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kellygillespiewv's reviews
636 reviews
Keeper: The Book of Aon by K. M. Higginbotham
4.0
***Full book review on wildandwonderfulreads.com***
I have always been pleasantly surprised by the books featured in the Fandom Adventures subscription box. Keeper: The Book of Aon was included in April’s box, and I loved it! As part of the online community associated with Fandom Adventures, I was able to participate in a Q&A with K.M. Higginbotham which only added to its appeal.
First, let me begin by saying how inadequate I felt after my group Q&A with the author (I’m kidding…but, really!). Did you know K.M. was only in high school when she wrote Keeper? Our chat was actually the day before one of her AP exams! She also worked her tail end off in order to afford publication of her work by herself; she did not want to have to rely on anyone. I really admire her work ethic, especially for someone so young. She was so sweet, too. Her future is bright, I tell you!
Now, about the book…
The premise for Keeper really grabbed my attention. I enjoy books where fantasy and reality meet; the crossing of the worlds often adds elements of confusion, intrigue, and humor, and that was certainly the case here. Elizabeth, our protagonist, adapted pretty well, though. Maybe too well, at times. I think I’d panic a bit more if I fell asleep in my apartment after helping a complete stranger (who happened to be crashing on my couch) and woke up in a completely different world, seemingly in a different time, kind of like a fairy tale. I was picturing “A Kid in King Arthur’s Court” — a family movie from the 90s — when I first started reading (I hope at least ONE person knows to what I’m referring).
After opening with a paragraph that made me literally gasp and look in the mirror (quote listed above), I couldn’t help but enjoy K.M.’s writing. Her style is relaxed and conversational; perfect for a teenage author, yet much more mature than her years. She had a way of making me feel invested. From her unique plot to her well-developed characters, I was in from the go!
Elizabeth seemed smart, aware of her surroundings, strong-willed, and, probably most importantly, caring. Her kind-hearted nature was significant, and it also made her more likable, in my opinion. Personally, I often struggle with female protagonists which leads to me getting frustrated and easily annoyed by them. Not this time, though! Without giving away any spoilers, because I liked Elizabeth, I felt sympathetic towards her on more than one occasion in Keeper.
My favorite character, although he made me want to smack him over the head a time or two, was Joey! He had me on an emotional rollercoaster. I believe his character had to grow up too soon or has been judged too harshly and unfairly in his short life, so his defense mechanism is distance and using his protective instincts as an excuse. He’s a doll, though! He, like Elizabeth, cares so much for others, and I find that to be such a winning character trait.
There is one other character I loved, but I think you need to learn about him on your own 😉 He’s adorbs!
I have one issue. I don’t know if there is something that I missed or if there is something that will be answered in a future book (as this IS the first book in a series), but there was only ONE character with magical abilities. I don’t want to say much more (hello, spoilers), but that did completely baffle me! I have a bit of a working theory…kind-of, sort-of…but I thought it would have come up in this book and it did not, so I have a feeling I am wrong-o. Other than that, this was a great book!
I rated Keeper: The Book of Aon 4-stars and definitely recommend it. It was a quick read for me because once I got going, I just couldn’t put it down, and I don’t think you will be able to either. I know from our Q&A that the next book is a little bit off, but I cannot wait to read it. In the meantime, K.M. has a YA Contemporary, September, that should be releasing in the near future, so be on the lookout!
I have always been pleasantly surprised by the books featured in the Fandom Adventures subscription box. Keeper: The Book of Aon was included in April’s box, and I loved it! As part of the online community associated with Fandom Adventures, I was able to participate in a Q&A with K.M. Higginbotham which only added to its appeal.
First, let me begin by saying how inadequate I felt after my group Q&A with the author (I’m kidding…but, really!). Did you know K.M. was only in high school when she wrote Keeper? Our chat was actually the day before one of her AP exams! She also worked her tail end off in order to afford publication of her work by herself; she did not want to have to rely on anyone. I really admire her work ethic, especially for someone so young. She was so sweet, too. Her future is bright, I tell you!
Now, about the book…
The premise for Keeper really grabbed my attention. I enjoy books where fantasy and reality meet; the crossing of the worlds often adds elements of confusion, intrigue, and humor, and that was certainly the case here. Elizabeth, our protagonist, adapted pretty well, though. Maybe too well, at times. I think I’d panic a bit more if I fell asleep in my apartment after helping a complete stranger (who happened to be crashing on my couch) and woke up in a completely different world, seemingly in a different time, kind of like a fairy tale. I was picturing “A Kid in King Arthur’s Court” — a family movie from the 90s — when I first started reading (I hope at least ONE person knows to what I’m referring).
After opening with a paragraph that made me literally gasp and look in the mirror (quote listed above), I couldn’t help but enjoy K.M.’s writing. Her style is relaxed and conversational; perfect for a teenage author, yet much more mature than her years. She had a way of making me feel invested. From her unique plot to her well-developed characters, I was in from the go!
Elizabeth seemed smart, aware of her surroundings, strong-willed, and, probably most importantly, caring. Her kind-hearted nature was significant, and it also made her more likable, in my opinion. Personally, I often struggle with female protagonists which leads to me getting frustrated and easily annoyed by them. Not this time, though! Without giving away any spoilers, because I liked Elizabeth, I felt sympathetic towards her on more than one occasion in Keeper.
My favorite character, although he made me want to smack him over the head a time or two, was Joey! He had me on an emotional rollercoaster. I believe his character had to grow up too soon or has been judged too harshly and unfairly in his short life, so his defense mechanism is distance and using his protective instincts as an excuse. He’s a doll, though! He, like Elizabeth, cares so much for others, and I find that to be such a winning character trait.
There is one other character I loved, but I think you need to learn about him on your own 😉 He’s adorbs!
I have one issue. I don’t know if there is something that I missed or if there is something that will be answered in a future book (as this IS the first book in a series), but there was only ONE character with magical abilities. I don’t want to say much more (hello, spoilers), but that did completely baffle me! I have a bit of a working theory…kind-of, sort-of…but I thought it would have come up in this book and it did not, so I have a feeling I am wrong-o. Other than that, this was a great book!
I rated Keeper: The Book of Aon 4-stars and definitely recommend it. It was a quick read for me because once I got going, I just couldn’t put it down, and I don’t think you will be able to either. I know from our Q&A that the next book is a little bit off, but I cannot wait to read it. In the meantime, K.M. has a YA Contemporary, September, that should be releasing in the near future, so be on the lookout!
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
4.0
***Full book review on wildandwonderfulreads.com***
I swear, I am always late the the party! I would probably still be missing it when it comes to Love & Gelato if it wasn’t for my booksta-buddies in Buxom Book Beauties, an online book club. As part of the group, I decided to participate in a June buddy read of Love & Gelato, and boy, am I glad I did. I really do owe them thanks because I truly enjoyed this book, and it was nowhere near my radar prior to this month!
Love & Gelato is a quick, easy read that is perfect for summertime, especially because the story is primarily set in the summer in ITALY. I keep leaning towards feeling like it was too quick, though, which is its only major downfall, in my opinion. There are two storylines: Lina’s and her mother, Hadley’s. Lina’s story parallels that of her mother’s with the help of Hadley’s journal. With the exception of the part of Hadley’s story contained within the journal, and therefore of the past, I felt like a lot took place in a very short amount of time. Lina is only sixteen years old, so she is obviously very young, and I found it a bit unrealistic for a sixteen year old to be pummeled with the situation(s) that Lina was only for her to handle it with a fair amount of grace. Although she had her moments, she held herself together remarkably well given her unique circumstance(s). The plot plowed on at times, and I suppose I may have wanted it to stretch/fill out a little more or perhaps just so I could savor the moments and the book a little while longer.
I need to take a minute to do a little happy dance in honor of Jenna Evans Welch’s writing. *does jolly little jig* I adored her style! Jenna wrote in a very conversational manner, and it made Lina appear more down-to-earth (despite my qualms with the chronology). I kept thinking to myself: “Man, I love Lina! Sixteen-year old Kelly would totally be friends with her!” thanks to how she was presented through the voice. Jenna’s writing style in Love & Gelato also helped tug on all of my heartstrings. Trust me, I understand that what she was writing was the main reason I was feeling sorrow, then joy, then anger, then heartache, then frustration, then happiness, then pure giddiness, but how she wrote it amplified the emotions that were being evoked. I loved it! But, that brings me back to that feeling that the timeline seemed a little rushed.
Okay, so I am going to go off on a tangent briefly before wrapping things up. I had a few random thoughts while reading, and if I don’t get them out…well…I’m sure I will be perfectly fine, but since I am talking (typing) about the book, I might as well add them:
-I got this weird similarity vibe between Lina/her mother and Starlord (Guardians of the Galaxy)/his mother! I mean, there is even how Lina got the journal and Starlord got the mix tapes…and how both of their dads were M.I.A. and were giant knuckleheads once found. Anyone else see this comparison? Anyone? No; just me? Okay.
-I loved getting to brush up on my Italian (the random few words and phrases intermittently mixed in).
-I forgot how much I thoroughly enjoy art history.
-Rounding these random thoughts out with a possibly practical point…I found young Howard and Ren to be quite similar, and that, to me, was sweet. It made me feel like there was an extra connection between Lina and Hadley (similar taste in men). I thought Howard and Ren’s characters were amazing, and they were probably my favorites.
Overall, I liked Love & Gelato a lot, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys some young love, stories of love and loss, or anyone who might want a refreshing read. Although it is classified as a romance, I can vouch that you’re not getting an overly mushy read, but this was just enough to make me put it down in the end with a little happy sigh and a big grin on my face. I also liked it enough to immediately look up Jenna’s next book, Love & Luck! So, until next May when we will take an adventure in Ireland with Lina’s BFF, Addie (I love that there is a connection between this book and the next), I hope you enjoy a little love and a lot of gelato ❤
I swear, I am always late the the party! I would probably still be missing it when it comes to Love & Gelato if it wasn’t for my booksta-buddies in Buxom Book Beauties, an online book club. As part of the group, I decided to participate in a June buddy read of Love & Gelato, and boy, am I glad I did. I really do owe them thanks because I truly enjoyed this book, and it was nowhere near my radar prior to this month!
Love & Gelato is a quick, easy read that is perfect for summertime, especially because the story is primarily set in the summer in ITALY. I keep leaning towards feeling like it was too quick, though, which is its only major downfall, in my opinion. There are two storylines: Lina’s and her mother, Hadley’s. Lina’s story parallels that of her mother’s with the help of Hadley’s journal. With the exception of the part of Hadley’s story contained within the journal, and therefore of the past, I felt like a lot took place in a very short amount of time. Lina is only sixteen years old, so she is obviously very young, and I found it a bit unrealistic for a sixteen year old to be pummeled with the situation(s) that Lina was only for her to handle it with a fair amount of grace. Although she had her moments, she held herself together remarkably well given her unique circumstance(s). The plot plowed on at times, and I suppose I may have wanted it to stretch/fill out a little more or perhaps just so I could savor the moments and the book a little while longer.
I need to take a minute to do a little happy dance in honor of Jenna Evans Welch’s writing. *does jolly little jig* I adored her style! Jenna wrote in a very conversational manner, and it made Lina appear more down-to-earth (despite my qualms with the chronology). I kept thinking to myself: “Man, I love Lina! Sixteen-year old Kelly would totally be friends with her!” thanks to how she was presented through the voice. Jenna’s writing style in Love & Gelato also helped tug on all of my heartstrings. Trust me, I understand that what she was writing was the main reason I was feeling sorrow, then joy, then anger, then heartache, then frustration, then happiness, then pure giddiness, but how she wrote it amplified the emotions that were being evoked. I loved it! But, that brings me back to that feeling that the timeline seemed a little rushed.
Okay, so I am going to go off on a tangent briefly before wrapping things up. I had a few random thoughts while reading, and if I don’t get them out…well…I’m sure I will be perfectly fine, but since I am talking (typing) about the book, I might as well add them:
-I got this weird similarity vibe between Lina/her mother and Starlord (Guardians of the Galaxy)/his mother! I mean, there is even how Lina got the journal and Starlord got the mix tapes…and how both of their dads were M.I.A. and were giant knuckleheads once found. Anyone else see this comparison? Anyone? No; just me? Okay.
-I loved getting to brush up on my Italian (the random few words and phrases intermittently mixed in).
-I forgot how much I thoroughly enjoy art history.
-Rounding these random thoughts out with a possibly practical point…I found young Howard and Ren to be quite similar, and that, to me, was sweet. It made me feel like there was an extra connection between Lina and Hadley (similar taste in men). I thought Howard and Ren’s characters were amazing, and they were probably my favorites.
Overall, I liked Love & Gelato a lot, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys some young love, stories of love and loss, or anyone who might want a refreshing read. Although it is classified as a romance, I can vouch that you’re not getting an overly mushy read, but this was just enough to make me put it down in the end with a little happy sigh and a big grin on my face. I also liked it enough to immediately look up Jenna’s next book, Love & Luck! So, until next May when we will take an adventure in Ireland with Lina’s BFF, Addie (I love that there is a connection between this book and the next), I hope you enjoy a little love and a lot of gelato ❤
Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally
4.0
***Full book review on wildandwonderfulreads.com***
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
I read the synopsis for Coming Up for Air and knew that I wanted…needed…to read it. Some books you read to help you escape, but others you read because you know you will relate. This was the latter. I grew up a competitive swimmer, coached club swimming, and have a brother-in-law who has coached swimming at multiple recent Olympic games. This was my world, once upon a time, and I was very excited to dive into this read.
Coming Up for Air was my first experience with a Miranda Kenneally book. It seems I might have to change that! This book was exactly what I had hoped it would be; relatable. Being a serious, focused athlete is not always easy. Being a high schooler is equally not as easy. I have a feeling that quite a few girls can find a bit of themselves in Maggie who was trying to balance school, sports, and a social life. More specifically here, she was attempting to get her Olympic trials cut in swimming while trying to scrape up some shred of normalcy for her high school experience.
Miranda had a very responsive writing style. She wrote, and I reacted on an emotional level. I read this book in under 24-hours because it was an easy book to read, and I wanted to know what was going to happen next with the characters. There were a few times when I thought concepts or phrases were repeated more often than necessary (not going to lie, repeatedly hearing about Maggie’s “urges” kind-of weirded me out), but overall I found her writing light and colloquial.
I loved the small, tight-knit group of friends, particularly our protagonists. Maggie, Levi, Hunter, and Georgia all understand one another because of their commitment to being high-level athletes, but their Friday night tradition helps provide a bit of reprieve, not only from their sports, but from other stresses in their lives. These scenes are some of my faves! I also love how their friendship shifts as their lives do. Is it me or does Hunter seem to be jones-ing a little for Georgia?! At the very least, he has a protective big brother thing, but, either way, it was sweet!
So, the “friends to something more” trope…I thought it was so good (and, truth be told, it is probably my favorite literary trope)! I know some people probably won’t like it, but readers are all different, and we all have our own preferences. The way Miranda wrote the plot premise, though, made this trope tolerable. Levi is such a good guy. Maggie is so innocent. Without giving away spoilers, I felt like the story played out much more modern-day than other stories I have read, which is probably why I am so okay with it. I will be interested to see others’ thoughts on this. Tropes always make me curious!
Overall, I really enjoyed Coming Up for Air. If you are looking for a quick, cute read, I definitely recommend this book. And, if you like it (the YA contemporary romance with a sports tie), check out the rest of the Hundred Oaks Series!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, affected my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
I read the synopsis for Coming Up for Air and knew that I wanted…needed…to read it. Some books you read to help you escape, but others you read because you know you will relate. This was the latter. I grew up a competitive swimmer, coached club swimming, and have a brother-in-law who has coached swimming at multiple recent Olympic games. This was my world, once upon a time, and I was very excited to dive into this read.
Coming Up for Air was my first experience with a Miranda Kenneally book. It seems I might have to change that! This book was exactly what I had hoped it would be; relatable. Being a serious, focused athlete is not always easy. Being a high schooler is equally not as easy. I have a feeling that quite a few girls can find a bit of themselves in Maggie who was trying to balance school, sports, and a social life. More specifically here, she was attempting to get her Olympic trials cut in swimming while trying to scrape up some shred of normalcy for her high school experience.
Miranda had a very responsive writing style. She wrote, and I reacted on an emotional level. I read this book in under 24-hours because it was an easy book to read, and I wanted to know what was going to happen next with the characters. There were a few times when I thought concepts or phrases were repeated more often than necessary (not going to lie, repeatedly hearing about Maggie’s “urges” kind-of weirded me out), but overall I found her writing light and colloquial.
I loved the small, tight-knit group of friends, particularly our protagonists. Maggie, Levi, Hunter, and Georgia all understand one another because of their commitment to being high-level athletes, but their Friday night tradition helps provide a bit of reprieve, not only from their sports, but from other stresses in their lives. These scenes are some of my faves! I also love how their friendship shifts as their lives do. Is it me or does Hunter seem to be jones-ing a little for Georgia?! At the very least, he has a protective big brother thing, but, either way, it was sweet!
So, the “friends to something more” trope…I thought it was so good (and, truth be told, it is probably my favorite literary trope)! I know some people probably won’t like it, but readers are all different, and we all have our own preferences. The way Miranda wrote the plot premise, though, made this trope tolerable. Levi is such a good guy. Maggie is so innocent. Without giving away spoilers, I felt like the story played out much more modern-day than other stories I have read, which is probably why I am so okay with it. I will be interested to see others’ thoughts on this. Tropes always make me curious!
Overall, I really enjoyed Coming Up for Air. If you are looking for a quick, cute read, I definitely recommend this book. And, if you like it (the YA contemporary romance with a sports tie), check out the rest of the Hundred Oaks Series!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, affected my opinion or review.
Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman
4.0
***Full book review on wildandwonderfulreads.com***
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Between the synopsis and cover (hello, gorgeous!), as soon as I discovered Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman, I KNEW that I needed to read this book. I enjoyed this read, although I did have some issues with it.
The premise of Kissing Max Holden was part of the draw for me. I generally enjoy the ‘friends-to-something-more’ literary trope. Jillian Eldridge and Max Holden were neighbors and best of friends for the 10 years that they lived across the street from each other. They grew apart a little more recently, but high school and family drama tend to have that effect on some relationships. When they needed someone, though, they only had to look as far as their friend across the street. But, the dynamics of their relationship changed one night after Max kissed Jillian…and she let him.
After reading the book’s description, it was not hard to figure out the direction the plot would lead. I was left wanting more of Jillian and Max, though. Obviously, this is their story, but I, personally, did not get enough of their evolved relationship. In fact, when I realized I was a couple of chapters from finishing the book, I felt a pang of disappointment that there was not enough time or pages left to focus on Jillian and Max as Jillian and Max (I am trying to avoid spoilers, but it is difficult to explain this without a hint of it). We got plenty of the push and pull, but I wanted more elaboration on the good times.
Generally speaking (errr…typing), I liked Jillian and Max. They were flawed, which added to their appeal. Both of their families were experiencing pretty significant strife and, of course, high school can be cruel. All of those struggles were reflected in their characters. I found that to be realistic and endearing. Who doesn’t wear at least a little of their heart on their sleeve?! That being said, sometimes the drama seemed like a bit much. Again, I was hoping for more of a focus on Jillian and Max’s relationship. I completely understand that these experiences added to the development of their relationship, but Kissing Max Holden seemed like it was full of more sadness and anger than happiness.
Here are a few other things I really enjoyed:
-Jillian’s passion for baking;
-The bond that grew between Jillian and her step-mom;
-The character maturation, especially with Jillian and Max;
-The friends-to-something-more and boy next door tropes;
-Max (with his head on straight) is totally swoon-worthy; and
-The main group of Jillian and Max’s friends/how supportive they were of each other.
Now, here are a few other things I wasn’t thrilled about:
-The amount of hating amongst the girls (I kept looking for some explanation for this, and at times there was a reason for the immense dislike, but the initial, immediate appearance of hate was a little confusing);
-The amount of infidelity and the attempts at justification for it; and
-There was animosity from Max towards Kyle early on that I didn’t understand (they were friends and Max confided in Kyle at other times, but the only thing I could think of was the animosity was Katy’s way of hinting to us readers that Max was jones-ing for Jillian and had a case of jealousy due to Kyle’s close friendship with Jillian).
There were a few things about the story that broke my heart. These were not things that I disliked, by any means, but they absolutely crushed me:
-Jillian’s college fund (I will not say more, due to spoilers);
-Max’s dad; and
-Jake the jerk (’nuff said!).
Before I wrap up this review, let me share a personal tidbit that may help you understand why I found Kissing Max Holden relatable:
-My fiance and I were very close friends for about 10 years (through college and beyond) before we caved and started dating! I understood that awkwardness that “Jilly” and Max experienced due to the shifting dynamics of their relationship, and I had a similar desire to keep things on the DL for a little while. When Max explained to Jillian that he already knows all of her shit, which he liked, I recalled when I said the exact same thing to my fiance when we first started to hang out as more-than-friends. This, obviously, won’t have an effect on YOUR feelings towards this book, but it had an effect on mine.
Overall, I found this to be a quick, enjoyable read. I like when I am driven to keep reading because I am on the edge of my seat about what will happen next, and I got that here, especially as Jillian and Max’s relationship evolved. I found aspects of the plot to be identifiable, and I always think that is a plus for YA Contemporary reads. The issues I mentioned are what caused me to lower my rating, but I would still recommend this book to others. So, on that note, Kissing Max Holden comes out August 1, 2017 — check it out!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, affected my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Between the synopsis and cover (hello, gorgeous!), as soon as I discovered Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman, I KNEW that I needed to read this book. I enjoyed this read, although I did have some issues with it.
The premise of Kissing Max Holden was part of the draw for me. I generally enjoy the ‘friends-to-something-more’ literary trope. Jillian Eldridge and Max Holden were neighbors and best of friends for the 10 years that they lived across the street from each other. They grew apart a little more recently, but high school and family drama tend to have that effect on some relationships. When they needed someone, though, they only had to look as far as their friend across the street. But, the dynamics of their relationship changed one night after Max kissed Jillian…and she let him.
After reading the book’s description, it was not hard to figure out the direction the plot would lead. I was left wanting more of Jillian and Max, though. Obviously, this is their story, but I, personally, did not get enough of their evolved relationship. In fact, when I realized I was a couple of chapters from finishing the book, I felt a pang of disappointment that there was not enough time or pages left to focus on Jillian and Max as Jillian and Max (I am trying to avoid spoilers, but it is difficult to explain this without a hint of it). We got plenty of the push and pull, but I wanted more elaboration on the good times.
Generally speaking (errr…typing), I liked Jillian and Max. They were flawed, which added to their appeal. Both of their families were experiencing pretty significant strife and, of course, high school can be cruel. All of those struggles were reflected in their characters. I found that to be realistic and endearing. Who doesn’t wear at least a little of their heart on their sleeve?! That being said, sometimes the drama seemed like a bit much. Again, I was hoping for more of a focus on Jillian and Max’s relationship. I completely understand that these experiences added to the development of their relationship, but Kissing Max Holden seemed like it was full of more sadness and anger than happiness.
Here are a few other things I really enjoyed:
-Jillian’s passion for baking;
-The bond that grew between Jillian and her step-mom;
-The character maturation, especially with Jillian and Max;
-The friends-to-something-more and boy next door tropes;
-Max (with his head on straight) is totally swoon-worthy; and
-The main group of Jillian and Max’s friends/how supportive they were of each other.
Now, here are a few other things I wasn’t thrilled about:
-The amount of hating amongst the girls (I kept looking for some explanation for this, and at times there was a reason for the immense dislike, but the initial, immediate appearance of hate was a little confusing);
-The amount of infidelity and the attempts at justification for it; and
-There was animosity from Max towards Kyle early on that I didn’t understand (they were friends and Max confided in Kyle at other times, but the only thing I could think of was the animosity was Katy’s way of hinting to us readers that Max was jones-ing for Jillian and had a case of jealousy due to Kyle’s close friendship with Jillian).
There were a few things about the story that broke my heart. These were not things that I disliked, by any means, but they absolutely crushed me:
-Jillian’s college fund (I will not say more, due to spoilers);
-Max’s dad; and
-Jake the jerk (’nuff said!).
Before I wrap up this review, let me share a personal tidbit that may help you understand why I found Kissing Max Holden relatable:
-My fiance and I were very close friends for about 10 years (through college and beyond) before we caved and started dating! I understood that awkwardness that “Jilly” and Max experienced due to the shifting dynamics of their relationship, and I had a similar desire to keep things on the DL for a little while. When Max explained to Jillian that he already knows all of her shit, which he liked, I recalled when I said the exact same thing to my fiance when we first started to hang out as more-than-friends. This, obviously, won’t have an effect on YOUR feelings towards this book, but it had an effect on mine.
Overall, I found this to be a quick, enjoyable read. I like when I am driven to keep reading because I am on the edge of my seat about what will happen next, and I got that here, especially as Jillian and Max’s relationship evolved. I found aspects of the plot to be identifiable, and I always think that is a plus for YA Contemporary reads. The issues I mentioned are what caused me to lower my rating, but I would still recommend this book to others. So, on that note, Kissing Max Holden comes out August 1, 2017 — check it out!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, affected my opinion or review.
The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night
4.0
***Full book review on wildandwonderfulreads.com***
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
The Crowns of Croswald is a whimsical tale (reminiscent of Cinderella, Harry Potter, and Percy Jackson) of a young girl on the path to self-discovery in a magical kingdom. This is the debut novel from D.E. Night; the first book in a Middle Grade Fantasy series. I am 32 years old, so I seldom read Middle Grade literature, but the synopsis and beautiful cover of this book instantly caught my attention.
It was hard not to notice this book, as it (and an amazing promo box) began floating around the book community. I was seeing stunning photographs featuring The Crowns of Croswald for months on social media, and I decided that I needed to check out what was causing such a stir. I requested an e-ARC via Netgalley, however, it was archived by the time I was approved to receive a review copy. Thankfully, JKS Communications offered to send me a physical ARC, which is what I read for review.
Please take note that as I was reading, I often reminded myself that this is a Middle Grade book, and I do not even come close to falling into that target audience. With that being said, I found this to be an enjoyable read, suitable for a younger demographic but pleasant enough for most ages. I did, however, have a few issues with this book.
Although The Crowns of Croswald is evocative of other well-known and loved tales, Night manages to create a fun, imaginative narrative. A magical world of scrivenists and royals, ruled by a dark queen with her own agenda?! Yes, please! I loved the hierarchy in this book and the concept of scrivenists, in general. To be honest, though, it did take me a few chapters to really get into this book. The pacing, at times, was a bit slow. BUT, I believe the [sluggish] opening chapters were important to the story, and it is worth it if you just stick with it.
The Kingdom of Croswald is truly enchanting! Night’s world building is descriptive and charming. From the Slurry fields to the town of Ravenshollow; from the Halls of Ivy to the Hollow Shaft; I have a perfect vision of Croswald in my head. I’d like to touch on a few things more specifically:
-Envisioning the Slurry was easy thanks to the photos of some promotional items and the author’s website that I saw prior to reading the book (and let me just say how pretty that artwork is – well done). At one point while reading a scene about Ivy in the Slurry fields, I pictured Belle (from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) singing on top of the hill about wanting to find adventure in the great wide somewhere! It was quite a fitting image, I thought, the more I read. The Slurry, itself, played its own crucial role, which I considered to be really inventive.
-Ravenshollow was full of fantastic shops/businesses, and I found myself wanting more of some of the characters that Ivy encountered there, like Mr. Munson. *Please consider this my formal request for more of Mr. Munson in the next book.*
-I have officially decided that I need magical powers of some sort, because some of the best adventures in Middle Grade literature take place at a school for gifted children. In this case, the Halls of Ivy was alluring and delightful. I really enjoyed all of the whimsy that Night injected into this castle and the magical lessons to be learned. I previously mentioned how I loved the concept of scrivenists, but the power-wielding stones for royals and the Glanageries were equally appealing.
I tend to gravitate towards books that are more character driven. I do need a solid plot, but if a book has a strong cast of characters that are well-developed, I can be happy. The Crowns of Croswald was in the middle, for me, on both parts.
I felt that some scenes and characters were underdeveloped. Now, I loved Ivy! She was caring, curious, and strong-willed – my kind of girl! I also really liked Rebecca, Winsome, and Fyn.
I actually wish there was more of Fyn! You could see the spark igniting with Fyn and Ivy, but the flame never quite caught, and I wanted it to. Fyn and Ivy complimented each other well, which was why I was hopeful. I got the biggest grin when I read “He had a look of curiosity on his okay-maybe-he’s-handsome face, head cocked to the side.” The feels really sank in at that point!
Of course, I also disliked (in the way a reader is meant to dislike them) the Dark Queen and Damaris. I want to know more about the Dark Queen’s story. I got a glimpse of it here, but I hope the future book(s) in this series give the reader a full view. I also had questions about the Selector that went unanswered.
The book ended a bit quicker than I would have hoped, but the set-up for the next book is there!
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I highly doubt a 10 year old is going to read this as critically as I did, so I think the target audience will thoroughly appreciate The Crowns of Croswald. I actually think a lot of YA fans will also like it, which is why I will recommend this book. I am looking forward to seeing what unfolds in this series.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
The Crowns of Croswald is a whimsical tale (reminiscent of Cinderella, Harry Potter, and Percy Jackson) of a young girl on the path to self-discovery in a magical kingdom. This is the debut novel from D.E. Night; the first book in a Middle Grade Fantasy series. I am 32 years old, so I seldom read Middle Grade literature, but the synopsis and beautiful cover of this book instantly caught my attention.
It was hard not to notice this book, as it (and an amazing promo box) began floating around the book community. I was seeing stunning photographs featuring The Crowns of Croswald for months on social media, and I decided that I needed to check out what was causing such a stir. I requested an e-ARC via Netgalley, however, it was archived by the time I was approved to receive a review copy. Thankfully, JKS Communications offered to send me a physical ARC, which is what I read for review.
Please take note that as I was reading, I often reminded myself that this is a Middle Grade book, and I do not even come close to falling into that target audience. With that being said, I found this to be an enjoyable read, suitable for a younger demographic but pleasant enough for most ages. I did, however, have a few issues with this book.
Although The Crowns of Croswald is evocative of other well-known and loved tales, Night manages to create a fun, imaginative narrative. A magical world of scrivenists and royals, ruled by a dark queen with her own agenda?! Yes, please! I loved the hierarchy in this book and the concept of scrivenists, in general. To be honest, though, it did take me a few chapters to really get into this book. The pacing, at times, was a bit slow. BUT, I believe the [sluggish] opening chapters were important to the story, and it is worth it if you just stick with it.
The Kingdom of Croswald is truly enchanting! Night’s world building is descriptive and charming. From the Slurry fields to the town of Ravenshollow; from the Halls of Ivy to the Hollow Shaft; I have a perfect vision of Croswald in my head. I’d like to touch on a few things more specifically:
-Envisioning the Slurry was easy thanks to the photos of some promotional items and the author’s website that I saw prior to reading the book (and let me just say how pretty that artwork is – well done). At one point while reading a scene about Ivy in the Slurry fields, I pictured Belle (from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) singing on top of the hill about wanting to find adventure in the great wide somewhere! It was quite a fitting image, I thought, the more I read. The Slurry, itself, played its own crucial role, which I considered to be really inventive.
-Ravenshollow was full of fantastic shops/businesses, and I found myself wanting more of some of the characters that Ivy encountered there, like Mr. Munson. *Please consider this my formal request for more of Mr. Munson in the next book.*
-I have officially decided that I need magical powers of some sort, because some of the best adventures in Middle Grade literature take place at a school for gifted children. In this case, the Halls of Ivy was alluring and delightful. I really enjoyed all of the whimsy that Night injected into this castle and the magical lessons to be learned. I previously mentioned how I loved the concept of scrivenists, but the power-wielding stones for royals and the Glanageries were equally appealing.
I tend to gravitate towards books that are more character driven. I do need a solid plot, but if a book has a strong cast of characters that are well-developed, I can be happy. The Crowns of Croswald was in the middle, for me, on both parts.
I felt that some scenes and characters were underdeveloped. Now, I loved Ivy! She was caring, curious, and strong-willed – my kind of girl! I also really liked Rebecca, Winsome, and Fyn.
I actually wish there was more of Fyn! You could see the spark igniting with Fyn and Ivy, but the flame never quite caught, and I wanted it to. Fyn and Ivy complimented each other well, which was why I was hopeful. I got the biggest grin when I read “He had a look of curiosity on his okay-maybe-he’s-handsome face, head cocked to the side.” The feels really sank in at that point!
Of course, I also disliked (in the way a reader is meant to dislike them) the Dark Queen and Damaris. I want to know more about the Dark Queen’s story. I got a glimpse of it here, but I hope the future book(s) in this series give the reader a full view. I also had questions about the Selector that went unanswered.
The book ended a bit quicker than I would have hoped, but the set-up for the next book is there!
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I highly doubt a 10 year old is going to read this as critically as I did, so I think the target audience will thoroughly appreciate The Crowns of Croswald. I actually think a lot of YA fans will also like it, which is why I will recommend this book. I am looking forward to seeing what unfolds in this series.
The Dream Keeper's Daughter by Emily Colin
4.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com***
The Dream Keeper’s Daughter combined time travel, history, and romance for a moving and bittersweet fantasy story that sucked me in from the very beginning. Emily Colin, New York Times bestselling author of “The Memory Thief,” has a skill in formulating a compelling narrative.
I loved the idea behind this book! I enjoy books with a love story. I am also a huge history buff. Throw in the time slip element, and I was sold. This story traversed from present day South Carolina to 19th century Barbados, as told through a multi-person point of view; more specifically, the alternating POV of Isabel and Max. The changing POV helped fill out the story and gave the reader a comprehensive look at the events taking place. I happened to be partial to Max’s chapters!
Colin had a very captivating writing style. She wrote fluently and emphatically. There were only a few times that I found myself “coaching” the characters to spit it out or do something already, and those instances mostly pertained to the romantic story line.
Between the writing style, the shift in perspectives, and the twists and turns in the plot, I was compelled to continue reading to see where the story would lead. The history was well-researched and represented in this text. Those were probably my favorite scenes! Once the concept of the time slip was clear (it took a while to get to that, though), I had that “AH HA!” moment, and more pieces to the puzzle of The Dream Keeper’s Daughter snapped into place. I really liked what Colin did with the time travel. However, the romantic aspect of the story led me to frustration.
So, we’ve got Isabel (single mom with a tough girl exterior who has experienced loss), Max (Isabel’s first love interest and father to her little girl), and Ryan (Isabel’s best friend who experienced his own hardships but was there when Isabel needed it most). One day, Max disappeared and was away from his home and family for several years. In walks Ryan, after Max’s disappearance, to befriend a struggling Isabel. As one might assume, Isabel and Ryan’s friendship evolved while Max was thought to be missing and Isabel was trying to move forward with her life.
Honestly, I kept finding myself rooting for both of the guys at various times, only to be disappointed with the outcome in the end. All three characters were hot then cold, and all of their relationships (and personalities, really) seemed a bit like a roller coaster. Be forewarned that there are some steamy scenes throughout the book. There were some positives with the love story, but for the most part, I just struggled with it. This, as well as the direction the end took, were the reasons I lowered my review rating.
A bright note of this book was Isabel and Max’s daughter, Finn. I just loved her! I don’t want to go into much detail, though, because 1) you should discover her all on your own, and 2) spoilers!
There is a lot that goes on in The Dream Keeper’s Daughter, but it is mysterious and clever, so I recommend it! A book like this makes me weary to say much more because I don’t want to give anything away. Trust me when I say, though, that it is intriguing and I devoured it. When I first read about this book, I figured I might like it, but I had not read anything else by Colin, and I had not heard of this book. I was pleasantly surprised by it and very glad that I read it. I look forward to reading more from Emily Colin.
The Dream Keeper’s Daughter combined time travel, history, and romance for a moving and bittersweet fantasy story that sucked me in from the very beginning. Emily Colin, New York Times bestselling author of “The Memory Thief,” has a skill in formulating a compelling narrative.
I loved the idea behind this book! I enjoy books with a love story. I am also a huge history buff. Throw in the time slip element, and I was sold. This story traversed from present day South Carolina to 19th century Barbados, as told through a multi-person point of view; more specifically, the alternating POV of Isabel and Max. The changing POV helped fill out the story and gave the reader a comprehensive look at the events taking place. I happened to be partial to Max’s chapters!
Colin had a very captivating writing style. She wrote fluently and emphatically. There were only a few times that I found myself “coaching” the characters to spit it out or do something already, and those instances mostly pertained to the romantic story line.
Between the writing style, the shift in perspectives, and the twists and turns in the plot, I was compelled to continue reading to see where the story would lead. The history was well-researched and represented in this text. Those were probably my favorite scenes! Once the concept of the time slip was clear (it took a while to get to that, though), I had that “AH HA!” moment, and more pieces to the puzzle of The Dream Keeper’s Daughter snapped into place. I really liked what Colin did with the time travel. However, the romantic aspect of the story led me to frustration.
So, we’ve got Isabel (single mom with a tough girl exterior who has experienced loss), Max (Isabel’s first love interest and father to her little girl), and Ryan (Isabel’s best friend who experienced his own hardships but was there when Isabel needed it most). One day, Max disappeared and was away from his home and family for several years. In walks Ryan, after Max’s disappearance, to befriend a struggling Isabel. As one might assume, Isabel and Ryan’s friendship evolved while Max was thought to be missing and Isabel was trying to move forward with her life.
Honestly, I kept finding myself rooting for both of the guys at various times, only to be disappointed with the outcome in the end. All three characters were hot then cold, and all of their relationships (and personalities, really) seemed a bit like a roller coaster. Be forewarned that there are some steamy scenes throughout the book. There were some positives with the love story, but for the most part, I just struggled with it. This, as well as the direction the end took, were the reasons I lowered my review rating.
A bright note of this book was Isabel and Max’s daughter, Finn. I just loved her! I don’t want to go into much detail, though, because 1) you should discover her all on your own, and 2) spoilers!
There is a lot that goes on in The Dream Keeper’s Daughter, but it is mysterious and clever, so I recommend it! A book like this makes me weary to say much more because I don’t want to give anything away. Trust me when I say, though, that it is intriguing and I devoured it. When I first read about this book, I figured I might like it, but I had not read anything else by Colin, and I had not heard of this book. I was pleasantly surprised by it and very glad that I read it. I look forward to reading more from Emily Colin.
Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller
4.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
*Note to those reading my review: In regards to the gender fluid main character, I will utilize gender neutral pronouns, including they, them, and their, as the author previously suggested via her Twitter account. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] should you have any questions about the meaning I am trying to convey.
The description and fierce cover art are what compelled me to read Mask of Shadows (yes, I do love an awesome cover). I am drawn towards Young Adult, Fantasy far more often than not, so it was not a stretch to say that I would likely enjoy this book. This is a book that, for several reasons, though, I believe you need to read with an open mind.
Mask of Shadows is the debut novel from Linsey Miller, a “wayward biology student from Arkansas (Goodreads)”. It is the first book in a duology, and it releases August 29, 2017.
Prior to and since reading the book, I read reviews and have seen the comparisons to, both, vastly popular YA authors and books, but this is partly why I feel you need to maintain an open mind while reading Mask of Shadows. This is not an exact duplication of any other story, although I see the similarities. Linsey Miller is not Sarah J. Maas or Leigh Bardugo. Despite having seen those comparisons, I was able to enjoy this book as its own, individual entity. It seems quite natural for authors to draw inspiration from other authors and books. I also rarely find that ideas, especially in YA Fantasy, are truly original.
In Mask of Shadows, we follow the gender fluid Sallot Leon, an orphaned highway thief and street fighter, as they try to find a way out of their menial life while exacting revenge on those who obliquely had an effect on the deaths of their family members and all those in their home of Nacea. The story traverses the deadly auditions to become the new Opal, a member of the prestigious Left Hand of the Queen.
We’ve got a tumultuous world, a competition to the death à la Throne of Glass and The Hunger Games, cunning characters, and a slow burn romance! Sign me up, right!?! The foundation for a knockout story was there, but, unfortunately, I think the execution missed the mark a bit.
I enjoyed the premise of Mask of Shadows. Not wholly inventive, but certainly intriguing! I liked the hierarchy that Miller created in her fantasy world, but I wish there was a little more world building.
I struggled with the syntax in Mask of Shadows, though. I felt the writing lacked fluidity, and I often found myself having to reread various sentences or scenes because I found them difficult to follow. This is a large part of why I lowered my review rating. Fantasy writing already has so many elements that could cause confusion among readers (i.e. imaginary worlds, characters with inhuman traits, mythical situations, etc.) that I believe the writing needs to be succinct, which Mask of Shadows was short of, in my opinion.
Miller won me over with a lot of her characters:
-Sal was a home run. Their history/story is compelling, their relationships with various characters are endearing, and I could not help but root for them! I probably shouldn’t be so willing to cheer on someone slowly becoming an assassin, but what can I say!?!…I love them! Miller’s portrayal of a gender fluid character seemed appropriate and well-done.
-Elise and Maud were also strongly-developed characters that I happened to adore! Part classy, part sassy, and utterly fabulous! Both of their interactions with Sal were irresistible, and I found myself wanting more!
-I really liked the members of The Left Hand, too. They seemed to feed well off of each other, and their group dynamic is great!
-With numbers assigned, rather than names, I found it hard to emotionally connect with the other auditioners. As the story went on, we did get to know some of them better, for which I was thankful, but for the most part, not knowing who they are or their back stories was a little disappointing. Two of them did stand out to me, though: “Four” and “Five.”
Overall, I did like Mask of Shadows. The suspense was there, and it is a decent YA Fantasy read. Moving forward with the second book in the duology (and her writing career, generally), I think Miller has room to improve. If you’re willing to give it a fair chance, I would recommend this book. So, be on the lookout for Mask of Shadows next week!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
*Note to those reading my review: In regards to the gender fluid main character, I will utilize gender neutral pronouns, including they, them, and their, as the author previously suggested via her Twitter account. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] should you have any questions about the meaning I am trying to convey.
The description and fierce cover art are what compelled me to read Mask of Shadows (yes, I do love an awesome cover). I am drawn towards Young Adult, Fantasy far more often than not, so it was not a stretch to say that I would likely enjoy this book. This is a book that, for several reasons, though, I believe you need to read with an open mind.
Mask of Shadows is the debut novel from Linsey Miller, a “wayward biology student from Arkansas (Goodreads)”. It is the first book in a duology, and it releases August 29, 2017.
Prior to and since reading the book, I read reviews and have seen the comparisons to, both, vastly popular YA authors and books, but this is partly why I feel you need to maintain an open mind while reading Mask of Shadows. This is not an exact duplication of any other story, although I see the similarities. Linsey Miller is not Sarah J. Maas or Leigh Bardugo. Despite having seen those comparisons, I was able to enjoy this book as its own, individual entity. It seems quite natural for authors to draw inspiration from other authors and books. I also rarely find that ideas, especially in YA Fantasy, are truly original.
In Mask of Shadows, we follow the gender fluid Sallot Leon, an orphaned highway thief and street fighter, as they try to find a way out of their menial life while exacting revenge on those who obliquely had an effect on the deaths of their family members and all those in their home of Nacea. The story traverses the deadly auditions to become the new Opal, a member of the prestigious Left Hand of the Queen.
We’ve got a tumultuous world, a competition to the death à la Throne of Glass and The Hunger Games, cunning characters, and a slow burn romance! Sign me up, right!?! The foundation for a knockout story was there, but, unfortunately, I think the execution missed the mark a bit.
I enjoyed the premise of Mask of Shadows. Not wholly inventive, but certainly intriguing! I liked the hierarchy that Miller created in her fantasy world, but I wish there was a little more world building.
I struggled with the syntax in Mask of Shadows, though. I felt the writing lacked fluidity, and I often found myself having to reread various sentences or scenes because I found them difficult to follow. This is a large part of why I lowered my review rating. Fantasy writing already has so many elements that could cause confusion among readers (i.e. imaginary worlds, characters with inhuman traits, mythical situations, etc.) that I believe the writing needs to be succinct, which Mask of Shadows was short of, in my opinion.
Miller won me over with a lot of her characters:
-Sal was a home run. Their history/story is compelling, their relationships with various characters are endearing, and I could not help but root for them! I probably shouldn’t be so willing to cheer on someone slowly becoming an assassin, but what can I say!?!…I love them! Miller’s portrayal of a gender fluid character seemed appropriate and well-done.
-Elise and Maud were also strongly-developed characters that I happened to adore! Part classy, part sassy, and utterly fabulous! Both of their interactions with Sal were irresistible, and I found myself wanting more!
-I really liked the members of The Left Hand, too. They seemed to feed well off of each other, and their group dynamic is great!
-With numbers assigned, rather than names, I found it hard to emotionally connect with the other auditioners. As the story went on, we did get to know some of them better, for which I was thankful, but for the most part, not knowing who they are or their back stories was a little disappointing. Two of them did stand out to me, though: “Four” and “Five.”
Overall, I did like Mask of Shadows. The suspense was there, and it is a decent YA Fantasy read. Moving forward with the second book in the duology (and her writing career, generally), I think Miller has room to improve. If you’re willing to give it a fair chance, I would recommend this book. So, be on the lookout for Mask of Shadows next week!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
The Genesi Code by Tristen Willis
3.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Actual rating: 3.25
Anyone who follows me on Bookstagram knows how happy it makes me to support authors and small businesses. Tristen Willis happens to be both -- a debut author, as well as the owner of Burning Pages Candles (a small bookish candle company). I was so thrilled when I received a message from her regarding reading and reviewing an e-ARC of her novel, The Genesi Code.
Willis resides in Australia, where she works full-time in addition to running her small business and writing.
Let's chat about her book...
I am not going to lie, I tend to be really critical of dystopian stories. I am always really drawn to them, but they are super hit and miss with me. *Side note: Dystopians also totally freak me out; thinking they could possibly happen one day.
So, I loved the synopsis of The Genesi Code! The cover is also really pretty. This is the first book in a duology, although, I think Willis could have easily lengthened this into a trilogy. I did like it, but I had issues with it, too.
The 'Genesi Code' was a government experiment gone bad; an attempt to create an army of super soldiers that backfired and plagued mankind. Luka's father was working on a cure, or so we thought, when he was murdered. Luka and her best friend, Harvey, promised to avenge his death and spent the next ten years training in order to be accepted into the elite military branch known as Delta Force. Once there, they find out that things are not what they seem.
The story line for The Genesi Code is great! I think fans of Divergent and Maze Runner will enjoy this book (duology), but I think the execution of it missed the mark a bit.
After being drawn in by the description, the book kicks off with a really intriguing prologue. The pacing slows a little as the story is being set, but it does level out once we get to the training facility. The book wraps up with a plot twist that I NEVER SAW COMING and a cliff hanger that absolutely has me wanting to read the next book.
I did find it a bit odd, though, that this story is set 200+ years in the future and things are so familiar. I would have imagined a little more change, whether it's technologically or more drastic destruction due to the war.
I mentioned previously that I thought Willis could have easily made this into a trilogy. I say that because I often found myself wishing the plot or the characters were developed more fully. Willis used a lot of details to describe certain things, like the layout of the training facility (and/or the secrecy or it) and, later, the exploration of the abandoned town, but I felt that the important events transpired too quickly and without enough evolution or explanation.
I assume the observations help us to understand Luka's analytical personality, but I would still prefer the events have transpired with more detail.
I also feel like I would have liked to get the know the other Delta Force recruits and some of the other secondary characters better. Where did they come from? What made them who they are? What are their strengths/weaknesses? Why should I care about them? Etc.
Luka, Harvey, and Ren are dolls! I didn't know how I felt about Luka at first because she is so analytical that it comes off very mechanical. I understand why, now, and I do like her! I felt really bad for her at the beginning, too. My heart literally broke for her. I was so glad Luka had Harvey as a friend, and I thought he was such a great rock for her. He just seems like such a genuinely good guy. Then, I met Ren! Ugh, Ren! Let me clarify...that is a good "ugh." He makes me a little nervous, still, but I think that just has to do with his upbringing. Just for the record, I have an internal tug-of-war going on, and I don't know why side I want to win; Harvey or Ren! I love them both.
As far as the Genesi go -- meaning the people themselves -- I don't want to talk about them except that I have hopes for Nate. I will let readers discover the Genesi on their own!
The last thing I wanted to critique is the writing. Unfortunately, that (along with the lack of development) is the major reason I lowered my review rating. I did think it got a little better as the book progressed, but I struggled with the lack of fluidity. Concepts and phrases were often repetitive, and it made for very choppy reading. I think this is something that will only improve as Willis continues to write and grows, perhaps adjusting her editing/reviewing/publication process, but for this book, I feel the inconcise writing hindered it, some.
Overall, as I said before, I enjoyed The Genesi Code, but I had some issues. I think fans of dystopian/sci-fi YA will enjoy it, and I will recommend it! I cannot wait to see what else Tristen has in store for us, and I hope the second book is in the works because I NEED to know what is going to happen next! The Genesi Code releases September 1st.
*Thanks to the author for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 3.25
Anyone who follows me on Bookstagram knows how happy it makes me to support authors and small businesses. Tristen Willis happens to be both -- a debut author, as well as the owner of Burning Pages Candles (a small bookish candle company). I was so thrilled when I received a message from her regarding reading and reviewing an e-ARC of her novel, The Genesi Code.
Willis resides in Australia, where she works full-time in addition to running her small business and writing.
Let's chat about her book...
I am not going to lie, I tend to be really critical of dystopian stories. I am always really drawn to them, but they are super hit and miss with me. *Side note: Dystopians also totally freak me out; thinking they could possibly happen one day.
So, I loved the synopsis of The Genesi Code! The cover is also really pretty. This is the first book in a duology, although, I think Willis could have easily lengthened this into a trilogy. I did like it, but I had issues with it, too.
The 'Genesi Code' was a government experiment gone bad; an attempt to create an army of super soldiers that backfired and plagued mankind. Luka's father was working on a cure, or so we thought, when he was murdered. Luka and her best friend, Harvey, promised to avenge his death and spent the next ten years training in order to be accepted into the elite military branch known as Delta Force. Once there, they find out that things are not what they seem.
The story line for The Genesi Code is great! I think fans of Divergent and Maze Runner will enjoy this book (duology), but I think the execution of it missed the mark a bit.
After being drawn in by the description, the book kicks off with a really intriguing prologue. The pacing slows a little as the story is being set, but it does level out once we get to the training facility. The book wraps up with a plot twist that I NEVER SAW COMING and a cliff hanger that absolutely has me wanting to read the next book.
I did find it a bit odd, though, that this story is set 200+ years in the future and things are so familiar. I would have imagined a little more change, whether it's technologically or more drastic destruction due to the war.
I mentioned previously that I thought Willis could have easily made this into a trilogy. I say that because I often found myself wishing the plot or the characters were developed more fully. Willis used a lot of details to describe certain things, like the layout of the training facility (and/or the secrecy or it) and, later, the exploration of the abandoned town, but I felt that the important events transpired too quickly and without enough evolution or explanation.
I assume the observations help us to understand Luka's analytical personality, but I would still prefer the events have transpired with more detail.
I also feel like I would have liked to get the know the other Delta Force recruits and some of the other secondary characters better. Where did they come from? What made them who they are? What are their strengths/weaknesses? Why should I care about them? Etc.
Luka, Harvey, and Ren are dolls! I didn't know how I felt about Luka at first because she is so analytical that it comes off very mechanical. I understand why, now, and I do like her! I felt really bad for her at the beginning, too. My heart literally broke for her. I was so glad Luka had Harvey as a friend, and I thought he was such a great rock for her. He just seems like such a genuinely good guy. Then, I met Ren! Ugh, Ren! Let me clarify...that is a good "ugh." He makes me a little nervous, still, but I think that just has to do with his upbringing. Just for the record, I have an internal tug-of-war going on, and I don't know why side I want to win; Harvey or Ren! I love them both.
As far as the Genesi go -- meaning the people themselves -- I don't want to talk about them except that I have hopes for Nate. I will let readers discover the Genesi on their own!
The last thing I wanted to critique is the writing. Unfortunately, that (along with the lack of development) is the major reason I lowered my review rating. I did think it got a little better as the book progressed, but I struggled with the lack of fluidity. Concepts and phrases were often repetitive, and it made for very choppy reading. I think this is something that will only improve as Willis continues to write and grows, perhaps adjusting her editing/reviewing/publication process, but for this book, I feel the inconcise writing hindered it, some.
Overall, as I said before, I enjoyed The Genesi Code, but I had some issues. I think fans of dystopian/sci-fi YA will enjoy it, and I will recommend it! I cannot wait to see what else Tristen has in store for us, and I hope the second book is in the works because I NEED to know what is going to happen next! The Genesi Code releases September 1st.
*Thanks to the author for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
5.0
***full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Some books take you by surprise. Heartless by Marissa Meyer was one such book for me.
Some readers may look at this book, see Meyer's name on it and expect greatness because of her other work, but this is the first book I have read by her. Of course, I certainly plan to change that! I have been involved in the book community long enough now to know that Meyer's Lunar Chronicles are adored (yet they are still on my ever-growing TBR list - fail!). The newness of her writing to me added to the shock-factor, I believe. Her writing style is so fluid and concise; I loved it!
Some readers may also look at this book, understand that Heartless is a prequel, of sorts, to Alice in Wonderland or an origin story, perhaps, of the Queen of Hearts, so there should be an air of familiarity about it. Yet, I found this to be so original.
Heartless follows the story of Cath, a young girl in Wonderland with a passion for baking but a future already laid out for her by her parents. She seems to be destined to marry the King, but she is determined to create a path of her own. And, the mysterious Jest adds to the mix, confusing Cath in more ways than one.
The story line is full of magic and marvel, danger and chaos, as one would expect from any tale from Wonderland. Meyer does the whimsical world justice and pays enough tribute while spinning her own narrative.
The characters in Alice in Wonderland have some pretty big shoes to fill, and although Heartless is not so much a retelling as a prequel, I still felt Meyer had to be careful how she treated the characters she featured that were already so greatly loved from the Lewis Carroll original. Gratefully, in my opinion, Meyer nailed it!
I fell in love with so many characters in Heartless. Even the "bad" characters...they aren't bad, as in poorly executed; they are bad, as in I loved to hate them. Cath made me feel so much for her. Even though this is a fantasy, I saw a lot of me in her earlier on. And, I absolutely adored Jest. Of course I did! Meyer had to make me love him so much! My deep affection towards the characters is what added to the complete destruction of my heart in the end.
Because...
THIS BOOK UTTERLY CRUSHED ME!
I am rounding back to where I began and how Heartless took me by surprise. So much about this book surprised me in a good way. The writing, the premise, the characters, the ending!
Overall, I would absolutely recommend Heartless. I often struggle with enjoying retellings, so I am going to say this is for more than fans of retellings (and I don't even like to categorize this book as that). I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, and I truly believe others will, too.
Some books take you by surprise. Heartless by Marissa Meyer was one such book for me.
Some readers may look at this book, see Meyer's name on it and expect greatness because of her other work, but this is the first book I have read by her. Of course, I certainly plan to change that! I have been involved in the book community long enough now to know that Meyer's Lunar Chronicles are adored (yet they are still on my ever-growing TBR list - fail!). The newness of her writing to me added to the shock-factor, I believe. Her writing style is so fluid and concise; I loved it!
Some readers may also look at this book, understand that Heartless is a prequel, of sorts, to Alice in Wonderland or an origin story, perhaps, of the Queen of Hearts, so there should be an air of familiarity about it. Yet, I found this to be so original.
Heartless follows the story of Cath, a young girl in Wonderland with a passion for baking but a future already laid out for her by her parents. She seems to be destined to marry the King, but she is determined to create a path of her own. And, the mysterious Jest adds to the mix, confusing Cath in more ways than one.
The story line is full of magic and marvel, danger and chaos, as one would expect from any tale from Wonderland. Meyer does the whimsical world justice and pays enough tribute while spinning her own narrative.
The characters in Alice in Wonderland have some pretty big shoes to fill, and although Heartless is not so much a retelling as a prequel, I still felt Meyer had to be careful how she treated the characters she featured that were already so greatly loved from the Lewis Carroll original. Gratefully, in my opinion, Meyer nailed it!
I fell in love with so many characters in Heartless. Even the "bad" characters...they aren't bad, as in poorly executed; they are bad, as in I loved to hate them. Cath made me feel so much for her. Even though this is a fantasy, I saw a lot of me in her earlier on. And, I absolutely adored Jest. Of course I did! Meyer had to make me love him so much! My deep affection towards the characters is what added to the complete destruction of my heart in the end.
Because...
THIS BOOK UTTERLY CRUSHED ME!
I am rounding back to where I began and how Heartless took me by surprise. So much about this book surprised me in a good way. The writing, the premise, the characters, the ending!
Overall, I would absolutely recommend Heartless. I often struggle with enjoying retellings, so I am going to say this is for more than fans of retellings (and I don't even like to categorize this book as that). I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, and I truly believe others will, too.
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
4.0
***Full review at wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Girls Made of Snow and Glass is a masterfully written spin on the tale of Snow White.
Growing up, I only paid attention to the blissful side of fairytales. I loved the “happily ever after” and ignored the struggles the characters experienced along the way. In more recent years, however, I have grown to appreciate the part of the story that portrays life as less than perfect. Girls Made of Snow and Glass is just that; a story of how the lives of the queen and the princess, a mother and a daughter, are less perfect than they seem.
In her debut novel, Melissa Bashardoust absolutely captivated me with her writing! She had a very crisp, natural style, and I found it very easy to enjoy the narrative because the writing itself enhanced it. One of my favorite things about this book was simply the prose.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the format of the book. The chapters weaved the stories of Mina, the daughter of a powerful magician who grew to become the queen, and Lynet, the daughter of the king and step-daughter of Mina. The reader gets a glimpse at both of their pasts, which helps us to understand their present. The duel points of view fills out a more complete picture.
Generally speaking, this is a retelling, so the basic premise for Girls Made of Snow and Glass parallels that of Snow White, but there are so many unique aspects and twists regarding the characters, that I found myself truly in wonder to where the plot would progress. I loved the feminist and diverse elements that Bashardoust incorporated, too!
I thought most of the characters were well-developed, but I also found myself wanting to know more about or see more from a few. Because of the book’s format, we learn a great deal about Mina and Lynet, and I did find myself extremely invested in them. I also grew quite fond of the Hunstman, Felix, and the surgeon, Nadia. I think they are both major lights in this book, in my opinion. I even thought the dark and evil Gregory is an amazing character, but his origin or past is one I would have liked to know more about.
There was one thing that carried on through a large part of the book that nagged at me as a reader, and that had to do with the constant back and forth that Mina and Lynet felt towards each other. For a little while with Lynet, at least, I chocked it up to naivety, but it happened so much where both characters went from hot to cold and vice versa with each other that it eventually wore on me.
Overall, Girls Made of Snow and Glass met all of my high expectations. I am rather difficult to please when it comes to retellings, so I was thrilled with how much I enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy retellings, as well as to those who are looking for a unique, diverse read.
*Thanks to Flatiron Books for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Girls Made of Snow and Glass is a masterfully written spin on the tale of Snow White.
Growing up, I only paid attention to the blissful side of fairytales. I loved the “happily ever after” and ignored the struggles the characters experienced along the way. In more recent years, however, I have grown to appreciate the part of the story that portrays life as less than perfect. Girls Made of Snow and Glass is just that; a story of how the lives of the queen and the princess, a mother and a daughter, are less perfect than they seem.
In her debut novel, Melissa Bashardoust absolutely captivated me with her writing! She had a very crisp, natural style, and I found it very easy to enjoy the narrative because the writing itself enhanced it. One of my favorite things about this book was simply the prose.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the format of the book. The chapters weaved the stories of Mina, the daughter of a powerful magician who grew to become the queen, and Lynet, the daughter of the king and step-daughter of Mina. The reader gets a glimpse at both of their pasts, which helps us to understand their present. The duel points of view fills out a more complete picture.
Generally speaking, this is a retelling, so the basic premise for Girls Made of Snow and Glass parallels that of Snow White, but there are so many unique aspects and twists regarding the characters, that I found myself truly in wonder to where the plot would progress. I loved the feminist and diverse elements that Bashardoust incorporated, too!
I thought most of the characters were well-developed, but I also found myself wanting to know more about or see more from a few. Because of the book’s format, we learn a great deal about Mina and Lynet, and I did find myself extremely invested in them. I also grew quite fond of the Hunstman, Felix, and the surgeon, Nadia. I think they are both major lights in this book, in my opinion. I even thought the dark and evil Gregory is an amazing character, but his origin or past is one I would have liked to know more about.
There was one thing that carried on through a large part of the book that nagged at me as a reader, and that had to do with the constant back and forth that Mina and Lynet felt towards each other. For a little while with Lynet, at least, I chocked it up to naivety, but it happened so much where both characters went from hot to cold and vice versa with each other that it eventually wore on me.
Overall, Girls Made of Snow and Glass met all of my high expectations. I am rather difficult to please when it comes to retellings, so I was thrilled with how much I enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy retellings, as well as to those who are looking for a unique, diverse read.
*Thanks to Flatiron Books for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.