Search
Call to Arms (War of the Fae, #2)
8.0
Rate It
Book
NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, ELLE CASEY, brings readers Book 2 in the YA Urban...
Savannah James: Pendale High Class of ‘87
4.0
Rate It
Book
Winner of Love and Lace’s Fall Book Award 2018: Best Rockstar Romance Welcome to 1987, where...
Natacha (374 KP) rated The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles #3) in Books
Jul 9, 2019 (Updated Jul 13, 2019)
Contains spoilers, click to show
That was one of the hardest books I had to rate and review. The reason is that the adult part of me had very specific expectations while my young teenager self was reminding me that this is a YA book. More details.
Things that I liked:
-Lia is taking control of her destiny and do everything she can to save her people. As with the previous books is a strong female character, with personality and a big heart.
- We keep seeing how Lia is still attached to Venda and is also willing to help them. Is not just about saving her people but it's also about saving the people of Venda from their tyrant.
-Nice twists regarding Kaden past.
-Nice twists regarding Lia family
-I liked Lia's and her family dynamic.
Things my teenager self liked:
-Everybody gets a happy ending. Every main character survives and every one of them found love. A classic fairy tale ending.
Things I didn't like:
-Everybody gets a happy ending. Every main character survives and every one of them found love. A classic fairy tale ending... As an adult, I really didn't like that. First of all, if you have a love triangle and for two books you are telling us how much both Rafe and Kaden are sooooo deeply in love with Lia you don't get to just make Kaden fall in love with Pauline out of the blue and forget about Lia and just be besties. NO. I want my heart to be broken. I had mentally prepared myself for him to die or at the end to de like "I can be around you if you are not mine" and just leave. The author had an amazing opportunity to break our hearts but not... It's a YA book we can't do that. I sound like a crazy person I know...
-I felt this book was slower than it should have been. I was 40 pages from the end and this big battle between the ferocious army of Venda haven't even started. We had a big build-up from the previous book and I wanted an epic battle with twists and turns but it didn't happen.
-For 3 book we were told that Lia would have to "sacrifice" herself for the greater good. Well, that didn't happen either. Well, she "sacrificed" because she became the queen of Venda and couldn't be with Rafe. Ok, I can deal with that but then at the end, Lia and Rafe are "we love each other so we'll make it work", sooo... where is the sacrifice? Again a great opportunity to break our hearts but no... we went with the happy ending.
As I said this is a YA book so I'm perfectly aware of the author choices and I respect them. As a teenager, this would have probably been a 10/10. But if this final book was written for an adult audience it could have been heartbreaking and amazing.
Things that I liked:
-Lia is taking control of her destiny and do everything she can to save her people. As with the previous books is a strong female character, with personality and a big heart.
- We keep seeing how Lia is still attached to Venda and is also willing to help them. Is not just about saving her people but it's also about saving the people of Venda from their tyrant.
-Nice twists regarding Kaden past.
-Nice twists regarding Lia family
-I liked Lia's and her family dynamic.
Things my teenager self liked:
-Everybody gets a happy ending. Every main character survives and every one of them found love. A classic fairy tale ending.
Things I didn't like:
-Everybody gets a happy ending. Every main character survives and every one of them found love. A classic fairy tale ending... As an adult, I really didn't like that. First of all, if you have a love triangle and for two books you are telling us how much both Rafe and Kaden are sooooo deeply in love with Lia you don't get to just make Kaden fall in love with Pauline out of the blue and forget about Lia and just be besties. NO. I want my heart to be broken. I had mentally prepared myself for him to die or at the end to de like "I can be around you if you are not mine" and just leave. The author had an amazing opportunity to break our hearts but not... It's a YA book we can't do that. I sound like a crazy person I know...
-I felt this book was slower than it should have been. I was 40 pages from the end and this big battle between the ferocious army of Venda haven't even started. We had a big build-up from the previous book and I wanted an epic battle with twists and turns but it didn't happen.
-For 3 book we were told that Lia would have to "sacrifice" herself for the greater good. Well, that didn't happen either. Well, she "sacrificed" because she became the queen of Venda and couldn't be with Rafe. Ok, I can deal with that but then at the end, Lia and Rafe are "we love each other so we'll make it work", sooo... where is the sacrifice? Again a great opportunity to break our hearts but no... we went with the happy ending.
As I said this is a YA book so I'm perfectly aware of the author choices and I respect them. As a teenager, this would have probably been a 10/10. But if this final book was written for an adult audience it could have been heartbreaking and amazing.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated A Quiet Kind of Thunder in Books
Feb 18, 2019
Quintessential British coming of age
‘He can’t hear, she doesn’t speak but they understand one another perfectly’
That’s the strap line on this book and it blew me away like I find the best YA can. This was one of the most relatable YAs I’ve read in a long time (I work with this age group and that’s why I find it relateable...I know I’m not 18). I think some of this was down to the fact it was quintessentially British and not American and I loved sense of home in this book.
Steffi was a carefully crafted complex and refreshing character. I ‘got’ her, I admired her and wanted her to thrive in whatever way was right for her. Rhys was bloody adorable and flawed and adorable. Did I say adorable? *shrugs* The story of these two was a absorbing delight to read but it was real.
I devoured this book quickly. I slipped into this seamless writing with ease and I’m genuinely sorry it’s over. I will be reading more from Sara Barnard, she rocked this age range so good.
That’s the strap line on this book and it blew me away like I find the best YA can. This was one of the most relatable YAs I’ve read in a long time (I work with this age group and that’s why I find it relateable...I know I’m not 18). I think some of this was down to the fact it was quintessentially British and not American and I loved sense of home in this book.
Steffi was a carefully crafted complex and refreshing character. I ‘got’ her, I admired her and wanted her to thrive in whatever way was right for her. Rhys was bloody adorable and flawed and adorable. Did I say adorable? *shrugs* The story of these two was a absorbing delight to read but it was real.
I devoured this book quickly. I slipped into this seamless writing with ease and I’m genuinely sorry it’s over. I will be reading more from Sara Barnard, she rocked this age range so good.
ALilLacey (2 KP) rated Daynight (Daynight, #1) in Books
Mar 4, 2019
Great new dysotopian story! Welcome to Thera where we live during the night and sleep during the day. And oh ya, if you recognize some familiar faces here from people you thought were previously gone there may be a reason behind it.
I really enjoyed the concept behind daynight and that I couldn't predict where the book was going but it wasn't so far-fetched that I couldnt follow along. I love a good surprise. I also liked that each chapter followed along one of three main characters in the story. I didn't get lost with switching in between their perspectives as the author did a good job of seperating their personalities and stories.
Kira at times could be a little naive but it added to the emotion of wanting her to see that not only did she have one man favoring her but two. Can't wait for book 2!!
And thank you to the author for the clean read! I definitely feel okay with recommending this book to others without being concerned by content.
I really enjoyed the concept behind daynight and that I couldn't predict where the book was going but it wasn't so far-fetched that I couldnt follow along. I love a good surprise. I also liked that each chapter followed along one of three main characters in the story. I didn't get lost with switching in between their perspectives as the author did a good job of seperating their personalities and stories.
Kira at times could be a little naive but it added to the emotion of wanting her to see that not only did she have one man favoring her but two. Can't wait for book 2!!
And thank you to the author for the clean read! I definitely feel okay with recommending this book to others without being concerned by content.
Sam (74 KP) rated It Only Happens in the Movies in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Yes, yes, yes, yes and a million times, YES!!!
I never knew I needed this book so much. I love YA romances because of how they almost always have a happy ending and are a fairytale romance. Even though I love them though, I can still see that it is not a realistic idea.
It Only Happens In The Movies follows Audrey Winters. She chooses to study how unrealistic romance films are for her Media project, whilst at the same time meeting the bad-boy-turned-good stereotype and falling into her own romance movies.
I loved that nothing was sugar-coated. I wanted Audrey and Harry to last while at the same time I chewed Audrey on every time she stood up for what she believed in.
Out of the whole book, the last chapter was the best, but I can’t say anything about that without giving out spoilers.
I love that the whole book just points out that fairytale romances don’t happen in real life, and it shows that love changes over time.
I never knew I needed this book so much. I love YA romances because of how they almost always have a happy ending and are a fairytale romance. Even though I love them though, I can still see that it is not a realistic idea.
It Only Happens In The Movies follows Audrey Winters. She chooses to study how unrealistic romance films are for her Media project, whilst at the same time meeting the bad-boy-turned-good stereotype and falling into her own romance movies.
I loved that nothing was sugar-coated. I wanted Audrey and Harry to last while at the same time I chewed Audrey on every time she stood up for what she believed in.
Out of the whole book, the last chapter was the best, but I can’t say anything about that without giving out spoilers.
I love that the whole book just points out that fairytale romances don’t happen in real life, and it shows that love changes over time.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Foul Is Fair in Books
Nov 26, 2019 (Updated Nov 26, 2019)
Sweet Revenge Tale for the Modern Era
Loved how this book didn’t mess about and just got into the action. Straight off the bat, it gave me a whole Cruel Intentions vibe and added a touch of The Craft for good measure - all teen girl kick ass. In a world that gave us the Brock Turner farse, we deserve this over the top revenge book.
When a group of prep boys choose the wrong girl to target at a party we are taken along for an all-consuming journey of revenge and it’s a delightfully dark ride. For such a disturbing tale it’s beautifully written. I don’t tend to like things with any sort of retelling of Shakespeare hints Macbeth in this case) or girly teen YA but this is in its own league of powerful storytelling that sets it apart. I had a strong feeling of where it was going but I wouldn’t have missed the ride for anything.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When a group of prep boys choose the wrong girl to target at a party we are taken along for an all-consuming journey of revenge and it’s a delightfully dark ride. For such a disturbing tale it’s beautifully written. I don’t tend to like things with any sort of retelling of Shakespeare hints Macbeth in this case) or girly teen YA but this is in its own league of powerful storytelling that sets it apart. I had a strong feeling of where it was going but I wouldn’t have missed the ride for anything.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Karla Dee (6 KP) rated Her Good Side in Books
May 27, 2023
Love this cover and I am so happy to have won a copy from bookish first to review. I used to play basketball in middle school and I enjoy any YA books that take me back to the time of playing sports in High school. I also love a good rom com and this book has that too but of course I am going to bring up that they are a diverse couple and she is plus size. I love a book that has representation and this one is so cute down to her jordan's on the cover and his van's.
Friends turned into more than friends story and it is a coming of age tale for both of the characters. Bethany and Jacob are bad at dating and decide to pretend date and usually this kind of story ends up getting dramatic messy and full of teen angst that is hard for me to get through but this book was totally not that vibe. They are both strong characters that don't succumb to peer pressure which is awesome <3<3<3
Friends turned into more than friends story and it is a coming of age tale for both of the characters. Bethany and Jacob are bad at dating and decide to pretend date and usually this kind of story ends up getting dramatic messy and full of teen angst that is hard for me to get through but this book was totally not that vibe. They are both strong characters that don't succumb to peer pressure which is awesome <3<3<3
BeRad89 (48 KP) rated Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in Books
Apr 11, 2018
Simon is a gay, still in the closet boy attending Creekwood High School. He is e-mailing the mysterious Blue, identity unknown, more frequently with increasing flirtation. A fellow classmate stumbles upon these exchanges and starts blackmailing Simon. Things get interesting.
I will begin by saying I read this book in one day. I could not put it down, other than the times I had to run squealing around the room from the cuteness of the e-mail exchanges between these two boys. It is adorable. The e-mails are by far the best part of this book. They are what kept me reading. I wanted to know who Blue was so bad I couldn't stand it!
I have one main critique for this book. All the characters are pretty much horrible people except Blue and the theater teacher. Everyone is so selfish, shallow, and idiotic. It made me so glad to never have to step foot in a high school again. That was disappointing. Even Simon is self centered and clueless. Are teens really like this now?
With that said, I still give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is utterly adorable and, for some books, maybe that's all they need or are meant to be. I would recommend this book to any teen, YA, and/or LGBT readers.
I will begin by saying I read this book in one day. I could not put it down, other than the times I had to run squealing around the room from the cuteness of the e-mail exchanges between these two boys. It is adorable. The e-mails are by far the best part of this book. They are what kept me reading. I wanted to know who Blue was so bad I couldn't stand it!
I have one main critique for this book. All the characters are pretty much horrible people except Blue and the theater teacher. Everyone is so selfish, shallow, and idiotic. It made me so glad to never have to step foot in a high school again. That was disappointing. Even Simon is self centered and clueless. Are teens really like this now?
With that said, I still give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is utterly adorable and, for some books, maybe that's all they need or are meant to be. I would recommend this book to any teen, YA, and/or LGBT readers.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated With Malice in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
With Malice by Eileen Cook is a Young Adult (YA) thriller that is enjoyable to read. The story is about an 18-year old named Jill, who wakes up in the hospital but the twist is that she has no memory of the previous six weeks of her life. She is told that she spent part of that time in Italy with her best friend but was involved in a fatal car accident. Two Jill the car accident does seem to be so accidental based on what she is being told.
The main character is unreliable yet it add a level of suspense and creativity, which kept me interested in the story. Jill's narration was spot on yet it allowed me to form my own ideas and theories regarding the mystery.
There are different points of view and clues from investigators to reporters to followers. Overall, I enjoyed the story very much. I found it interesting and a good breathe of fresh wait to the YA genre.
I received this book from the published via NetGalley for an honest review.
With Malice by Eileen Cook is a Young Adult (YA) thriller that is enjoyable to read. The story is about an 18-year old named Jill, who wakes up in the hospital but the twist is that she has no memory of the previous six weeks of her life. She is told that she spent part of that time in Italy with her best friend but was involved in a fatal car accident. Two Jill the car accident does seem to be so accidental based on what she is being told.
The main character is unreliable yet it add a level of suspense and creativity, which kept me interested in the story. Jill's narration was spot on yet it allowed me to form my own ideas and theories regarding the mystery.
There are different points of view and clues from investigators to reporters to followers. Overall, I enjoyed the story very much. I found it interesting and a good breathe of fresh wait to the YA genre.
I received this book from the published via NetGalley for an honest review.