kayaj's reviews
515 reviews

Seoulmates by Susan Lee

medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

 

Seoulmates really, really, really made me want to reread XOXO by Axie Oh. Or Once Upon A K-Prom by Kat Cho. It’s not a bad book…it’s just a bit repetitive.

We follow two ex-best-friends named Hannah and Jacob who reconvene one summer and try to fulfill a bucket list of things to do before Jacob has to go back to Korea. Since he’s, you know, an up-and-coming K-drama star!

I really loved how Hannah learned to love her Korean heritage, whether it was through appreciation of Korean food or love of K-dramas. At the same time, she doesn’t deny her American environment and the way that it has shaped her. Watching her balance these two truths of her identity was so impactful to watch.

I enjoyed aspects of Jacob and Hannah’s relationship! They had some really sweet moments, and I loved how their friendship was such a central part of their romantic relationship.

One of my issues with this book is that I felt like the perspectives didn’t match up. For example, Hannah would act a certain way when we’re reading from her perspective. Then when we’re reading about her from Jacob’s perspective, she acts differently. I don’t know if it’s a me thing or what but I just felt like the characters had personalities that were completely dependent on who POV I was seeing.

I guess my last complaint(?) is that I WAS JUST KIND OF BORED OKAY.

yeah uh.

I feel guilty for saying this (and yet I didn’t feel an ounce of guilt whaling on Parisa earlier this year smh*) but I just didn’t feel invested in anything that was happening. This is one of those dreaded purgatory books, where nothing is overly wrong, but not really right either. Like, the plot was fine. The characters were fine. The romance had some sweet highs. It’s definitely a book I’d recommend to people who enjoy a cute romance! 

How to Survive Your Murder by Danielle Valentine

dark mysterious fast-paced

 

How To Survive Your Murder was shockingly enjoyable. From the moment I found out that the main character, Alice, loves horror movies (and immediately began referencing them with abandon) I knew that this was going to be a gem. I read this in a day and did not predict that ending!

okay so, hang with me because this premise might be a tad complicated.

We follow Alice Lawrence, who adores her older sister Claire, her best friends, horror movies, and a certain Wesley James Hanson III*. On Halloween night, Alice witnesses her sister Claire’s murder, and her life goes to pieces. One year later, she’s preparing to testify against the murderer as the sole witness in the trial when she’s knocked out by a Sidney Prescott lookalike. Suddenly, she’s back on that fateful Halloween night, and she only has until midnight to prevent her sister from being murdered, and discover who the true murderer is.

*am I the only one who immediately thinks of richard gansey iii

THIS WAS SO GOOD.

Look. I just recently read Riley Sager’s Final Girls and I wanted a slashing good time, but instead I got a rather boring story with occasionally interesting moments. How To Survive Your Murder was what I wanted Finals Girls to be. It’s thrilling, brutal, and fast-paced. You don’t see everything coming. Best of all, it is 100% aware of its cliches but accepts them head-on.

I just need to add in how I loved that Alice and her friends were planning on making a podcast combining true crime cases and horror movies??? Like, I would have downloaded those episodes so quickly audiobooks would have never stood a chance.

Ahem. Anyways, I liked how they pointed out aspects of how BIPOC are treated both in criminal cases and in horror movies. It added a sense of awareness that I really appreciated.

One of my favorite things about this book was how unexpected the twists were. I usually hate how YA books can sometimes be more focused on romance, and the characters make stupid decisions for no reason. And yeah, there were a couple of dumb decisions made during this book, but I never felt like they were too terrible.

While I didn’t see the ending coming, I definitely felt like it was a bit…out of nowhere? There’s a little bit of foreshadowing, and perhaps I might pick up on more of it if I reread the book, but I just couldn’t really reconcile the sudden changes in certain characters that I was seeing. 

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

4.75

 

Belladonna is tinged with poison, dripping in gothic splendor. It’s a book that revels in painstakingly revealing its layers, twisting around haunted ghosts and abandoned gardens and manors full of secrets. Our main character Signa is unapologetically herself, and every character in this novel feels as if they were crafted from the Victorian era (in the best way possible). So of course, I adored this.

Belladonna follows a girl named Signa Farrow, who has always had a tumultuous relationship with Death. She can see ghosts, and talk to Death himself in extreme circumstances. So when Signa moves in with her only remaining family members, she’s shocked to find the ghost of a woman who needs her to solve the mystery of how she died. Especially because it looks like Signa’s cousin might die of the exact same thing. 
 

Okay, I admit it’s a little concerning that I chose this particular GIF after ending the [previous sentence with murder. BUT this book truly has so many of my favorite things. We have a gothic manor, ghosts, Death, a murder mystery, a female character who simultaneously enjoys dressing up while not fitting in…the list goes on and on. And somehow, Adalyn Grace pulled off every single trope with such ease that I can’t believe she wrote a pirate duology before (although that is certainly on my TBR now).

THERE’S LITERALLY TOO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.

I have so many notes that aren’t actually notes and just me highlighting because of emotions I guess. Anyways, from the start of this book, I really loved Signa. She’s not afraid to be feminine and loves feminine things while still wanting to be free from the constraints of society. It’s a perfect balance.

Also, the plot??? I had whiplash??? There are so many twists and turns to this story, I never knew what to expect next. Like how did Adalyn Grace write this incredibly atmospheric paranormal story and somehow stack a mystery with twists that I didn’t predict on top of it? This is just such a well-plotted story that is paced immaculately. I guessed nothing and was absolutely blindsided by that cliffhanger of an ending. I cannot stress enough how good of a YA fantasy this book actually is. It truly breathed new life into the genre for me.

And if that’s not praise enough, can we just mention the characters??? Each and every one of them felt fleshed-out and purposeful. I mean, Signa’s cousin Percy might have given me slight Mr. Bingley vibes and Lord Everett definitely got the short end of the stick but that’s okay. Even the ghosts were fun characters*.

*thaddeus is my FAVORITE. remember that.

now uh…i have a slight complaint???

If you read this book, you’ll know that one of the love interests is Death incarnate. And yeah, while I thought it was a little weird that Death knew Signa as a baby and then became a love interest later on…nevermind, it’s just weird. There’s definitely a reason for it, and I mean, this is a gothic story after all so I wasn’t overly bothered by it. It’s just something that’s weird to remember.

On that note, I thought that the romance was fine? I don’t know, I was hoping for a good slowburn full of angst and pining and this wasn’t really that. It’s definitely well-written, but my expectations were just a tad bit different from what this book is actually about (which is okay!) Also, I think that the familal relationships and friendships are just so entertaining and well-done that I almost preferred them to the romance. Anyways, I really liked the ending of the book with regards to the romance, I just wished that the actual journey there had been a little different!

To the Victorians, belladonna symbolized silence, falsehoods, and death. To me, it symbolizes a new favorite book of the year! 

Three Kisses, One Midnight by Sandhya Menon, Evelyn Skye, Roshani Chokshi

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

 

Three Kisses, One Midnight is so much fun. At first, I wasn’t entirely sure how I would feel about it, because anthologies and I…we fight like cats sometimes. But I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this story will absolutely sweep you away with its Halloween spirit and swoon-worthy romance!

first of all…THE DIVERSITY????

First of all, I love how you can tell which author wrote which story. We follow three best friends who each have a love potion that helps spark feelings that might already exist in their true loves. The catch? They have to be kissed by midnight after taking the love potion!

Onny is Filipino, Ash is Taiwanese, and True is Indian. I adored the Asian representation in these stories partially because I think that each author sprinkled in tidbits unique to their own cultures and experiences. It made it feel so much more special.

now let’s talk about individual stories!

First off, Apollonia “Onny” Diamante. I don’t know why everyone in this book has such romantical, whimsical names but besides Onny we have Byron Frost, Asher Lee, Aria “True” Tandon, and Orion. There’s also a Cassidy but that’s a little less whimsical in my mind*. Onny’s story has that rivals-to-lovers trope that I adore so very much. Most of the plot involves her hurrying to collect ingredients for the boy she believes to be her forever true love Alexander after her nemesis Byron Frost drinks the original potion. Also, the QUEEN Roshani Chokshi wrote this story and her prose literally never fails me. Ever.

*my most sincerest apologies to all Cassidys out there. in my defense, my name is kaya. you can’t get less whimsical than that

“Perhaps there really were blue-lipped ghosts resting in the shadows of forests, girls with autumn leaves for hair slipping behind buildings, or scarecrows waltzing across fields. It was the kind of magic that promised alchemy and wonder, where a kiss by midnight really could melt into true love…”

LIKE WHAT IS THAT. My Kindle was crying for me to stop highlighting every sentence like it always does when I read a story by Chokshi. Anyways, Onny’s belief in magic and her banter with the woefully dark and brooding Byron Frost made my day. So good. Okay okay, one more quote about Byron Frost and then I’ll leave it alone.

“Byron’s hair was so dark that it looked like a rare ink coveted by the same poet who’d given him his name.”

Asher Lee’s story was written by Evelyn Skye, and it’s been so long since I’ve read anything by her! I really enjoyed her Crown’s Game duology but never got around to picking up her other books until now.

Ash’s story was the absolute most wholesome thing I’ve read all year. He’s an artist who has been in love with his neighbor Cassidy for years, and yet they’ve never spoken. At least, not until she comes crashing through his fence on Halloween thanks to some rambunctious younger brothers and a chaotic basketball hoop. Both Ash and Cassidy are so adorable, that you can’t help but grin the entire time. I also love the connections to Onny’s story previously!

Finally, True’s story was more focused on her refusal to believe in magic or true love, as she attends Onny’s party with the intent of never using her love potion…until she meets a mysterious, kind stranger named Orion.

This was my first time reading anything by Sandhya Menon but I really enjoyed her writing style! True is a girl who’s had her heart broken before, and watching her slowly open up to Orion was adorable. Also, I appreciated some much-needed revenge on her stupid (a very eloquent word) ex-boyfriend. And I probably loved a certain magical element that appeared in all three stories the most in this one.

my final ranking, from least favorite to most favorite!

3. True’s story is my least favorite, although I still really enjoyed it! It’s the sort of story that would work better as a full novel, since there wasn’t any history between the main love interests.

2. Ash’s story is unbelievably cute, and the absolute epitome of next-door romance. I loved his love for art, and how he and Cassidy just clicked.

1. Onny’s story struck me the most as wildly romantic and magical, with just the right mixture of angst and sweetness. I was swept away for a few glorious pages into a love story borne on Halloween night, underneath the gleam of the moon and the fabled constellations. I absolutely adored it.

Three Kisses, One Midnight is the perfect collection of witchy love stories to beckon in the autumn season! They all made me laugh and smile and occasionally tear up. This comes out on August 30th, and a huge thank you to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Violet Made of Thorns is an original fairytale that isn’t afraid to show the dark currents running underneath the magic. It’s whimsical, beautiful, evocative, and seductive, full of courtly scheming, terrifying prophecies, and a protagonist that would burn the world down if she could. I can’t wait to follow Gina Chen’s career because she has the potential to become one of my all-time favorite authors!

We follow Violet, a Seer who can see snippets of the future in a kingdom surrounded by the woods. When Prince Cyrus rises to the throne at the end of summer, he plans to relieve her of her position, unless Violet can change the future. And when Violet realizes that her choices will result in the prince’s life or death, she has to make some difficult decisions to ensure her own survival…and perhaps that of the kingdom.

First of all, V-to the-i-to-the-o-to-the-l-to-the-e-to-the-t*. Violet is definitely one of the more selfish characters I’ve read. And you know what? I’m not mad! I knew going into this that she was a morally grey protagonist, and I think knowing that helped me appreciate her character for what it was rather than yelling “WHY AREN’T YOU BEING MORE HEROIC” at my poor defenseless Kindle screen. Her motivations are almost always self-focused, which makes her an interesting character to read from. I actually enjoyed watching her scheme and butt heads with almost everyone. Strangely enough, it made her feel more like a normal human being rather than The Main Character. It was refreshing. I mean, just read this quote (subject to change) from the author:

“We often discuss representation in strictly positive terms, citing characters who are role models who try to make the right choices, but being human also means being wonderfully, terribly flawed. Hiding that truth in our fiction sends the message that we ought to run away from the ugly parts of ourselves rather than face them.”

*i definitely should have done that little rap for a shorter name…

She did not have to go that hard, but I’m glad she did. This story is pretty self-contained. There’s not a ton of action in the way that some people might expect. This is mainly a story full of political, courtly scheming, complex character relationships, and prophecies. It kind of feels like the first book in The Ember Quartet in that we don’t leave the city to travel the rest of the world Chen’s created (at least, not yet).

“All the tale needs is the villain, and the line between revered and reviled is as thin as an accusation.”

OKAY BUT THE ROMANCE???

Violet despises Prince Cyrus because he’s far too honorable for his own good. Cyrus hates Violet because she’s far too selfish for the good of anyone other than her. And yet, Violet saved his life when they were kids, meaning that they’re undoubtedly connected. Their chemistry is hilarious to me because they both truly dislike each other, and yet…there’s a spark of something there. It reminds me of how the enemies-to-lovers trope was originally supposed to be.

I’m really hoping that there’s a sequel because I’d love to see more of this world! The ending is absolutely insane. Also, there are so many elements of already-existing fairytales!

In the end, Violet Made of Thorns is a fun, unique story, perfect for people who want an older YA book. It’s full of romance, intrigue, prophecies, and scheming! 

Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray

adventurous

3.5

Beasts of Ruin is, by all accounts, a solid sequel. It expands on the world Ayana Gray created in Beasts of Prey, dives deeper into both Koffi and Ekon’s characters, and introduces an in-depth magic system.

first of all, can we give a shoutout to the OCD and anxiety rep?

Ekon struggles with both of them, and I love how intricately they’re tied to his actions. Of course, that doesn’t make him any less able to do what needs to be done, but it is still great rep to see.

I always admire Ayana Gray’s ability to deliver a good twist. Honestly, I think that the “extra” characters she follows in each of the books (Adiah in the first one, a character named Binti in this) have my favorite storylines. They always seem to be the chapters that feel most like fables, with atmospheric writing and great twists.

ALSO, I LOVE THE NEW MAGIC SYSTEM! You’d better believe I get overly excited when I see a guide to the magic system at the front of the book*! I liked how we got to dive more deeply into this world and the intricacies of its magic.

To be honest, I think that I’m just a little bit too old for this series. I love Gray’s world, magic, and plotting but I honestly can’t really connect to most of the characters. I also find myself just kind of reading without too much passion? It’s definitely enjoyable but in a way that I just wasn’t as invested in. Thus, there are not really any complaints I have about this book that apply to anyone other than myself.

*on that note…why do so many books have their guides in the back??? half the time I’ll finish a book and be FLOORED at the wealth of knowledge i could have had if it wasn’t buried like gollum

So that’s it! This book is a great read for someone who wants an easy YA fantasy series, and who wants a great series inspired by African mythology! 

Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing 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

Long Story Short is the quintessential summer read. It’s humorous, inspiring, and romantic. You’re rooting for Beatrice Quinn to come out of her shell, to find joy in theater, to discover the depth of platonic and romantic love, all against the bright backdrop of summer camp. I cannot believe the quality of 2022 debuts this year, like where is all this talent coming from (and can I borrow it?)

First of all, I would just like to give a shoutout to the fact that Bea wears glasses??? Like, let’s normalize people not wearing contacts??? And her best friend Mia is African-American and Nik is mixed-race with East-Indian and white-British heritage. This is just such a refreshingly diverse read that defied expectations.

Of course, a lot of the characters do read a little…stereotypical. That didn’t bother me but some might feel upset about it. In all honestly, I think that the theater kid/summer camp stereotypes actually enhanced the book, because it makes it feel like an early 2000s teen movie!

Anyways, while the book felt stereotypical at times, it was just an incredibly fun ride chock-full of friendship, romance, and Shakespeare. THERE WERE SO MANY SHAKESPEARE QUOTES. In fact, Bea (with her insane memory) and Nik (with his love for the Bard) literally made a bet to see who could recite more lines. It’s so wholesome and fun and sweet! 

A huge thank you to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne

mysterious medium-paced

3.0

Wake The Bones is an eerie, otherworldly story that will leave you unsure of what, exactly, you just read. It’s simmering in the summer heat, ripe with bones and new growth and dead things walking. There are some books that will be favorites for those who connect with them, and I believe that this will be that book for many people.

We follow a girl named Laurel Early who has an affinity for magic involving bones. Unfortunately, when something unearthly awakes on her farm, she is forced to come to terms not just with her magic, but with the truth surrounding her mother’s death and her own life. And that’s probably a terrible synopsis but this is the sort of story where you should dive in blindly and just go where the current takes you.

Personally, I didn’t love this book. It has some great elements: a summery horror atmosphere, a swampy farmland setting, and relatively quirky characters with their own relationship dynamics. It just didn’t all come together the way that I wanted it to. However, I truly do think that it was more of a “me” thing and not the fault of the book.

I genuinely have no thoughts on this book? Like, it’s all some sort of vague “eldritch thrumming*” semblance of something in my mind that cannot be fully separated into the plot, characters, worldbuilding, etc. If you enjoy weird magical stories sprinkled with horror, there’s a good chance you might enjoy this!

*if you’ve seen stranger things 4 with subtitles…then you understand. if not, oh well

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This Vicious Grace is a story that somehow balances the scales of character and plot perfectly, while maintaining one of the most swoonworthy romances I’ve seen in the YA genre.The characters are intriguing, the world is Italian-inspired, and the romance? Well, the romance is very nearly impeccable. I will riot if booktok doesn’t lose its mind over this story because it 1000% deserves it.

This story’s official synopsis starts out with the line “Three weddings. Three funerals.” I MEAN, HELLO??? We follow a girl named Alessa, who is a Finestra charged with saving an entire continent from a swarm of demons that come every couple of decades. A Finestra is able to amplify the abilities of people called Fontes, who essentially have magical abilities. Unfortunately, Alessa keeps killing Fontes whenever she touches them. As time runs out to find her Fonte, she enlists the help of a very dark, brooding, grumpy bodyguard name Dante to protect her.

I am obsessed with this book! Alessa is an amazing main character. She’s funny, smart, caring…and just wants to be able to touch another human being. The romance in this is so slowburn and perfect because any sort of touch has a heavier weight to it than in other books. Her relationships with the Fontes, Dante, and her twin brother are all handled so incredibly well. I rarely felt like any aspects of any of the relationships were rushed.

Alessa’s struggle to control her powers (and, you know, not kill the limited number of people who could help save the entire continent from destruction) made this book more character-focused than I originally thought it would be. Don’t get me wrong, there’s definitely a lot of excitement since Doomsday is on its way but the quiet moments in this story were very well-done.

And the Italian influences! My 25% Italian heart was so happy! Dante (Alessa’s bodyguard) occasionally spoke Italian, and there were Italian proverbs at the beginning of every chapter. The world just felt simultaneously familiar and fantastical.

ANYWAYS time to talk about Dante! First of all, he READS. Second of all, I don’t have to continue because I know you all just gasped at my first point. The romance in this book is slowburn, funny, and feels genuine. My issue with a lot of YA fantasy books is that I feel like they just throw a romance in there because the characters are hormonal, have no other options, and apparently don’t care that the world’s going to end. But this romance worked. I want more bodyguard romances in fantasy, please and thank you.

I saw a couple of reviewers complaining about the final climax, but I thought it was pretty well-written. It was just exciting enough without overstaying its welcome!

After I finished This Vicious Grace, my initial instinct was to give it 5 stars. And I’m sort of going to do that, but with a few caveats. You see, this had just a few hiccups that can be chalked up to this being a debut. I love supporting debut authors because they don’t always get the chance to publish another book, and to learn and grow from their mistakes. So this book certainly had some rushed worldbuilding, a few tropey moments, and some slight plotting issues, but they didn’t really detract from my enjoyment of this novel. So while this is essentially 4.5 stars, I’m giving it “The Debut 5 Stars” because I truly do think that Emily Thiede has the potential to take the genre by storm and become one of my favorite authors!

A huge thank you to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

The Agathas by Liz Lawson, Kathleen Glasgow

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The Agathas is the best of both worlds: a charmingly classic mystery with a modern twist. I seriously had so much fun with this book, it reminded me of the first book in the A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder series. It’s the perfect summer beach read.

This mystery follows a girl named Alice Ogilvie, a rich girl who disappeared for five days after her boyfriend Steve dumped her, and she won’t tell anyone what happened. After Steve’s new girlfriend (and Alice’s former best friend) Brooke Donovan goes missing and Steve is arrested, Alice takes it upon herself to prove his innocence. With the help of Iris Adams, Alice’s fellow classmate and tutor, the two girls try to figure out the mystery of Brooke Donovan with the knowledge of Agatha Christie’s works.

SEE. It’s books like these that make me wish I’ve read all of Agatha Christie’s books! I mean, sure, there’s like 76 of them but still. Every chapter of this book began with a relevant Agatha Christie quote! It adds to the charm of the entire story, especially if you know Agatha Christie’s books.

Alice and Iris are very much modern teenagers worrying about modern things. I actually liked that aspect, because it kept the story from being too “cozy-mystery-esque”. The entire story takes place in a little beach-side town, so you’d think it would be very calm right? NOPE! I love how both of our main characters kept secrets, and while they took inspiration from Agatha Christie’s works, they always did their own thing.

The PLOT. YES. I have several major complaints with the majority of YA mystery-thrillers but one of the biggest ones is the lack of complexity which leads to predictability. Luckily, The Agathas doesn’t have that problem. Even if I predicted something, it would be close to when it was revealed. The entire story is well-plotted, with plenty of twists and turns that keep it constantly exciting. It also rarely feels contrived. And most of the characters aren’t obnoxious and surrounded by useless drama that’s supposed to make it feel like a “thriller”.

I seriously wish that this were a series because Alice and Iris have great friendship chemistry. They’re willing to do a lot of things to get the truth, and they have solid deduction skills! Plus, the side characters (particularly Iris’s friend group) are a ton of fun. I just genuinely had a great time reading this for countless reasons.

So that’s it! Tell me: do you enjoy YA mysteries? This is by far one of my favorites that I’ve ever read. This comes out May 3rd! A huge thank you to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!