What a beautiful and touching story! Full of action, Nowhere on Earth starts with a plane crash and only escalates from there. I was on the edge of myWhat a beautiful and touching story! Full of action, Nowhere on Earth starts with a plane crash and only escalates from there. I was on the edge of my seat as the events unfolded and audibly gasped more than once.
"Emily felt the earthquake friction of different layers of reality rubbing together."
This book is a quick read and is truly best going in without much knowledge of the plot - I enjoyed experiencing and piecing it together. This one is light on the science fiction elements, the world is our world and there isn't futuristic technology or worldbuilding to understand. Memory and reality, particularly how we experience it, are a common theme but it's an accessible conversation that can serve as a primer for other sci-fi works that tackle these themes.
"We're not lost. We've come through that. We're on the other side of lost."
At its core this is a book about the love Emily has for her brother, and their harrowing adventure on a remote mountain in Alaska. But it's also about acceptance and living in the moment, and perhaps even chasing your dreams. "The future is waiting to be shaped."
eARC provided by the publisher for consideration. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
OH MY GOD this book??? y'all are sleeping on it wtf. forever mad that I didn't get to it before now. full review to come but just know that this book OH MY GOD this book??? y'all are sleeping on it wtf. forever mad that I didn't get to it before now. full review to come but just know that this book has my heart.
eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for consideration. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. I read a finished copy.
I wish that I enjoyed this novella more than I did. Unfortunately, I found it rather meandering and it didn't really grasp my interest. There are someI wish that I enjoyed this novella more than I did. Unfortunately, I found it rather meandering and it didn't really grasp my interest. There are some beautifully written lines and the overall plot itself was compelling, but the writing style just didn't work for me -- it felt a lot longer than it is and I almost DNFd it.
eARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.
OH MY GOD THIS BOOK!?!?!?! The Haunting of Alejandra simply blew me away and there is no way t[image] Full review is now available on Reader Voracious!
OH MY GOD THIS BOOK!?!?!?! The Haunting of Alejandra simply blew me away and there is no way that I will be able to do it justice. Haunting and beautifully written, this is a powerful and infuriating story that I won't soon forget.
This book deals heavily with depression and suicidal ideation so please be sure you are in the right headspace before picking it up.
"I watched my husband achieve his dreams while I sat at home wanting to die, forgetting any dreams of my own."
My heart absolutely aches for Alejandra, who had slowly given up pieces of herself to her husband and the life that he wanted for their family. Their interactions are microaggressions against her pain and he treats her like a servant. I love that we watch her unpack these feelings and work with a therapist. I appreciate the trauma and healing tools that are discussed.
"The tension between them remained in the air like a smoldering vapor. In that vapor floated the dust of all the unloving and inharmonious things they have ever said."
Fast paced and effortlessly crafted, the narrative captured me from the first page to the very last. The Haunting of Alejandra is a book about learning to love oneself and heal both personal and generational trauma. It's more than a ghost story and Alejandra is haunted by more than La Llorona. It's also about the horrors of the patriarchy and is an honest look at the thankless reality of motherhood. This book made me cry and while I am not a mother myself, I feel seen and will treasure this book.
Representation: adoption rep, bisexual main character, Mexican American rep, trans rep Content Warnings: ableism, bloody injury and gore depiction, depression, generational trauma, menstruation, miscarriage, parental abandonment, racism, religious oppression, sexual assault mention, suicidal ideation
eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
"Ash sleets from the firmament in soft handfuls of black, gathering in gauzy drifts around my ankles. The sky is ink and seething murk, whispe
"Ash sleets from the firmament in soft handfuls of black, gathering in gauzy drifts around my ankles. The sky is ink and seething murk, whispering secrets to itself, the clourds snarled like long, dark hair."
Cassandra Khaw is an auto-buy author for me, and their latest novella The Salt Grows Heavy is just as dark as their other writing. I love mermaids and absolutely adore how Khaw took the legends and shaped them into something wholly and horrifically unique.
Beautifully written with every word in its place, the prose is descriptive and all encompassing. Some readers may struggle with the purple prose or depictions of gore, so be sure to check the content warnings.
"Man mistakes his own experiences as the canvas on which all truths are drawn. He is rarely correct in this respect."
This is a difficult novella to review because it's kind of something to be experienced, but this was a read I won't forget anytime soon.
Content warnings: blood and gore, death, dismemberment, murder
eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
The Butcher is an adult western dystopia where "An Eye for an Eye" is taken a bit too literally. An interesting premise and discussion of power, contrThe Butcher is an adult western dystopia where "An Eye for an Eye" is taken a bit too literally. An interesting premise and discussion of power, control, and justice; however, I was left wanting more. More information about the world. More coherent plotting. More compelling narrative. This was almost painful to read but my interest was piqued enough to see how it ended, but the ending didn't offer a satisfying payoff. I didn't enjoy this at all and I'm so sad about it.
eARC & ALC provided by the publisher via NetGalley and LibroFM for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
Audiobook narration: 100000 gold stars! I read along with the audiobook and Lori Prince did an incredible job bringing this story to life with her narAudiobook narration: 100000 gold stars! I read along with the audiobook and Lori Prince did an incredible job bringing this story to life with her narration.
"[I]t's more important to know who you are than who you think you're meant to be."
Holy heck, this book was powerful and heartbreaking and I want to punch things. This is a beautifully written uncomfortable read, please read the content warnings before picking this one up.
"Are you the girl? he asked. There could only be one answer. More powerful than disappearing was being found. More powerful was being found was being seen."
Beautifully written and effortlessly engaging, I'm The Girl is like a car accident that you can't look away from. Courtney Summers nails the teen voice and writes in a way that feels authentic. There's a raw vulnerability to this story of Georgia, a teenaged girl who desperately wants to grow up and make something of herself. Who never felt support from those around her. Who sees her beauty as a way out of poverty and a path to a better life. Whose desire and naivete draw Bad People to her and she doesn't realize that she's a victim. Georgia infuriates me and I wish that I could hold her close and tell her that she doesn't need to seek validation and that she's worthy of respect. But I remember all too well wanting to grow up, to be Seen by older men and thinking that made me special. The anger and frustration that I feel is as much for my younger self, and for all young girls who have been taken advantage of.
I can't exactly say that I enjoyed reading this book, but it is powerful, timely, and beautifully written. Courtney Summers handles the topic with care and with I'm The Girl she continues her focus on the young victims of society without sensationalizing.
Content Warnings: blackmail, child sex abuse, kidnapping, pedophilia, statutory rape Representation: sapphic main character, poverty rep
eARC & ALC provided by the publisher via NetGalley and LibroFM for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
Unfortunately I just never got into the story; I found myself bored from the outset and didn't find the characters or whatever the plot was bDNF @ 14%
Unfortunately I just never got into the story; I found myself bored from the outset and didn't find the characters or whatever the plot was building to compelling enough to continue reading.
I do appreciate the casual LGBT rep of the book with nonbinary individuals and queer relationships represented.
eARC provided by the publisher for consideration. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
I loved Kit Frick's I Killed Zoe Spanos and was beyond excited to read her upcoming ya thriller, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy this one as muchI loved Kit Frick's I Killed Zoe Spanos and was beyond excited to read her upcoming ya thriller, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy this one as much as I'd hoped. I enjoy when books start at the end and then flash back so you can try to uncover how everything happens, and The Reunion uses this plot device well by interspersing the regular narrative with more "news" as it becomes available. The readers don't find out who went missing until halfway through the book, and then you're left trying to figure out how, which was fun.
The story is told in the alternating first person perspectives of the four teenagers on the trip to Cancun, Mexico: Addison, Mason, Theo, and Natalia. I often struggle with multiple POVs but can enjoy them in thrillers when used to relay information to the reader that the other characters don't know. That really didn't happen here and unfortunately, each character POV sounded the same and it was a little confusing to keep track of. Barring a few surface-level characteristics, each felt paper thin. There's a big Secret that Addison, Mason, and Natalia have been holding for the last three years that blew them apart, and I felt it was a little anticlimactic when revealed considering it is mentioned all the time. However, I appreciated how queer normative the world is, especially how identity and finding oneself is handled.
Ultimately, this was a quick and enjoyable read but I was left wanting on the character development front. The mystery itself is well done and engaging, making this a good summer read on the beach or poolside.
eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for consideration. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
It pains me to say that writing style The Sleepless did not work for me. I loved the concept and underlying messages on capitalism but found
DNF @ 48&
It pains me to say that writing style The Sleepless did not work for me. I loved the concept and underlying messages on capitalism but found the narrative dragging and circuitous. It took what felt like 48 hours to read 48% (it was really 4.5), and I knew that I'd be back in a slump if I kept reading. Many thanks to my pal Amanda for cheering me on and for ultimately telling me what happens.
"'It's the choice between more or less time, and the answer is pretty obvious.'"
Thank you Kate for the recommendation, I'm so sad this one didn't work for me! This is a smart book with an important message, and I hope you give it a try if it sounds interesting to you!
eARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
eARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for my honest review. This has not affected my opinion or the contents of my review. Quotations are from eARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for my honest review. This has not affected my opinion or the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished copy and are subject to change upon final publication.
"Danger didn't need a place to hide, it preferred to fester."
Jackal is a debut adult thriller that is compelling with a main character to
"Danger didn't need a place to hide, it preferred to fester."
Jackal is a debut adult thriller that is compelling with a main character to root for and past wrongs to right. Unfortunately, I found the writing style a little stilted and at times difficult to understand. The narrative meanders without any plot-driven action that you expect from a mystery/thriller. I still was intrigued by the mystery and needed to see how it ends, so I skimmed until around 60% where the book took off running and kept me gripped to the very end.
Content warnings: alcoholism, anxiety, death of a child, domestic violence, kidnapping, racism
eARC provided by the publisher for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
Oh, how I wish I enjoyed this one as much as Reid's debut The Wolf and the Woodsman. I don't know if it was the timing or my mood or the book itself, Oh, how I wish I enjoyed this one as much as Reid's debut The Wolf and the Woodsman. I don't know if it was the timing or my mood or the book itself, but friends - I struggled.
"I checked under my bed, but the monster was gone. It had been gone since morning, when the pink fingers of dawn flushed back to its favorite hiding place in Rose's garden, spiny tail banded around the trunk of the juniper tree."
It's hard to even review this book because my reading experience of it was uneven: I adored the opening and the prose was even more magical to read than Reid's debut. The prose is lush and ethereal but the pace is meandering, which is typical of the Gothic horror genre. I think where this fell short for me was with the characters themselves, their relationships and motivations were not really believable. Gothic fiction needs to make me feel something for the characters, but I found myself not caring and that made it difficult for me to want to read the book. This book is glacially paced and mostly Vibes; its prose and atmosphere shine but unfortunately it falls short with the characters. While this didn't work for me, I do look forward to Reid's next book!
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This does not impact my opinions of the book or the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
Preorder Tokyo Dreaming and submit your receipt to receive exclusive goodies: a pencil case, washi tape, and pencil designed by the book! (US only, so
Preorder Tokyo Dreaming and submit your receipt to receive exclusive goodies: a pencil case, washi tape, and pencil designed by the book! (US only, sorry friends.)
I didn't know this was a series and let me tell you I am sososo happy to get back to these characters! While I didn't love this book as much as the first one, Tokyo Dreaming is funny and full of heart.
We've all been there: 18 years old with the whole world ahead of us and the expectation that we know what to do and what we want to do. Now take that general confusion of "what do I wanna be when I grow up" and add the expectations of the Crown with all its new rules and trappings. Talk about stressful!
"'The truth is, I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. I mean, what am I really passionate about beyond eating and sleeping?'"
Relatable, Izumi. Tokyo Dreaming really tackles the whole concept of needing to be special and have high aspirations, which I find honestly refreshing in an era of YA where characters all go to elite universities and have clear goals. Isn't average good enough when you are a good person? There's a true juxtaposition between Izumi's upbringing in Mount Shasta (lower pressure but feeling out of place) and her new life in Japan (higher pressure but feels a sense of belonging). That isn't to say that Izumi doesn't feel like an outsider as someone who grew up in the diaspora.
"Ever since becoming a princess, all experiences have been weighted with expectations and worries about how I might be perceived."
In many ways this is more a book about the family and their relationship with the Imperial Agency, but it also features Izumi just trying to figure things out. School was never really her thing and she doesn't know if she even wants to go to university, but as the daughter of the Crown Prince there are expectations. Incredibly high expectations she never had to meet before but is being held to this new standard, all the while being judged by everyone and in the press.
"But there are still rules to abide by. Princess rules. What I can do and what I can't Like my major. I may choose it but within certain parameters. Does life always come with constraints? Is that part of growing up?"
I love Izumi's family and everything developing between each of them with the introduction of her father into her life. The fact her parents still hold a candle for one another 18 years later? My heart. The whirlwind romance. The intense love Izumi feels for her parents to do anything in her power so her parents can get married: including sacrificing her own happiness. The reason this book didn't hit quite the same for me is the relationship, which I won't go into but have complicated feelings on.
One thing I do hope/expect will be fixed in the finished copy is the timeline. The dates in Tokyo Dreaming are in 2022 - thus a year after the events of Tokyo Ever After - but it's actually just a few months later (the AGG is just now entering college not their sophomore year). Just a little continuity error my brain couldn't not grasp onto, especially since a lot of the plot is tied up in whether Izumi wants to take a gap year or go to college.
Overall, Tokyo Dreaming is a delightful sequel in the "Wait, I'm a Princess? but make it Asian" series that focuses on not only the coming of age anxieties of what to do with our lives but also Izumi's journey to figuring out who she is as someone who grew up in the diaspora, all while also dealing with the expectations now thrown at her because of the whole princess thing. There's some fake dating, sunshine cinnamon rolls, parents falling madly in love with one another, and a girl trying to please everyone but herself... then coming to terms with what she wants.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC via Netgalley for my honest review. This has not affected my opinion of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an uncorrected proof and subject to change upon final publication.
I still think about how much I enjoyed Jar of Hearts back in 2018, so of course I jumped at the opportunity to read Hillier's upcoming July 2022 releaI still think about how much I enjoyed Jar of Hearts back in 2018, so of course I jumped at the opportunity to read Hillier's upcoming July 2022 release. While I didn't quite enjoy this one as much, it was a powerful and engaging read.
"Paris should have known it would end like this, because there's no such thing as happily ever after when you run away from one life to start a whole new one. Karma has come for her."
- Deals with heavy topics of child abuse, cycles of abuse, and statutory rape. It's painful to read at times, so be sure to be in the right mindset when picking this one up. - More of a mystery than a thriller, so go in with the right expectations. - Told in six parts and in dual timelines, the pacing feels a little uneven and the narrative a little repetitive at times. Drew's POVs often shared the same information and by the latter third of the book, it dragged things for me. - I'm sorry but why didn't they use her doing Sun Salutations in the holding cell the morning after her husband was murder as evidence of her guilt?
"while you can reinvent yourself, you can't outrun yourself. As a woman once reminded her a long time ago, the common denominator in all the terrible things that have happened to you is you. Everywhere you go, there you are."
Content warnings: abuse, blood, child abuse, drug abuse, mentions of mental illness and suicide, misogyny, murder, sex work and Opinions about sex workers, statutory rape
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This does not impact my opinions of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
I really wish I loved this one more than I did, but sadly the writing style and narrative flow just wasn't for me. Everything felt too obvious and "onI really wish I loved this one more than I did, but sadly the writing style and narrative flow just wasn't for me. Everything felt too obvious and "on the nose", the first-person narrative exacerbated that with the main character talking in circles about the obvious Red Flags, and then deciding to do it anyways.
I love the sibling relationship in this book and Myra's quiet determination to take care of her sister, no matter the risk. The scenes where they interact were so much FUN and I wish the narrative had more of the interactions rather than descriptions and being in the MC's head.
While A Forgery of Roses wasn't for me doesn't mean you won't enjoy it, we all have different tastes and preferences. Read my friend Meaghan's 4.5 star review before making a decision!
Representation: anxiety, chronic illness Content warnings: abandonment, ableism, child death, gore, graphic injury, loss of a loved one, miscarriage
eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and are subject to change upon final publication.
"Misinformation grows faster than knowledge, and people will take to it first."
I really enjoyed Where Dreams Descend and was so excited to read the finale of the duology and get answers. What is Glorian? Why can't people remember things? Why is Jack a butt? I love how everything came together, characters dealt with the consequences of their actions, the beautiful writing, and revelations were made, but I did find myself a little confused and frustrated by all the lying and gatekeeping of information.
"Everyone lies. Sometimes they have to, sometimes they want to. But good or bad, we all lie --especially when it comes to power."
The duology is plotted well and I love that all the mystery of Glorian laid out at the end of Where Dreams Descend take center stage in this book. The worldbuilding is vast and expands our understanding of the world Angeles created but I struggled with keeping everything together. There's this moment in the book where Kallia asks "What the fuck is going on?" and that's basically how I felt most of this book.
Revelation after revelation, at times it felt like the plot was a giant WTF wrapped up in a character who doesn't tell the truth to conveniently make all of this confusion possible. I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope where everything would basically be fine if someone would have spent 5 minutes at the start. While the allure and mystery of Jack in the first book kept my annoyance at bay, for some reason it bothered me more in WNB. I never really got a valid sense of why; rather, I found a very good reason for him to be honest with her if he really wanted to ~protect her~. Then again, characters -- just like people -- don't make sense sometimes!
"Even in a world of illusions, the truth will come out."
The theme of memory and trust are again at the fore throughout as Kallia and the reader are never really sure what is true. Reality blurs and so much is unknown by our main characters, and the way worldbuilding is revealed is like standing on shifting sand… constantly leading you to readjust your footing.
Overall I enjoyed this debut fantasy duology and would recommend it to fans of magical fantasy stories where trust is precious and the book keeps you guessing.
eARC provided by the publisher Wednesday Books for my honest review. This has not impacted my reading opinions or the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
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