Review: Multiple Mini-Reviews

 I am trying to play catch up before the end of the year. I have included some short reviews of the books I`ve read the last two months. I hope you enjoy them and if you want a more detailed review on any of them be sure to let me know. 

Title: Among the Beasts and Briars

Author: Ashley Poston

Rating: 4/5

Thank you Edelweiss+ for the e-arc. This in no way changes my review opinion.

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Here there are no droughts, disease, or famine, and peace is everlasting.

It has been this way for hundreds of years, since the first king made a bargain

with the Lady who ruled the forest that borders the kingdom. But as Aloriya

prospered, the woods grew dark, cursed, and forbidden. Cerys knows this

all too well: when she was young, she barely escaped as the woods killed

her friends and her mother.

Thoughts:

I loved how adventurous the setting was. The woods had spooky vibes and I

was shown how not just told. The pacing felt on point and I enjoyed how Cerys

was flawed as a human should be. A short fairytale esque novel that was much

needed. I enjoyed how Cerys wasn`t the princess or some rich girl. A Gardener's

daughter who deserves the world and knows what it's like to lose precious moments.  

Title: Come On In

Author: Edited by Adi Alsaid

Rating: 3.5/5

Thank you Edelweiss+ for the e-arc. This in no way changes my review opinion.

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

This exceptional and powerful anthology explores the joys, heartbreaks and

triumphs of immigration, with stories by bestselling and beloved YA

authors who are themselves immigrants and the children of immigrants.

Thoughts:

I think short stories are much harder to write well than novels or longer pieces.

You have to accomplish the same goals in far fewer words.This anthology

was a bit uneven but overall each of the stories had an impact.I think every

story can help build empathy for the plight of all immigrants. I am not an

immigrant but these stories helped to show a view I would not otherwise be able to see. 

Title: Kingdom of the Wicked

Author: Kerri Maniscalo

Rating: 5/5

Thank you Edelweiss+ for the e-arc. This in no way changes my review opinion.

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Two sisters.

One brutal murder.

A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself

And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe witches who live secretly among humans,

avoiding notice and persecution

Thoughts:

Murder,Mayhem and Elemtal Magic. Kerri does it again with the start of an

amazing new series. The commitment to sisterhood no matter the consequences

felt real. Enemies to Lovers but the characters see it happening. The Prince of

Hell is such a broody man who really needs a squishy to squeeze. Emilia

seems lost and fragile but the girl is smart and can handle her shit. So

many deals to be made I have no clue how she keeps track. Overall this

is an incredible novel that deserves a long review written. I hope to give it

more credit later on when I can reread it and mark out sections in the book. 

Title: The Girl of Hawthorne and Glass

Author: Adan Jerreat-Poole

Rating: 2.5/5

Thank you Edelweiss+ for the e-arc. This in no way changes my review opinion.

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Eli isn’t just a teenage girl — she’s a made-thing the witches created

to hunt down ghosts in the human world. Trained to kill with her seven

magical blades, Eli is a flawless machine, a deadly assassin. But when

an assignment goes wrong, Eli starts to question everything

she was taught about both worlds

Thoughts:

Concept was so there but the execution was poor. Eli had so much potential

to be this self aware human but she just didn`t show it well. This book just

seemed to want to be more than it was ready to be. I think with more feedback

it could have proven to be a great read. 

Title: The Once and Future Witches

Author: Alix E. Harrow

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild,

dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy

charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of

power, she must find it at the ballot box.

Thoughts:

A Character driven story that at times was fast paced but then just dropped

to a turtle crawl. I was excited for a Suffragette story but what I got was an

interesting story of three sisters who bring magic into a world that isn`t willing

to accept women. At times it felt like magic was this code word for the entire

movement. Metaphors have never really been my thing so maybe I'm missing the point. 

Title: The Mirror:Broken Wish

Author: Julie C. Dao

Rating: 4/5

Thank you Disney Hyperion for the arc. This in no way changes my review opinion.

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

1865

Hanau, Germany

Sixteen-year-old Elva has a secret. She has visions and strange powers that she

will do anything to hide. She knows the warnings about what happens to witches in

their small village of Hanau. She’s heard the terrible things people say about the

Witch of the North Woods, and the malicious hunts that follow.

Thoughts:

Multiple authors will write in this amazing family cursed world. I enjoyed

trying to figure out which fairytale was being referenced. Elva was an interesting

character and it was great getting her origin story before meeting her. The North

Woods has the best setting for the rest of the story. I`m looking forward to the

rest of the books. Magic has a price and promises are meant to be kept.

When you can`t pay the price or you back out of a promise the consequences

can be far worse than a bad storm.

Review: Skyhunter

 Title: Skyhnunter

Author: Marie Lu

Narrator: Natalie Naudus

Page Count: 371

Audio Length: 11hr 58min

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you Edweiss+ for the chance to review this copy prior to release. This in no way influences my opinion of the book.

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

The Karensa Federation has conquered a dozen countries, leaving Mara as one of the last free nations in the world. Refugees flee to its borders to escape a fate worse than death—transformation into mutant war beasts known as Ghosts, creatures the Federation then sends to attack Mara.

Thoughts:

Once i was able to sit down and switch to the ebook I couldn't put it down. I love the representation of the sign language community. We need more books in the YA world that uses Sign Language. Each character is unique and I look forward to more of their stories.

Senators seem to be those preppy rich kids that I`ve grown to truly dislike. Red is an interesting character and I love how he and Talin are connected. The mouse is just a bonus adorable that adds a needed softness to the tragic plot.

The plot is intriguing and I enjoyed how laid out the pacing was. There are lulls in the story that give the carters a true sense of human versus robot warriors fighting for a country. 

Overall I can't wait to see where book two takes us and how each character storyline plays out.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: We Are Not Free

 Title: We Are Not Free

Author: Traci Chee

Narrator: Scott Keiji Takeda, Dan Woren, Ryan Potter Ali Fumiko, Sophie Oda, Andrew Kishino, Christopher Naoki Lee , Grace Rolek, Erika Aishii, Brittany Ishibashi, Kurt Sanchez Kanazawa, Terry Kitagawa

Audio Length: 10hr 26min

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

A collective account of a tight-knit group of young Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens, whose lives are irrevocably changed by the mass U.S. incarcerations of World War II.

Thoughts:

A full cast of narrators only lends a positive voice to this heartbreaking raw story. Each character is truly real in the viewpoints they share. This is not a history we teach in schools  and it's wrong. In school we are taught of the Holocaust and the wrong doings of others countires but heaven forbid we learn of our nations history of imprisonment. It's disappointing to keep repeating our past atrocities. This novel would be an amazing teaching tool in school to help show what we have done wrong in the past and how we can do better for our future.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

 Title: Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Author: V.E. Schwab

Narrator: Julia Whelan

Audio Length: 17hr 10min

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents

Thoughts:

To not be able to leave your mark using your own hand would be terrifying. I have no clue how Addie lasted so long in her life. Addie tries to hide her feelings and act like not being remembered every day isn't hard but her pain is real and raw.

When Schawb said how this book was a long time in the making you can truly feel her passion for this story. 

Finding work around to be remembered was such an interesting story. I enjoyed the portrayal of Death and how he makes his deals. There will always be a twist when you call to the winds at night.

What reader does not want to fall for a guy in a bookstore, especially when he remembers who you are the next day. After 300yrs Addie can find love but at what price? Henry is a bookworm and has his own depressive struggles. He is paying for his own choices and by not telling Addie outright it does cause issues.

This is a book that will be reread and listened to because you find new bits to latch onto

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Igniting Darkness

 Title: Igniting Darkness

Author:Robin LaFevers

Page Count:496

Rating: 5/5

Spoilers Ahead

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

When you count Death as a friend, who can stand as your enemy?

Sybella, novitiate of the convent of Saint Mortain and Death’s vengeance on earth, is still reeling from her God’s own passing, and along with him a guiding hand in her bloody work.

Thoughts:

As always a page turner. Strong character development and we even get past series ladies. I love the plot and even though the ending means the close of an amazing series it was well written.

I love the plot and the liberties that were taken with real history. There is always room for more in the world of the Saints and The Nine. Our assassin nuns we have come to love must now be at peace.

Closing the book that started eight years ago is bittersweet. I have grown with the characters and my heart hurts for those that are gone. There is a sisterhood that is so raw between Sybella and Gen. All of the ladies are bonded not just because of Mortain but the collective knowledge that what they are fighting to protect is worth all the powers in the world.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: The Silvered Serpents

 Title: The Silvered Serpents

Author:Roshani Chokshi

Narrator: Laurie Catherine Winkel, P.J. Ochlan

Page Count: 416

Audio Length: 12hr 19min

Rating: 4/5

Spoilers Ahead!!

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

They are each other’s fiercest love, greatest danger, and only hope.

Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but victory came at a terrible cost — one that still haunts all of them. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumored to grant its possessor the power of God.

Thoughts:

This dives in with action and I love how broody everyone is. There is so much at stake yet somehow the human fault of emotion creates extra challenges.

Enrique is so smart and deserves more credit then the others give him.

Chokshi proves yet again how beautiful her writing is and paints a chilling story.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: The Burning Kingdoms

 Title: The Burning Kingdoms

Author: Sally Green

Narrator: Charlie Anson, Kristin Atherton, Daniel Weyman, Finlay Robertson, Roy McMillan, Jodhi May

Audio Length: 12hr 47min

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Spoilers Ahead

In this conclusion to the epic Smoke Thieves trilogy, the world has erupted into all-out war. King Aloysius is mining powerful demon smoke and using it to fuel an unstoppable army of children. March, now banished for treason, has joined up with this boy army. Forbidden from ever seeing Edyon again, and overwhelmed by his own betrayal, March no longer cares if he lives or dies.

Thoughts:

Narrators being recast probably played a part in me not connecting with some of the characters. The world building tends to be the strong suit throughout this entire series. 

To be honest the ending just felt too “tied up with a bow.” there was no huge scene of ending just a wisp of disappearance. There was so much build up only for the last hour or so to end with a snap of the fingers. 

We already had the main characters separated once before and it made sense. This time around however it felt too forced and Ambrose being the focal point to tie things together just felt wrong. 

Overall not the strongest conclusion to a trilogy but it could have been worse. The world is interesting with smoke and demons and has potential to be reborn again.

TTFN,

Ashley