Book Review: The Score by Elle Kennedy

Title: The Score

Author: Elle Kennedy

Series/Standalone: Off-Campus Series (Book #3)

Genre: Romance, Sports Romance,  Adult Fiction

Pages: 464

Publisher: Indie

Year Published: 2016

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"He knows how to score, on and off the ice...

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn't have the first clue about what she's going to do after college. To make matters worse, she's nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won't include the king of one-night stands.

It'll take more than flashy moves to win her over...

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grade, girls, recognition, girls.... he's a ladies man, all right, and he's yet to meet a woman who's immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world- and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It's not over until he says it's over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it's time to stop focusing on scoring... and shoot for love."

My Rating: 3.75/5

I enjoyed this volume, but there were a few things that were a miss for me. I find that Elle Kennedy's writing is really fun and great, but the third act conflict/breakup/whatever-the-fuck, is always cleared up too quickly. I feel that if that had happened earlier on by a little bit, then we could have more time to clear up the conflict before getting to the happily-ever-after part. Also, for a story to start out with "kinky" stuff, it seemed to settle down pretty fast (or maybe I've been reading too much dark romance again).

 I am super intrigued by the concept of the next book, and look forward to starting it soon.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Empire of Storms

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series/Standalone: Throne of Glass Series (Book #5)

Genre: Fantasy, Adult Fiction,

Pages: 693

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Year Published: 2023

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was extremely interesting because I began reading this with Tower of Dawn as a tandem read. I ended it by reading the last 100 pages on my own. While I loved reading them interchangeably, it was taking a while. It gave important context, and I'm sure it helped me get through Tower of Dawn quicker than I would have; it slowed down my reading of Empire of Storms. I think the plot of this is excellent. The ever-changing point of view kept me intrigued while reading and had me feeling like there was always someone to root for. I look forward to finishing this series, although I'm ready to sob.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight

Title: The Outliers

Author: Kimberly McCreight

Series/Standalone: The Outliers Series

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller 

Pages: 336

Publisher: HarperCollins

Year Published: 2016

Format: Hardcover (Own It)

"It all starts with a text: Please, Wylie, I need your help.

Wylie hasn't heard from Cassie in over a week, not since their last fight. But that doesn't matter. Cassie's in trouble, so Wylie  decides to do what she has done so many times before: save her best friend from herself.

This time it's different, though. Instead of telling Wylie where she is, Cassie sends cryptic clues. And instead of having Wylie come by herself, Jasper shows up saying Cassie sent him to help. Trusting the guy who sent Cassie off the rails doesn't feel right, but Wylie has no choice: she has to ignore her gut instinct and go with him.

But figuring out where Cassie is goes from difficult to dangerous, fast. As Wylie and Jasper heard farther and farther north into the dense woods of Maine. Wylie struggles to control her growing sense that something is really wrong. What isn't Cassie telling them? And could finding her be only the beginning?"

My Rating: 2/5

I knew nothing about this book going in (a trend, I know) and it was odd. THe beginning I was hooked, the middle I was a little bored, and the end I was just left wondering what the hell I had read. Not necessarily in a good way. I think that this book in many ways reminded me of Maximum Ride mixed with mystery and a tinge of thriller. Needless to say, not for me and I won't be continuing with the series. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Title: Because of Miss Bridgerton

Author: Julia Quinn

Series/Standalone: Rokebys Series (Book #1)

Genre: Romance, Historical Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 375

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected places....

This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbours for centuries, and as a child, the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday.

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should...

Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and her to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor...

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This is not what I expected from this series, but I couldn't be happier. Watching a main character in a historical romance have any degree of power gives me so much joy. The characters in this story are excellent, and I absolutely adored Billie Bridgerton. I also loved the side characters we were introduced to (or at least the ones we were supposed to at the very least. The only reason this book got knocked down .5 stars from five stars was one line that was said during a steamy scene that ruined the spice for me. I look forward to continuing the series on audiobooks soon. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

Title: All the Missing Girls

Author: Megan Miranda

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: 2016
Pages: 396

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Like the spellbinding psychological suspense in The Girl on the Train and Luckiest Girl Alive, Megan Miranda's novel is a nail-biting, breathtaking story about the disappearance of two young women- a decade apart- told in reverse.

It's been ten years since Nicolette Farrell left her rural hometown after her best friend, Corinne, disappeared from Cooley Ridge, without a trace. Back again to tie up loose ends and care for her ailing father, Nic is soon plunged into a shocking drama that reawakens Corinne's case and breaks open old wounds long since stitched.

The decade-old investigation focused on Nic, her brother Daniel, boyfriend Tyler and Corinne's boyfriend Jackson. Since then, only Nic has left Cooley Ridge. Daniel and his wife Laura, are expecting a baby; Jackson works at the town bar; and Tyler is dating Annaleaise Carter, Nic's younger neighbor and the group's alibi the night Corinne disappeared. Then, within days of Nic's return, Annaleise goes missing.

Told backwards- Day 15 to Day 1- from the time Annaleise goes missing, Nic works to unravel the truth about her younger neighbor's disappearance, revealing shocking truths about her friends, her family and what really happened to Corinne that night ten years ago. 

Like nothing you've ever read before, All the Missing Girls delivers in all the right ways. With twists and turns that lead down dark alleys and dead ends, you may think you're walking a familiar path, but then Megan Miranda turns it all upside down and inside out and leaves us wondering just how far we would be willing to go to protect those we love."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I've read a few different works from this author and her ability to create a tense, spooky and unsettling environment is amazing. The plot however just hasn't worked for me over the course of the stories. I loved the start of this one and while I enjoyed the red herrings and the twists and turns it wasn't what I wanted. I didn't feel that jaw-dropping, how did she do that feeling at the end of the a thriller/mystery that I want. It was fun but just ok. I don't think I'd read anything else from her at this point, but I could be persuaded.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: These Are My Words by Ruby Slipperjack

Title: These Are My Words

Author: Ruby Slipperjack

Series/Standalone: Dear Canada Series 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade

Pages: 200

Publisher: Scholastic Canada

Year Published: 2016

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Violet Pesheen is struggling to adjust to her new life at Residential School. She misses her Grandma; she has run-ins with Cree girls; at her "white" school, everyone just stares; and everything she brought has been taken from her, including her name- she is now just a number. But worst of all, she has a fear. A fear of forgetting the things she treasures most: her Anishnabe language; the names of those she knew before; and her traditional customs. A fear of forgetting who she was. 

Her notebook is the one place she can record all of her worries, and heartbreaks, and memories. And maybe, just maybe there will be hope at the end of the tunnel. 

Drawing from her own experiences at Residential School, Ruby Slipperjack creates a brave, yet heartbreaking heroine in Violet, and lets young readers glimpse into an all-too important chapter in our nation's history."

My Rating: 5/5

When I was younger I would frequently read the Dear Canada series and seeing that they have expanded the series to encompass some of Canada's less than shining moments interested me. For those who do not know Residential Schools were a cultural genocide planned to eradicate the Indigenous cultures in Canada. While we know some of the things that happened in these horrible environments we will never know all of the stories from these terrible environments. I wanted to read this to proof it for the school-age class in the childcare centre I work at. I would highly recommend reading this as it gives a look at the generational trauma that Residential Schools gave to the Indigenous people in Canada.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen

Title: Adulthood is a Myth

Author: Sarah Andersen

Series/Standalone: Sarah Scribbles (Book #1)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Comics, Coffee-table books

Pages: 112

Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback (Library)

"Are you a special snowflake?

Do you enjoy networking to advance your career?

Is adulthood an exciting new challenge for which you feel fully prepared?

Ugh. Please go away. 

This book is for the rest of us. These comics document the wasting of entire beautiful weekends don't he internet, the unbearable agony of holding hands on the street with a gorgeous guy, dreaming all day of getting home and back in pajamas, and wondering when, exactly, this adulthood thing begins. In other words, the horrors and awkwardness of young modern life."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I enjoyed these comics after a long week and think they are perfect for a fun little read. My only issue is the commentary on weight but I understand that might be a specific problem. Fun and cute. Would recommend.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

Title: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me

Author: Mariana Zapata

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

Pages: 475

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Vanessa Mazur knows she's doing the right thing. She shouldn't feel bad for quitting. being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.

But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she's beyond shocked.

For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn't find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He's asking for the unthinkable.

What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?"

My Rating: 3/5

This is not what I anticipated when I picked up this novel. I notice this book has been marketed to be a lot spicier than it is. While there is one sex scene, it isn't a lot throughout the book. Although it did hit on some of my favourite tropes, the writing style felt a bit off-pace to me. I did enjoy the character overall and I would read more from the author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Fade Out Act Three

Title: The Fade Out: Act Three

Author: Ed Brubaker

Artist(s): Sean Phillips 

Series/Standalone: The Fade Out Series (Vol. 3)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical, Mystery

Pages: 128

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"The final act of the bestselling Hollywood noir comics from the award-winning team of Brubaker and Phillips."

My Rating: 1/5

I feel like this whole series was wasted on me. Maybe it just wasn't for me, or maybe it just wasn't long enough for the kind of stories that I enjoy. Nothing to add from other reviews. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Midnight Star by Marie Lu

Title: The Midnight Star

Author: Marie Lu

Series/Standalone: The Young Elites Series (Book #3)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

Pages: 316

Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen. 

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She's turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all she's gained.

When a new danger appears, Adelina's forced to revisit old wounds, putting not only herself at risk, but every Elite. In order to preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest- though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger."

My Rating: 4.25/5

Completing the trilogy was an excellent way for it to wrap up. The use of religion mixed with the dystopian fantasy is so interesting and I enjoyed the world-building. The idea of this fever gives not only visible markings but also powers. The view of Adelina as queen and all her choices were fascinating. Although this is a villain arch it left off in an excellent place, and I was impressed to see just how well the author wrapped the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

Title: Rhapsodic

Author: Laura Thalassa

Series/Standalone: The Bargainer (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 326

Publisher: Lavabrook Publishing Group

Year Published: 2016

Format: Ebook (Own a Physical Copy)

"Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want... at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one."

My Rating: 3.75/5

I didn't anticipate this book being an urban fantasy when I picked it up so after adapting my expectations about the plot a bit, I really enjoyed it. The characters had clear chemistry and the romance was a slow burn in my mind, but I know that my expectations of that and others are not the same. The ending wrapped up way too fast in my opinion, it felt rushed and didn't read the same as the rest of the book, I will be continuing the series, but I hope that in the following books, the pacing of the plot is laid out a little better. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Title: It Ends with Us

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: It Ends with Us Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Hardhitting, New Adult

Pages: 386

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. 

Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up- she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn't hurt. Lily can't get him out of her head. But Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his 'no dating' rule, she can't help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan- her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This is somehow still tabbed generally under romance, and I don't think that is the correct genre that I would identify it as. This is a hard-hitting new adult contemporary for me. There is romance, but there is more than that. There are so many important discussions that happen within this story. Triggers for suicide, abuse, sexual assault, etc.  While I think this story was important I did not always enjoy the telling of it and the writing overall, so for me it was 3.5 but I can see why people feel so strongly about the plot line.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Title: Walk the Edge

Author: Katie McGarry

Series/Standalone: Thunder Road Trilogy (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 426

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Year Published: 2016

Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)

"One moment of recklessness will change their worlds.

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of the line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully's line of fire- and brings fellow senior Thomas 'Razor' Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them- a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness- he knows it's time to step outside the rules.

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him- one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I really do think that these would have been my shit when I was younger, but at my age they're just fun. Although this series does deal with very heavy topics (self-harm, depression, cyberbullying, etc.) it also has some pretty sweet romances within the motorcycle club. I liked the subplot of figuring out what was happening within the club in the past. I love the trope of the good girl falls for the bad boy, but there were more than a few moments that Razor acted in a way that was red flag, after red flag. If someone I was related too was dating a guy who punched drywall, I would not be on board with it. I'll probably keep reading the trilogy for fun, but I'm not in a huge rush to pick up the next one. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

Title: Girl in Pieces

Author: Kathleen Glasgow

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Hard-hitting

Pages: 416

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook (Own Physical Copy)

"Charlotte Davis is in pieces. At seventeen she's already lost more than most people lose in a lifetime. But she's learned how to forget. The broken glass washes away the sorrow until there is nothing but calm. You don't have to think about your father and the river. Your best friend, who is gone forever. Or your mother, who has nothing left to give you.

Every new scar hardens Charlie'sheart just a little more, yet it still hurts so much. It hurts enough to not care anymore, which is sometimes what has to happen before you can find your way back from the edge."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Trigger warnings for self-harm, substance abuse, sexual assault, and additional abuse. This book was a lot, which is to be expected based on the title, cover art and description. I think it's a story that both sees people who have had these experiences but also explains how these situations take place. It was a hard read, but an important one. The characters were dynamic and the atmosphere while chaotic made a lot of sense.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Crooked Kingdom

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Series/Standalone: Six of Crows Series (Book #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, 

Pages: 561

Publisher: Square Fish

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line:  "Retvenko leaned against the bar and tucked his nose into his dirty shot glass."

"Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

Kaz Brekeer and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. 

A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets- a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world."

My Rating: 5/5

When I was reading this book all I could think was, "People really think the first one is better than this one." I thought that this one outranked the first one in many ways, but this is also because I don't love books with journeys. I preferred the second one for this distinct reason. Between great characters, a fully fleshed-out city and the twists of a lifetime how could this not be a 5-star book. I adore this series and I can't wait to read King of Scars. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Title: Every Heart A Doorway

Author: Seanan McGuire

Series/Standalone: Wayward Children Series (Book #1)

Genre: Thriller, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 169

Publisher: Tor

Year Published: 2016

Format: Hardcover (Own It)

"Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children

No Socilitations

No Visitors

No Quests

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.

But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.

Nancy tumbled once, but now she's back. The things she's experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West's care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.

But Nancy's arrival marks a change at the Home. There's a darkness just around each corner and when tragedy strikes, it's up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.

No matter the cost."

My Rating: 4/5

This book was so intensely popular back when I was binging booktube, but I somehow never picked it up. What I don't think was talked about enough is that this book is freaking odd. A great odd, but still odd. I wasn't expecting how the story was laid out but I can't wait to continue with the series. I think that with the idea of worlds opening up throughout other volumes, I will only grow to love this more. I would strongly recommend it although I'm a bit late to the party on this one.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban

Title: Paper Wishes

Author: Lois Sepahban

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction,

Pages: 192

Publisher: Square Fish

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

"A moving debut novel about a girl whose family is relocated to a Japanese internment camp during World War II- and the dog she has to leave behind.

Ten-year-old Manami did not realize how peaceful her family's life on Bainbridge Island was until the day it all changed. It's 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Manami and her family are Japanese American, which means that the government says they must leave their home by the sea and join other Japenese Americans at a prison camp in the desert. Manami is sad to go, but even worse is that they are going to have to give her dog, Yujiin, to a neighbor to take care of Manami decides to sneak Yujiin under her coat, but she is caught and forced to abandon him. She is devastated but clings to the hope that somehow Yujiin will find his way to the camp and make her family whole again. It isn't until she finds a way to let go of her guilt that Manami can accept all that has happened to her family."

My Rating: 4/5

I think this book needs to be in every school and readily available to all children. I think that this is a story that I didn't know a lot about as a Canadian, but the more I have read about these events, the more heartbroken I become. I feel that this is something that was overlooked for so long, but it's something that we all need to remember to make sure that these events do not repeat themselves. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Title: Beartown

Author: Fredrik Backman

Series/Standalone: Beartown Series (Book #1)

Genre:  Fiction, Contemporary

Pages: 432

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"The #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove returns with a dazzling, profound novel about a small town with a big dream- and the price required to make it come true.

People say Beartwon is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.

Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semi-final match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected.

Beartown explores the hopes that bring a small community together, the secrets that tear it apart, and the courage it takes for an individual to go against the grain. In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world."

My Rating: 5/5

I have read another work by this author and enjoyed it thoroughly, this book was a different feeling. The subject matter is obviously more intense, but the author's ability to write dynamic multi-sided characters continues to floor me. As someone who grew up in a small town, this hit very hard for me. The way the town reacts to accusations and how rape culture is a huge part of our society, even still. I plan to continue this series as soon as possible, as well as watch the HBO series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Last Star by Rick Yancey

Title: The Last Star

Author: Rick Yancey

Series/Standalone: The 5th Wave Series (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Pages: 338

Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"The enemy is Other. The enemy is us.

They're down here, they're up there, they're nowhere. They want the Earth, they want us to have it. They came to wipe us out, they came to save us.

But beneath these riddles lies one truth: Cassie has been betrayed. So has Ringer. Zombie. Nugget. And all 7.5 billion people who used to live on our planet. Betrayed first by the Others, and now by ourselves.

In these last days, Earth's remaining survivors will need to decide what's more important: saving themselves... or saving what makes us human."

My Rating: 3/5

This was a really fun series to binge-read. If you are looking for a 2010s dystopian throwback I would recommend picking up the series on audio or physically. It's a fast-paced, alien, dystopia showdown. What isn't there to like? The only reason this book didn't have as high of a rating as the others in the series is that the author took this in a direction I didn't expect or love. It was a fun ride.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Out from the Shadows by Jim Zub

Title: Out from the Shadows

Author: Jim Zub

Artist(s): Steven Cummings

Series/Standalone: Wayward Series (Vol. 3)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Adult

Pages: 128

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"After the massive revelations of Wayward volume two, chaos reigns. The New gods of Japan have arrived and a clash with the myths of old will change the country forever."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This was what I assumed a middle book in the series would be, while it was still interesting once I got into the plot line, it didn't really hold my interest and took several attempts to gain intrigue. The art style is as amazing as ever and the addition of new characters is fascinating. I'm curious to see where the series goes and what else we learn about our already existing characters.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny