lizanneyoung's reviews
231 reviews

Unblemished by Sara Ella

4.0

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Unblemished is the start of a YA fantasy trilogy that took me a hot minute to wrap my head around because it’s so thoughtful. I love the worldbuilding happening here, especially with the concepts of Reflections and the push and pull of the Verity and the Void. There is a lot of information to take in since our main character, Eliyana, has been kept in the dark, but between all the interesting people she meets along the way, it’s steadily revealed over the course of the book.

I haven’t read many fantasy stories that have a connection to the current world. That’s something I want to change, but I enjoy how it was done here. The idea of multiple Reflections, and our present is only one of them, is such a great way to explain having “modern” society and different fantasy realms in the same timeline.  

Eliyana’s story is rooted not just in a journey of self-acceptance and understanding, but in love. It is a love triangle I really don’t know who to root for. I think both Joshua and Ky offer good merits, and while the ending of this book does have me leaning in a particular direction after everything, I can understand arguments on both sides. With another two books in the series, I’m curious if Ky’s statements will come to fruition and just how long Joshua can keep certain secrets from Eliyana. 

I, once again this week, did not see the betrayal coming. I was so focused on the tangled love story that I completely missed any sign of it. Looking back, the events of the first bit of the book, before Eliyana learns about the Reflections, make so much more sense, but I’m glad I was so wrapped up in everything else happening that it went over my head.

Not to spoil anything, but I love the way music is used in this book. I won’t say anything else, but I super enjoyed how that little plot turned out.

Endangered by Dani Hoots

4.0

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was so much fun! The reader follows Chrys, the daughter of Hades and Persephone, as she spends her life in the Underworld, wanting desperately to explore literally anywhere else. You also get to read from Huntley’s POV, her tutor who is a human she saved when he first came to the Underworld. Chrys has been hidden away from her father, in fear that should his brother’s know of her existence, they will try to kill her because she is incredibly powerful.

Endangered is my kind of Greek mythology rooted story. I didn’t feel bogged down in being told a ton of different myths and stories that didn’t contribute to the plot. There is more dimension brought to the gods than what I’ve read before in other books. There’s a killer betrayal with groundwork laid that I didn’t even notice until the third act. There’s a love story you can’t help but root for (and one you really won’t root for at all). And, we get to watch on as Chrys doesn’t quite understand everything happening on Earth, which is always entertaining. 

I genuinely didn’t see the set up for the betrayal or how everything would come crumbling down for Chrys. Shout out to the author for weaving all the clues in so well that they didn’t come across as glaringly obvious. When I thought back, all the hints were there, but they are so mundane that you wouldn’t think much of them until you know what they mean. Personally, I like that, because I hate being able to see the twist or the tell from the start.

As the series continues, I can’t wait to see how Chrys gets herself out of her current situation. She has the time to turn the tides in her favor, but I don’t know how she’ll do it, and I’m excited to watch it play out. I also hope to read more about Huntley’s life as a human, before he first went to the Underworld. Based on what we know, it sounds like he struggled significantly, and I hope this next life is better to him.

A Must Read If You Like

⚫ Contemporary Greek Stories

⚫ Strong FMCs

⚫ Mutual Pining 

The Bad Friend by Caroline Kepnes

2.0

 

⭐⭐

I was intrigued by the premise of this short story, but it ultimately fell flat for me. While the blurb focuses on the rivalry between Ellen and Tanya, there’s actually very little of it included. Everything we know is through Ellen’s perspective, and there are times as we follow her through life where she isn’t even thinking about Tanya at all, despite reminiscing on occasion that she misses her friend. 

It’s an interesting conversation in terms of blaming yourself for something that happened to said friend, but Ellen never seems to have the understanding that what she did in no way impacted the decisions made that day. What happened would’ve happened, even without Ellen’s actions. However, Ellen is too caught up in herself and her life to recognize that.

The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale

4.0

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

TROPES

📗 Fake Dating

📗 One Bed

📗 Dual POV

I always love stories that in some way feature actors as a main character. I can’t explain it, but it’s always a fun time for me, and The Decoy Girlfriend is no exception.

Looking like a famous actress has sometimes worked out in Freya’s favor, but now she’s doing it to prevent said famous actress from outing her as impersonating her on occasion. And, it helps that the entire task is to pretend to be famous actor Taft Bamber’s fake girlfriend, the world just doesn’t know it’s a PR romance. 

Freya and Taft’s chemistry is obvious from their first interaction, and it’s nice that neither of them rejects it outright. Sure, they push it off for a bit, but it’s because of their willingness to sacrifice something for themselves if it somehow helps the other person. Both are givers in that right, but as we follow them, they learn to put themselves first in different aspects, even if it takes a hot minute. 

Taft’s relationship with his former co-stars/friends is really heartbreaking. He puts so much of himself out there for them, from thinking about them and always being the person to reach out, and that’s not returned. It sucks for him that the former co-stars have preconceived notions about how their friendship should be because of Taft’s fame, but it sucks to realize you are doing more to serve a friendship than the other half is. 

Watching Freya struggle to write is relatable to the tenth degree. I’m certainly someone that hits a lot of roadblocks with my own writing, and watching her work through that gave me hope that I can too.

Void by Veronica Roth

5.0

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have been in a bit of a reading slump this week, but I think this novella pulled me out of it. I have been trying to decide which Veronica Roth project to read first, since I read Divergent as a teen, and I’m glad it was this one. 

Void combines sci-fi and murder mystery together in a way that gives the briefest of insights into a world where interplanetary travel is possible while also presenting what turns out to be a very human story on all levels. In such a short story, I didn’t expect for the ending to feel so complete and poignant. You feel for both the victim, who had a plan to leave this world on his own terms, and the person who took that from him, who is also struggling in their own right.

Uglies: Cutters by Scott Westerfeld, Devin Grayson, Steven Cummings

4.0

 

Like the first graphic novel, Cutters follows Shay’s story during one of the main books. This time we get to see her side of the events of Pretties, the second book in the series. The second Uglies graphic novel structures itself like a fairy tale story. Each line of the fairy tale is revealed as we hit a different plot point in Shay’s life in New Pretty Town. 

The anger in Shay is so present. It’s clear that, despite liking her friend Tally, there will always be a bit of resentment. A bit of anger in how the events of their life play out and how Tally’s involved with that. And also the underlying concern that, if Shay is open about her relationship, it will somehow be taken away from her by Tally. Shay is also more rebellious, being more critical of the government now.

I can’t blame her for that resentment. For someone that is supposed to be her friend, Tally keeps a lot of secrets, things that Shay would agree with and want to be a part of, all because Tally would rather share it with the guy in her life at that moment. It’s both reflective of how teenage relationships and friendships can be while adding depth to both characters because we are seeing them from the opposite perspective. I wish these continued, because seeing how this changes once they are both Specials would add so much to the story. 

Once again, the artwork is beautiful and I particularly love the fairy tale panels, where we see Shay as a “ranger” and Tally as a “princess.”

Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak

3.5

 

TROPES

🎀 Rivals to Lovers

🎀 He Falls First

🎀 Dual POV

This was a fun sports romance. I love watching gymnastics, so knowing the FMC Avery was an Olympic gymnast recovering from an injury immediately caught my attention. 

Avery and Knox struggle with relatable issues. From wondering if you will ever be at the same competitive level again to taking on the burden of a parent, both are a ton for any young person to take on, and they handle that stress well. Of course, it is that stress that nearly drives a wedge between them in the third act, but it’s nice to see the growth with each generation. The chemistry between Avery and Knox is electric. What I wouldn’t give for a chapter from one of the friends’ POVs to see what it was like to be around that.

Both are arguably at major career crossroads. Unfortunate circumstances cause Knox to be kicked from his racing team and Avery is trying to rehab her knee in time for the start of the season. Combined with that pressure, I think it would’ve been really easy to write in some type of breakdown for either, and I was pleasantly surprised not to see one. 

This story is a really great representation that a career can take all forms, and there isn’t any one way to find your way back to a career you enjoy. The MCs are struggling with similar thoughts of “Is my career over before it ever really started?.” We harp so much on only one path for so many careers, and I think this is a wonderful example of why that can be detrimental to the next generation. There isn’t a single path to anything, even sports-related careers like these, and I like that Burnout shows that.

People Like Them by Minka Kent

4.0

 

This is a great short story about a rotating HOA dinner party. Each chapter is from the POV of the wife hosting that course of the party, which makes for an entertaining narrative. Each woman has different views of her neighbors, but as the story comes to a close, it’s clear they all had the same goals going into the evening.

People Like Them is a poignant story about having a village and what that village can do for you. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s great to see how these women come together to support one of their own and help remove them from a bad situation. Once the breakdown is revealed, all the comments from the different POVs tie the story together. What I thought was going to be more sinister in nature turned out to be something many can relate to.

I haven’t read anything from this author before, but I need to look through their catalog and add some of their books to my TBR. 

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

5.0

 

TROPES

🥃 Brother’s Best Friend

🥃 He Falls First

🥃 No Third Act Break Up

🥃 Dual POV

I genuinely believe I’ve been reading the wrong type of western/cowboy romance novels. As someone who grew up tangentially to that lifestyle, part of why I haven’t liked previous cowboy romances are the caricatures of the people in that life, and the focus on the material aspects of it. This blew that notion out of the water, and it’s likely because the author herself is rooted in that life. 

I love Emmy. Her fear is rational, especially as someone who has had similar experiences. And I totally get why, combined with her ADHD, she is then at a huge life crossroads. It’s really hard to come to terms with the notion that something you thought you’d be doing your whole life may not be an option for you anymore, and also to question how much you still enjoy it. While she questions her feelings at times, when she finally leans into them, it’s a nice payoff.

Luke has great growth over the course of the story. We learn through Emmy’s eyes how he originally was, how Luke perceives he was, and how different life events changed him now that he’s in his 30s. The two realizing that they never actually knew the other despite mostly growing up together is a wonderful journey to follow them on, especially because they feel like kindred spirits in a way. You can’t help but root for them, even if it seems like things will implode because of the secrets they’re keeping. 

I also won’t quite look at whiskey the same for a bit. IYKYK

The Notes by Catherine Con Morse

3.0

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC and finished copy. I am leaving an honest review. 

This YA book follows Claire, a young pianist in training going to a performing arts boarding school. The year starts fairly normal, save for a new mysterious piano teacher that no one can get a read on. 

I think what this book does well is show the pressure teens can be under, even if society doesn’t always acknowledge that. Claire has parents who are, while supportive, very much like how many Asian American parents are described. They want her to be a doctor or a lawyer or anything but a pianist. There isn’t only pressure coming from that but from the nature of the school. They are training to be the best, and that’s a ton to put on a teen, as shown by her friend Rocky. The new teacher really layers that on, especially for Claire and Rocky, because of what she sees in their potential. Claire also struggles with not feeling as though she’s Asian enough when she is declined as a member of the Asian Student Society before the events of the book. 

Overall, this book is a positive reflection of the struggles teens can be under, and how that can further manifest in such an extreme environment.