poetry, but this narrative prose is perfect. Considering the connection between this book and The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, the poetry fits so well. Plus, the writing is easy to understand.
This is the first I have ever said this: I loved the poetry.
Each member of the triad has a special place in my heart. They are all so relatable; it is easy to love imperfect characters. When Andres got angry, Renee was wronged, or Liora started to walk away, I wanted to reach into the pages and help them.
Death’s Country is an emotional story about love and the lengths we will go for the ones who mean the most to us. I wholeheartedly recommend this.
Bottom line: I am prepared to make this book my entire personality.
──✒ pre review initial thoughts what a young adult ending though
Thank you so much to Random House Books for Young Readers sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ pThank you so much to Random House Books for Young Readers sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ pre review initial thoughts incredibly original yet infuriatingly predictable ...more
Thank you so much to Union Square & Co. for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“I’m sick of hearing things like, liThank you so much to Union Square & Co. for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“I’m sick of hearing things like, living well is the best revenge…What I want is some actual change. What I want is for these assholes to finally get what they deserve. What I want is justice.”
I must admit, I was not a fan of the whole “using magic as a means of revenge”. I was with Kaylie from the beginning. The spells weren’t going to change anything; they wouldn’t erase the pain, the problems, or the memories.
That being said, I loved that the book is about the coven regaining their power after sexual assault. That message really resonated with me.
“Here was the truth of walking through fire: it was excruciating, and it burned, and it turned you to ash. But flames did more than burn. Flames also brought light…witches weren’t only meant to burn—witches were meant to rise.”
Out of the core four, Bea and Elliot have a special place in my heart: Bea, because our stories are very similar, and Elliot because she seemed like somebody I would be friends with.
I understand why the girls only met for coven-related reasons, but I wanted there to be more budding friendship moments. Elliot, Bea, Chloe, and Madeline were so different from each other. I never felt that they truly became friends. They supported each other, but they weren’t close. I’m a softie, okay. I wanted more bonding.
All in all, For Girls Who Walk Through Fire made me feel strong and seen.
Bottom line: It’s about young female witches taking back their power. What more could you want?
Thank you so much to Crown Books for Young Readers for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming sThank you so much to Crown Books for Young Readers for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ pre review initial thoughts did this take on too much all at once? i’m still not sure...more
Thank you so much to Viking Books for Young Readers sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ pre revThank you so much to Viking Books for Young Readers sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ pre review initial thoughts have you ever disliked a book you thought you’d love?...more
Thank you so much to Entangled Teen for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It took me almost a month to fThank you so much to Entangled Teen for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It took me almost a month to finish Evergreen, not because it’s a long book. As much as I tried, I couldn’t get into this.
I preferred the mystery to the romance. Unfortunately for me, the plot was more focused on Quill and Liam’s relationship.
I can’t be the only one skeptical about a romantic relationship that starts after a sheltered person meets someone else for the first time. Is it true love, or has Quill latched onto the only person who knows he exists? It did not help that this relationship escalated to an extreme in a matter of days.
Authors do not always need to sell us stories of people who are perfect for each other. It’s okay to call lust for what it is.
Also…
Why are there chapters dedicated to their late-night drives when there is literally someone inside Quill’s house? If my life depended on the well-being of a garden, I wouldn’t leave said garden unattended.
Quill, what is going on with your priorities? Is love that much more important than life?
I found Evergreen frustrating. If there’s ever a reworked version, I’ll reconsider.
Bottom line: There’s nothing quite as depressing as disliking a debut.
──✒pre review initial thoughts there's nothing quite as depressing as disliking a debut i don't want to crush the author's hopes and dreams, but i did not like this
Thank you so much to Godwin Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In Repair is fine. Just fine.
I waThank you so much to Godwin Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In Repair is fine. Just fine.
I wanted to be wowed. I wanted to sob and scream and fall in love with this story. None of that happened.
Stop me if I don’t make sense, but when I love a book, I get so invested that I forget that the story isn’t my life. For a few hours, I’m competently immersed in someone else’s story. That never happened with In Repair. There are many beautiful moments, but I never got attached to any of the characters.
I struggled to connect with the characters because Nathaniel spends so much time alone. Most of the book is Nathaniel’s inner monologue. His story is interesting, but I wanted more dialogue. There wasn’t enough interaction between him and his new friends for me to become invested.
But also, after years of radio silence, Nathaniel unexpectedly runs into a former friend. They reconnect and, all of a sudden, they’re everyday fixtures in each other’s lives. Like, what? (Is everyone that much better at making friends than me?)
Thank you so much to HarperTeen for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"I will love you to ruination."
A SThank you so much to HarperTeen for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"I will love you to ruination."
A Study in Drowning is a mystery set in a spellbinding, fantastical world, with a little romance on the side. There were so many things going on. It’s the kind of book you can reread and find something new every time.
Days have passed since I finished the novel, yet I remain in shock. While I technically rate out of 5 stars, this book deserves all the stars.
Firstly…
The writing is hauntingly beautiful. This is a full, five-sense experience. Everything is so vivid. Both books, the official and Angharad, were everything. I couldn’t get enough. (If a full-length version of Angharad is ever published, know that I would be first in line.)
The plot had me permanently on edge. Every time I thought I figured something out, there was yet another twist. I was completely captivated by the magic and the mystery. Putting this down to eat, sleep, and work was such a struggle.
“What is a mermaid but a woman half-drowned”
And Effy!
Effy is the perfect main character, precisely because of her imperfections.
I loved that she isn’t fearless, that sometimes she’s absolutely terrified. Despite her apprehension, Effy chooses to see this adventure through. That made her an even more likeable MC.
Bottom line: I loved it. I’m hoping you’ll love it too.
──✒ pre review initial thoughts I want to go back and read it all over again. Like, right now.
Thank you so much to Viking Books for Young Readers for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ preThank you so much to Viking Books for Young Readers for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ pre review initial thoughts i started off unsure, but this book gave me everything i wanted and more with the ending and for that, i'm giving it five stars...more
Thank you so much to Disney Hyperion sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ pre review initial thoThank you so much to Disney Hyperion sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. review coming soon
──✒ pre review initial thoughts did I finish this or did it finish me?...more
Thank you so much to Razorbill for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As someone who could not stop gushing about ThThank you so much to Razorbill for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As someone who could not stop gushing about Threads That Bind, I am shocked to say that I don’t love Hearts That Cut as much as its predecessor. Don’t get me wrong, this book is entertaining and I still highly recommend this series. I just don’t have the same unconditional love for Hearts That Cut.
Before I get into my review, I want to clearly state that I read an advanced reader copy. The finished book may provide other readers with the context I desperately needed.
For starters, this book needs a map. In Hearts That Cut, the characters are constantly traveling and referencing the cities they pass on the way. Without a map, I could not wrap my head around what this world looks like, and that negatively affected my enjoyment. I was so confused.
Speaking of confusion, (view spoiler)[I needed more background information about this situation with the gods. I understand that the gods ceased to exist after the Collapse, but some survived because they kept turning back time. So if they survived, and the human race also survived why did the rest of the gods die? The gods with all their powers are gone, but humans lived. This is something genuinely bothering me. (hide spoiler)]
Another thing and this is my last complaint, I would have loved to have a list of all the gods and the powers that they bestow. I have a general knowledge of the Greek gods thanks to my childhood obsession with a certain book series, but I could not remember the other gods. Again, I was confused while reading.
Despite these issues, I still loved this book. Seeing all my favorite characters again made me so happy. I got attached to Io and her friends after reading Threads That Bind. Seeing their journey through was super satisfying.
All in all, Hearts That Cut is complex and captivating. With its morally gray situations, this book is perfect for older Greek mythology fans.
Bottom line: I cannot wait for what Kika Hatzopoulou writes next.
Thank you so much to Holiday House for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Like fall itself, everything aboThank you so much to Holiday House for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Like fall itself, everything about it is so cozy.
I came for the fall vibes and the fall vibes only. On that point, The Fall of Whit Rivera did not disappoint. Reading about sweater weather and sugary treats has me so ready for the season.
Other than that, I wasn’t a fan of this book. I spend a lot of time reading this genre, but this really put the ‘young’ in young adult. I felt too out of touch to enjoy it properly.
A big plot point is a middle school misunderstanding. I can no longer sympathize with tween drama. It’s no fault to the book. That’s just where I am in life.
Bottom line: The Fall of Whit Rivera was cute, but I am not the target audience.
Thank you so much to Levine Querido for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Is it wrong of me to say that The Queer Thank you so much to Levine Querido for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Is it wrong of me to say that The Queer Girl Is Going To Be Okay just wasn’t enough? There’s a fine line between seeing myself in a story and it feeling like life. In this case, it reads too much like life. It was ordinary and forgettable.
I know it’s realistic fiction, but I wanted something more. Something magical.
[Dawn] found herself desperate to document queer love and all its caveats and inconveniencies. She wanted to identify it, hold it, know that it could be hers one day.
Having three POVs lessened my enjoyment. While I liked Dawn, Edie, and Georgia, the book wasn’t long enough to dive deep into each story.
If I had to choose a sole narrator, I would pick Dawn. When the book started, Dawn was already editing her documentary. I would have loved to see the earlier steps in the filmmaking process.
I would have devoured this book had it been a collection of people defining queer love. The little “clips” from the documentary were so precious. That alone is a five-star read.
However…
As much as I enjoyed the documentary plot line, I didn’t always understand it.
There was a lot of name-dropping / talking about films. I have not seen or even heard of most of the movies talked about. It felt like I was outside the conversation, listening in.
Has everyone been feeling this limitless and never told her?
i love reckless adolescent love
I loved the representation. (I say that often, but it’s true, okay?) I loved Dawn’s sureness in her identity, Edie’s courage with her brother, and Georgia’s carefree free-falling into love.
All in all, The Queer Girl Is Going To Be Okay was good, but not great.
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