This was such a cute and fun graphic novel. I really loved the themes of friendship and being true to who you are. I thought it was refreshing to see This was such a cute and fun graphic novel. I really loved the themes of friendship and being true to who you are. I thought it was refreshing to see LBGTQ+ characters in a middle grade/ya setting. I really loved all of the dresses and fashion in this story as well. Overall, I think it's a fun and informative graphic novel perfect for all ages. ...more
I've chosen not to rate this book, as I am not the target audience. However, I do recommend reading this graphic novel. El Deafo follows the story of I've chosen not to rate this book, as I am not the target audience. However, I do recommend reading this graphic novel. El Deafo follows the story of Cece Bell (the bunny) as she grows up and faces the challenges related to her hearing loss. Due to an illness at a young age Cece lost most of her hearing and the device she has been fitted with to help her communicate is quite cumbersome. This story dives into how Cece perceives her hearing loss, her hearing aid, and her relationship with other children throughout her schooling. As this is an own voices book (basically a memoir of the authors own childhood), you can clearly see some of the frustrations that someone with this level of hearing loss deals with on a daily basis. I think this story does a great job of showcasing diversity and how important it is to have conversations about situations like this. Most importantly, we are all people and we want to be seen as a whole person and not just our differences. I think this is a great book for parents and children to read and talk about. I am glad that I took the time to read this one. ...more
I very much enjoyed the first book in the Lockwood and Co series. I can see why it comes so highly recommended by friends. It has the feel of a VictorI very much enjoyed the first book in the Lockwood and Co series. I can see why it comes so highly recommended by friends. It has the feel of a Victorian paranormal, however the actual time period is quite ambiguous. It isn't set in Victorian times (they talk about TVs and other more modern devices), but some of the mannerisms and interactions give it that feel. The characters in this book are fun to follow along and get to know. I was surprised when I started this book to find it was Lucy, and not Lockwood, who was our main protagonist. That being said, I enjoyed Lucy as a main character. I am curious to know more about who she is and exactly how in-depth she can communicate with spirits. I thought this book was a fun, fast paced middle grade novel that borders on YA. The characters ages are somewhat ambiguous too, however, they operate independently of adult supervision. This makes them feel older than they are, but is a trope that I enjoy in books. However, the ambiguity in some of the details made the world building feel a little unfinished. I hope that we get more answers in future books and I look forward to continuing this series in the future. ...more
This was such a sweet story (and also a little heartbreaking as well). We follow Vanessa as she runs away from her not-so-great foster home following This was such a sweet story (and also a little heartbreaking as well). We follow Vanessa as she runs away from her not-so-great foster home following the instructions left by her absent mother Gina. Vanessa finds herself swept away to a different time, in search of her mother. Along the way she meets the women of the Marshall family and learns more about herself than she could ever imagine. Normally, I am not a fan of time travel stories, but On Luna Time was a complete hit for me. I loved the feel of being in 1949 and I really enjoyed our main character and the connections she makes with herself and her family. Also, the ending of this book totally took me by surprise. There were so many things that I wasn't expecting. I cannot wait to pick up the next one as soon as it comes out. Additionally, I listened to this on audiobook and Merphy Nepier does a fantastic job narrating it. I highly recommend. ...more
Mild spoilers for the show Avatar the Last Airbender, I guess.
I don't always review my graphic novels, but I loved this one! It helps that the Zuko/AMild spoilers for the show Avatar the Last Airbender, I guess.
I don't always review my graphic novels, but I loved this one! It helps that the Zuko/Azula/Iroh/Ozai story line was always my favorite in the shows too. I won't say much, just that if you are a fan of the fire nations most dramatic family this one is worth the read. That being said this is the fourth in a series of graphic novels. If you are a fan of the show though, you won't regret picking these up. They build on what happened in the show and we get to see what happened after Aang defeated the Fire Lord. In my opinion, this was the best installment yet. ...more
4.75 stars This was such a cute book. I really liked both Hazel and Josh as characters, even though Hazel could be completely over the top. Their relat4.75 stars This was such a cute book. I really liked both Hazel and Josh as characters, even though Hazel could be completely over the top. Their relationship seemed natural and I really like the dual perspective we got between the two. I really liked how she integrated herself into his life and became his best friend. I thought hate to love was my favorite romance trope before reading this book. But I was wrong, it's friends to lovers. I also really enjoyed Josh's family and their dynamics with Hazel and their relationship. The only thing I wish we would have spent a little more time with was the plot point at the end. I wish it would have taken up a bit more time in the story and we would have explored some of the feelings during this time. The epilogue really threw me off though because I couldn't figure out how much time has passed at first. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone looking for a light hearted, adult romance. ...more
4.5 stars This was such an interesting read. This was my first book by Elizabeth Acevedo and I really enjoyed her writing style. I also listened to it 4.5 stars This was such an interesting read. This was my first book by Elizabeth Acevedo and I really enjoyed her writing style. I also listened to it on audiobook, which she narrates. I felt this gave the characters a very authentic feel. I really enjoyed all of the cultures present in this book. From her neighborhood in Philly to the town in Spain they visit to her father's neighborhood in Puerto Rico, all of these communities seemed authentic and part of who Emoni was as a person. I really enjoyed the family dynamics in this book especially between her Emoni and her abuela. Their relationship is changing and they are both figuring out how to redefine it. One thing I wish would have been more defined (or not present at all) was the magic. There was some magic implied with Emoni's cooking but nothing was specified. I wish there would have been a bit more explanation or exploration to it or have not been included at all. ...more
4.5 stars This book was such a fun time. I am usually not one for a light, fluffy contemporary but this was just what I needed when in a reading slump.4.5 stars This book was such a fun time. I am usually not one for a light, fluffy contemporary but this was just what I needed when in a reading slump. I really enjoy the hate to love trope and this book delivers on that. Not to mention it takes place in Hawaii, which is one of the places I most want to visit. Even though this book is based on some pretty improbable scenarios, it was still a fun read. I liked the way our main characters communicated and the way consent was clearly displayed in this book. This book had some good steamy scenes and delivers on being a sexy adult romance. Not sure why the Rom-Com seemed to die out in the film world, but I'm glad it's still alive and well in the book world. ...more
This book packs a serious punch. We follow Annabelle as she is dealing with her grief and mental health and also running across the United States. ThiThis book packs a serious punch. We follow Annabelle as she is dealing with her grief and mental health and also running across the United States. This book addresses some really important themes and deals with some very heavy topics. I felt this book addressed all of these things and her grief in a mature but relatable way. I really loved Annabelle's family. From her Grandpa who is supporting on her her journey and following her in the RV. To her brother who is running her PR campaign with her friends to gain support for her cause. To her mom who is apprehensive but willing to support her daughter's healing process. This book slowly reveals what happened during a tragedy a year ago. While I did figure out what was happening pretty quickly, I didn't feel like that slowed the book down at all. This book made me cry more than once and I couldn't put it down. I listened to it on audiobook and would highly recommend it. ...more
This was my first book by Fredirk Backman, and wow do I get what all of the hype is about. His writing was so easy to read (which was awesome considerThis was my first book by Fredirk Backman, and wow do I get what all of the hype is about. His writing was so easy to read (which was awesome considering it is translated, so major props to the translator). He touches on some really deep topics in this book, mostly centering on grief. This is told through the perspective of a seven (almost eight) year old girl, who is probably too sassy for her own good. It explores her relationship with her grandmother, as well as the relationship other people had with her granny. Elsa is sent out on a journey to deliver apology letters to the many people in her granny's life and along the way learns something important about each one. This book is full of make believe, and childhood fears, and imaginary lands that can only come from the mind of a child. I really enjoyed those parts of the book because I felt like I could relate to them as a child who had a highly overactive imagination. I also listened to this book on audio and enjoyed experiencing it that way. Overall, it was a solid book about loss, life and the people in it. ...more
This book was such an exciting start to a new series. I thoroughly enjoyed myself from start to finish. Brandon Sanderson knows how to write fantasy. This book was such an exciting start to a new series. I thoroughly enjoyed myself from start to finish. Brandon Sanderson knows how to write fantasy. His world building is always fantastic but it excels in this book. The world is unlike one I could ever imagine. Everything from the landscape to the weather is unique. Additionally, I loved the characters. We switch between several viewpoints in our large cast of characters. I enjoyed reading from all of them, which is not always the case for me in a multiple POV story. Sanderson's writing style is easy to read and even though this is a huge book I flew through it. I did listen to this on audiobook and the narrators are fantastic. I can't wait to continue on with this series and look forward to the books that are still to come. ...more
What a ride this book is. Everything from the world building to the characters to the plot is well thought out and honestly mind blowing. We4.5 stars
What a ride this book is. Everything from the world building to the characters to the plot is well thought out and honestly mind blowing. We are thrown into a world where the end of the world happens over and over again. Society has learned to weather the storm and rebuild after these world ending seasons. In addition, there are orogenes (forgive my spelling of anything in this book, I listened to the audiobook) who can quell the worst of these earthquakes and tsunamis, but also have the power to destroy on a whim. Instead of being revered however, they are discriminated against. We follow the perspective of three women, all of whom have a heartbreaking story to tell. This world is one of the most unique I have ever read. However, it did take me a while to wrap my head around this world and this story. Additionally, there are so many questions left unanswered. This world and story are utterly heartbreaking but you can't look away. There are trigger warnings for (view spoiler)[ child abuse, and forced sexual relationships (though not in a rape sort of way). (hide spoiler)] Overall, I highly recommend this book and can't wait to dive into the next one. ...more
This was a fun, classic adventure tale, with inspiration and history taken from the many tales, legends and myths of Robin Hood. I enjoyed learning moThis was a fun, classic adventure tale, with inspiration and history taken from the many tales, legends and myths of Robin Hood. I enjoyed learning more about Robin Hood and his band of merry men. This book addressed the political climate during this era in England, which I wasn’t expecting, but found quite interesting. The beginning and end of this book were fast paced and I really enjoyed them. The middle, however, read like a collection of short stories and was a little slower. The characters were fun to read about, my favorite of which being Maid Marian. She was truly a bada** and I wish she would have been more prevalent in the book. The setting of Sherwood Forest was one of my favorite parts about the book and is a place I have always been enchanted with. I was surprised at how dark parts of this book were and the ending really got me. Overall, I had a good time reading this book and look forward to reading more about Robin Hood in the future....more
This book was so sweet. I haven’t read a book from an animal POV in a long time. It was almost nostalgic reading this book, even though this 4.5 stars
This book was so sweet. I haven’t read a book from an animal POV in a long time. It was almost nostalgic reading this book, even though this is my first read through. This was a great classic to start the year out with. It was easy to read and I really enjoyed the cozy English atmosphere. This is a book I will be adding to my collection and it was a lovely time from start to finish....more
Wow, was this book a fast paced ride. From the beginning, we are thrown into multiple different character perspectives with very little intro4.5 Stars
Wow, was this book a fast paced ride. From the beginning, we are thrown into multiple different character perspectives with very little introduction. As a result it takes a bit to get oriented, but once you do it is full speed ahead. Our main character Sydney is smart, and sharp and I could not wait to see what she was going to do next. It was exciting watching her grow as a magician and as a person. Seeing her form bonds with people and have them grow into friendships and found family. We have an excellent cast of supporting characters in this book and almost all of them are morally gray. The romantic subplot in this book is pretty light, but I loved it and wished we could have seen it develop a bit more.
The magic in this book was beautiful. There's no other way I can think to describe it. I just wish we would have gotten a bit more world building to go along with it. That ending, wow did it break my effing heart. This book packs such a punch. I thought this book was a standalone, but I just saw that there is a sequel coming in 2020. This is making me start to hope for things I am afraid to hope for (please don't crush my heart again Kat Howard).
Overall, a great standalone adult fantasy novel. It was fast paced, and beautiful, and really hit it home with the characters. One of my new favorite books, and one I will be recommending often. ...more
This book is full of political intrigue, an interesting religious climate and a bit of magic. We follow Prince Raoden, the well loved prince, as he isThis book is full of political intrigue, an interesting religious climate and a bit of magic. We follow Prince Raoden, the well loved prince, as he is taken by the Shaod and turned into a leper like zombie creature (Sanderson's own description in the authors note, which describes them perfectly). He strives to create a civilized society in what is basically a prison for the fallen Elantrians. We also follow Princess Sarene, who comes to Arelon to marry the prince only to find him "dead" and her his widow. She must navigate a political landscape very different from what she is used to and comes toe to toe with Hrathen. Hrathen is a holy many from the neighboring empire that is intent on taking over the continent and converting them all to Shu Dereth.
This book starts of with a bang and we are thrown right into the action. However, it slows down a bit as we learn more about the characters and world. I really enjoyed the characters, and even the side characters felt fully developed. Just before the halfway mark on this book I wondered if I was ever going to finish. Then the halfway mark hit, the plot picked up and I finished listening in one night. Brandon Sanderson is a master at weaving theme, plot and characters together and this book is no different. Some of the characters seemed a little too perfect at the beginning of the story, but as their characters develop you really get a deeper sense of who they are (and what flaws they have).
(view spoiler)[Though Raoden still didn't seem to have many flaws by the end. Hrathen's arc was actually one of my favorites and I ended up really liking him by the end of the book. (hide spoiler)]
A note on the romance. I was here for the romance since page one, all I wanted was for them to be together. However, this romance employs one of my least favorite romance tropes. With that being said, it was done in a way that was satisfying in the end, even if it did frustrate me to no end while reading the book. This was me the entire time. (view spoiler)[I can't figure out how to put in the image, but its from the scene in Aladdin where the gene is yelling at him, to "tell her the truth!" (hide spoiler)]...more
This book was so action packed, I couldn't put it down. The plot in this one is definitely fast paced and keeps you on your toes. Not sure wh3.5 Stars
This book was so action packed, I couldn't put it down. The plot in this one is definitely fast paced and keeps you on your toes. Not sure why, but I wasn't expecting this to be a zombie story going in (while it's not full on zombies, it does have elements of them, in my opinion). I am usually not a fan of that story line but I really liked how it was worked in this story. Additionally, I liked the unique take on the virus and genetic obsession in this world. I don't know enough about genetics to comment on the science, however, after talking with a friend that might be a good thing. Some parts of the story got so into the coding/genetic aspect I found myself skimming or zoning out on those parts.
I did connect to the characters in this book. Even though they sometimes made dumb decisions (hey I was 17 once too). However, overall I really liked them and I did enjoy the romance. Some parts I found quite cheesy, although, I think it was partially due to the delivery of the audiobook narrator. I listened to the majority of this on audio, however I found I enjoyed it more when I switched to physical (though maybe it was just because I enjoyed the ending). I felt like we got to see a lot of the characters emotions and inner conflict while the plot kept us hurtling along at 100 miles per hour.
The ending and some of the twists really took me by surprise. While I was glad to be surprised by these things, I wish we would have gotten a few more clues left along the way to figure it out ourselves. While this writing style did have some beautiful prose, I found that it was a bit too flowery for my tastes. Overall, I had fun reading this one and will be continuing on with the series in the near future. ...more
**spoiler alert** This book is a strange juxtaposition of elements I loved and strongly disliked at the same time. It was one of my most anticipated r**spoiler alert** This book is a strange juxtaposition of elements I loved and strongly disliked at the same time. It was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019 and I'm disappointed that I didn't love it as much as I had hoped. The premise promises a heist novel with a ragtag group of misfits, set in Paris on the cusp of the industrial revolution. It has a focus on magical artifacts and treasure hunters.
One aspect that I really enjoyed were the characters, especially the side characters (though many of them were POV characters). Zofia was my favorite, I loved the way she saw the world and her personality. She also provides autistic representation which I was really excited to see. However, I personally cannot comment on the authenticity of the representation. The author does a good job of including a broad variety of representation also including racial and ethnic, religious, and sexual orientation diversity. However, some of these felt more mentioned than actually explored. This is the start of a series so these might be developed later. While I enjoyed reading from the different POVs, I felt like parts of the narrative where the whole group was together, the voice of the characters sounded the same. I found myself flipping back to the beginning of a chapter to remember whose POV I was reading from. Additionally, I was not a fan of Severin, our main character. Instead of finding him charming and aloof, I found him frustrating and, to be honest, a bit of a dick.
The dynamics between the characters was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the banter they had back and forth, though I agree with some other reviewers who said the dialogue felt a little childish. While I don't mind this, it did make the characters feel younger than they were (which was a little jarring with some of the more mature themes and content also present in the book). You could tell these characters deeply cared for each other. I am a sucker for a good found family, so this was a highlight for me. However, I found the romance quite grating. While there is quite a bit of "tension" between the characters, it didn't work for me. I liked the secondary romance better than the main one. I was honestly rooting for Enrique to be with either Hypnos or Zofia. I thought either would make a cute couple. But it broke my heart when Zofia saw them kissing. I feel like the author is pushing toward a love triangle in futures books, and I am not so much a fan.
The magic system was really cool, although confusing. I loved the way the magic interacted with objects. It felt really fitting of the time period and I loved the way forged objects were used. Parts of the magic system were really well developed and we were told about those elements repeatedly. However, other elements were not touched on at all. Maybe I missed these, but upon one reading I couldn't tell you if the world knew about forging and magic. Is the Order a secret society or are they known since they work with the government? Does Severin have the ability to forge? Is it required to become a house patriarch? Also, for being set in Paris nothing felt distinctly Parisian. Except for a few explicit elements, I felt like this book could have taken place anywhere.
The first 2/3 of this book is a heist novel, however, the ending did not provide any elements typical of a heist story. My favorite part of a heist story is the big reveal that shows how the hero pulled it off. All the little things we've seen throughout the novel come together and you can't believe you didn't figure it out. This book did not have that. Additionally, the ending was disappointing for me. We built up one villain for most of the book, switched to another villain about 2/3 way through, and then threw in a whole new villain at the end. Each new threat made the last one seem discreditable as a real threat. We are told the whole time the Order is evil (I actually love the idea of an evil secret society), but at the end, our main characters are working with the Order and maybe they're not so bad? Except they've still committed horrible atrocities? Honestly, it threw me off when Roux-Joubert (I'm not pulling out my book to check that spelling) came back at the end when he was basically reduced to a blubbering mess during the final battle.
As far as the writing style goes, parts of this book had really beautiful prose. However, most of it felt very blunt and we were just being told what was happening. Along with that, there are puzzles scattered throughout the book. I was really excited when I first saw these because it is an element that you don't see all that often and I love the feeling of solving things right along with the characters. However, instead of guiding the reader to the answer just before it is revealed (something that makes me as the reader feel smart) we are just kind of told the answers. Most of these puzzles required knowledge of math or history concepts that we were not given beforehand. Or maybe it's just me and I suck at puzzles. Either way, I felt frustrated with them instead of excited by them.
Overall, there were parts of this book that I really loved and honestly enjoyed. But as the story progressed I found my frustrations growing and overshadowing the things I was enjoying. I was really disappointed that I didn't love this book. I am not sure if I will continue with the series in the future, because I am genuinely curious about what happens with the side characters. ...more
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