betweentheshelves's reviews
2765 reviews

Low Orbit by Kazimir Lee

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emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Review to come!
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The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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adventurous mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

In my experience, it's rare that comp titles actually describe the feelings of a book because usually they're used to make connections to popular books. However, this book is spot on with it's description The Cruel Prince meets The Selection because that's honestly exactly how I would describe it. A marriage competition featuring fae and magic would hit well with both of those audiences.

One of my favorite things about this book was the inclusion of the stories from the other girls in the competition. I think it helped in rounding out the world that Smith created and added a depth to everyone who was in the competition. I almost wish we could have gotten more from them!

Fair warning, there is some sexual content in this book, in case you're thinking of recommending it for younger audiences. But overall, a great fantasy romance.
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Hunger's Bite by Taylor Robin

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dark mysterious fast-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

4.5

A historical graphic novel where something more sinister and supernatural is going on below the surface. The art style worked really well for the story, and the characters were engaging and interesting all around. The world building was well done, immersing us in this horror based history, and adding to the tension. Really well done all around!
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Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers' Rights by Ashley Hope Pérez

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hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

I always have a hard time with anthologies for teens because, for the most part, I don't think they're necessarily drawn to read them. At least, in my experience talking with them. This one is different in that it's more an anthology of information rather than short stories, and I do think it's highly informative about the current state of book banning and what many authors have had to deal with in today's climate.

I also appreciated the book lists and information sandwiched between the essays, and any teen looking to learn more about the process should definitely check this one out.
Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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dark emotional tense fast-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

5.0

Suzanne Collins really was like, you wanna see why Haymitch drinks all the time? Bet. And then wrote a story guaranteed to emotionally devastate you, but also comment on the current political climate (as she does). Getting the full story of Haymitch's Games changes the context of the books that follow. Especially when it comes to propaganda and who gets to tell the story. I highly recommend reading the Q&A with Suzanne Collins that's included in the B&N edition because it shows her thought process and the importance of the quotes at the beginning of the book. 

While the overall structure of the story is familiar (Reaping, Game prep, Games themselves, aftermath), we get different insight in this book, especially in relation to the whispers of rebellion in Panem. Haymitch's and Katniss's Games parallel each other in so many ways, honestly making me like their relationship in the original books even more. 

From a plot standpoint, you could probably read this before reading the original trilogy, but I think you get more out of it if you don't read them in chronological order (plus there are spoilers in the epilogue for Mockingjay). The little connections, both from Katniss's story and from Ballad, make this an even more intense reading experience. Lots of people from other stories make an appereance in this book, giving us more context for their backgrounds as well. 

In addition to familiar faces, we meet a lot of new people as well. It is a Hunger Games novel, though, so be wary of getting attached to anyone because there are 48 people in Haymitch's Games. 48. If you read Ballad and thought that getting Snow's background made hime more likable, Suzanne Collins really said think again. His actions in this book...oof. 

Suzanne Collins is a masterful storyteller, writing stories you'll still be thinking about long after you finish them. There's so much more I want to say about this book, so I'll probably write a blog post about it eventually. If you are a Hunger Games fan, I would say this book is a must-read.

Also, side note, does anyone else remember this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mUjssn86h4">fan made video</a> from back when the original books came out? It came to mind while I was reading this, and the real story behind the Games is so much worse than we ever could have imagined.
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Love at Second Sight by F.T. Lukens

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funny hopeful mysterious 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

4.5

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of Love at Second Sight by FT Lukens! Always a fan of Lukens work, and this might have worked its way up to my favorite book by them. It seemed like there was a little more at stake in this book than in their previous books.

Let me just start by saying Lukens brilliantly draws parallels between the way Cam’s parents won’t accept their supernatural ability and parents that won’t accept their kids’ sexuality. Cam’s parents are trying to change who he is, despite his journey towards accepting himself. It’s a very fitting comparison to make in a society that is actively trying to erase LGBTQ+ identities.

Aside from that, the characters are what initially drew me into this story. Cam is a wonderful narrator, and eventually finds a little group of friends who accept him wholeheartedly. And help him on his journey towards the supernatural. His relationship with Mateo was adorable, and it had a realistic progression throughout the book.

The ending of the book is a bit wild, taking a turn that you might not expect. But this made the book even more engaging for me, and I was definitely on edge for that last 20% of the book. If you like supernatural mysteries, definitely check this one out when it comes out in April! 
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Review to come!
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Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

5.0

I finished this entire audiobook while doing housework yesterday and honestly, I might like it better than the first one. This was supposed to be my light read before (hopefully) starting Sunrise on the Reaping today, but the emotions hit hard in this one. Also the beginning of this one definitely had Red, White, & Royal Blue vibes to me (rivals that don't like each other have to make good for the paparazzi and end up falling in love? We love to see it).

Though this book follows different characters, I would still recommend reading the first book because there are some spoilers for that book in this one. Plus, it adds to the emotional depth (especially for Kris and his relationship with his brother Coal). 

Yes, this is silly holiday fun, but it packs an emotional depth that will absolutely make you fall in love with these characters.
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A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

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adventurous emotional 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

3.5

While this didn't necessarily wow me, it was still an entertaining read! Especially if you enjoy enemies to lovers, through the way of vampire x vampire hunter. The romance was mostly believable, and I apreciated the inclusion of Mexican mythology with the vampire lore. That is definitely was kept me reading until the end.

The plot seems to lose its was a bit towards the middle, and for a minute at the end, I thought we were going to get a cliffhanger ending. I do appreciate a standalone in YA fantasy, though, because those don't happen very often! If you enjoy vampire romance, this one is worth checking out.
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The Floating World by Axie Oh

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.0

Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an advanced copy of The Floating World by Axie Oh to review! I have thoroughly enjoyed Axie Oh’s fantasy before, and this reading experience was no different. Oh is great at weaving in the details of the world, immersing you in magic, mythology, with a touch of romance.

The pacing of the plot also works well, moving at a pace that keeps you engaged with plenty of action. But we don’t sacrifice the characters to the plot. Sunho and Ren have great chemistry, and I enjoyed the unraveling mystery of both of their pasts. There’s plenty to still explore in book two, and I’m excited to see what comes next!

All in all, if you like mythology-inspired fantasy and lots of action with great characters, definitely check this one out when it comes out in April! 
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Review to come!
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Teen Titans: Starfire by Kami Garcia

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-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

3.5

All the Teen Titans seem like they're finally coming together! Not a bad installment into this series, though maybe not my favorite one. I did enjoy the art style, and appreciated the way that the previous characters were introduced into this story. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am interested in seeing where the story goes next!
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