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

Guest Review: Queen of Volts

 Queen of Volts 

Amanda Foody

September 1, 2020

416 Pages

Rating: ⅘ stars

Synopsis:(from Goodreads)

Return to the City of Sin, where the final game is about to begin…and winning will 

demand the ultimate sacrifice.

Only days after a corrupt election and brutal street war, one last bloodthirsty 

game has begun. The players? The twenty-two most powerful, notorious 

people in New Reynes.

After realizing they have no choice but to play, Enne Scordata and Levi 

Glaisyer are desperate to forge new alliances and 

bargain for their safety. 

Thoughts:

I was so excited to read this final installment of The Shadow Game trilogy. At the end of the shadow game in book two King of Fools; Enne and Levi aren’t even on speaking terms, and I was curious on how their relationship was going to evolve in book three. One of my favorite things about this trilogy is the writing style, I am a big fan of  how the point of views change. In QoV we get to see not only some of the original characters but also a few of the side characters come into the limelight.  

Something I was hoping to see change was how quickly time passes in the story line. In book two I felt that time passed a little too quickly and got a little lost reading it. I did not have that issue reading Queen of Volts. 

I really enjoyed that in Queen of  Volts we get to see a bit more backstory on all of the characters, and the history of New Reigns. We also get to see how each of the characters handle the death of their friend, Jac and how much it affects their everyday lives. Enne and Levi are trying to earn themselves a pardon from the crimes they have committed, using the omerta that they were under by Vianca Augustine to blame. The chancellor requests a meeting with Enne, Levi, and Bryce, at which Bryce and Levi are pardoned, but Enne does not receive a pardon immediately simply because she is a Mizer. Levi is able to pull some strings, and with some reluctance from Enne, to secure her a pardon as well. 

Overall I enjoyed book three, and as always I hate to see a series end, but am looking forward to binging them all back to back. 

Review: Cemetery Boys by Aidan Thomas

 Title: Cemetery Boys

Author:Aiden Thomas

Narrator: Avi Roque

Audio Length: 13hr 47min

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender,

Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his

cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out

to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

Thoughts:

August and September were books filled with family and learning to accept yourself

even when others refuse to accept you. Yadriel is a fighter and he deserves so

much in the world. My heart hurt when his own father used his deadname. The

narrator added so much emotion in each character than Aiden`s writing really

pushed through.

Maritza is the friend we all need. She is supportive but doesn't let Yads get

away with any bullshit. She calls him out when needed but is the first to

jump in to support him.

When the ghost of Julian bargained for Yadriel`s help, what was expected

was the growing romance between them.

There are amazing twists in this beautiful diverse debut novel. Aiden has so

much potential and I can't wait to see what they write next.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Lobizona by Romina Garber

 Title: Lobizona

Author: Romina Garber

Narrator: Sol Madariaga

Audio Length: 12hr 34min5

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Some people ARE illegal.

Lobizonas do NOT exist.

Both of these statements are false.

Manuela Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her.

As an undocumented immigrant who's on the run from her father's Argentine crime-family,

Manu is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida.

Until Manu's protective bubble is shattered.

Thoughts:

Absolutely incredible. I can`t wait to reread this in physical form. I found it to be a

very original tale with cultural stories woven in. The magic was amazing but what

really hit hard was the family bond. Manu has kept her head down for long

enough and it is her time to spread her wings. The bubble her mother has

raised her in is shattered in a way that no one saw coming.

Romina is amazing at talking about issues of race, immigration and cultural

differences in a way that opens readers eyes and ears to what is happening

in society today. The quote i have seen on social media during the lead up to

release was “‘It’s hard to define your identity when you lack the language.” this is

so true. When you aren't raised to know your heritage how can you be expected to

identify within your culture.

I appreciate books like this that can help give me as a white adult a perspective into

a culture I will never be a part of. I'm hoping to get my boyfriend to pick this one up

so we can have a larger discussion on what it's like to be a transplant in a society

that isn`t always accepting of your skin tone or culture. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Traitor

 Title: Traitor

Author: Amanda McCrina

Page Count: 368

Rating: 3.5/5

Thank you Edelweiss+ and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the review copy.

This in no way changes my opinion on the novel.

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Poland, 1944. After the Soviet liberation of Lwów from Germany, 

the city remains a battleground between resistance fighters and insurgent armies,

its loyalties torn between Poland and Ukraine.

Thoughts:

A different talking point of WW2 that we don't normally hear about. An accidental

murder is what starts of this slower paced novel. There is a lack of character development

and I think the reason behind that is the author was more focused on putting out accurate

facts than creating a character we could feel for. Tolya has to hide his identity in the

Red Army because he is half-Polish, half-Ukrainian. That identity issue becomes his

soul focus.

The setting being Eastern Europe and not Nazi Germany made the story more unique.

It did feel like I was reading a textbook non-fiction book rather than a YA historical novel.

The information is detailed with setting and the fight for survival. I only wish we could

have learned more about Tolya a person not just as a struggling ethnics issue.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Unbirthday

 Title: Unbirthday: A Twisted Tale

Author: Liz Braswell

Page Count:512

Rating: 2.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

What if Wonderland was in peril and Alice was very, very late?

Alice is different than other eighteen-year-old ladies in Kexford,

which is perfectly fine with her. She'd rather spend golden afternoons with

her trusty camera or in her aunt Vivian's lively salon, ignoring her sister's

wishes that she stop all that "nonsense" and become a "respectable" member of society.

Thoughts:

The take of Alice with a camera and being more modern was pretty interesting.

I guess I was hoping for more differences in characters, not just a photocopy

of the original Lewis Caroll.

I wasn't very impressed with the pacing and felt like this wasn't one of

Braswell's best stories.

What it lacks in pacing it does make up for in adventure. The side

characters and stories seem to be the focal point while the main story of

Alice saving Wonderland was on the back burner.

Overall I think this was my least favorite out of the Twisted Tales books. 

TTFN,

Ashley