I was so happy when I snagged an ARC of this book at Comic Con. This has been one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint!
SI was so happy when I snagged an ARC of this book at Comic Con. This has been one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint!
Signa's life has been filled with tragedy. Her parents were murdered when she was an infant and since then she's been shuffled from family member to family member - each one dying in her presence. On top of this, she can see Death and over time, Signa begins to feel like she's the one responsible for all the death in her life.
First I want to talk about the setting of this book. The gothic vibes were strong in this one and I loved it. I only wish I had read it curled up with a blanket next to a fire (blast you 100 degree heat!). The mansions described were haunting and full of secrets just waiting to be exposed. And let's not forget the locked secret garden - need I say more?
And the mystery that Signa finds herself involved in the minute she gets to Thorn Grove was so fun to untangle. Wife poisoned, daughter suffering the same fate as the mother. A whodunit at it's finest with suspects everywhere and all these clues that added up to nothing. While the family was an odd one, I found myself wanting them to be okay because Signa so badly wanted to stay there. She wanted a family. With everything that had happened to her, her outlook shouldn't have been so sunny but Grace did a fantastic job of showing her grief and loneliness but then also how she pushed through and refused to let it define her.
But can we talk about the character of Death? Death, in any iteration, is utterly fascinating. I was excited to see how Grace would portray him. Oh he was delightful! Such an ominous presence throughout the book, but yet, I found myself looking for him in certain situations. And the twist with him -- ooh I should have seen it coming but I think I was so wrapped up in the moment that I just allowed myself to be taken on this ride.
I will warn you, this book ends on a cliffhanger. But I am so excited to see where this goes. I have all of these scenarios in my head and Grace will probably go the opposite way. Why do books take so long to come out?? LOL...more
This is my first book from Haley Neil and I was pleasantly surprised. It's also my first read with an asexual lead. I absolutely loved that aspect. AsThis is my first book from Haley Neil and I was pleasantly surprised. It's also my first read with an asexual lead. I absolutely loved that aspect. As someone who 100% feels that sexual preference is not black and white, I really appreciated seeing that explored at length here.
Felicity Becker is definitely a Type A personality. She has to have everything in perfect order and she has to be the best at everything she does. When her mother gets engaged, Felicity takes it upon herself to plan the entire wedding by herself. As luck would have it, her long distance BFF, Nancy, has an apple orchard that's perfect for weddings.
This book gave me Gilmore Girls vibes from the beginning. From the mother daughter relationship, to the mother/ grandmother relationship - I mean there was even a scene were Felicity and her mom were standing outside of her grandmothers house before their weekly brunch discussing why they should or should not go in.
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But let's talk about Felicity. She was a lot honestly. Being in her head was hard. She was going through so much internally and didn't really feel like she had anyone to talk to. Being someone who also struggles with anxiety and insecurities, I could 100% understand what she was going through but man, her anxiety was through the roof. I liked that Neil didn't shy away from this aspect of her personality and really leaned into what it's like to feel that way. Felicity also struggled with her sexuality and defining it. She worried that she wouldn't be enough for Nancy, that she wouldn't be able to give her the kind of relationship that she wanted. These fears ate away at her until she literally broke.
This book also would have been nothing without it's supporting cast. Felicity's mother, new stepfather, her friends - all added to this ambiance and created such a well rounded group who while they had their problems, ultimately loved and supported one another. It definitely felt true to the ages in the story and I enjoyed spending time with this group of people.
Thank you Bloomsbury YA for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
6 installments later and we have the conclusion, and honestly, that was a pretty good ending. From the first kill Light orchestrated I startIt ends!!!
6 installments later and we have the conclusion, and honestly, that was a pretty good ending. From the first kill Light orchestrated I started to wonder how he was going to be caught. When L came in, I thought ok here we go, his ultimate foe who will bring him down. Well, we all know how that turned out. So Light continued to kill and then the world went crazy with Kira supporters and honestly, I was at a loss with how Light could be outsmarted.
Ok, not gonna lie, the reveal on how Light was caught is a convoluted mess. If the author was just trying to confuse the readers instead of looking too deep, he succeeded lol. I don't know half of what I read there at the end but I did enjoy watching it all go down. The artwork in this series is spectacular and really conveys the emotions of the characters. Now having finished it, I'm very intrigued on how this translates to the screen and I think I will check out the anime series - I've been told to stay away from the movie.
All in all, entertaining even if it was a bit too long. ...more
I've committed to this until the end but oh my, they are just dragging this out aren't they?
There's been a lot of changes in the world of chasing KiraI've committed to this until the end but oh my, they are just dragging this out aren't they?
There's been a lot of changes in the world of chasing Kira. New players exist to capture Kira while the world has somehow chosen Kira as their new God - this might be the most unbelievable part of this. There's TV shows devoted to Kira, Kira's word is now law, and anyone who opposes Kira is now the hunted.
At this point, nothing shocks me. It's just more cat and mouse games while Light just chills and laughs at everyone running around like sheep. In case you can't tell, I cannot stand Light. What irks me is this story started off so well with a great battle between Light and L. But all that is gone now and the story is missing that umph that was there when Light and L battled wits. It just seems like everyone is missing brain cells and just caving to childrens whims. Moving on to the final installment and I just hope this is wrapped up with some sort of just desserts for Light. ...more
It goes without saying that Light is the worst of the worst and he literally gets no better in this one. At this point, IWell shit, they went there...
It goes without saying that Light is the worst of the worst and he literally gets no better in this one. At this point, I feel like it's "how much more evil can Light get today?". There's no way he believes his vision for the world is pure. Look what it's cost him and those around him? I honestly believe that Light is a psychopath.
We meet a few new players in this installment, after rudely saying goodbye to another (like seriously, wtf?). While I am intrigued by the new characters, it's honestly seeming like regurgitated material but with new faces. I am anxious to see how this story ends but it's really dragging it's feet getting there. We are learning nothing new of value, just more how can people fuck up capturing Kira or the notebooks? Turns out, that's all they do.
Just please please please let Light get what's coming for him cause I am so sick of his face that I want to scream. ...more
Finally I got to read the second installment of this series! This is what happens when you don't live with your friend who owns them anymore haha. So Finally I got to read the second installment of this series! This is what happens when you don't live with your friend who owns them anymore haha. So it had been a hot minute since I had read the first one so it took me a moment to remember what was going on.
I am just loving Smythe's take on the story of Hades and Persephone. We are getting to dive into their personalities and their daily lives to a level that hasn't really been explored quite like this before. I love the glitz and glam of Olympus and seeing all of these Gods and Goddesses flit in and out. Plus, the artwork is so pretty.
This installment focuses more on the reactions to Hades being seen with Persephone, and just how much gossip talks. I loved the way Hades was so concerned about her feelings but some of the choices he made there at the end, I am not behind them. He's so content to just let himself suffer because he feels that he should be.
Now I just need to get my hands on the next volume! Loving these so much <3...more
Sometimes when author's can't seem to let go of a world, it can get tedious. But I don't find that with the Grishaverse. Leigh Bardugo keeps finding wSometimes when author's can't seem to let go of a world, it can get tedious. But I don't find that with the Grishaverse. Leigh Bardugo keeps finding ways to expand different elements and I love these little tidbits that we keep getting.
In Demon in the Wood we get a little more backstory on the infamous Darkling. I find this character so fascinating that I crave more information. I also loved that this was told in graphic novel form. The visualizations really added that extra element to the story. Seeing the facial expressions just hit that much harder.
We also get a little more insight on how the Darkling was raised and his relationship with his mother. It's a very difficult relationship as Lena wants to protect her son but at the same time, she shows little to no emotion with him and you can just feel his loneliness. Really enjoyed this one....more
Enter the world of the Luminaries - a group of people who are tasked with protecting the world from the nightmSo this world was all kinds of awesome.
Enter the world of the Luminaries - a group of people who are tasked with protecting the world from the nightmares released from spirits who have appeared across the globe. Winnie Wednesday is part of this group, but not. Years ago her father was found to be a traitor and her family exiled. It's all Winnie wants, to just get back into the fold. She wants to be a hunter. So on her 16th birthday she shows up to take the hunter trials. And all hell breaks lose.
I loved that this was a world within a world. The fact that this secret town just existed on the borders on mainstream society was fascinating. The way Dennard wrote the world was this dark, gloomy and fearful presence that it was perfect for a winters night. And the forest itself was frightening. The trials they put the wannabe hunters through is insane and I know right off that I would never make it.
My only issue is that, even though this was just the first in the series, so much is left unresolved. Like the ending felt like a chapter end and not a book end. I know she's probably waiting to reveal more in the sequel(s) - I don't know how many books this is supposed to be - but I think that giving a little more on the answer side would have gone a long way. There were just so many things that I thought would be revealed only to come up blank - ex: who the werewolf is - y'all I got theories.
Overall, I think this was a great start to a new series and I am excited to get my hands on the sequel!...more
I fell in love with this world way back when Fable was released and I am just so happy that Young continues to expand. I feel that the sea has many stI fell in love with this world way back when Fable was released and I am just so happy that Young continues to expand. I feel that the sea has many stories to tell and I am here for every one.
Saint is a prequel to the Fable duology that gives us more insight into Fable's parents. In the original duology, we do meet Saint but all we get to see is the man who's been forever changed by his past and the love that he lost. Saint was just one of the many characters who jumped off the page and demanded that we know more. Thankfully, Young felt the same way and through this story we get to see Saint meet Isolde and watch as the two of them carve out this beautiful dream they both share.
I absolutely love the way Young writes. The sea moves like poetry on the pages and you can just feel Saint's love for the water. Nothing can rival it until Isolde comes along. The two of them together is electric. And I just love how effortless Isolde fit in with the group - oh rather Saint and Clove. Speaking of Clove, loved him so much. We get to really see the bond between him and Saint and learn more about what drives both of them.
I honestly wish that I would have read Fable again because there were so many Easter eggs in here that I just know I missed some because it wasn't fresh in my mind. There were many familiar faces and it was fun to see them younger and, for some, not so weatherworn. What a fun read. ...more
Let me just start off by asking, was this book needed? 100% no. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy the hell out of it.
When books end, they tenLet me just start off by asking, was this book needed? 100% no. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy the hell out of it.
When books end, they tend to end right at the moment of either the couple finally getting together or a major decision being made and we as the audience never really get to see the after effects of this. Sometimes there's an epilogue, but not always. And we're just left to our own imagination to figure out how things went. Hoover took an ending that had us all going, but what's next, and provided the answers.
It Ends with Us is a heavy book. It deals with issues that aren't often talked about in books and it's one that stays with you long after it's over. With this installment, Hoover kept the seriousness but also added the much needed fluff between Lily and Atlas. Watching them reconnect was soooo sweet. When Atlas decided to write to Lily much in the way she wrote to Ellen, my heart melted. He's definitely a keeper.
But as I mentioned before, this book isn't without it's heaviness. Lily is still having to deal with what Ryle put her through and now it's even more heightened by the child they share. Ryle is such a hard character to put into words. There's the outside appearance of a guy who has it all but his temper is something that needs to be addressed. And while his family seems to support Lily and their separation, I really wanted to see Ryle's family come together and try to help him. They just seem to brush it off as if it's something he can deal with on his own. Then there's the whole Atlas family issues. We get to meet his mother and discover a brother he never knew he had. Atlas has overcome so much and it's wonderful to see how he has set his path.
I didn't really know what to expect going into this one but I was pleasantly surprised. Very sweet. ...more
So this one was super interesting. Taking place in a world where everyone is given extra life and immortality is only granted to a few, it asks the quSo this one was super interesting. Taking place in a world where everyone is given extra life and immortality is only granted to a few, it asks the questions, what do you live for when everything else is gone?
The new life span is 200 years old. Once you reach 200, you go through a test to see if you are mentally prepared to life forever. If you pass, you get immortality. If you don't, well you've lived 200 years and it's your time to go. When Eva's husband never comes back from the test, she loses any will to pass the test. However, when it's her time to test, she sees her husband working in the facility, only he doesn't remember who he is and it's up to her to remind him. I loved Eva's spunk and tenacity. She was so driven by love for her husband and could not imagine spending eternity without him. She was definitely stronger than her weak ass husband. And that damn ending. I did not see the twist coming and because of that, it shocked me even more.
This story came from a short story that Brody wrote awhile ago and I really liked how she included the short story at the back of the book. It was fun to see how it changed once it became a graphic novel....more
This was cute. From the writing and the way the story was told, I think this is more geared towards children, or at least a middle grade audience. ShiThis was cute. From the writing and the way the story was told, I think this is more geared towards children, or at least a middle grade audience. Shine was a very sweet main character who was trying to piece her life together after her father and grandfather are killed while racing. With racing in her blood, she builds her own car and takes to the tracks. The story is told in flashbacks but it's not confusing and works with this format. I also really adored her little sidekick, Gabbo, who rode shotgun while she raced. Even though this was geared towards kids, it still packed an emotional punch and I rooted for Shine to come out on top. Definitely a fun one for your kids. ...more
Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the first one, my friend had also given me the second one to read so I just carried on. First things first, why theEven though I wasn't a huge fan of the first one, my friend had also given me the second one to read so I just carried on. First things first, why the hell did the art style just suddenly change in the middle of the story? And it wasn't even a subtle change, this was a completely different artist who took over. It was very jarring. Again, the issues that I had from the first volume carry over to this one. Drama for the sake of drama with no reasoning or background given. It was very hard to root for the main gang because it didn't really feel like anything was at stake. And why does she still have a freaking bubblegum gun? Nothing made sense. ...more
I wasn't a super fan of this story. A group of misfits just trying to make their way in the galaxy by working odd jobs for money. At the core there arI wasn't a super fan of this story. A group of misfits just trying to make their way in the galaxy by working odd jobs for money. At the core there are two sisters, one is the leader and the other I'm assuming is a novice who can't handle a real weapon so she gets a gun that shoots bubblegum - yeah I don't know why and it's never explained. The story felt really forced and like it was trying to hard to be this cyber-punk battle but fell flat with the jokes. There's little to no background given on anyone and the authors don't spend any time developing the characters so there was no way for me to connect with anyone. It just missed the mark for me. ...more
Okay not gonna lie, I did not expect to like this one as much as I did. I 100% judged it by it's cover and title and had no hope for it. But damn did Okay not gonna lie, I did not expect to like this one as much as I did. I 100% judged it by it's cover and title and had no hope for it. But damn did it not entertain me and now I want to know more!
Damsels takes place in a world where there are no men. They have all been killed off and the surrounding kingdoms are run by 5 princesses who took an oath that when they all come of age to break the seal on a mysterious message from the last living men and follow what path they laid out. However, when the message from the dead men is to kill one of them, the girls are suddenly split on what to do. Chaos erupts and suddenly one princess is running for her life while another is trying to take over all of the realms.
I liked how we were able to see into each of the princesses realms and learn who they were and how they came to be like they are. This made it easy to root for them - not all of them mind you. The volume ended on a cliffhanger and I'm kind of sad that there's no Vol 2. It feels very unresolved and I just want to know what happens!...more
Teenagers fighting off evil aliens while navigating high school and just being teenagers. This sounds like a CW show if you ask me. And honestly, it rTeenagers fighting off evil aliens while navigating high school and just being teenagers. This sounds like a CW show if you ask me. And honestly, it read like one too but I still had fun with it. Poor Hunter is just minding his own business in his house when a unconscious naked girl just lands in his backyard. Soon Hunter and his friends find themselves in a battle against an alien force with some fun extra powers - not for Hunter though, he's still a regular joe. Was it corny? A little. But it was still fun and I was rooting for them to destroy the invaders. ...more
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