Review: The Damned by Renee Ahdieh

Title: The Damned

Author:Renee Ahdieh

Page Count:456

Rating:4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Following the events of The Beautiful, Sébastien Saint Germain is now cursed and

forever changed. The treaty between the Fallen and the Brotherhood has been broken,

and war between the immortals seems imminent.

Spoilers ahead this is book 2

Thoughts:

The doulogy may be over but this version of NOLA has so much potential. Celine

paid a price for Sebastien yet she doesn't remember it. With her memories slowly

returning the pain is too hard for her to handle. She learns more of her past with

the help of several Lion members. Took a little but to adapt to the new knowledge

but I enjoyed how it was written. It was also nice getting the backstory on other

characters from The Beautiful. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer

 Title: A Peculiar Peril

Author: Jeff VanderMeer

Page Count: 304

Rating: 2/5 DNF at 23%

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Jonathan Lambshead stands to inherit his deceased grandfather’s overstuffed

mansion—a veritable cabinet of curiosities—once he and two schoolmates

catalog its contents. But the three soon discover that the house is filled with

far more than just oddities

Thoughts:

I did DNF at 23%

 Portal fantasy sounded so exciting, it made me think of Narnia. With multiple POVs

and timelines I found myself confused from the start. The attempt to be funny felt off

and outdated. I really couldn't follow what the overall plot was besides organizing a

deceased man`s collection of "junk."

I hope to find a better book to dive into that is similar to A Series of Unfortunate

Events/Narnia this book however was not it.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Splinters of Scarlet by Emily Bain Murphy

Title: Splinters of Scarlet

Author: Emily Bain Murphy

Narrator: Kate Rose-Martin

Audio Length: 10hr 43min

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

A YA historical fantasy set in nineteenth-century Denmark, where secrets can kill

and magic is a deadly gift.

Thoughts:

After the initial orphan scene I was in love with the magic style. The sisterhood

relationship was great and really showcased how family doesn't always mean blood.

Marit has lost a lot due to the Vestergaards. Helping Eve get adopted and then being

hired on as a seamstress seems to be good to be true. Will Merit get justice for the

loss of her father and sister or will she move forward with the family she has created?

The cover drew me in but the writing made me stay. 

TTFN,

Ashley 

Review: Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar

Title: Star Daughter

Author: Shveta Thakrar

Page Count:

Rating:

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

The daughter of a star and a mortal, Sheetal is used to keeping secrets.

Pretending to be "normal." But when an accidental flare of her starfire puts her human father in the hospital, Sheetal needs a full star's help to heal him.

Thoughts:

Sheetal`s story hits hard and fast with teenage angst and the process of

being half human. Although this did read a little on the younger side on the YA

spectrum.I enjoyed that with the fantasy mixed in true human teenage drama of

school. Sheetal grew quite a bit throughout this standalone.

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