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Kyera (8 KP) rated Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in Books
Jan 31, 2018
I had read a few chapters earlier in the day before I jumped in bed to read – fast forward a few hours and it was way past my normal bedtime... and the book was done. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda was a cute contemporary book that once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.
Simon and his friends are typical, relatable high school students that deal with relationships, family dynamics and the difficulty of navigating adolescence. The students at the school have a tumblr in which they can gossip or post secrets. It was there that Simon stumbles across a post that he relates to and decides to contact the author. Throughout the novel, Simon is corresponding the other boy in his school although neither know the other’s identity. It was nice to experience them getting to know one another before they’ve ever even met.
I read the Upside of Unrequited prior to reading Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, so I had a reverse experience with the character cameos. We hear a little from Abby through her conversations with Molly, so it was nice to see her as an important character in Simon’s tale. One funny scene in Upside was when Molly and Abby were skyping while Simon was over. He asked her a very important question, which House did Abby belong to. It wasn’t important to the plot, but after reading this book and getting to know Simon I loved it even more.
Despite life’s ups and downs, the conclusion to this novel was the happy end that you can expect from a YA contemporary. I would highly recommend it to young adult/teen fans of contemporary books that are set in high school and have diverse characters.
Simon and his friends are typical, relatable high school students that deal with relationships, family dynamics and the difficulty of navigating adolescence. The students at the school have a tumblr in which they can gossip or post secrets. It was there that Simon stumbles across a post that he relates to and decides to contact the author. Throughout the novel, Simon is corresponding the other boy in his school although neither know the other’s identity. It was nice to experience them getting to know one another before they’ve ever even met.
I read the Upside of Unrequited prior to reading Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, so I had a reverse experience with the character cameos. We hear a little from Abby through her conversations with Molly, so it was nice to see her as an important character in Simon’s tale. One funny scene in Upside was when Molly and Abby were skyping while Simon was over. He asked her a very important question, which House did Abby belong to. It wasn’t important to the plot, but after reading this book and getting to know Simon I loved it even more.
Despite life’s ups and downs, the conclusion to this novel was the happy end that you can expect from a YA contemporary. I would highly recommend it to young adult/teen fans of contemporary books that are set in high school and have diverse characters.
KatieLouCreate (162 KP) rated The Resistance in Books
Feb 6, 2018 (Updated Feb 6, 2018)
A Nice Quick Read
This book is perfect for those who want a nice quick YA dystopian read. It will literally take only a few hours to read. I read it in about 6 hours and I am a slow reader. The story line is great. In fact, it is its most greatest strength. This book, I think, is the worst of the three books in the trilogy. Not much really happens in terms of plot until the end. But it makes up for it with the third book.
The main downfall of this book is the characters. I'm sure I mentioned it previously. Although some of the characters are good, like Pip, Richard and Mrs Pincent, other characters are lacking. Peter is too centered around wanting action, and being the hero, Anna thinks she's strong but is actually quiet a passive character when you think about it. Jude always thinks he is the underdog, a shadow of Peter and loves Sheila, even though they barely know each other, and Sheila is whiney. You notice these traits more in this book because the book has a gradual buildup of action so you have no choice but to focus on the characters.
The book does not shy away from controversial topics. Where other authors would have left the scene to the imagination or alluded to it, Malley delves right into it which forces us to be exposed to the same trauma as the characters. It helps highlight what is wrong in their society and allows us think about the ethical situations and implications of what is happening. For this, I applaud Malley greatly.
It is not a terrible read and the third book makes up for what this book lacks but the are room for improvements in this collection.
The main downfall of this book is the characters. I'm sure I mentioned it previously. Although some of the characters are good, like Pip, Richard and Mrs Pincent, other characters are lacking. Peter is too centered around wanting action, and being the hero, Anna thinks she's strong but is actually quiet a passive character when you think about it. Jude always thinks he is the underdog, a shadow of Peter and loves Sheila, even though they barely know each other, and Sheila is whiney. You notice these traits more in this book because the book has a gradual buildup of action so you have no choice but to focus on the characters.
The book does not shy away from controversial topics. Where other authors would have left the scene to the imagination or alluded to it, Malley delves right into it which forces us to be exposed to the same trauma as the characters. It helps highlight what is wrong in their society and allows us think about the ethical situations and implications of what is happening. For this, I applaud Malley greatly.
It is not a terrible read and the third book makes up for what this book lacks but the are room for improvements in this collection.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Zeroes (Zeroes, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
<i>This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review </i>
The author of the <i>Uglies</i> series, Scott Westerfeld, has teamed up with co-writers Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti to create this exciting, whirlwind of a young adult novel. Many people wish they had a superpower, but what if there actually were people with them? <i>Zeroes</i> is a story about a group of teenagers with special gifts, however these unique abilities may be more dangerous than you would imagine.
The superpowers in this novel are not as conventional as the famous comic heroes. Some can control crowds with their minds or destroy electricity, and one blind character can even see through the eyes of others. Collectively these teenagers are called the <i>Zeroes</i>, but only amongst themselves.
Despite how cool it may seem to have these powers, their gifts can easily get themselves in to trouble. One of the teens, Ethan, accidently finds himself involved with drug dealers and a bank robbery, resulting in the police taking an interest. Whilst trying to get him out of this mess, the rest of the team cause even more trouble, sequentially making things worse and eventually leaving Ethan in a life threatening situation.
Told through six different characters, the reader gets the opportunity to learn about the individual powers and how each person deals with them. The novel is fast past with an explosive ending – literally – it is almost impossible to put it down. With an equal mix of male and female characters, it is suitable for all readers who enjoy YA, and by no means is it limited to teenagers only. You will find yourself wanting more.
The author of the <i>Uglies</i> series, Scott Westerfeld, has teamed up with co-writers Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti to create this exciting, whirlwind of a young adult novel. Many people wish they had a superpower, but what if there actually were people with them? <i>Zeroes</i> is a story about a group of teenagers with special gifts, however these unique abilities may be more dangerous than you would imagine.
The superpowers in this novel are not as conventional as the famous comic heroes. Some can control crowds with their minds or destroy electricity, and one blind character can even see through the eyes of others. Collectively these teenagers are called the <i>Zeroes</i>, but only amongst themselves.
Despite how cool it may seem to have these powers, their gifts can easily get themselves in to trouble. One of the teens, Ethan, accidently finds himself involved with drug dealers and a bank robbery, resulting in the police taking an interest. Whilst trying to get him out of this mess, the rest of the team cause even more trouble, sequentially making things worse and eventually leaving Ethan in a life threatening situation.
Told through six different characters, the reader gets the opportunity to learn about the individual powers and how each person deals with them. The novel is fast past with an explosive ending – literally – it is almost impossible to put it down. With an equal mix of male and female characters, it is suitable for all readers who enjoy YA, and by no means is it limited to teenagers only. You will find yourself wanting more.
Felicia (44 KP) rated People Kill People in Books
Sep 23, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book first interested me when I read it was a book written about guns and gun control by a person who grew up in a household that supported guns. This is a voice that I had not really heard from in YA literature. Sadly what was given to me was a book that lacked depth for the characters and was quite predictable.
The story follows a group of teen to early adults. 2 of them are white supremacists, 2 are married with a young child, 1 is a homeless teen, 1 is a victim of gun violence who has epilepsy and is also homosexual, and 1 is the greatest person ever. The group itself is so entwined by siblings, marriage, relationships, friendships it isn't weird to wonder just how big of a town it could be they are living in.
The book is full of poor choices, dealing drugs with a toddler present, constant fantasizing about killing a certain person, a lot of time spent in the minds of white supremacists.
The whole book we know someone is going to die. Most of the book is framed to make you think it will be the homeless youth at the hands of the white supremacists. But it is actually the great girl that is anti gun and everyone loves because a toddler got a hold of a gun his parents couldn't be bothered to properly store. The end murder affects the lives of everyone else so they mostly die or want to, to demonstrate that guns aren't the problem. Too bad the gun and people's selfish nature was an unaddressed problem in the whole book full of problems.
The plot was too weighed down for anything to stick and the characters fell very flat despite Hopkins best efforts.
The story follows a group of teen to early adults. 2 of them are white supremacists, 2 are married with a young child, 1 is a homeless teen, 1 is a victim of gun violence who has epilepsy and is also homosexual, and 1 is the greatest person ever. The group itself is so entwined by siblings, marriage, relationships, friendships it isn't weird to wonder just how big of a town it could be they are living in.
The book is full of poor choices, dealing drugs with a toddler present, constant fantasizing about killing a certain person, a lot of time spent in the minds of white supremacists.
The whole book we know someone is going to die. Most of the book is framed to make you think it will be the homeless youth at the hands of the white supremacists. But it is actually the great girl that is anti gun and everyone loves because a toddler got a hold of a gun his parents couldn't be bothered to properly store. The end murder affects the lives of everyone else so they mostly die or want to, to demonstrate that guns aren't the problem. Too bad the gun and people's selfish nature was an unaddressed problem in the whole book full of problems.
The plot was too weighed down for anything to stick and the characters fell very flat despite Hopkins best efforts.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Jade City (The Green Bone Saga #1) in Books
Oct 1, 2018
To anyone on the fence about Jade City let me just say: READ IT!
It is easily one of the best books I've read this year, possibly ever. Even after seeing it described as "the Godfather of fantasy" I still wasn't expecting it to be as good as it is. I expected something more along the lines of a YA fantasy, a kind of watered down, light Godfather-esque story about the two clans who gain mystical powers from jade, where a heroine comes in to unite them against outsiders save the day and everyone lives happily ever after. Boy, was I wrong!
It's a very character driven story and the characters are so exquisitely written, with each one, including the heroes and the villains and those in between, perfectly developed from the mc's all the way down to the bit players.
I found myself so attached and emotionally invested in these characters that I had to put it down and step away at times when the shit hit the fan cause I didn't want certain things to happen to them but at the same time I didn't want to put it down because I needed to know the outcome. That's not something that happens very often for me, and it speaks to the author's high level of skill and talent that she was able to draw me into her world so completely.
Going into it I had no doubt it would be a good book, but I was surprised at how much I absolutely loved Jade City. This is one of those rare (for me) books that I know I will re-read again and again and I'm sure I'll find more to love about it each time. It's simply AMAZING!
**Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.**
It is easily one of the best books I've read this year, possibly ever. Even after seeing it described as "the Godfather of fantasy" I still wasn't expecting it to be as good as it is. I expected something more along the lines of a YA fantasy, a kind of watered down, light Godfather-esque story about the two clans who gain mystical powers from jade, where a heroine comes in to unite them against outsiders save the day and everyone lives happily ever after. Boy, was I wrong!
It's a very character driven story and the characters are so exquisitely written, with each one, including the heroes and the villains and those in between, perfectly developed from the mc's all the way down to the bit players.
I found myself so attached and emotionally invested in these characters that I had to put it down and step away at times when the shit hit the fan cause I didn't want certain things to happen to them but at the same time I didn't want to put it down because I needed to know the outcome. That's not something that happens very often for me, and it speaks to the author's high level of skill and talent that she was able to draw me into her world so completely.
Going into it I had no doubt it would be a good book, but I was surprised at how much I absolutely loved Jade City. This is one of those rare (for me) books that I know I will re-read again and again and I'm sure I'll find more to love about it each time. It's simply AMAZING!
**Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.**
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated You'd Be Mine in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Clay Coolidge and Annie Mathers are country singers. Clay is kind of a bad boy and the only way his record label has agreed to keep him on, is if Annie agrees to go on tour with him for the summer. Annie is a great singer, but her parents were in the business and she's not sure if she wants to follow in their footsteps. But when Clay shows up on her doorstep, she feels like she has no choice but to join him. Being on tour the two learn things about each other, they don't like to share with the world. Will this tour help them to find the healing they are both needing, or will it just make things worse.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
You'd Be Mine is a cute love story about two very young country singers. Annie is the daughter of a famous country couple who died. She doesn't want to be compared to her mother at all, which is why she has chosen to stay out of the spotlight for so long. Clay has his own demons in his closet and is a bad boy in the business. The fans swoon over his songs and his gorgeousness, but they don't know the person behind the music. Annie sees Clay and that scares him.
This is the first book I've read by Erin Hahn, and I look forward to reading more of her books. This one was cute. Since most of the characters in this book were under 21, I don't know if I would categorize this as a YA book. The underlying subject matter deals with drug overdose, suicide, and death through war.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
You'd Be Mine is a cute love story about two very young country singers. Annie is the daughter of a famous country couple who died. She doesn't want to be compared to her mother at all, which is why she has chosen to stay out of the spotlight for so long. Clay has his own demons in his closet and is a bad boy in the business. The fans swoon over his songs and his gorgeousness, but they don't know the person behind the music. Annie sees Clay and that scares him.
This is the first book I've read by Erin Hahn, and I look forward to reading more of her books. This one was cute. Since most of the characters in this book were under 21, I don't know if I would categorize this as a YA book. The underlying subject matter deals with drug overdose, suicide, and death through war.
Merissa (12919 KP) rated Breaking the Mold (The Gray Eyes Series Book, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Breaking the Mold is the second book in the Grey Eyes series and is set in a different town, with different characters (mainly). This book is darker than the first, with a creepy, psychotic powerlifter who thinks he can have what - and who - he wants as just one of the 'bad guys'. Olivia has always been a Daddy's Girl, but things are changing and she can no longer adhere to his rulings completely. Luckily for Olivia, her mother is on her side, and helps her every which way she can. Alex is the gentle but strong hero, who wants nothing more than to reconnect with Olivia after 10 years apart. Will she be the same girl his memories show him, or not. Will she even remember him?
This book is exceptionally well written, with a storyline that drags you in and won't let go. Violence is a part of the story, and it wouldn't be the same without it. It is there by design and is not gratuitous. With mystery and suspense, this book will keep you on your toes. It is pretty obvious just who the other 'bad guys' are, but the how and whys remain unknown until you read further along.
With a similar cliff-hanger ending, this book is a complete story in itself, whilst whetting your appetite for the next book. Although I thoroughly enjoyed Crossing the Barrier and loved Malakai and Lily as characters; there was something about this book, that indefinable 'something' that just pips it to the post for me. A well deserved 5-stars and a need for the next book along. Highly recommended by me.
* I received this book from YA Reads in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This book is exceptionally well written, with a storyline that drags you in and won't let go. Violence is a part of the story, and it wouldn't be the same without it. It is there by design and is not gratuitous. With mystery and suspense, this book will keep you on your toes. It is pretty obvious just who the other 'bad guys' are, but the how and whys remain unknown until you read further along.
With a similar cliff-hanger ending, this book is a complete story in itself, whilst whetting your appetite for the next book. Although I thoroughly enjoyed Crossing the Barrier and loved Malakai and Lily as characters; there was something about this book, that indefinable 'something' that just pips it to the post for me. A well deserved 5-stars and a need for the next book along. Highly recommended by me.
* I received this book from YA Reads in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Girls of Paper and Fire in Books
Jan 26, 2019
A fresh YA fantasy
Natasha Ngan created a fascinating world in GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE, it was complex and yet not difficult to grasp a hold of. It is a world of castes, paper, moon, steel and demon, with the Demon King at the head. Lei is paper caste, the most lowly of the castes but there is something special about her, her eyes. She is kidnapped and brought to be one of the honoured paper girls that the king gets to choose and bed for a year as he wishes. A grim life for a 17 year old.
This is a tale of politics, war, oppression, slavery and fear. Lei embarks in a journey from fearful new paper girl to a young woman who has a streak of fearless bravery, almost foolish at times. The land of the Demon King was colourful and diverse, the descriptions were excellent and my mind supplied all the mental pictures that I needed. The characters were a range of sweet, fiery, plain mean and evil.
The diversity elements of this book were fabulous. I welcomed the relationship between Lei and Wren and yet sometimes I struggled to connect with their coupling because the chemistry lacked a little something. This being a first in the series, I am hoping for more of a a build in the relationship between these two. The sisterly relationships of the paper girls were almost like a high school corridor with the resident mean girl, Blue. In addition, I loved to hate the Demon King, he really was vile.
This had both a sense of completion and an “oh heck, what” moment at the end. I am definitely looking forward to catching up with these characters again and finding out what happens in this world.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
This is a tale of politics, war, oppression, slavery and fear. Lei embarks in a journey from fearful new paper girl to a young woman who has a streak of fearless bravery, almost foolish at times. The land of the Demon King was colourful and diverse, the descriptions were excellent and my mind supplied all the mental pictures that I needed. The characters were a range of sweet, fiery, plain mean and evil.
The diversity elements of this book were fabulous. I welcomed the relationship between Lei and Wren and yet sometimes I struggled to connect with their coupling because the chemistry lacked a little something. This being a first in the series, I am hoping for more of a a build in the relationship between these two. The sisterly relationships of the paper girls were almost like a high school corridor with the resident mean girl, Blue. In addition, I loved to hate the Demon King, he really was vile.
This had both a sense of completion and an “oh heck, what” moment at the end. I am definitely looking forward to catching up with these characters again and finding out what happens in this world.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Tuesday Mooney Wore Black in Books
Dec 3, 2019
I loved this book, which is packed with genuinely likeable characters and a mystery to solve. Tuesday Mooney is a bit of an enigma - at least to her gay best friend, Dex. She gives little away about herself, and tries to live apart from other people when she isn’t at work researching rich people who can make charitable donations to the hospital she works at. She loves all things gothic and horror. At a fundraising event, she meets Archie, a rich, possible-contributor to the hospital, and witnesses the death of the eccentric billionaire Vincent Pryce (not to be confused with Vincent Price!). Mr Pryce then sets in motion a treasure hunt across Boston, for anyone to take part in and potentially win a fortune. The clues are inspired by Edgar Allan Poe - something that Tuesday very much appreciates. She starts up a team with Archie (who is not at all who he seems to be), Dex and her teenaged Tuesday-wannabe next door neighbour, Dorry.
Tuesday’s backstory is fascinating and sad in equal measure, and it’s fortunate that she meets Dorry, a girl who misses her dead mother terribly. Tuesday misses her best friend Abby, who went missing without a trace as a 16/17 year old.
On the front cover, this looks as though it will be a YA paranormal/ horror novel. It’s not. There’s a smattering of the paranormal perhaps, but it’s certainly not a main theme. This is a mystery, where we also learn that to be yourself is the most important thing in life - as is friendship. I loved this book, and practically inhaled it on a long train journey. It’s a bit quirky, but it has a lot of heart (and hey, I like quirky!). Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my copy of this book to read and review!
Tuesday’s backstory is fascinating and sad in equal measure, and it’s fortunate that she meets Dorry, a girl who misses her dead mother terribly. Tuesday misses her best friend Abby, who went missing without a trace as a 16/17 year old.
On the front cover, this looks as though it will be a YA paranormal/ horror novel. It’s not. There’s a smattering of the paranormal perhaps, but it’s certainly not a main theme. This is a mystery, where we also learn that to be yourself is the most important thing in life - as is friendship. I loved this book, and practically inhaled it on a long train journey. It’s a bit quirky, but it has a lot of heart (and hey, I like quirky!). Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my copy of this book to read and review!
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Stone (2010) in Movies
Jan 21, 2020
Old Movie Revisted: Stone. A movie I passed on a few times, because I thought, hmmm, a movie with Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, and Milla Jovovich, that I never heard of, it must be crap. Because that's snart. But anyways, turns out it was a pretty awesome flick. So, we got Jack (DeNiro), he listens to church radio, goes to church on sundays, talk to his pastor with personal issues, cheats on his wife, drinks heavily, and one time threatened to throw his own child out the second story window if his wife left him, in other words, a normal christian. Well he is a parole officer nearing retirement when he meets Stone (Norton) who is a convicted arsonist and approaching his eligible for parole date and ya gotta talk to Jack before you can go home. And really all Jack wants to hear is that, yes, you are responsible for your actions, blah blah blah. Does he??? Well he says he can hear god talking to him through sound, of course he mentions this after he mentions that he hasnt slept in quite some time and may be going crazy, or it could be god, Jack ain't having it. But then he starts getting calls from Stones' wife Lucetta (Jovovich) saying please let hubby out, he's changed his ways, and she misses him... She lets Jack know just how much she misses him all right. Will she use poor ol Jack to get Stone out of jail, or is it all just bullshit? I dug it. I felt they were all good at the characters they played which seemed different for each of them... Well has Milla done anything but fight Disney...err the Umbrella Corporation for the past 2 decades lolz. Filmbufftim on FB