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: 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

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: 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

Review: The Other Side of the Sky

 Title: The Other Side of the Sky

Author:Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Page Count: 432

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you Netgalley and HarperTeen for the opportunity to review this novel.

This in no way changes my opinion of the book.

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads)

North’s and Nimh’s lives are entwined—though their hearts can never be.

Linked by a terrifying prophecy and caught between duty and fate,

they must choose between saving their people or succumbing to the bond

that is forbidden between them.

Thoughts:

A well written and developed world. I enjoy YA books set with dividing humans be it in

the sky or on land. I really enjoyed the twists the story has.

Character wise I didn`t feel a huge connection with North being so stand offish and

Nimh being so reluctant to share her story and thoughts. 

I look forward to seeing where their story goes in book two. This is plot driven but

the world is what held my attention.

Magic vs science and how they can be used simultaneously. 

TTFN,

Ashley

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: Ghost Wood Song

Title: Ghost Wood Song

Author: Erica Waters

Page Count: 368

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

If I could have a fiddle made of Daddy’s bones, I’d play it. I’d learn all the

secrets he kept.

Shady Grove inherited her father’s ability to call ghosts from the grave with his fiddle, but

she also knows the fiddle’s tunes bring nothing but trouble and darkness.

Thoughts:

This novel hits hard and fast. The overall creepiness is perfect and allows an open

discussion of dealing with grief. This is a well written novel that add a supernatural

feel. Shady might have an odd name but her talent with a fiddle is incredible. Her

sadness was raw as was her passion for solving the case.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Title: The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy

Author: Mackenzi Lee

Published On: October 2, 2018

Page Count: 450pgs

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty,

Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the

marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical

school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of

the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.

Loved this installment of the Montague siblings, especially because Felicity was my favorite in Monty's story. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is Felicity's story after Monty's failed tour, and man was it good. Met some new faces, and some old ones and a big fluffy dog with a massive pink bow. Felicity is dead set on getting into medical school, without the help of a man, and in doing so she ends up crashing with Percy and Monty after leaving Edinburgh before she is on her way with a new friend to Germany. In Germany she then catches up with an old friend of hers, while trying to meet and talk to the doctor she idolizes, who is engaged to marry her former best friend. After getting up to some Henry Montague like activities, Felicity finds that the Dr. she idolizes should not be considered and idol at all, and ends up on the road with Johanna and Sim to figure out the research that Johanna’s mother had been doing. They all find out that things they had believed to be legends, were quite a reality, and that baby dragons can be very friendly. I hope this is not the last we see of Felicity, Monty, and Percy, and some of their new friends and foes.

Till the next read,

Mackenzie

Review: Contagion by Erin Bowman

Title:Contagion

Author: Erin Bowman

Published On: July 24 ,2018

Page Count:432

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

After receiving an urgent SOS from a work detail on a distant planet, a skeleton

crew is dispatched to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission. But when t

he crew arrives, they find an abandoned site, littered with rotten food, discarded

weapons…and dead bodies.

I read a lot of Si-Fi this past year and I’ve really enjoyed them. Couldn’t have ended

my reading year off with a better book. The ending already has me wanting more of

these characters. Thea, a high school intern and who doesn’t think she should be going.

Nova, a military trained pilot who wasn’t accepted due to an eyesight problem. Dylan,

a badass commander who’s father pulled strings to get her this position. A renowned

scientist with a secret. Along with a Tech and Mechanic, set out on this rescue mission

with little intel on what they are getting themselves into. Everything they plan practically

goes south and it becomes a think on your feet situation.

Nova and Dylan realize they aren’t so different from each other, our scientists secret is

revealed, Thea discovers more about herself and the young man she finds herself with.

I really liked how both our lone survivor and young intern has similar backstories.

I look forward to what comes next.

Happy Reading,

Michaela

Review: Imprison the Sky by AC Gaughen

Title: Imprison the Sky

Author: A.C Gaughen

Published On:January 22, 2019

Page Count:416

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Stolen from her family as a child, Aspasia has clawed her way up the ranks of Cyrus's

black market empire to captain her own trading vessel--and she risks it all every time she

uses her powerful magic to free as many women, children, and Elementae from slavery as she can.

Oh boy. This was probably one of my fastest reads this past year. I really enjoy series that

have different settings throughout the books and A.C. has certainly done that with Imprison

the Sky, set in the water instead of the desert.  Aspasia, once again an amazing female character

trying to stop Cyrus, from using the powers of Elementae to better her own reputation. I loved

getting to have Kairos back, he is my all time favorite character so far. I like seeing the softer s

ides of characters, as well as them with the walls up so to speak. Looking forward to the next

adventure with these characters and the Elementae.

Happy Reading,

Michaela

Review: Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Published On: December 4, 2018

Page Count: 304pgs

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

In Sky Hawkins's family, leading your first heist is a major milestone--even more so

than learning to talk, walk, or do long division. It's a chance to gain power and

acceptance within your family, and within society. But stealing your first treasure

can be complicated, especially when you're a wyvern--a human capable of

turning into a dragon.

Embarking on a life of crime is never easy, and Sky discovers secrets about her mother,

who recently went missing, the real reason her boyfriend broke up with her, and a

valuable jewel that could restore her family's wealth and rank in their community.

With a handpicked crew by her side, Sky knows she has everything she needs to

complete her first heist, and get her boyfriend and mother back in the process. But

then she uncovers a dark truth about were-dragon society--a truth more valuable and

dangerous than gold or jewels could ever be.

I rather enjoyed this read, but I think it would be more suited for a slightly younger

audience than myself. It was a much faster read for me than I originally thought it

was and I noticed that I was taking the time to make sure I read at least a chapter or

two before I went to bed. I hadn’t been reading like that for a while and I remembered

how nice it is to read for a bit and then go to bed.

I really liked how we got to see Sky experience family life, without her mom, school

without her normal friend group or her boyfriend, and her finally being allowed to do

some more adult wyvern things, such as her dad teaching her about the security systems

of their home. All while she is planning to pull off her first heist, with or without the help of

her father and older brothers.

~Mackenzie

Review:A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Title: A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publisher:Harper Teen

Pages:320

Synopsis:(from GoodReads):

It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but

especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of

being stereotyped.

Rating: 4/ 5

This was the first book I’ve read by Tahereh Mafi and it was very enjoyable. As I am

currently studying fire we talk about 9/11 constantly so this book, though not fire

related peaked my interest. In all honesty people these days suck and stereotyping

is something I see constantly and I loved how Tahereh took a part of her life and

made it into a book people can related to no matter their race, religion or what they

wear. I loved how firey Shirin is and Ocean I love that he doesn’t care what others

think about his relationship with Shirin <3  I look forward to the next time I read a

book written by Tahereh Mafi.