Book Review: Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Title: Beware the Wild    

Author: Natalie C. Parker

Series/Standalone: Beware the Wild Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Magical Realism, Paranormal

Pages: 327

Publisher: HarperTeen

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback

First Line: "It's no secret, ours is the meanest swamp in Louisiana."

"It's an oppressively hot and sticky morning in June when Sterling and her brother, Phin, have an argument that compels him to run into the town swamp- the one that strikes fear in all the residents of Sticks, Louisiana. Phin doesn't return. Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out, and now Sterling is the only person in Sticks who remembers her brother ever existed.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp's done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance- and loenr boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help her."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This wasn't all I hoped it to be. When I heard about it from someone reading vlogs a while ago, I expected it to be a horror book, but I would consider this more magical realism, rather than horror. I spent a lot of time reading this book trying to see if it was actual magic or an unreliable main character. Along with these factors, I do worry about the way disordered eating was dealt with within the story. I understand that this book was published a decade ago, but for those reasons alone I cannot recommend it. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Court by Tracy Wolff

Title: Court

Author: Tracy Wolff

Series/Standalone: Crave Series (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Pages: 720

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"No one survived the last battle unscathed. Flint is angry at the world, Jaxon is turning into something I don't recognize, and Hudson has put up a wall I'm not sure I'll ever break through.

Now war is coming, and we're not ready. We're going to need an army to have any hope of winning. But first, there are questions about my ancestors that need answers. Answers that might just reveal who the real monster is among us.

And that's saying something in a world filled with bloodthirsty vampires, immortal gargoyles and an ancient battle between two gods.

There's no guarantee that anyone will be left standing when the dust settles, but if we want to save this world, I have no choice. I'll have to embrace every part of me... even the parts I fear the most."

My Rating: 2/5

I was really enjoying this series, but this one seemed to drag so much that I actually had to return it and come back to it to be able to finish it. The whole series has always been pretty over the top, but this one felt as though the author was trying really hard to be serious. That is not what I want from the series and I'm unsure if I will be continuing on.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Covet by Tracy Wolff

Title: Covet

Author: Tracy Wolff

Series/Standalone: Crave Series (Book #3)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 680

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"I may have reached my breaking point. As if trying to graduate from a school for supernatural isn't stressful enough, my relationship status has gone from complicated to a straight-up dumpster fire. Oh, and the Bloodletter has decided to drop a bomb of epic proportions on us all.... Then again, when has anything at Katmere Academy not been intense?

And the hits just keep coming. Jaxon's turned colder than an Alaskan winter. The Circle is splintered over my upcoming coronation. As if things couldn't get worse, now there's an arrest warrant for Hudson's and my supposed crimes- which apparently means a lifetime prison sentence with a deadly unbreakable curse.

Choices will have to be made... and I fear not everyone will survive."

My Rating: 3/5

I like this series, but you must know what you're getting into when you read this. These are angsty, they are fun, they are dramatic. They remind me a lot of early 2010s paranormal romance which I enjoy for the cheesiness of it, but it's not world shaking. If you are looking for a fun paranormal romance I would recommend this series. I love the audiobooks and they are quick to read. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Crush by Tracy Wolff

Title: Crush

Author: Tracy Wolff

Series/Standalone: Crave Series (Book #2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 704

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Everything feels off- especially me. I've returned to Katmere Academy, but I'm haunted by fragments of days I have no recollection of living and struggling to understand who, or what, I really am.

Just when I start to feel safe again, Hudson is back with a vengeance. He insists there are secrets I don't know about, threatening to drive a wedge between Jaxon and me forever. But far worse enemies are at our doorstep.

The Circle is caught in a power play and the Vampire Court is trying to drag me out of my world and into theirs. The only thing Hudson and Jaxon agree on is that leaving Katemere would mean my certain death.

And not only am I fighting for my life, but now everyone else's is at stake- unless we can defeat an unspeakable evil. All I know is that saving the people love is going to require sacrifice.

Maybe more than I'm able to give."

My Rating: 3/5

This was so fun, I think that with this installment I can see what Tracy Wolff is doing she's offering a campy, trendy vampire school that gives 2010s vibes but in a more current setting. Its fun. It's enjoyable. I like the characters the concept of this school is entertaining and I look forward to continuing the series via audio. I would recommend if you want something new to somehow give you nostalgia. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: String Theory by Jim Zub

Title: String Theory

Author: Jim Zub

Artist(s): Steven Cummings, John Rauch

Series/Standalone: Wayward Series (Volume 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, Young Adult

Pages: 134

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2015

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Rori Lane is trying to start a new life when she reunites with her mother in Japan, but ancient creatures lurking in the shadows of Tokyo sense something hidden deep within her, threatening everything she holds dear.

Can Rori unlock the secret of her powers before it's too late?"

My Rating: 5/5

I really loved this first installment of the series, it was fast paced, it introduced us to our main characters and helped us start to get to know them while still leaving enough of a mystery that I can't wait to read the next one. The magical element in this story was so fascinating and the creative team did not hold back on the violence and fight scenes. Will be continuing ASAP!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Crave by Tracy Wolff

Title: Crave

Author: Tracy Wolff

Series/Standalone: Crave Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal

Pages: 592

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods... or monsters. I still can't decide which of these warring factions I belong to if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me.

Then there's Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn't felt anything for a hundred years. But there's something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what's broken in me.

Which could spell death for us all.

Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I'm wondering if I was brought here intentionally- as the bait."

My Rating: 3.25/5

This book knew exactly what it was doing, or I'm insane. Either this book was written along the lines of every book I enjoyed in 2010 on purpose, or the whole 'vintage' thing is really coming full circle. I think this book was so fun, it provided entertainment, it made me roll my eyes, and it broke the third wall on multiple occasions. It was super fun and I will be continuing reading the series, but only via audio, I think if I had to page through these 'romantic' scenes, it would have been just too much for my feeble 'mortal' heart.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Redemption

Author(s): Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Series/Standalone: Caster Chronicles (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Pages: 456

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook

"Is death the end... or only the beginning?

Ethan Wate has spent most of his life longing to escape the stiflingly small Southern town of Gatlin. He never thought he would meet the girl of his dreams, Lena Duchannes, who unveiled a secretive, powerful and cursed side of Gatlin, hidden in plain sight. And he never could have expected that he would be forced to leave behind everyone and everything he cares about. So when Ethan awakes after the chilling events of the Eighteenth Moon, he has only one goal: to find a way to return to Lena and the ones he loves.

Back in Gatlin, Lena is making her own bargains for Ethan's return, vowing to do whatever it takes-- even if that means trusting old enemies or risking the lives of the family and friends Ethan left to protect.

Worlds apart, Ethan and Lena must once again work together to rewrite their fate, in this stunning finale to the Beautiful Creatures series."

My Rating: 2.75/5

This was a fun audiobook series to listen to. It wasn't too heavy and was the right amount of nostalgia for the 2010 reading that I would have done in high school. Is it a masterpiece, no but it was entertaining and fun? I loved a lot of the characters that we were introduced to throughout the course of the series and watching them all play their parts throughout the series was heartbreaking/heartwarming all at once. Will I ever reread this series? Probably not. Would I pick up the Link spin off? I might. Sometimes you gotta enjoy the throwbacks.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Title: Cemetery Boys 

Author: Aiden Thomas

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, LGBT, Romance

Pages: 344

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Martiza, he performs the rituals himself, and then sets free the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened, and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I really just didn't care about this story. I was interested in the cultural aspects and the ideas that are presented in that regard, but the characters themselves. I felt that their romance was fine and cute, but nothing was something I cared enough to keep me interested. I also saw the plot "twist" at the end of the book coming, it felt like the plot was too obvious to me. I hope that those who read this book for the representation feel that it was fulfilled, and I have no hard feelings about this story, it just wasn't for me. And that's ok.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Chaos

Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Series/Standalone: Caster Chronicles (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Pages: 516

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

Year Published: 2011

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

First Line: "In Gatlin, it's funny how the good things are all tied up with the bad."

"Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected- and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What- or who- will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena- and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself- forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was fine. I felt like there was still some fun 2010s angsty paranormal young adult book moments. It was interesting to see how the characters had changed, or not changed from the first book and watch where the authors were taking this series. I was surprised that they chose to end it on such a cliffhanger, and I will be continuing the series as soon as possible to finish this binge read. Overall, fun but nothing groundbreaking or mind-blowing.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Darkness

Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Series/Standalone: Caster Chronicles (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 503

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

Year Published: 2010

Format: Audiobook (Own a Physical Copy)

"Fall under the spell of the Beautiful Darkness, the sequel to the instant NYT bestselling gothic fantasy, Beautiful Creatures!

There were no surprises in Gatlin County. At least, that's what I thought. Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin as a pace where nothing ever changed. Then mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes revealed a secret world of curses and Supernaturals with terrifying abilities. Lena showed him a Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen. Sometimes life-ending.

And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems."

My Rating: 2.25/5

This wasn't what I expected from the sequel and in many ways I was disappointed. I was upset about the love triangle aspects, the changes in character development and setting. That being said, if I had read these when I was in 10th grade when they were published I would be eating this up. I am interested in where the story is going and do enjoy the audiobooks. They are entertaining without being heavy. If you're looking for some 2010s YA angsty paranormal romance, pick them up. I'll be picking up the next book in the new year on audio. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures

Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Series/Standalone: Caster Chronicles (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 563

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

Year Published: 2009

Format: Audiobook and Physical Copy

"Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. 

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything."

My Rating: 2.75/5

Rating books is such an odd experience. For example, this story is so quintessentially 2010s paranormal romance that I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew that the romance would be questionable and that there would be a lot of yearning and angst. It's exactly what I wanted that being said, was it a magnificent book? Not for my current reading taste, was it fun? Absolutely. I think my main gripe about this book is our characters they don't have anything really interesting about them. There were also some points in here that would fly under the radar at the time of being published, but now fat-shaming a teenager, or having the story take place revolving around the Civil War without a black perspective would be questioned. Overall, I enjoyed it for what it was and will continue for a fun and light read. Not the best book I've read, but still enjoyable.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Sinner

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series/Standalone: The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Book #3.5)

Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 357

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook

"found.

Cole St. Clair has come to California for one reason: to get Isabel Culpeper back. She fled from his damaged, drained life, and damaged and drained it even more. he doesn't just want her. He needs her. 

lost.

Isabel is trying to build herself a life in Los Angeles. It's not really working. She can play the game as well as all the other fakes... but what's the point? What is there to win?

sinner.

Cole and Isabel share a past that never seemed to have a future. They have the power to save each other and the power to tear each other apart. The only thing for certain is that they cannot let go."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I've finished the series and it was such a fun reading experience. Perfect for a throwback to that 2010 early paranormal romance. Exactly what I needed during these crazy times. While it isn't a ton of substance, and these characters aren't my favorite from the series this book was fun, it was enjoyable but nothing incredible. It was just ok for me overall. I would recommend the series for anyone looking for a fun paranormal teen romance.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Forever

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series/Standalone: The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 390

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2011

Format: Audiobook

"then.

When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually, he found a way to become a boy, and their love moved from the curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.

now.

That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.

forever.

Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment-- a moment of death or life, farewell or forever."

My Rating: 2.75/5

This book was so different from the first two in the series in the way it followed many main characters. It was interesting to see things from their perspectives and better understand their feelings towards the crises in this book, but there were moments where things seemed to be too easy to fix. I did enjoy listening to it on audio and it was a fun throwback to early 2010s paranormal romance. I do plan to finish the series by reading Sinner on audio as well. What guilty pleasure fun reads to listen to. Would recommend if you are looking for a throwback.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

 Title: Linger

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series/Standalone: The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Book #2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 362

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2010

Format: Audiobook

"the longing.

Once Grace and Sam have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.

the loss.

Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of being a human.

the linger.

For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life a constant struggle between two forces- wolf and human- with love baring its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough?"

My Rating: 2.5/5

This just wasn't as entertaining as the first one. I found that the added characters didn't really do anything for me. If anything they lessened the enjoyment of this second instalment. I was curious after finishing the first book I was curious about how this was going to be a series. I was impressed by the ideas presented, but my intrigue wasn't all there. It was a fun easy listen, but not as enjoyable as the first one. I do plan to continue the series, because of the twist ending. I would recommend the audiobooks if you're looking for a 2010 throwback to paranormal romance.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Shiver

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series/Standalone: The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Pages: 392

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2009

Format: Audiobook

"For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf- her world- is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two livers: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her world. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human- or risk losing himself, and Grace forever."

My Rating: 4/5

This was exactly the nostalgic throwback to the 2010s I needed this past little while. It had all the tropes to my old reading style that really reminded me of why I love reading. As much as this is very stereotypical of the time period. I did really enjoy the writing and have had many other books by Maggie Stiefvater on my TBR, but was glad to start with this one as I've heard so much about it. The characters were typical of the time period, the atmosphere was well written and the plot was fun to follow. I look forward to continuing the series and reliving the fun paranormal romance that was so popular in my high school years.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Title: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Series/Standalone: Between Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Horror
Pages: 360
Publisher: Dial
Year Published: 2013
Format: Hardcover Copy (Own it)
First Line: "' You stop fearing the Devil when you're holding his hand.'"

"Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White's sleepy, seaside town... until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet's crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?

Violet's grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun,m who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet's already so knee-deep in love, she can't see straight. And that's just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevive Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying a debut to watch."

My Rating: 3/5

Trigger Warnings for Gore/Violence, self-harm, suicide, to name a few.

I'm going to write this review and be aware that it will make little to no sense. If I was rating based just on my enjoyment I would say that this book was like a 4.5 or a 4 star book. But I know deep down that this book just came to me at the perfect time. I needed something to distract me like a good teen CW show, you know what I mean? And that's exactly what this was for me. Something where the characters were very basic, but the intrigue was based in the town and the background story. I was happy with those two aspects of the story and therefore this story was a 3 star read. I do plan on reading the next one, even though I've heard not great things, I just need something to totally distract me with weird paranormal teen show vibes. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Of Neptune by Anna Banks

Title: Of Neptune
Author: Anna Banks
Series/Standalone: The Syrena Legacy (Book #3)
Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 330
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year Published: 2014
Format: Audiobook

"Emma, who is half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together. Alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma's grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn't sign up to the be peacemakers between the ocean-living Syrena and the land-dwelling, freshwater counterparts. They didn't bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn't expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love, but their ocean kingdoms.

In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I'm excited that I was able to finish this series so quickly and won't lie that it was a bit of a guilty pleasure. The romance is cheesy and the plot lines are at some points corny but that being said it's still a fun read. At some points, I was fully intrigued and cheering on the romance that we'd experienced throughout the other books. That being said, it was easy to see how this series can be considered corny and over the top. Overall it was enjoyable and look forward to reading other works by the author in the future.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Title: Of Poseidon
Author: Anna Banks
Series/Standalone: The Syrena Legacy (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 324
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year Published: 2012
Format: Audiobook

"Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen- literally, ouch!- both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gift. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance."

My Rating: 4/5

This book was something that I couldn't have imagined. I was surprised to enjoy listening to it so much. It was everything that I wanted from a paranormal romance. Mermaids, sarcasm, sexual tension and most importantly a mystery that will change the main characters life. I loved the characters and both the fantastical elements and the realistic ones. I can't wait to continue the series and see where the characters go. Especially after the final twist?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: School's Out- Forever by James Patterson

Title: School's Out- Forever
Author: James Patterson
Series/Standalone: Maximum Ride Series (Book #2)
Genre: Paranormal, Science Fiction, Young Adul
Pages: 409
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Year Published: 2006
Format: Audiobook

"In this eagerly awaited follow-up, brave bird-kid Max and her flock are discovered by an FBI agent and forced to go to "school." There is no such thing as an ordinary day as Max deciphers how and when she's supposed to save the world, and she faces her greatest enemy- a clone of herself."

My Rating: 3.5/5

Again I read part of this series when I was probably 14-16 and I really liked it then. So when I saw that my library had all the audiobooks. How could I resist? I think that this series holds up fairly well and would likely be great for people in their teens, but it's a little young for me. And as per usual it's a little dated just due to how far technology has come in the past 13 years. The other thing to note is the audiobook has a lot of music and sound effects. It works ok for me, but it can be a little over the top at times. Just a heads up.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Title: Bloodrose
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series/Standalone: Nightshade Series (Book #3)
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 406
Publisher: Philomel
Year Published: 2012
Format: Audiobook

"Calla has always welcomed war.

But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And there's deciding what to do when the war ends. 
If Calla makes it out alive, that is. In this remarkable final instalment of the Nightshade trilogy, international bestselling author Andrea Cremer crafts a dynamic novel with twists and turns that will keep you breathless until its final pages."

My Rating: 2/5

I thought that this would be my favourite in the series, but unfortunately, it was my least favourite by far. I was frustrated throughout the majority of this book. I loved the author's world and the idea of different magic and witches and guardians. But here's where this story falls flat for me, the author doesn't weigh things emotionally as much as I think that she should. Sometimes the plot and romance events weren't weighted with the importance that I think they should have been. I also wasn't a fan of the ending. I think that it felt a little abrupt in some cases. I don't' think that I will continue with the other series in this world, but I might change my mind in time depending on the availability of the audiobooks in that series.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny