**spoiler alert** In the five months I have been sitting on this review, I have come up with ZERO coherent thoughts, so instead I'll leave you with th**spoiler alert** In the five months I have been sitting on this review, I have come up with ZERO coherent thoughts, so instead I'll leave you with three of my most favorite quotes from Every Time You Hear That Song.
╰› She told me to take it slow, that everyone learns at their own pace, but my pace is wildfire. My pace is lightning and luck and all the desperate longing of the universe.
There are other wildfire girls, I'm sure, ones in the audience who'll burn like me one day, but tonight it's my turn.
╰› Sometimes the only things you need to bring are a packed bag, a guitar case, and a dream too big to fit in either.
╰›"I, for one, love an open-ended road trip."
──✒ pre review initial thoughts i have big feelings that i want to sit with before giving this book a star rating...more
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
I’ll be honest. I had no expectations for Just Another Epic Love Poem. I picked this book because of its beautiful cover. (Yes, I am one of those peopI’ll be honest. I had no expectations for Just Another Epic Love Poem. I picked this book because of its beautiful cover. (Yes, I am one of those people who judge books by their cover.) Lucky me, the writing is just as amazing as the cover, if not better.
Just Another Epic Love Poem is heartache in book form. I was an emotional mess while reading this, and of course, I was in a public space.
⊛ Mitra longs to be with her best friend Bea who, up until this point, has always been seeing someone else.
⊛ Mitra longs for the life she had before her mother’s drug addiction changed everything.
Both Mitra and Bea have complicated relationships with their parents. I appreciate that the author did not shy away from sharing the ugly moments. Parents are people too, and sometimes they fail to follow through on the needs of their children. This is something I love about new YA novels, the unflinchingly honest portrayal of parent-child relationships.
⊛ Then there’s the situation that resonated with me the most: Mitra longs for an environment where she can be completely herself and receive unconditional love and support in return.
When the book begins, Mitra is a non-Catholic, bisexual student of color at a Catholic school. She’s constantly compromising herself to adhere to the rules of her school, but college is going to be her clean slate.
Reading about Mitra’s story felt so much like mine. There’s a kind of satisfaction is knowing that my experience as a student in Catholic school is similar to other people’s experiences. It’s that feeling that I’m not totally alone.
₊˚⊹ ࿔ Everything works so well, in my opinion. ₊˚⊹ ࿔
The alternating prose and poetry makes every emotion more vivid. Plus, the poetry style is gorgeous. Are all high schoolers this talented? I wish I could write like Mitra and Bea.
I may have complained about not liking poetry in previous reviews, but Just Another Epic Love Poem is slowly changing my mind. The poetry is the best part of this book.
Bottom line: Parisa Akhbari’s debut is perfection. I cannot wait to see what she writes next.
So Let Them Burn has such an interesting concept, but it didn't click for me.
Faron is desperate to be treated seriously, but I understand why people dSo Let Them Burn has such an interesting concept, but it didn't click for me.
Faron is desperate to be treated seriously, but I understand why people don’t trust her. She’s prone to making irrational choices. She naively enters into relationships with strangers, blindly trusting that they will hold up their end of the bargain. I had a hard time believing that this was the same Faron who won San Irie the war. Did she just get more immature with age?
Also, the relationship between the colonizer and the colonized made me uncomfortable. The main characters were alive during the war. Growing up, Faron and Elara faced indiscriminate hatred. Then when they were only teens, the sisters fought for their lives.
It has only been 5 years since San Irie’s liberation. So how is everyone so calm when (view spoiler)[Elara magically bonds with the enemy? I am not advocating for further problems, but I expected more animosity. Elara is making friends with soldiers who will fight against her in a future war. She’s having the time of her life with the Langlish as if the past never happened. (hide spoiler)] To be honest, I was in shock.
While I have a lot of complaints, I also have compliments: mainly, I am loving the diversity of new fantasy novels like So Let Them Burn.
⊛ This is a Jamaican-inspired fantasy! Both POVs narrate the life of a person of color. The book introduces traditional foods, protective hairstyles, and the Patois language. The description of San Irie’s culture and customs is so strong. I could easily visualize everything.
⊛ The casual queerness! The main characters and several side characters are part of the LGBT+ community. This is never discussed or questioned, it simply is.
Bottom line: At least I can say I finished it.
──✒ pre review initial thoughts this book crashed and burned (pun intended)
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?
In my opinion, The Final Gambit is a letdown. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. I don’t think this lived up to the standard that the earlier twIn my opinion, The Final Gambit is a letdown. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. I don’t think this lived up to the standard that the earlier two set.
“All lives should have at least one grand mystery, Avery. I won’t apologize for being yours.”
After finishing this final book, I am more confused than ever. I’ll be honest: I made no predictions as to why Avery inherited (almost) everything. However, now that I know the answer, this series makes no sense. Listing Avery as the recipient of the Hawthorne inheritance seems like a wild overreaction to the original problem.
An incomplete riddle. A story—and we’re at the mercy of the storyteller.
Keeping track of the characters and their relationship to each other was a nightmare.
With each book, the cast got bigger and more complicated. I understand why there is no family tree; that would be a huge spoiler. However, I read to relax and creating mental mind maps to try to put together clues is not relaxing.
In addition, I got tired of the love triangle. I was mildly invested during the second book, but my main interest has always been the mystery. These books do not need teenage angst on top of the other drama.
All that said, if you stick this series out, certain side characters do get a happy ending. (woo hoo!)
Bottom line: I am aware that the author is still writing books for this series, but I will be taking a break.
Hands down, The Hawthorne Legacy is one of the greatest books I have ever read. This book is infinitely better than the first one.
Ev“I have a secret.”
Hands down, The Hawthorne Legacy is one of the greatest books I have ever read. This book is infinitely better than the first one.
Everyone else was saying the twists are easy to spot. Wrong. I guessed nothing. This book is so fast-paced. By the time I started processing the first twist, something else would happen. I spent the whole afternoon in shock.
In addition to an amazing mystery, the side characters finally get more time in the spotlight. Thank you for doing this, Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
I find the whole premise of this series to be ridiculous. I love it, but if you think too hard, it’s so over the top. Libby and Max ground the book in reality. I trust none of the other characters but these two, they are everything.
I was halfway dead and wholly rotten and you loved me despite myself.
"Est unus ex nobis. Nos defendant eius.” She is one of us. We protect her.
Although I originally abstained from getting invested in the love triangle, I’d like to take a moment to say that I’m officially Team Grayson.
Here’s why:
⊛ Grayson, unlike Jameson, understands how dangerous this could be for Avery. He doesn’t play the game because he’s trying to protect her. That is so sweet.
⊛ Grayson is supporting Avery, but he doesn’t feel the need to show off. Love a silently supportive king.
"Some people are smart. Some people are good. And some people are both.”
This series is so clever. I wholeheartedly recommend both The Hawthorne Legacy and its predecessor. (You have to read them in order for it to make sense.)
Bottom line: Book three is all I can think about....more
I never found the perfect spot to take a break, so I binge-read Thieves' Gambit. There are endless twists and turns. I was in shock the whole time whiI never found the perfect spot to take a break, so I binge-read Thieves' Gambit. There are endless twists and turns. I was in shock the whole time while reading this.
Professional reader should be an actual career so I can continue to prioritize reading over other responsibilities.
What I’m hoping to see in the next book:
⊛ The return of certain side characters – I’m talking about you, Kyung-Soon, Mylo, and Noelia.
⊛ Ross getting what she wants. – Ross has been played by everyone; she deserves the chance to chase her dreams.
The Inheritance Games tops the list of ‘Books I Should Have Read Sooner’. This is so different from what I tend to read, but I have no regrets.
I couldThe Inheritance Games tops the list of ‘Books I Should Have Read Sooner’. This is so different from what I tend to read, but I have no regrets.
I could not put this down. The mystery is so captivating. I have spent a serious amount of time theorizing why this could have happened. I cannot wait to get the next installment.
What I’m hoping for in the next book:
⊛ More Xander! In my opinion, he’s the most interesting brother. I love a mysterious man.
⊛ But more importantly, the answer!! Why is Avery the recipient of the Hawthorne inheritance? I saw that there are several books in this series. I hope that this story won’t be dragged out through all four books.
Bottom line: If you’re a fan of mysteries, you have to read this!
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.
The Spells We Cast is so Jason June. Sadly, this book is not the one for me.
“When you’re fighting [demons], remember to steel your heart with the strThe Spells We Cast is so Jason June. Sadly, this book is not the one for me.
“When you’re fighting [demons], remember to steel your heart with the strongest of emotions: love.”
Love may be the power these magicians need, but that wasn’t what I saw.
Saying that the main characters can perform “love magic” is such a stretch. There’s instant physical attraction, not love. The main characters themselves even admit that they’re not in love!
I found myself getting more and more frustrated, so I ended up skimming to the end.
Bottom line: The Spells We Cast tried to be cute and quirky, but it fell flat for me.
──✒ pre review initial thoughts my least favorite jason june read
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
I was not expecting to dislike The Scarlet Alchemist as much as I did. Look at the premise and the cover! I had high hopes for this Asian historical fI was not expecting to dislike The Scarlet Alchemist as much as I did. Look at the premise and the cover! I had high hopes for this Asian historical fantasy read.
Going in, I was aware that this would contain depictions of death, but I wasn’t properly prepared for the sheer amount of violence. It was graphic, and because of the possibility of resurrection, the violence occurred twice as often.
The excessive violence did a disservice to The Scarlet Alchemist.
Everyone was there, then gone so quickly. It’s hard to get attached to a book if there’s no one to get attached to. Aside from Zilan and Hong, all the characters were simply nameless extras. The best part of books is getting to bond with the characters, but that just wasn’t possible here.
Bottom line: It had potential.
──✒ pre review initial thoughts i was not expecting to dislike this as much as i did...more
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Lee [Bibliophile Tings*]
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