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Once Upon a Dream
7.4
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What if the sleeping beauty never woke up? Once Upon a Dream marks the second book in a new YA line...
A Shifting of Stars (Of Stars Book One)
Book
A squandering emperor. A handsome stranger. A reluctant heroine. And the ancient magic that will...
series YA Young Adult fantasy fiction A Shifting of Stars
Karla Dee (6 KP) rated The Counselors in Books
Jun 7, 2022
I am really into YA books where teens are dying. Her previous thriller They Will Never Catch Us had be reading and not stopping because I had to know who the killer was and this read was just the same for me. The cover on this one caught my attention very Baywatch aka #pamcore then I saw it is a Jessica Goodman read and went straight to audible to make my pre-order and it did not disappoint.
The setting of the book is a bougie elite summer camp with a focus on three teens girls. I wouldn't so much call their situation Glamping since a dark secret is looming over a counselor who is waiting to share with her friends. Goldie might be ruining summer with her dark secret and not only that she is risking friendships. She isn't the only one that has been lying and keeping secrets. This becomes apparent when Ava has seen something and there is a death involved. yikes!
The setting of the book is a bougie elite summer camp with a focus on three teens girls. I wouldn't so much call their situation Glamping since a dark secret is looming over a counselor who is waiting to share with her friends. Goldie might be ruining summer with her dark secret and not only that she is risking friendships. She isn't the only one that has been lying and keeping secrets. This becomes apparent when Ava has seen something and there is a death involved. yikes!
QuietlyBookish (65 KP) rated Truthwitch in Books
Jul 20, 2017
Relationships (4 more)
Magic System
Plot
Characters
Dialogue
Friendships Done Right!
I really enjoyed this book! I think the magic system, especially is very unique and refreshing!
I also loved the relationship between Safiya and Iseult (although I have absolutely no idea how to correctly pronounce their names), it was nice to see a strong female friendship in a YA story, I don't see it very often! Plus I loved how they balanced each other out and brought out the best in each other.
Unfortunately, I felt at times that I couldn't keep up with the plot and all the history etc. I did find myself confused about which characters were which and how they all connected. I was also unsure about whether we had already learnt about things regarding the history of the world when they were referenced, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
The actual plot was very fast-paced and full of action, there was never a dull moment!
This book is definitely character driven, at least in my opinion, and you really got to know these characters; their strengths and their weaknesses, their faults and their flaws. I can't wait to pick up the sequel!
I also loved the relationship between Safiya and Iseult (although I have absolutely no idea how to correctly pronounce their names), it was nice to see a strong female friendship in a YA story, I don't see it very often! Plus I loved how they balanced each other out and brought out the best in each other.
Unfortunately, I felt at times that I couldn't keep up with the plot and all the history etc. I did find myself confused about which characters were which and how they all connected. I was also unsure about whether we had already learnt about things regarding the history of the world when they were referenced, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
The actual plot was very fast-paced and full of action, there was never a dull moment!
This book is definitely character driven, at least in my opinion, and you really got to know these characters; their strengths and their weaknesses, their faults and their flaws. I can't wait to pick up the sequel!
Merissa (13597 KP) rated One Wish Away in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from YA Bound Books Tours and NetGalley as part of the blog tour in return for a fair and honest review.
This book has a unique (as far as I know) concept in that scientists have figured out the way to harness the energy from stars into actually making wishes come true. The name for this project is the Cricket Project ie Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio.
It is a slow burner that builds up and tries to incorporate a lot of different elements into it - high school, romance, sci-fi, government plots, time alteration to name just some. Because of this, it can be quite jumpy as it flits from one aspect to another. There were also some aspects of it that just seemed completely unbelievable - and that's if you turn a blind eye to the actual star part of it. For example, a 16-year-old that thinks it is perfectly acceptable to go sneaking into a government building by stealing her dad's pass-card. And then nothing happens once she is caught except that she is offered a job!
An interesting concept with a twist but just not right for me. I liked it but I won't be going any further with the series.
This book has a unique (as far as I know) concept in that scientists have figured out the way to harness the energy from stars into actually making wishes come true. The name for this project is the Cricket Project ie Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio.
It is a slow burner that builds up and tries to incorporate a lot of different elements into it - high school, romance, sci-fi, government plots, time alteration to name just some. Because of this, it can be quite jumpy as it flits from one aspect to another. There were also some aspects of it that just seemed completely unbelievable - and that's if you turn a blind eye to the actual star part of it. For example, a 16-year-old that thinks it is perfectly acceptable to go sneaking into a government building by stealing her dad's pass-card. And then nothing happens once she is caught except that she is offered a job!
An interesting concept with a twist but just not right for me. I liked it but I won't be going any further with the series.
Anne (15130 KP) rated Frankly in Love (Frankly in Love, #1) in Books
Nov 4, 2019
Thanks to Libro.fm and Penguin Random House Audio for letting me listen and review this book. I was curious about this book since everyone was talking about it so I decided to check it out and I'm glad I listened to the audio because I don't think I would have done as well reading it. It was a little challenging for me to finish it even with the audio as it was.
I liked the story idea and premise to the story with the fake dating trope and the insight into Korean culture and family and culture issues and differences. It was a good portrayal of YA/teen years and crushes and romances and other things. There were a few things that caught me off guard, but for the most part, it seemed to be pretty straight forward.
This isn't my usual reading genre, but I thought it was alright although my biggest things were 1-it seemed a bit long, which is one of the reasons why audio helped and 2 - the language - there was so much profanity and language that I didn't enjoy, so that's my two cents on that.
If you like romance, fake dating tropes and such then you'll probably like this.
I liked the story idea and premise to the story with the fake dating trope and the insight into Korean culture and family and culture issues and differences. It was a good portrayal of YA/teen years and crushes and romances and other things. There were a few things that caught me off guard, but for the most part, it seemed to be pretty straight forward.
This isn't my usual reading genre, but I thought it was alright although my biggest things were 1-it seemed a bit long, which is one of the reasons why audio helped and 2 - the language - there was so much profanity and language that I didn't enjoy, so that's my two cents on that.
If you like romance, fake dating tropes and such then you'll probably like this.
The Story Cure: An A-Z of Books to Keep Kids Happy, Healthy and Wise
Susan Elderkin, Ella Berthoud and Rohan Eason
Book
Mumsnet 'Best Books for Christmas 2016' From tantrums to tummy aches to teenage mood swings, there...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Written (Emaneska #1) in Books
Sep 1, 2020
154 of 200
Kindle
The Written ( Emaneska book 1)
By. Ben Galley
His name is Farden. They whisper that he's dangerous. Dangerous is only the half of it. Something has gone missing from the libraries of Arfell. Something very old, and something very powerful. Five scholars are now dead, a country is once again on the brink of war, and the magick council is running out of time and options. Entangled in a web of lies and politics and dragged halfway across icy Emaneska and back, Farden must unearth a secret even he doesn't want to know, a secret that will shake the foundations of his world. Dragons, drugs, magick, death, and the deepest of betrayals await. Breathtakingly vast, chillingly dark, brooding and dangerous, The Written will leave you impatiently waiting for the next adventure. Welcome to Emaneska.
Not going to lie I struggled for the first half of the book! I decided around chapter 11 not to give up. It got so much better the world building is good the concept is good and it’s very well written. The dragons are the big draw in this for me they really lifted the story and completely changed my mind. Worth a read if you like fantasy YA.
Kindle
The Written ( Emaneska book 1)
By. Ben Galley
His name is Farden. They whisper that he's dangerous. Dangerous is only the half of it. Something has gone missing from the libraries of Arfell. Something very old, and something very powerful. Five scholars are now dead, a country is once again on the brink of war, and the magick council is running out of time and options. Entangled in a web of lies and politics and dragged halfway across icy Emaneska and back, Farden must unearth a secret even he doesn't want to know, a secret that will shake the foundations of his world. Dragons, drugs, magick, death, and the deepest of betrayals await. Breathtakingly vast, chillingly dark, brooding and dangerous, The Written will leave you impatiently waiting for the next adventure. Welcome to Emaneska.
Not going to lie I struggled for the first half of the book! I decided around chapter 11 not to give up. It got so much better the world building is good the concept is good and it’s very well written. The dragons are the big draw in this for me they really lifted the story and completely changed my mind. Worth a read if you like fantasy YA.
Wipe Out (Ryder Bay #4)
10.0
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She’s a soft-spoken loner. He’s a wild-eyed rebel. Can two virtual strangers find a way to...
Contemporary Romance Young Adult
The Adventures of Winnie #1
7.0
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Who knew the six animals I thought I was seeing in my dreams were real? A bear, rabbit, pig,...