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aprillynn's reviews
81 reviews
Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A. W. Jantha
4.0
The first part of this book holds pretty true to the movie, but there are a few tweaks. These tweaks help set up for the sequel and I'm not mad at them. All character names and descriptions are right on and they even give you a glimpse into the Sanderson Sisters past and into their part of the story.
The Sequel:
I wasn't sure HOW the author was going to resurrect the Sanderson Sisters, but they did it beautifully. While there were parts I felt could be skipped or parts that were too drawn out, it was a decent story line. I also loved how the author made sure to add a little tidbits about the Sisters past and how Winifred became the way she is. You also get to see how Mary and Sarah aren't always too fond of Winifred and would like to do their own thing, but stick by her out of loyalty. Binx and Emily even make an appearance!
Disclaimer: In the sequel there is a same sex relationship brewing that is made known from the first chapter.
The Sequel:
I wasn't sure HOW the author was going to resurrect the Sanderson Sisters, but they did it beautifully. While there were parts I felt could be skipped or parts that were too drawn out, it was a decent story line. I also loved how the author made sure to add a little tidbits about the Sisters past and how Winifred became the way she is. You also get to see how Mary and Sarah aren't always too fond of Winifred and would like to do their own thing, but stick by her out of loyalty. Binx and Emily even make an appearance!
Disclaimer: In the sequel there is a same sex relationship brewing that is made known from the first chapter.
Asylum by Madeleine Roux
3.0
While I kind of figured out what was going on less than halfway through the book and at points it seemed a bit drawn out, I enjoyed the read for the most part. The twists and turns kept me interested and the characters were well thought out, however they didn't go to deep. Like there were several hints that there was "something each of them were hiding," but nothing ever really came out. I was hoping for a book titled "Asylum" to give me a bit more of a scare than this one did!
Sanctum by Madeleine Roux
4.0
While Asylum didn't even really phase me, Sanctum did at least gave me some freak out moments. As with Asylum, I feel like there was a bunch of filler and that the Roux shoved the ending in at the last minute. Still worth the read if you are looking for something just slightly spooky or suspenseful.
Catacomb by Madeleine Roux
4.0
Each book of this series seemed to get better and better. While I still didn't have much of a scare, the suspensefulness was somewhat there and there were a couple twists I wasn't quite expecting while I figured others out fairly quickly. It is definitely worth the read if you enjoyed the previous two books!
Escape from Asylum by Madeleine Roux
5.0
Out of all the Asylum books this was by far my favorite. No carrying things out way past their due date and kept my interest from start to finish!
One suggestion I have if you decide to read this series is to read this one before the actual trilogy!
One suggestion I have if you decide to read this series is to read this one before the actual trilogy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
5.0
Excellent read. Even though I've never played chess I could follow the technical talk well enough and the story line is solid.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
3.0
While I'm not a HUGE fan of Shakespeare I have read several of his plays. While Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar were popular picks for all of my high school and college professors, I wish we would have reached a bit further and did Hamlet at least once in those 4 to 8 years of English requirements. I'll definitely be rereading Hamlet in a less busy season of life so I can better pick it apart and analyze it better. For now it'll get a 3 star rating as a lot of it twisted in my brain like a dull sword.
Conceal, Don't Feel by Jen Calonita
5.0
Such a great read. Enough of the original plot line to feel familiar, but enough story twists to keep you interested!
Allies by Alan Gratz
5.0
Another great read by Alan Gratz If YA Historical Fiction is your jam then this one is definitely for you! You follow several characters through their recount of D-Day and why they each chose to serve and fight in this particular war. I will say, be prepared for a bit of graphic telling of what is going on when they land on Normandy, but it isn't all that bad in the grand scheme of staying as true as possible while also telling it in a fictional way!
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
5.0
Yet another amazing read by Alan Gratz. Ground Zero goes between Brandon, a young boy trying to escape the north tower on 9/11, and a young girl living in Afghanistan in 2019 torn between the Taliban and US/Afghan forces at war. Be prepared for some heart wrenching details and to not want to put the book down!