Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing an audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
“Defying the whole world requires courage, butThank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing an audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
“Defying the whole world requires courage, but that is the only way to be free.”
This book destroyed me. From page one, I was overcome with both love and fear for Eke. I could see right away how an AI was viewed and I could also see that Eke was more human than the actual humans around him. A dread filled me– the tone was set; there was no way anything in this story would go easy for Eke, a beautifully optimistic and empathetic soul who I knew deserved so much better than what was coming.
Eke is so wonderfully written, I’m getting teary eyed just thinking about him. He’s easily my favorite character of everything I’ve read in 2024 so far. His kind heart and childlike wonder in the simplest of things really resonated with me and I truly admired him. After the first half of the book, after the cruelties he faced, I couldn’t help but cry when that kindness and wonder still held strong. Don’t get me wrong, I also adored Kyp with my entire heart, but it’s Eke who really portrayed what Us, Et Cetera was about: the nature of life and the pursuit of freedom.
This book was thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and so so sooo utterly beautiful. I highly recommend the audiobook because Michael Crouch does an amazing job, as always. ...more
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book was stThank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book was stunning. I’m actually astounded it’s a debut.
Rules for Ghosting focuses on the intricacies of human connections and the exploration of grief. There wasn’t a single moment my eyes were dry, but don’t worry! Seventy percent of the time they were happy tears! I’m not typically an emotional person, but Shelly Jay Shore’s writing is nothing short of beautiful. It felt like I was experiencing the characters’ emotions firsthand. The complexity of loss and the glimmers of healing, the richly developed characters, the authenticity behind every moment in the book… It’s a story that stays with you a long time after it’s over, and I cannot recommend it enough. ...more
This book is fast-paced, fun, and a guaranteed good time for readers who like anime and are interested in folklore. For the anime lovers, it has theseThis book is fast-paced, fun, and a guaranteed good time for readers who like anime and are interested in folklore. For the anime lovers, it has these kinds of vibes: Bleach, JJK, Noragami, and Tokyo Ghoul. Probably more, but those were the big ones.
Wow. What an amazing world June C.L. Tan’s created in Darker by Four! Because of the familiar vibes of the anime listed above, it was easier than normal for me to visualize every scene in the book. I could picture things perfectly, from complex fight scenes to simple conversations between characters on the street. The magic was cool, the revenants and hybrids were cool, the Underworld was cool, the characters were cool… I’m sure you can tell I’m obsessed.
Another enjoyable read by these two authors! It was funny, steamy, and sweet... and Wes and Jamie were absolutely meant for each other. Best friends aAnother enjoyable read by these two authors! It was funny, steamy, and sweet... and Wes and Jamie were absolutely meant for each other. Best friends and first loves? The hopeless romantic in me was QUAKING!...more
I just couldn't put this down! Jonah and Dylan's POVs were so fun and by the end of it, I found myself genuinely heartbroken it was over. I love goingI just couldn't put this down! Jonah and Dylan's POVs were so fun and by the end of it, I found myself genuinely heartbroken it was over. I love going into books blind because then stories like this one take me by total surprise. It was so funny I laughed out loud, but then it was so heartbreakingly sad that I had to rub my chest to ease the hurt... and there was a lot of hurt. But there was also a lot of hope, and love, and joy.
Do yourself a huge favor and read this book. PLEASE....more
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wow, what aThank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wow, what a surprise this book was! I remember requesting the ARC simply for the cover alone, and am so glad I made that decision.
Leopold is a silly, charming, relatable character you can’t help but cheer for. He’s so much like the protagonists you love in other books, but different in little ways that make him unique and unforgettable. The supporting cast is fantastic as well, even if they have very little page time. But where a lot of the magic lies is in, well, the magic– the world. Sunder Hill. The nostalgia a lot of us feel seeing the cover of this book? That same nostalgia practically oozes out of the pages. Ransom Riggs has created a vibrant world full of neon lights, deserts at sundown, diners with your favorite pie, and a city with little bits of magic squeezed into every crevice.
I highly recommend you read about Leopold’s journey as he navigates the extraordinary disappointments of his life because you’ll have a blast, I promise! ...more