A thrilling, delicious ride from start to finish, The Better to Kiss You With is absolute fantastic fun that brings together geekery and the supernatuA thrilling, delicious ride from start to finish, The Better to Kiss You With is absolute fantastic fun that brings together geekery and the supernatural. Programmer Deanna works and plays in a Ingress-inspired game called Wolf's Run, where everyone plays as a fictional werewolf and tries to claim territories for their pack. The game combines MMORPG and LARPing elements and sounds super fun; and the worldbuilding Osgood does here is wonderful.
Deanna starts dating Jamie, who I adored immediately. They were both so cute together I couldn't stand it, and Osgood writes them with such chemistry. Every kiss and every touch is memorable; and the magic and magic reveal itself was everything I wanted.
There are some genuinely terrifying moments in the book, and Osgood handles them well. Fast paced and action packed, the book is both a wonderful romance and suspenseful thriller. ...more
Stunning and delightful combination of stories that draw from Chinese folklore and blend magical realism with amazing characters. Definitely a favoritStunning and delightful combination of stories that draw from Chinese folklore and blend magical realism with amazing characters. Definitely a favorite. ...more
An absolute delight and a marvelous journey. I fell in love with Trip Morgan on the first page; his story is filled with charm and hopes and dreams, aAn absolute delight and a marvelous journey. I fell in love with Trip Morgan on the first page; his story is filled with charm and hopes and dreams, a story that isn't without its edges and sharp places. Having left his small town and never looked back since, Trip is trying hard to make it in New York with his friends and roommates; all of which survive doing odd jobs and Trip himself as a street musician and also pickpocket. Trip's habit of pocketing trinkets that tell stories of moments in strangers lives, and when he spots a man who he knows for certain from a childhood photograph, he begins a relationship with Nate Mackey, a former Wall Street drone who lacks inspiration in his life.
Trip's complexity as both hopeful "would-be miracle" and bitter, jaded from his harsh dealings in life makes for an incredible page-turner. Lux masterfully crafts a rich narrative filled with wonderful people to cheer and root for and cry over. Small Wonders is heartfelt and endearing. ...more
These three stories are absolutely compelling visually and are incredibly moving, filled with action and stunning depth; Yang and Kim use stories-withThese three stories are absolutely compelling visually and are incredibly moving, filled with action and stunning depth; Yang and Kim use stories-within-stories to address racial tension, society and the neverending push for satisfaction and so much more in these emotion-packed comics. ...more
Beauty Queens is filled with biting sarcasm, honest emotion, upending expected tropes, unapologetic feminism, and an entertaining story throughout. BrBeauty Queens is filled with biting sarcasm, honest emotion, upending expected tropes, unapologetic feminism, and an entertaining story throughout. Bray starts with the concept of "a plane of beauty queens crash on a deserted island" and goes from there. Unlike the boys in Lord of the Flies, the girls in this novel are resourceful and after setting aside their differences, band together to engineer shelter, potable water, and collecting food resources. They learn a lot, from the jungle and also from each other, shedding internal misogyny and misconceptions. Meanwhile the mysterious Corporation which runs this possible too-close-to-reality-dystopia has a secret base on the island and sinister plans for the girls.
All the characters are multi-faceted and interesting, projecting a version of themselves and coming to terms with who they are. Fun, delightful read. ...more
A rich and intricate love story alight with political machinations, magical worldbuilding, and immerse details of lush scenery, The Sidhe is that deliA rich and intricate love story alight with political machinations, magical worldbuilding, and immerse details of lush scenery, The Sidhe is that delicious summer read you've been dying to sink into.
Brieden is determined to set the elf Sehrys free from slavery in the king's palace, but their escape sets off a whirlwind reaction of events and political upheaval as they try to make their way back to the Sehry's home. The romance is a gradual and aching delight, and how they learn to trust one another and start falling for each other on this journey is handled well, with open communication and respect for one another.
An exciting page-turner packed with love and passion bundled with smart commentary on gender politics and class systems, The Sidhe is a bold beginning. Magical and romantic, and I am on the edge of my seat for the next installment in the series. ...more
None of the Above is absolutely riveting and was impossible to put down from start to finish. Krissy Lattimer is a senior that has everything she everNone of the Above is absolutely riveting and was impossible to put down from start to finish. Krissy Lattimer is a senior that has everything she ever wanted; she's a top athlete, has a great boyfriend and wonderful friends, and is voted homecoming queen. Yet after mysterious pains and seeing a doctor, Krissy learns that she is intersex.
The novel pulls no punches in the bullying and harassment that follows after she is outed to her high school-- I found Krissy's depression highly relatable and realistic, and enjoyed reading about her courage to move forward, build new friendships, reconnect with old friends, and form stronger relationships with those she cares about....more
Absolutely gorgeous prose, invigorating plot with spectacular characters and a rich landscape. Uprooted brings together unique worldbuilding, a truly Absolutely gorgeous prose, invigorating plot with spectacular characters and a rich landscape. Uprooted brings together unique worldbuilding, a truly terrifying seemingly formless antagonist of the Wood, and a wonderful and relatable heroine, Agnieszka, whose courage, determination and creativity really move the story forward. ...more
A fast paced thrilling scifi drama that takes a unique look at a postapocalyptic universe where only a devastating plague has wiped out most of the adA fast paced thrilling scifi drama that takes a unique look at a postapocalyptic universe where only a devastating plague has wiped out most of the adult population, leaving only children and teenagers as well as senior citizens, those who had the opportunity to be vaccinated. Callie's attempt to get her and her younger brother out of the slums brings her to Destination Prime, a technology that rents out the bodies of teens to thrillseeking seniors. Her first few clients are fine, but then Callie gets wrapped up in an assassination plot and learns more about the terrible plans the government has for their citizens, especially those in poverty.
Action-packed and fun, Starters has plenty of twists to keep you guessing. ...more
