How shall I fear that from which I'm protected by Heaven's wings?
Um. That was incredible.
Which is completely unsurprising, Claire is quickly becoming How shall I fear that from which I'm protected by Heaven's wings?
Um. That was incredible.
Which is completely unsurprising, Claire is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
I was instantly intrigued by the pitch of this book, and the vibes? were so immaculate? I felt like I was in a dry and dusty desert setting from the first page, and the descriptions from then on were just perfect. I have zero idea how a motorcycle works, but I could totally picture every riding scene without trouble. A+ on the writing style.
The characters also captured my heart instantly and I cannot wait to see more of them in the sequel. (which I need like... now please) ((also I totally called one of the twists towards the end and it made me so happy I loved it))
Overall this was such a fantastic read that I can't recommend highly enough for fans of unique fantasy worlds, well-developed characters, and fast-paced plots. Five stars from me!
Content warning for violence, language (it's on the milder side, but it's still present), and mentions of sexual abuse
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
"You've never been a nobody. Not to me. Not to us."
I fell in love with Brian McBride's "We The Wild Things" last year, but the minute I heard the "Mam"You've never been a nobody. Not to me. Not to us."
I fell in love with Brian McBride's "We The Wild Things" last year, but the minute I heard the "Mammoth" pitch, I had a feeling I was going to love it even more. I was correct.
I've always been obsessed with adventure stories, but sprinkle in some found/chosen family and an atmospheric Pacific Northwest town, it's pure magic. It has the feeling of watching a show that's going to be a new favorite. The pacing was perfect, everything building to an epic face-off, the stakes getting higher and higher as the plot deepens. The characters go through struggles and triumphs, facing their own inner demons but still having moments of light that make it nearly impossible not to fall in love with them. The vibes are impeccable, the descriptions flawless, not once did I want to put the book down, I had to know what happened next.
Basically it was perfect, it's going to live rent free in my mind for a good long time, I am obsessed.
It does earn its PG-13 rating with some of the circumstances the characters go through and for some violence, though there's no language or explicit content.
Five stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
But sometimes it isn't the spells themselves that are important. It is the clever ways you use them.
David Tennant singing four separate songs over theBut sometimes it isn't the spells themselves that are important. It is the clever ways you use them.
David Tennant singing four separate songs over the course of this audiobook is now my favorite thing ever. (the last one was my favorite)
I had a realization about halfway through that this book story-wise is the equivalent of like books 8-10 of HTTYD and I suddenly was very afraid. The last book is going to hurt, I am not ready. This one felt the most chaotic of the series so far, there was a lot to this plot and while I was having a good time, there were moments where I felt a little bit lost. It was probably my least favorite of the series so far, but Xar, Wish, and Bodkin are going to have a special place in my heart for a long time, especially after their development together in this one. The characters were fascinating, and I always love exploring more of this world. 4.5 stars from me!...more
well if this wasn't the coziest thing ever, i'm so soft ;-; it was absolute perfection and I loved it to death Christmas "specials" will always be my fawell if this wasn't the coziest thing ever, i'm so soft ;-; it was absolute perfection and I loved it to death Christmas "specials" will always be my favorite...more
This is the problem with meeting your enemies. Once you have met them, it's really quite difficult to carry on hating them in the way you absolutely oThis is the problem with meeting your enemies. Once you have met them, it's really quite difficult to carry on hating them in the way you absolutely ought to.
This book was just a delight to read, as most Cressida Cowell books are. I love the characters of Wish, Xar, and Bodkin, I laughed out loud several times, the illustrations are so fun. I enjoyed the story, I liked where the plot went, it was just fun to be along for the ride. I can't wait to read the next one.
Five stars from me!
((also, the key being in love with the spoon and the fork being in love with the key is maybe the funniest thing I've read in a hot minute, lolll))...more
They were the troubled girls of Dragomir Academy—breaking, but never broken—and they had stories to tell.
*4.5 stars It's been so long since I've been They were the troubled girls of Dragomir Academy—breaking, but never broken—and they had stories to tell.
*4.5 stars It's been so long since I've been able to devour a story in 2 days that I'd almost forgotten how fun it is. It helps that, as always, Anne Ursu's writing is beautifully easy to devour. I'll admit I was nervous to pick this up - I adore "Breadcrumbs", I liked "The Real Boy", but I didn't really enjoy "The Lost Girl". I'm happy to report, this one was a win.
A story of friendship with a thrilling mystery and an important message, this was just such a fun reading experience. I didn't want to put it down, if only to figure out what was going on in this super sus school, lol! I loved the characters, I loved how the sibling relationship grew, I found the mystery fascinating and the magic super cool. I feel like the message is layed on a little thick for my taste, but it's a powerful one, so I don't mind it too much.
Overall, it gets 4.5 stars from me! I had a great time, and I'm so happy I did....more
I have... mixed feelings. It was fun. I had a good time. I love a good librarian sleuth. I really want peach cobbler now. But there seemed to be a lotI have... mixed feelings. It was fun. I had a good time. I love a good librarian sleuth. I really want peach cobbler now. But there seemed to be a lot of time spent on a lot of other stuff that didn't seem to have any impact on the mystery? And like, I get it, you want to develop the people around it, not just those who are important to the case. But there was just... too much of that, for me. But I'm glad I read it, and I'll definitely be checking out any further Peach Coast Library books that are published in the future! ((also if Marvey and Spence don't get together by the last one, I will be upset, pffft))
Hope was tricky like water. Somehow it always found a way in.
Okay, here are my Thoughts: - I didn't think this book could top "Siege and Storm" but oohHope was tricky like water. Somehow it always found a way in.
Okay, here are my Thoughts: - I didn't think this book could top "Siege and Storm" but ooh boy, did it. - I just... love Mal so much. So much, you guys. - This book made me cry? i had to look up for a second and be like, "why am i crying??" - Alina kinda got on my nerves in the last two books, but the growth here! I'm so proud of her! - Nikolai continues to be an absolute icon - I seriously hope so badly that the show gets to all three seasons because I NEED to see some of these scenes come to life. - There is a bit of ~suggestive~ stuff which is unfortunate but it's not as explicit as I was dreading so yay for that? - I wasn't sure if I was going to read "King of Scars" too soon, but, uh... yeah, I'm going to need it sooner rather than later. - That ending? was everything I wanted? and didn't know I needed?
4.5 stars from me. I didn't expect it to be my favorite of the trilogy, but here we are....more
"When you feel afraid, remember; Where one tree falls, more can grow."
Well that just broke my heart into a million pieces. That's what I expected, thou"When you feel afraid, remember; Where one tree falls, more can grow."
Well that just broke my heart into a million pieces. That's what I expected, though, so I'm not mad. "Missing Okalee" is a story about grief and trauma, and the guilt that we carry through that grief. It's also a story of sisterhood and friendship, and the courage it takes to come out on the other side of hard times.
Phoebe was a wonderful protagonist to follow, I was rooting for her to succeed from the first page. Okalee was a sweetheart, but I loved how she was shown to be flawed, too. Wardie is the best friend in existence, oh my word.
The thing that made me knock off the half star is the bullying that's going on? and no one is saying anything? like, Kat is a nightmare and none of the adults are at least a little curious as to why when Phoebe lashes out, it's only at Kat? I get that punching a girl in the face is not great behavior, but no one's asking why? (I will admit that I cheered a little when that finally happened, oops xD) ((also wow does Phoebe's mom need to stop being awful to her daughter, I get that you've lost the one but that does not excuse the way she treats Phoebe.))
Overall, this made me tear up several times, and I definitely feel like it's going to be an important book for kids going through rough stuff. I really enjoyed the writing style, the setting, and the characters. So yeah, I'd recommend, but cautiously, because there's definitely a lot of triggers for grief (specifically loss of a child or a sibling).
4.5 stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
Everyone here plays - or played - a role in my life. Their faces pepper my scrapbooks and social media feeds. They remember me like I remember them. WEveryone here plays - or played - a role in my life. Their faces pepper my scrapbooks and social media feeds. They remember me like I remember them. We wrote a history books, then burned the pages.
Well. I can officially say that Caroline George is one of my favorite authors. I fell madly in love with Dearest Josephine at the beginning of 2021, and the minute I heard the pitch for The Summer We Forgot, I knew I needed it in my life. A murder mystery with a second-chance romance and all the Florida vibes? Yes please!
Happy to report, it did not disappoint.
First of all I need to say that Caroline George's writing style is everything (to me, at least, lol), and the fact that she wrote two entirely different books with entirely different vibes and settings, but both felt so Caroline George to me? iconic.
I was invested in the entire 30A gang immediately, in all their broken pieces and all the things they'd buried deep inside. The feeling of being in a Florida coast town were perfection. I was rooting for Darby and Morgan the whole time. Each twist of the plot kept me on my toes as layers of the mystery were peeled away and memories slowly returned.
Where DJ is about how we feel when people leave our lives abruptly and too soon, TSWF is about the relationships we don't necessarily intend to lose, the people who just drift out of our lives over time until they're strangers you share memories with. It was bittersweet and beautiful and I loved every second of it. I already can't wait to read it again when it properly releases.
((also yes Morgan is prime book boyfriend material... just sayin'))
Content-wise, there are obviously some kinda gruesome murder details, a few kisses, the mention of attempted sexual assault, some scary kidnapping scenarios, but all handled with tact and grace.
Five stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
re-read 2022: To hurt from losing, we first need something to lose. And for that reason, I think my pain means I lived well, with much.
I finally get to have this gorgeous book on my shelves ahhhh!! I spent this time through underlining all my favorite lines, crying over how gorgeous the prose is, and unable to put the book down despite having read it before and knowing how it was going to end. I just love it....more
"God fights for the good to happen. He fights for us, Gideon."
*3.5 stars
Okay so... I don't know how to feel. On the one hand, I will always respect An"God fights for the good to happen. He fights for us, Gideon."
*3.5 stars
Okay so... I don't know how to feel. On the one hand, I will always respect Angela's ability to go there, she never holds back from putting her characters through the wringer. On the other hand, it almost felt like... too much in this book? There are very few moments for the characters to actually breathe and process what they're going through, and I would have preferred a few more moments of "down-time". There are a LOT of characters and a lot going on, and at times gets hard to follow. But I can partially attribute that to the fact that this is book 3/4, so not too much can get wrapped up while still setting up for the finale. That being said, I do deeply care about a lot of these characters, and I'm looking forward to how the Angela is going to finish the series.
Content warnings: Human trafficking, violence, some foul language (including an f-bomb), torture, threatened rape (not followed through), a character identifies as gay, drug abuse.
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
Maybe the universe isn't calculated. Maybe it's big and mysterious and full of things that I could never hope to understand. Perhaps that's how it ougMaybe the universe isn't calculated. Maybe it's big and mysterious and full of things that I could never hope to understand. Perhaps that's how it ought to be. Perhaps in relegating things to atoms and molecules, we lose sight of the heart of the thing itself. Maybe things are just wonderful, and that's all they ever have to be.
I'm a character-driven reader. Give me good characters, and I'll fall happily into your story. Brian McBride has created some great ones here. This is a story about Peter, Will, and Ruth. Three kids who have seen too much, who set off to make more of themselves than what they've been.
But more than that, it's a story about grief and fear and trauma; friendship and family and how the things that we go through make us who we are, but we choose actively that we are more than our worst moments. It's heavy and it's heartbreaking and it's hopeful - ultimately, it's just beautiful.
It held reminiscences of some of my favorite books - Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - while holding true to the Peter Pan and Bridge to Terabithia influences. It has a middle-grade feel with young adult problems, reading almost like a fairytale for those old enough to start reading them again.
Basically, it was perfect. And made me cry. So... there's that.
Content warnings for child abuse, non-explicit mention of sexual assault, mention of substance abuse
Definitely five stars from me, and it has a good chance of being one of my favorites of the year.
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
This was how you did it. This was how your spirit stayed strong. This was how you looked death in the eye and defied it.
Well. Jonathan Stroud can tellThis was how you did it. This was how your spirit stayed strong. This was how you looked death in the eye and defied it.
Well. Jonathan Stroud can tell a story. I don't want the series to end. ;-; But hey, didn't cry as much as I expected to, so we'll take that for the win! I just love these characters a lot, man.
re-read 2023: gosh I love this series so much. this finale is a wild ride to get to the ending, but it's worth every minute....more
Who doesn't love a superhero story?? I've been excited for this book to release since I first heard Jenna tal"Be yourself, Scarlett. All of yourself."
Who doesn't love a superhero story?? I've been excited for this book to release since I first heard Jenna talking about it, and I'm so glad that it's finally here!
There's so much to love about this story - the characters, the world, and the aesthetic were all fantastic. The plot was engaging, I laughed out loud and almost cried, and just fell in love with the whole thing.
Scarlett was a fantastic protagonist. Her choices really drove the plot (for better or worse), and I loved that! There were moments where she made the wrong choice, and she had to deal with the consequences. Which really shouldn't have made me as happy as it did, lol! But there are so many times in YA fiction especially where decisions don't seem to carry weight, and these did. I thought it was great.
The surrounding characters were wonderful as well! There's a definite found family dynamic going on, which y'all know I love. Just... so much friendship, it made my heart so full. Ares, Nadia, Seth, Rez, there are so many fantastic characters around Scarlett, and I loved it!
Like I said, the plot was super engaging, which led to me reading the whole book in like... two days. It was just fantastic. If you're in the market for an adventure that's full of superheroes, corrupt organizations, and found family feels, with the perfect amount of faith content. I can't wait for book 2!
Five stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own**...more
His world was one of survival, not friendship. Except for her.
A story of friendship, survival, and forging your own path, "The Assassin's Daughter" keHis world was one of survival, not friendship. Except for her.
A story of friendship, survival, and forging your own path, "The Assassin's Daughter" kept me intrigued the whole way through. Ed and Kat's friendship was so sweet. (yes their *ahem* friendship that is just friendship and nothing more) ((guys, they're totally in love and it's totally adorable and I love them))
I think this is the first time I've read an assassin centered book where the main character wants nothing more than to not be an assassin. Kat is uncomfortable and unconfident in this profession she's stuck in, which I thought was a really interesting spin on it! Basically the whole time I was thinking to myself, "can we get this girl set up in a bakery somewhere? she strikes me as the baker type" xD (I stand by this opinion, I bet she could make a mean blueberry scone)
Ed is absolutely that "could kill you but is actually a cinnamon roll" trope, and I love it. He can kick butt but also he's so soft for Kat and it makes me soft. ;-;
My only real complaint about the book is that there seemed to be a lot of moments where I would have liked for the characters to drive the plot a bit more? The plot was good, don't get me wrong, but I feel like a lot of it happened to the characters, rather than because of the characters... if that makes sense.
Content-wise, outside of a few moments of violence (they're training to be assassins, so... yeah), there's no language or sexual content! Yay for clean adventures!
There is so much more of this world I want to explore, which I'm hoping we'll get to do in the second book! Overall, I'm very much intrigued to experience more of the story! Four stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
"Faith will help us fight, and hope will carry us through."
In one word: EPIC.
In more words: I really loved this! I've never been disappointed by an A"Faith will help us fight, and hope will carry us through."
In one word: EPIC.
In more words: I really loved this! I've never been disappointed by an Angela R. Watts book, and this holds true here.
I'm very much a character-driven reader (give me characters that I can love, and I'm sold), and these were some great ones. I got attached to all of them despite telling myself multiple times not to, and there's definitely something to be said for that, lol. Finnigan and Ama were my favorites, but I came to love Gunnar and Moray as well. (Also, as with most of Angela's books, the banter was top notch.)
It's definitely one of the more epic allegorical stories I've read. The fight scenes were on point, the feels were real, and I really enjoyed getting to see Moray's redemption arc come through.
Overall, I really enjoyed this! The threads of this first book were wrapped up nicely, but still leaving enough open to keep me intrigued for the next book. 4.5 stars from me!
Content warnings: Demonic activity, some mild language, one attempted sexual assault scene that is stopped before anything can happen.
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
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