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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated IA: Invincible Assassin (IA #2.5) in Books

Nov 15, 2019

IA: Invincible Assassin (IA #2.5)

John Darryl Winston | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Following on from the events in IA: B.O.S.S. and it's shattering ending, this book sees the world of Naz and the Exclave through the eyes of Harvis Young. A friend of Naz who has his own mysteries, Harvis sees how broken Naz is and resolves to protect him - or protect the world from him.

Naz is bent on revenge and with his superhuman powers could do more harm than good. Harvis must act as Naz's conscience but is also sympathetic to his cause.

Billed as an 'IA Origin' story, this provides a lot of background on Harvis whilst also filling in the gap before IA: Union. This isn't really a stand-alone piece as very little of who Naz is and what he can do is explained and reading of at least the first two books of the IA series first is recommended.

Whereas the other books have been told from Naz's point of view, here we see him through the eyes of his friend as a conflicted and sometimes unpredictable young man, someone who needs to tame his nature.

It is hard to provide any more information without spoiling the plot. But as with the other IA books this is an outstanding and very different 'young adult' read and an essential part of the series.

Kudos

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jul 7, 2022

Author Thomas H. McNeely visits my blog to discuss what it means to lose where we live in an emotional yet touching guest post. Read up on his coming of age/short stories fiction book PICTURES OF THE SHARK while you're there. Be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win an editorial critique of an excerpt from an unpublished short story or novel and/or an autographed copy of Pictures of the Shark.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/07/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-pictures-of.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
A sudden snowfall in Houston reveals family secrets. A trip to Universal Studios to snap a picture of the shark from Jaws becomes a battle of wills between father and son. A midnight séance and the ghost of Janis Joplin conjure the mysteries of sex. A young boy’s pilgrimage to see Elvis Presley becomes a moment of transformation. A young woman discovers the responsibilities of talent and freedom.

Pictures of the Shark, by Houston native and Dobie Paisano award-winning author Thomas H. McNeely, traces a young man's coming of age and falling apart. From the rough and tumble of Houston's early seventies East End to the post-punk Texas bohemia of late eighties Austin, this novel in stories examines what happens when childhood trauma haunts adult lives.

Kudos Comment

Josh Palmer (2 KP) rated After The Cure in Books

Jan 4, 2018

Great characters with a story that flows well. (0 more)

A new twist and an old genre.

So, I got this book on google play for 25 cents I think it was. One of their sales. I didn't know what to expect from a book that was about the aftermath of the zombie outbreak but in the end I was surprised.
The characters are ones that I generally cared about and that made the book that much better. The story moved along nicely while not seeming to sacrifice content.
The worst part about this book is that to me it seemed caught between young adult and normal fiction. Not that it hurt but some points just didn't feel up to the task of being a grown up story.

Kudos

Julie (77 KP) rated The Upside of Unrequited in Books

Sep 20, 2017

My Review: "What a great read! Honestly, I needed this after reading so many fantasy/young adult books. I don’t read many contemporary books, but when I do, this is what I look for.

First of all, it was relatable on multiple accounts. Second, the characters were so diverse and realistic. Those two things are important for me when I read a contemporary. For me, I know what it’s like for twins, especially twin sisters, as I have younger twin sisters. They two are fraternal and VERY different. They are basically the embodiment of Cassie and Molly; I was shocked how similar they were to my own sisters." Read the entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/the-upside-of-unrequited-by-becky-albertalli/

Kudos

Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1) in Books

Jul 13, 2018

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1)

Melissa Marr | 2008 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

7.5

(17 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is the very first Melissa Marr's book I have read and it will not be my last. I've always have had an obsession with Faeries but I don't normally read books that feature the fae. I always fear that they wouldn't live up to my expectations. Luckily, my best friend and a bunch of booksellers convinced me to read this book.

The characters were unique, and just downright lovely. The plot was fun and kept me guessing. I loved the twists and turns that were present too. This is a young adult novel but I didn't feel like I was too old for it. It was refreshing.

If you're looking for a great Faery book, look no further! This book is great!

Kudos

AT (1676 KP) rated Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 1 in Books

Jan 17, 2020

The first volume of Snow White with the Red Hair was just okay. It wasn't awful, but it didn't exactly pull me in. It started getting slightly more interesting around halfway through the book. It had a few cute moments, but it seemed like it should have almost been a series targeted for the junior reading age group. However, the subject matter is geared toward the young adult audience. It's just one of those odd stories that hangs in limbo between reading audiences. Also, being a retelling of a classic tale, I must say that it only seemed that way for the first handful of pages, at most. Then it was like every other manga series with the theme that it follows.