Review: Girl Serpent Thorn

Title: Girl Serpent Thorn

Author: Melissa Bashardoust

Narrator:Nikki Massoud

Page Count: 325

Audio Length: 10hr 6min

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch.

But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away,

apart from her family,

safe only in her gardens,

it’s not just a story.

Thoughts:

Intense and unputdownable. I really enjoyed the plot as well as Soraya`s tale. The dehumanizing

of Soraya was heart wrenching. I appreciated how real the characters felt and how much they

learned throughout the story. The plot was well paced. 

A princess as a monster but she has the power to save herself.

Death by touch isn`t new in the YA world but this original tale adds it in with a twist.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: When You Were Everything

Title: When You Were Everything

Author: Ashley Woodfolk

Narrator: Imani Parks

Audio Length: 10hr 17min

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

You can't rewrite the past, but you can always choose to start again.

It’s been twenty-seven days since Cleo and Layla’s friendship imploded.

Nearly a month since Cleo realized they’ll never be besties again.

Thoughts:

Friendship is messy and this novel shows all the sides of the story. Losing friends

is different than outgrowing them but when you`re in the moment it's hard to tell the

difference.

Looking back at my high school years it seemed filled with real friends but now

I know I was seeing it from a different view. When you grow apart as friends it

doesn't have to be abrupt sometimes the most painful losses happen over time.

Ending a friendship over hateful thoughts and words is not healthy and it shows

how big of a person you are by speaking up and admitting when you`ve done

something hurtful. Cleo and Layla show readers what not to do and how to grow.

Overall a great contemporary read that teaches a life lesson even as adults we

can learn from.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: You Should See Me in a Crown

Title: You Should See Me in a Crown

Author: Leah Johnson

Narrator: Alaska Jackson

Audio Length: 7hr 18min

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small,

rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever

Thoughts:

Prim in a rich conservative white town seems complicated enough to maneuver. Add in our musically

talented main character Liz who is lower class and Black, that just adds to the complications. 

I`m not much of a contemporary reader but the discussion of LGBTQ+ struggles in a small town

community was eye-opening. I appreciated the rawness of Liz.

TTFN,

Ashley