Scan barcode
ariellesbookreviews's reviews
150 reviews
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
3.5
When I first saw this book, I was very excited to read it. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and it pulled me in right away. The storyline seemed very interesting, but it's not the story I thought it would be. When I first started reading this book, I did have to take a break after 100 pages; because it was sad, and I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. The story talks a lot about purity culture and the oppression of women in society. I was intrigued by the story right away and was captivated by the first couple of pages. Overall, I don’t know if I liked the book as much as I wanted to. This is mainly because of how the plot developed.
I could’ve never guessed the ending of the story, and is so different from what I would've thought. The author also doesn’t create a lot of situations for the reader to connect with secondary characters. I often forget about them and would not remember their backstories until it’s brought up again. There are only a few exceptions to this.
The author also doesn’t create a sense of time in this book. Time is clearly passing because the characters are training and strengthening, but how much time passes is very unclear. Also, new recruits are continuously coming into the location, so that creates a lot of confusion; because I thought the purity test only occurred twice a year. The characters start as neophytes but somewhere become novices. The timeline doesn’t make a lot of sense.
By the ending of the book, I had multiple questions. Not questions that will be answered in the next book; instead questions caused by possible plot holes. I also do not understand what the Death Strikes look like; whatever, I’m picturing in my head is not how they physically appear. The author doesn't do a good job of describing what they look like and how they move, and this created a lot of confusion for me throughout the story.
This book wrapped up very quickly and easily. However, there is another book in the series, and this feels unnecessary. The author adds the possibility of a future conflict at the very end of the novel, but she wrapped up the conflict so quickly, the future conflicts feel inauthentic.
While this book isn’t bad, it’s also not what I thought it was gonna be. It just took a random turn 3/5 of the way in, so I don’t like it as much as I anticipated. I also don’t dislike it; it’s just really different. I’m giving the book 3 1/2 stars. Mainly because I don’t know where the story is going, and I'm not sure it needs to continue in another book
I could’ve never guessed the ending of the story, and is so different from what I would've thought. The author also doesn’t create a lot of situations for the reader to connect with secondary characters. I often forget about them and would not remember their backstories until it’s brought up again. There are only a few exceptions to this.
The author also doesn’t create a sense of time in this book. Time is clearly passing because the characters are training and strengthening, but how much time passes is very unclear. Also, new recruits are continuously coming into the location, so that creates a lot of confusion; because I thought the purity test only occurred twice a year. The characters start as neophytes but somewhere become novices. The timeline doesn’t make a lot of sense.
By the ending of the book, I had multiple questions. Not questions that will be answered in the next book; instead questions caused by possible plot holes. I also do not understand what the Death Strikes look like; whatever, I’m picturing in my head is not how they physically appear. The author doesn't do a good job of describing what they look like and how they move, and this created a lot of confusion for me throughout the story.
This book wrapped up very quickly and easily. However, there is another book in the series, and this feels unnecessary. The author adds the possibility of a future conflict at the very end of the novel, but she wrapped up the conflict so quickly, the future conflicts feel inauthentic.
While this book isn’t bad, it’s also not what I thought it was gonna be. It just took a random turn 3/5 of the way in, so I don’t like it as much as I anticipated. I also don’t dislike it; it’s just really different. I’m giving the book 3 1/2 stars. Mainly because I don’t know where the story is going, and I'm not sure it needs to continue in another book
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
5.0
Thank you, Penguin Teen, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Huda F Are You? is a funny and relatable graphic novel about figuring out who you are as a teenager. This book is perfect for pre-teens and teenagers about navigating high school, relocating, making friends, and experiencing racisms or Islamophobia. I, as a 27-year-old, was able to relate and connect the themes and experiences Huda goes through to my own High School experience.
I liked the ending and idea Huda is not confrontational at 14. It can take a lot of time to gain the self-confidence to stand up for yourself. It is a journey, not something that happens overnight. The reader sees Huda begin to stand up for herself, so I feel the ending was excellent.
The artwork in the book is beautiful, cute, and filled with jokes. I have so many questions about Amani. I hope Huda Fahmy continues this series with more books from Huda's perspective and some from her sisters. I will definitely be checking out the author's webcomics. I rate the book five stars
Huda F Are You? is a funny and relatable graphic novel about figuring out who you are as a teenager. This book is perfect for pre-teens and teenagers about navigating high school, relocating, making friends, and experiencing racisms or Islamophobia. I, as a 27-year-old, was able to relate and connect the themes and experiences Huda goes through to my own High School experience.
I liked the ending and idea Huda is not confrontational at 14. It can take a lot of time to gain the self-confidence to stand up for yourself. It is a journey, not something that happens overnight. The reader sees Huda begin to stand up for herself, so I feel the ending was excellent.
The artwork in the book is beautiful, cute, and filled with jokes. I have so many questions about Amani. I hope Huda Fahmy continues this series with more books from Huda's perspective and some from her sisters. I will definitely be checking out the author's webcomics. I rate the book five stars
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
I loved this book. It was adorable. Linh and Bao were a great high couple, and A Pho Love Story is now one of my favorite Romeo and Juliet retellings. Not only were Linh and Bao great characters, so were all of the side characters, and the plot felt fully developed. Loan Le wrote a fantastic book that I was able to get lost in. I enjoy Pho but have not had it in several years, and this book made me want to go out and order some in the middle of the hot summer. I would definitely recommend this book. I had a fantastic time reading.
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
4.0
All the Stars and Teeth is an action-packed YA Fantasy Adventure book. Filled to the brim with magic, princesses, pirates, and mermaids, All the Stars and Teeth delivers the reader to a new world you can't wait to explore.
The beginning of the book was a bit dense. I had difficulty navigating the magic system and the geography of the book. The author pushes you and wants to figure things out on the way through the book. Eventually, I got into the flow, and the rest of the book sped by. Also, some of the battle scenes could be confusing. A lot would be happening at once and could get jumbled together.
I wish we saw more of the mermaids, and the author added towns/cities to the map. Hopefully, more mermaids will be present in the sequel.
Soul magic is pretty gross, so if you don't have an affinity for blood, maybe skip this novel. There is also some self-harm, but it's intended for magic.
Overall, I would give this book four stars, and I can't wait to get the sequel.
The beginning of the book was a bit dense. I had difficulty navigating the magic system and the geography of the book. The author pushes you and wants to figure things out on the way through the book. Eventually, I got into the flow, and the rest of the book sped by. Also, some of the battle scenes could be confusing. A lot would be happening at once and could get jumbled together.
I wish we saw more of the mermaids, and the author added towns/cities to the map. Hopefully, more mermaids will be present in the sequel.
Soul magic is pretty gross, so if you don't have an affinity for blood, maybe skip this novel. There is also some self-harm, but it's intended for magic.
Overall, I would give this book four stars, and I can't wait to get the sequel.
The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young
3.5
Readers return to Bastien and the world of Fable for a short book filled with political maneuvering, family drama, and love. Bryn returns home to Bastien 14 years after the death of her parents and is reunited with the family she doesn’t remember, the infamous Roths. Henrik Roth plans on using Bryn and the rest of the family to obtain a merchant’s ring for the Unnamed Sea and become a somewhat legitimate businessman.
Overall, the book's concept, plot, and character cast were good, but this should have been a duology. The beginning of the book was well-paced, but as I got closer and closer to the ending, aspects of the story felt unexplored, and the conclusion of felt rushed and anticlimactic. The last 30 pages wrapped up too quickly, with Bryn and Ezra encountering the “big” conflict that was solved in a matter of pages.
Bryn and Ezra’s relationship felt very surface level. The two barely spent any time together in the book, and their relationship developed out of nowhere. The ending of the book and the future of their relationship felt lazy.
Most of the problems with this book were the author’s decision to rush and put what could have been an expansive storyline into one book. One of the best parts about Fable and Namesake is the author took the time to develop a story because she allowed herself two books. The Last Legacy has the same problems as Sky in the Deep, Young packs too much into a book that is too short.
Overall, the book's concept, plot, and character cast were good, but this should have been a duology. The beginning of the book was well-paced, but as I got closer and closer to the ending, aspects of the story felt unexplored, and the conclusion of felt rushed and anticlimactic. The last 30 pages wrapped up too quickly, with Bryn and Ezra encountering the “big” conflict that was solved in a matter of pages.
Bryn and Ezra’s relationship felt very surface level. The two barely spent any time together in the book, and their relationship developed out of nowhere. The ending of the book and the future of their relationship felt lazy.
Most of the problems with this book were the author’s decision to rush and put what could have been an expansive storyline into one book. One of the best parts about Fable and Namesake is the author took the time to develop a story because she allowed herself two books. The Last Legacy has the same problems as Sky in the Deep, Young packs too much into a book that is too short.
Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
adventurous
4.5
Thank you, Penguin Teen, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Beast of Prey is my most anticipated read of 2021. It did not disappoint. Ayana Gray wrote an incredible debut Pan-African novel with rich history, culture, and characters. Ekon, Koffi, and Adiah are three distinct characters, and the author did a great job creating each character's voice. Beast of Prey is the first book in a trilogy. So I have many unanswered questions, and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out next year. The book was easy to read and get lost in the narrative.
The author includes mythology from different African cultures. I would love to see drawings of the creatures from the book. I think it would make a really interesting companion to the novel.
I think the author had Ekon and Koffi face one too many creatures in the Greater Jungle because some of those conflicts felt like filler episodes because they weren't very developed, and they were quick escapes. I would have read an entire book just about Adiah. She was a great main character, and I wish we saw more from her perspective.
Beast of Prey is a great fantasy book written by a Black author featuring Black characters. It is one of my top reads of 2021. I rate it four and a half stars.
Beast of Prey is my most anticipated read of 2021. It did not disappoint. Ayana Gray wrote an incredible debut Pan-African novel with rich history, culture, and characters. Ekon, Koffi, and Adiah are three distinct characters, and the author did a great job creating each character's voice. Beast of Prey is the first book in a trilogy. So I have many unanswered questions, and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out next year. The book was easy to read and get lost in the narrative.
The author includes mythology from different African cultures. I would love to see drawings of the creatures from the book. I think it would make a really interesting companion to the novel.
I think the author had Ekon and Koffi face one too many creatures in the Greater Jungle because some of those conflicts felt like filler episodes because they weren't very developed, and they were quick escapes. I would have read an entire book just about Adiah. She was a great main character, and I wish we saw more from her perspective.
Beast of Prey is a great fantasy book written by a Black author featuring Black characters. It is one of my top reads of 2021. I rate it four and a half stars.
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
This book was really cute. I liked the relationship between Hani and Ishu a lot more than the relationship in The Henna Wars. The book still covers serious topics like biphobia and bi-erasure, but the author doesn't make the story feel so heavy that it's hard to read. I do feel like the voices for Hani and Ishu felt very similar even though their personalities were different. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish who each chapter was about if I didn't notice the name at the beginning of the chapter. I would give the book 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading it.
4.25
This book was really cute. I liked the relationship between Hani and Ishu a lot more than the relationship in The Henna Wars. The book still covers serious topics like biphobia and bi-erasure, but the author doesn't make the story feel so heavy that it's hard to read. I do feel like the voices for Hani and Ishu felt very similar even though their personalities were different. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish who each chapter was about if I didn't notice the name at the beginning of the chapter. I would give the book 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading it.