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A Bibliophagist (113 KP) rated Red Rising in Books
Jan 26, 2020 (Updated Jan 26, 2020)
Good characters (3 more)
Good development
Well paced
Fun
YA tropes at times (2 more)
Derivative
Gary Stu
Lord of the Flies revisited
Lord of the Flies, meets Battle Royale, in the future to determine the strongest to lead the ruling class.
I will open with, had the main character been a woman, I completely believe this would be considered a YA book. All the bullet points are there, future society, classes, a lowest class person who is chosen to overthrow higher class. This person is perfect, attractive, intelligent, strong. He assumes the role of a higher class, taking over their life Char Aznable style, so they can enter an "institute" where all the smartest and strongest are placed to... kill each other until the strongest survive.
Every time I tried to describe this book, I got a little embarrassed, I was met with eye-rolls and "wait let me guess...". However, overall I'm a sucker for these violent stories a la Lord of the Flies and a sucker for SciFi so I ate it up and really enjoyed it. Most reviews claim the main character to break the "mary sue" mold, he doesn't, he's super mary sue, likable, but Mary Sue nonetheless. The other characters really drew me in on this one, and his interactions with them, and his feelings toward them even though they were his enemies, I loved every part of that.
So even though it was incredibly derivative, and very much the fixings of a YA, I devoured it, and immediately bought and read the second, I almost read all three in one week, but took a break on the third to read something else.
I will open with, had the main character been a woman, I completely believe this would be considered a YA book. All the bullet points are there, future society, classes, a lowest class person who is chosen to overthrow higher class. This person is perfect, attractive, intelligent, strong. He assumes the role of a higher class, taking over their life Char Aznable style, so they can enter an "institute" where all the smartest and strongest are placed to... kill each other until the strongest survive.
Every time I tried to describe this book, I got a little embarrassed, I was met with eye-rolls and "wait let me guess...". However, overall I'm a sucker for these violent stories a la Lord of the Flies and a sucker for SciFi so I ate it up and really enjoyed it. Most reviews claim the main character to break the "mary sue" mold, he doesn't, he's super mary sue, likable, but Mary Sue nonetheless. The other characters really drew me in on this one, and his interactions with them, and his feelings toward them even though they were his enemies, I loved every part of that.
So even though it was incredibly derivative, and very much the fixings of a YA, I devoured it, and immediately bought and read the second, I almost read all three in one week, but took a break on the third to read something else.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Mayhem in Books
Aug 25, 2020
YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
A YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft. That's the first line of the description of Mayhem by Estelle Laure, which meant it was a book I just had to read. It was later changed to describe it as The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls. I am glad I saw the earlier description because I probably would not have been so eager to read it.
When Mayhem Brayburn and her mom flee from an abusive stepfather/husband and return to Roxy's family home, Mayhem hopes to discover her mother's secrets and more about herself. What she learns is magic runs through the female lineage in her family, and the Brayburn women are responsible for keeping the town safe. Now, it is her generation, Mayhem and the kids who live with the Brayburns, to find the serial killer responsible for the missing girls.
Many reviewers rated the book low because it resembles The Lost Boys. Mayhem does pay homage to it. The Frog brothers make an appearance, and a few famous lines from the movie are included. However, Mayhem stands on its own.
Mayhem contains adult themes including rape and should be read by older YA readers.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/15/20 and updated on 8/24/20.
A YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft. That's the first line of the description of Mayhem by Estelle Laure, which meant it was a book I just had to read. It was later changed to describe it as The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls. I am glad I saw the earlier description because I probably would not have been so eager to read it.
When Mayhem Brayburn and her mom flee from an abusive stepfather/husband and return to Roxy's family home, Mayhem hopes to discover her mother's secrets and more about herself. What she learns is magic runs through the female lineage in her family, and the Brayburn women are responsible for keeping the town safe. Now, it is her generation, Mayhem and the kids who live with the Brayburns, to find the serial killer responsible for the missing girls.
Many reviewers rated the book low because it resembles The Lost Boys. Mayhem does pay homage to it. The Frog brothers make an appearance, and a few famous lines from the movie are included. However, Mayhem stands on its own.
Mayhem contains adult themes including rape and should be read by older YA readers.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/15/20 and updated on 8/24/20.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Aradia Awakens (Ovialell, #1) in Books
Dec 12, 2017
This fantastic read was difficult to put down and though I certainly enjoyed the storyline, I fell in love with the vivid worldbuilding that this author weaved and that beautiful characters that quickly pull you into the story. This paranormal read will hook you from the beginning and keep you dangled in its web until the end. -YA/NA Book Divas
{I requested a copy for reviewing purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed herein are unbiased and my own.}
{I requested a copy for reviewing purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed herein are unbiased and my own.}
Karin Furnell (1 KP) rated A Court of Thorns and Roses in Books
Jan 7, 2018 (Updated Jan 7, 2018)
The Story is Compelling (2 more)
Well Written Novel
Strong Female Main Character
Start of an amazing series
This book is a little Beauty and the Beast-esque, which makes me love it all the more.
Especially as Belle is my favourite Disney Princess!
The main character is a strong female who overcomes many challenges, she certainly can't be seen as weak or a damsel in distress.
Highly recommend this YA series to anyone that enjoys fantasy, it is possibly a bit graphic for younger readers though.
Especially as Belle is my favourite Disney Princess!
The main character is a strong female who overcomes many challenges, she certainly can't be seen as weak or a damsel in distress.
Highly recommend this YA series to anyone that enjoys fantasy, it is possibly a bit graphic for younger readers though.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Until We End in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Until We End] is a post-apocalyptic novel that takes a sinister twist. As people all over the world die from a strange disease Cora and Coby hide at home as their dad told them. They believe they may be the only ones left but they were wrong.
[Frankie Brown] adds to the ever popular genre of YA post-apocalyptic fiction. Unlike others I feel you can never have too much of a good thing and this genre has always been a favorite. Keep them coming.
[Frankie Brown] adds to the ever popular genre of YA post-apocalyptic fiction. Unlike others I feel you can never have too much of a good thing and this genre has always been a favorite. Keep them coming.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Crossed (Matched #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I enjoyed the first book so I decided to read the 2nd in the series. Granted it took me awhile to get to it, but I read it. And I have to say it took me forever to get through, yes Christmas was in there, but really!? 20 days to finish a YA book!? It was nothing to write home about, but I feel obligated to see the series through to the 3rd & final installment. I just can't decide if it's worth it or not...
Katie Guinn (34 KP) rated Matched (Matched #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
I hate getting involved in series. I don't like being forced into commitment. This book received 3 stars because it turned out to be better than I expected, but at the end it was still a bit unoriginal and relied too heavily on the ubiquitous love triangle. To be fair, the writing was pleasant, although the characters felt a little two dimensional. But YA is not my preferred genre. If I do decide to pick up the other two books, it won't be anytime soon.
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