booksthrilljessica's reviews
348 reviews

The Darkest Song by Amy Atley

5.0

Sarah has been dealing with the recent loss of both her parents. Feeling alone and disconnected from her sister Sarah just cannot seem to catch a break. But when she is attacked one night her life changes forever. 

Reeling from the effects of her attack, Sarah can not seem to control her thirst for blood. Thankfully a devilishly handsome Vampire, Adam, swoops in to help her. However, he is keeping secrets from her. Secrets that could ultimately end their lives. 

Such an entertaining, quick and spicy read. I fell in love with these characters and wanted to run away with Adam….no wait Julian…no wait Adam. My heart broke for Sarah during the “trial” and would have loved to see more of the vampire world. I hope that we can see more of that in book 2. And what a cliffhanger…I am secretly hoping that Sarah has some witch ancestry. 

*Thank you to Amy Atley and Booksprout for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

5.0

Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

medium-paced

3.0

One house….two timelines….two young women….one mystery, can it be solved?

Marlowe Wexler is struggling to find her way in the world. After accidentally setting a house fire while house-setting, Marlowe decides she needs to escape from the embarrassment of her actions. Landing a summer job at Morning House is just the thing she needs. However, there is something sinister going on at Morning House. Marlowe must find out what happened to the eccentric family who suddenly abandoned the home years ago after a tragic accident and an devastating unaliving. 

Clara Ralston's family are kept on a tight leash. Her father controls everything from what they eat to their daily workout regime.  Struggling with her daily routines and family structure, Clara soon finds release from her father’s clutches. Just not in the way she hopes. 

Overall rating 3/5

I am usually drawn to the abandoned and haunted house tropes, but this book fell flat for me. I was expecting this book to be more of a YA horror book however it was more along the lines of a YA drama. The dual POV timelines gave an interesting perspective into each of the young girls lives and how they dealt with the stress and difficulties of becoming young women. If you like reading about the struggles of young adults and family angst then this book is for you. 

*Thank you to Maureen Johnson, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperTeen and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Forgotten Ashes by Kathryn Covens

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

Briar Lennox is different…living amongst shapeshifters she has had to prove herself worthy time and time again. She is not able to shift like the rest of her pack because she is something entirely different which makes her stronger and faster than all of them. But they must not find out what she truly is, a demon. 

Fighting her way to the top ranks of her pack, Briar must now attend the prestigious Iolite Academy to claim her rightful spot as an elite in the Hidden Realms. However, when she arrives Briar is only met with animosity and hatred especially from the one person who should have her back, Grayson. 

Grayson, the boy that she loved so long ago is now demanding that she denounce her rightful claim as Luna. This is the ultimate betrayal that she will not take lying down. She must form an unlikely alliance with the feisty Kenna in order to prove that she is the Luna of their pack or die trying.

Overall rating 5/5

Strap in and get ready for an extraordinary roller coaster of a ride. This gave me a mature Twilight or Divergent vibe….but better. I found myself quickly enthralled in this page turner laughing and fighting along with these ingenious characters in just one setting. This book is filled with so many incredible characters from the misunderstood villain, good guy who will give you whiplash so many times you will hate him (ahem Tamlin style), and the quirky loveable sidekick. And that ending…….

Favorite quotes:

“Someone who sees their friend under attack and does nothing is the very worst kind of person. if the threat of defeat or failure stops you from taking action in service of the people you care about, you’re nothing but a coward.”

-Briar

“On a scale of dry bread to custard tart, how tempted are you to punch him?” -Kenna

“Strawberry pie” -Briar

“For I look into your eyes and see all you are, my ember.” 

 

*Thank you to Kathryn Covens for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The Reluctant Queen by Terina Adams

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Now a queen, Tressya must face what she has so reluctantly avoided. Confronted with the truth that Tressya is a true descendant of the House of Tannard, she must now become the Bone Queen and control the Etherweave. But she is not the only one that has Tannard blood and wants control over the Etherweave. Tamas, a shape shifter, is not only bound to Tressya but bound by honor to take over the Bone Throne. 

Even though in this installment we find the two star crossed lovers at odds, they must fight to find their way back to each other if they hope to succeed and survive. Together they must endure an epic journey to save their realm and find the Etherweave before anyone else can. Tamas and Tressya must not only battle outside forces but they must also combat their inward struggles. Can they conquer their inner demons in time? Will Tressya and Tamas finally realize that together they are stronger?

Overall rating 5/5

Adams does it again! I am astounded by the level of world building that intrances the reader and makes them feel as if they are a part of Tressya’s life. I love these characters as if I know them personally. The way Adams writes and evolves these characters makes me so invested in them and crave for them to succeed through every obstacle or bad decision. I am so glad that this is not the final installment of The Seven Realms Saga, I don’t think I could say goodbye to Tressya nor Tamas. If you love ACOTAR then please do yourself a favor and read this book you will not regret it! 

*Thank you to Terina Adams for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Through the Midnight Door by Katrina Monroe

4.0

One night clouded with darkness changed three sisters' lives forever. A decrepit home awaits them calling them home, to finish what they started years ago.

When Meg Finch receives a distraught call from her sister, Claire she knows she must stop her from returning to the house. But she is too late…. 

Reeling from the devastating death of Claire the remaining two sisters Meg and Esther can not shake the visions that follow them making the need to return to their childhood nightmare inevitable. Is the house alive? Who or what is responsible for Claire’s death and can they find out before they are next?

Overall rating 4/5

This book had many tropes that I love - a dilapidated house, things that go bump in the night, mysterious past and big reveal. I was hooked from the beginning and was hanging on the edge of my seat. I was however, a little let down by the twist at the ending, I was hoping that it would end with a spooky unhappy ending. But do appreciate the realistic outcome. 

*Thank you to Katrina Monroe, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

Ross Quest comes from a long line of well renowned thieves. At only seventeen Ross is ready to strike her own path in life, to live like an ordinary teenager. However, fate has intervened when Ross’ mother is taken hostage during a heist gone wrong. Now Ross has no other choice but to join the Thieves’ Gambit, an ultimate heist game with a grand prize awarded to only one winner. The prize…….one wish….any wish. 

As a thief Ross has been taught to never trust anyone no matter what. But Ross realizes in order to win this game and get her mother back she must learn to trust others in order to survive. Can she save her mother in time? Will she have to betray her friends in order to win?

Overall rating 4/5

For younger fans who like high stakes, found family and enemies to lovers. I enjoyed an Ocean's Eleven type plot line that was geared towards a new age audience. The family and friendship struggles that Ross has to go through is relatable with younger readers. A refreshing coming of age drama laced with romance and thrilling adventures. 

*Thank you to Kayvion Lewis, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell

3.0

When Francis Keen, a well known advice colonist is brutally murdered Alex Marks is devastated. Alex has always aspired to be like Francis for as long as she can remember. So when the opportunity arises to apply for the now vacant position as advice columnist Alex finds inspiration to apply. 

Now in her dream job, Alex starts to receive mysterious letters that she believes can only be from Francis’ murderer. However, as Alex receives more letters she can’t help but wonder if her own sorted past has come back to haunt her. Could the murder be someone from Francis’ past or her own? Can she find out who is responsible before someone else is murdered?

Overall rating 3/5

I liked the concept of an advice columnist solving a crime plot line however wished that the twist at the end was a bit original. I loved the letters to Francis/Constance within the book alluring and would have liked more unhinged letters sent for advice to confuse the reader and Alex as to who the murderer was. If you like the tropes- unassuming suspect, killer plays with MC, history returns, big reveal or twist endings then this book is for you. 

*Thank you to Jessa Maxwell, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

3.0

Willow has been an actor for so long it now has become her identity on and off screen. Once a beloved tv show character, Willow is now the victim of cancellation after she sent out a regrettable message. With no money, home, and friends she decides it is time to unplug and check herself into the elusive Camp Castaway. A resort that enforces its participants to disconnect from the outside world to reconnect with oneself. 

With a cast of characters fit for a tv show Willow is finding it hard to separate herself from that of the character she has played for so long. But when the bodies start to pile up Willow must face reality to figure out who is k!ll!ng her campmates before it is too late. 

Overall rating 3/5

I felt as though this story was three different plotlines rolled into one book. Each on their own were great concepts, but together seemed disjointed to me. I would have loved to see Willow delve into her mental state more and for the author to touch more on the topics of child actors' mental states vs reality. The ending had a great twist, reminiscent of Camp Pleasant Lake or Friday the 13th. 

*Thank you to Josh Winning, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The Spark Within by Samantha Christopher

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

4.0

Five years ago Maya and her family fled a ragging war between Elementals and Coms. This initiated her mother to start a hidden community to help protect Elementals from those without elemental powers that would wish them harm. 

Within the walls of this hidden oasis Maya feels trapped. Young residents are unable to make any decision, their lives are to be led by strict rules. Among these rules is that boys and girls are forbidden to communicate with each other unless they have been matched. It is every young adult's dream to finally be paired with their perfect match. So when it is finally Maya’s turn she is prepared to be the obedient daughter and pick the best suitor chosen for her. However, when Maya is drawn to a boy who has not been selected for her, James, she starts to question everything she has been taught. Can she choose who she loves? Is still dangerous outside of their community or has she been lied to her whole life? 

This book is perfect for young adult audiences. It has little to no spice, and great character development. This is a story about hope, doing what is right and perseverance. I do feel that there could have been more world building. I would have loved to have more scenes of Maya seeing the outside world and the dynamic of her realizing what it was truly like. I also could have done with a little less of the triad between Maya and her love interests, I felt that it took up too much of the plot. However, for younger readers I believe that this would be a great read on discovering oneself and their place within their world. 

*Thank you to Samantha Christopher for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.