Scan barcode
ambersmith1_2's reviews
19 reviews
Thirteen Days of Midnight by Leo Hunt
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It had parts where it was hard to put down. I read it pretty quickly because of this fact. Though I was busy and it took me a few days, I read it in three sittings about an hour or two each. I thought the brother part was very interesting. When he was in the car and couldn't look at the thing beside him and it said it was his brother I was like "WHAT?!" Then later I was very glad it got cleared up because I was so confused and would have hated if the book ended like that. It would have been a huge cliffhanger to just not say it. Even though there are two more books they didn't leave it on a cliffhanger that made you not want to read the next ones. They still gave it an ending that was decently not too much of a cliffhanger. There were definitely unanswered questions you'd need to read the other books to read. If my library had the other ones I'd definitely be reading them right away, but sadly they don't and I don't have the funds to buy the books at the moment. So I'm stuck with the cliffhanger but it was a great read and a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and how Luke wasn't just all-knowing immediately. He had to earn his knowledge, he didn't just know it all at the very beginning.
No One Left but You by Tash McAdam
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
**Spoilers**
The book was amazing from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The characters were all lovable. Even though Danny was really horrible to the main character Max, you still learn a lot about him and why he did it. Now we know from the very beginning he's dead but not who. We just know that Max had his blood on his hands. Which I find to be a really interesting detail. They thought Max did it because it was his razor and he had his blood on his hands. But in the scene where he went out, Danny used his last bits of energy to still go over to Max even though he was literally dying. Unless I perceived this part wrong, which I don't think I did, makes that moment to be a really sweet one. Even when he was dying he still cared, even if he didn't want to show that. Even after Max outed him. I thought it was weird that Michelle followed him when she talked badly about him the entire time but I hadn't thought that she'd have that strong of feelings that she'd kill him and then try to kill Max. She could have had everything if she just didn't take Danny's phone, or better yet didn't go after Max at all. She could have kept Gloss in jail. Which was one thing I really liked, they showed how she was genuinely not a good person. She already got away from Danny now, and she still felt the need to go after Max and kill him. She could have just been done with it and only have one persons blood on her hands, but she attacked Max and almost killed two people.
The book was amazing from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The characters were all lovable. Even though Danny was really horrible to the main character Max, you still learn a lot about him and why he did it. Now we know from the very beginning he's dead but not who. We just know that Max had his blood on his hands. Which I find to be a really interesting detail. They thought Max did it because it was his razor and he had his blood on his hands. But in the scene where he went out, Danny used his last bits of energy to still go over to Max even though he was literally dying. Unless I perceived this part wrong, which I don't think I did, makes that moment to be a really sweet one. Even when he was dying he still cared, even if he didn't want to show that. Even after Max outed him. I thought it was weird that Michelle followed him when she talked badly about him the entire time but I hadn't thought that she'd have that strong of feelings that she'd kill him and then try to kill Max. She could have had everything if she just didn't take Danny's phone, or better yet didn't go after Max at all. She could have kept Gloss in jail. Which was one thing I really liked, they showed how she was genuinely not a good person. She already got away from Danny now, and she still felt the need to go after Max and kill him. She could have just been done with it and only have one persons blood on her hands, but she attacked Max and almost killed two people.
Last One to Die by Cynthia Murphy
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
**Spoilers**
This book was amazing. I loved the entire thing. It took me a while to read because of life getting in the way but the book was hard to put down. That ending was so sad. She loved him but he only loved Jane. He wanted to keep her safe but also wanted to bring back the love of his life. The whole thing with the painting having a wedding ring at the end was a nice touch that made me burst into tears. They finally got to be married once he finally was able to pass on after all those years. I will say the two were cute together but he was definitely meant to be with Jane. The ending was amazing. I loved the entire book. Supernatural mystery is my favorite genre by far.
This book was amazing. I loved the entire thing. It took me a while to read because of life getting in the way but the book was hard to put down. That ending was so sad. She loved him but he only loved Jane. He wanted to keep her safe but also wanted to bring back the love of his life. The whole thing with the painting having a wedding ring at the end was a nice touch that made me burst into tears. They finally got to be married once he finally was able to pass on after all those years. I will say the two were cute together but he was definitely meant to be with Jane. The ending was amazing. I loved the entire book. Supernatural mystery is my favorite genre by far.
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book just as much as I've loved the previous two. I read it pretty quickly once I'd found time to sit down and really take the time to read it. Reading these books again since I was so young the first time is amazing. You really don't know which kid is the prophecy and it gives it that edge as it continues. They thought it was Thalia, so she isn't even going to reach age 16 now so it can't be her. Now they think it's Percy, but Nico exists and they don't know about it since he ran away. The fact that they don't know is what makes it so real, they don't know how long they have. They think they have two years, but they might have a lot more and they wouldn't even know it. And the lawyer that took both of the kids out of the casino, cool detail and makes you want to continue the series to find out who they are and why. The ending with Percy and Nico was really cool, the realization that he's Hades son was great writing. He didn't realize it until Nico got freaked out by the skeletons and Hades dealt with them by the way it seems. The ground doesn't just open up and take care of things like that very often. Another thing I loved was the fact that they actually brought in Ares curse, his sword failed him when he needed it. And so he ended up taking the burden of the sky, if only for a few minutes it still does a lot of damage. The prophecy is always correct and I love that they know something will happen, but don't know where, who, or when but still try to prevent it. The entire book is just as amazing reading it again when you're older as it was when I was young and only half understanding what was going on.
Soulswift by Megan Bannen
5.0
**Spoilers**
The book was really well written. From start to end you were able to laugh with the characters when they made jokes together, cry with them when they grieved, and overall just feel the emotions the characters felt. There was a really nice way of understanding everything that was going on in the book even when it was about a religion that would make no sense to those who've never read the book. Even with there being the two sides to it with one believing in one thing while the other believed another thing it showed their differences well. Showing the two sides of what was believed and where she really started to change her belief was a nice touch. You could really see where she started to doubt in what she grew up being told. Even when there were new characters added when she'd gotten back home it was a natural way of adding characters and didn't seem forced like some books do to bring in family into it. The whole book just felt natural even for a fiction book, making things relatable in some areas enough to where it was enjoyable. I really loved the book even if the ending did make me cry.
The book was really well written. From start to end you were able to laugh with the characters when they made jokes together, cry with them when they grieved, and overall just feel the emotions the characters felt. There was a really nice way of understanding everything that was going on in the book even when it was about a religion that would make no sense to those who've never read the book. Even with there being the two sides to it with one believing in one thing while the other believed another thing it showed their differences well. Showing the two sides of what was believed and where she really started to change her belief was a nice touch. You could really see where she started to doubt in what she grew up being told. Even when there were new characters added when she'd gotten back home it was a natural way of adding characters and didn't seem forced like some books do to bring in family into it. The whole book just felt natural even for a fiction book, making things relatable in some areas enough to where it was enjoyable. I really loved the book even if the ending did make me cry.
She's Gone by David Bell
4.0
**Spoilers**
She's Gone was a well-written and fast paced story. You couldn't really tell when things were going to take a twist and turn. Some things were a bit predictable before they even mentioned it. The teacher was kind of an obvious one. He seemed creepy from the beginning. I get being close with your students but that was a bit much. As a 16-year-old in high school, even if I'm close with my teachers it's not to the point I call them their first names. The fact that he let Hunter call him by his first name more than once made it a bit predictable that he had something to do with it. He blatantly lied to everyone about not knowing Danny AKA Daniel when he was helping him. If you're going to lie about not knowing a student that goes to the same school you teach at, please at least be believable or obviously you're going to get caught. I don't know why he thought he'd get away with what he did to Chloe in the first place. The motive behind Daniel's death actually made sense which is surprising for most YA novels. To shut him up before he spilled that Scott killed his own daughter. An accident but he still did it. And the way his wife protected him to the very end was another nice touch. She may have been grieving her daughter's death and not in the best mindset, but he was still her entire world.
She's Gone was a well-written and fast paced story. You couldn't really tell when things were going to take a twist and turn. Some things were a bit predictable before they even mentioned it. The teacher was kind of an obvious one. He seemed creepy from the beginning. I get being close with your students but that was a bit much. As a 16-year-old in high school, even if I'm close with my teachers it's not to the point I call them their first names. The fact that he let Hunter call him by his first name more than once made it a bit predictable that he had something to do with it. He blatantly lied to everyone about not knowing Danny AKA Daniel when he was helping him. If you're going to lie about not knowing a student that goes to the same school you teach at, please at least be believable or obviously you're going to get caught. I don't know why he thought he'd get away with what he did to Chloe in the first place. The motive behind Daniel's death actually made sense which is surprising for most YA novels. To shut him up before he spilled that Scott killed his own daughter. An accident but he still did it. And the way his wife protected him to the very end was another nice touch. She may have been grieving her daughter's death and not in the best mindset, but he was still her entire world.
Lock the Doors by Vincent Ralph
4.0
**Spoilers**
The book was semi-well written. There were a couple of parts that could have gone by a lot quicker than they did. We don't need to sit with the same facts for a really long time. We could have moved on from a lot of things quicker and figured it out quicker. So many times, Tom could have used cameras for proof and waited until the very end to do it. Amy probably would have been more helpful if you weren't constantly accusing her of things too Tom, nice going there. At the end she helped once he finally stopped blaming her for things which just goes to show that if he'd simply asked the right questions and stopped accusing her of things she'd have helped. And the end was a bit lame too. You like the girl, she left and you keep in contact through the phone yet never meet up or anything. You are at least 16 because it does mention it in the book, that means you probably have a license. Why not meet up with her rather than just talk on the phone? And Logan, what ever happened to him? It wasn't really told, just he MIGHT be with his mom. But that doesn't tell what actually happened. Was he trying to help them or was he on Jane's side? He clearly wanted nothing to do with Tom when he knew his name and when he knew about the messages. So, whose side was he on? Did he still want to go back to his mom after all those years? There were so many unanswered questions that just felt like they needed to be answered but weren't. There were a lot of loose ends that were never tied together. First book I've read by the author, and while yes, I might read another one this one just seemed a bit off. Why write a book just to leave so many loose ends rather than make it slightly longer to finish everything off and not leave the reader with so many questions.
The book was semi-well written. There were a couple of parts that could have gone by a lot quicker than they did. We don't need to sit with the same facts for a really long time. We could have moved on from a lot of things quicker and figured it out quicker. So many times, Tom could have used cameras for proof and waited until the very end to do it. Amy probably would have been more helpful if you weren't constantly accusing her of things too Tom, nice going there. At the end she helped once he finally stopped blaming her for things which just goes to show that if he'd simply asked the right questions and stopped accusing her of things she'd have helped. And the end was a bit lame too. You like the girl, she left and you keep in contact through the phone yet never meet up or anything. You are at least 16 because it does mention it in the book, that means you probably have a license. Why not meet up with her rather than just talk on the phone? And Logan, what ever happened to him? It wasn't really told, just he MIGHT be with his mom. But that doesn't tell what actually happened. Was he trying to help them or was he on Jane's side? He clearly wanted nothing to do with Tom when he knew his name and when he knew about the messages. So, whose side was he on? Did he still want to go back to his mom after all those years? There were so many unanswered questions that just felt like they needed to be answered but weren't. There were a lot of loose ends that were never tied together. First book I've read by the author, and while yes, I might read another one this one just seemed a bit off. Why write a book just to leave so many loose ends rather than make it slightly longer to finish everything off and not leave the reader with so many questions.
The Keepers' Tattoo by Gill Arbuthnott
4.0
**Spoilers** The book was really well written. On the edge of your seat kind of book wondering if they were going to survive or not. You never could have guessed what was going to happen next. There were some things that could have been written better, or things that could have been cleared up in the end. Like the magic of the tattooed words. Did they actually do anything or was it really all coincidence like she believed. I laughed so hard when Alaric died the way he did. Not because it was badly written, but because it was hilarious. All those years he hurt Kit and then he just died to a statue. It makes sense with how heavy it was, still just finding it funny that his death was so anticlimactic. You were waiting for something to happen the entire book. Not much happened to them other than running away until the very end of the book. There were good relationships that made it worthwhile to continue reading it anyway. The death was a bit boring but it needed to happen for anyone to be free. Overall I really liked the book.
Splintered by A.G. Howard
4.0
**Spoilers**
The book was a really much darker version of Alice in Wonderland. Alyssa goes to fix Alice's mistakes. Thinking she's cursed because of her ancestor. You wouldn't have ever guessed she was actually never even her ancestor but the red queen. After her banishment she was still smart enough to be able to do what she did. It does explain the missing birth mark that would otherwise have made no sense. There weren't many things at the end of the book that weren't answered. And I'm sure anything that wasn't does end up answered in the other books. I do wish that she would have gotten a bit closer to the moth though. He seemed to truly love her, even sacrificing himself to save her. He didn't know that the vorpal sword would actually work and cut him out of the beast when he did it. Yet he did to keep her safe from possession. Starting the second book now.
The book was a really much darker version of Alice in Wonderland. Alyssa goes to fix Alice's mistakes. Thinking she's cursed because of her ancestor. You wouldn't have ever guessed she was actually never even her ancestor but the red queen. After her banishment she was still smart enough to be able to do what she did. It does explain the missing birth mark that would otherwise have made no sense. There weren't many things at the end of the book that weren't answered. And I'm sure anything that wasn't does end up answered in the other books. I do wish that she would have gotten a bit closer to the moth though. He seemed to truly love her, even sacrificing himself to save her. He didn't know that the vorpal sword would actually work and cut him out of the beast when he did it. Yet he did to keep her safe from possession. Starting the second book now.
Survive the Night by Danielle Vega
2.0
**spoiler alert**
The book made no sense at times. It was hard to get a grip on what was happening. One minute Sam would be with the two, the next he's not and he wasn't? What even was the monster? How was it possessing the dead bodies? There are so many questions left unanswered. Why is Madison all of a sudden best friends with her again? Truly the plot made no sense and the ending in my opinion was rather stupid. Sam's last words don't really fit the character either. Even if he was delusional from blood loss the way Casey took it was as a threat. Not once did he threaten her the entire book so why were his dying words taken as a threat? As for the part about Casey going back to soccer. That makes no sense either, the timelines don't fit with actual injury either. She would never be able to go back right after physical therapy. Physical therapy isn't a miracle they can't make you perfect to go play rough contact sports immediately. There were a lot of plot holes in the book and overall just not a good read. Would NOT read this book again. Usually I can have a pretty good handle on what's happening but the entire book was confusing and had to reread parts more than once to make sure I wasn't missing details. I wasn't, they just weren't there and if they were it was so vague to the point it was nearly impossible to understand.
The book made no sense at times. It was hard to get a grip on what was happening. One minute Sam would be with the two, the next he's not and he wasn't? What even was the monster? How was it possessing the dead bodies? There are so many questions left unanswered. Why is Madison all of a sudden best friends with her again? Truly the plot made no sense and the ending in my opinion was rather stupid. Sam's last words don't really fit the character either. Even if he was delusional from blood loss the way Casey took it was as a threat. Not once did he threaten her the entire book so why were his dying words taken as a threat? As for the part about Casey going back to soccer. That makes no sense either, the timelines don't fit with actual injury either. She would never be able to go back right after physical therapy. Physical therapy isn't a miracle they can't make you perfect to go play rough contact sports immediately. There were a lot of plot holes in the book and overall just not a good read. Would NOT read this book again. Usually I can have a pretty good handle on what's happening but the entire book was confusing and had to reread parts more than once to make sure I wasn't missing details. I wasn't, they just weren't there and if they were it was so vague to the point it was nearly impossible to understand.