Book Review: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

 

Title: Dragonfly in Amber

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Series/Standalone: Outlander Series (Book #2)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adult

Pages: 752

Publisher: Anchor Canada

Year Published: 1992

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "Roger Wakefield stood in the center of the room, feeling surrounded."

"From the author of Outlander... a magnificent epic that once again sweeps us back in time to the drama and passion of 18th-century Scotland...

For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones... about a love that transcends the boundaries of time... and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the danger of his...

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart... in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising... and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This book took me far too long to read, between starting it, stopping, picking up the audiobook, and then finishing via the physical book. That being said I still really enjoyed most of the content of this book. The first portion of this story drags a bit because it doesn't pick up where you left off originally. So it takes a bit of getting used to, reading about different characters in a different times. That being said, I still love our characters and the way they interact together. There are scenes that I didn't love, just due to their content matter, but I understand why they were part of the plot. And the cliffhanger really got me. As soon as I get the audiobook for the next installment, I will also be reading it physically to be able to complete the huge tomes quickly.

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: Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power

Title: Burn Our Bodies Down

Authors: Rory Power

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Thriller

Pages: 352

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"From the author of the New York Times bestseller Wilder Girls comes a new twisty thriller about a girl whose past has always been a mystery- until she decides to return to her mother's hometown... where the history has a tendency to repeat itself.

Ever since Margot was born, it's been just her and her mother. No answers to Margot's questions about what came before. No history to hold on to. No relative to speak of. Just the two of them stuck in their run-down apartment, struggling to get along.

But that's not enough for Margot. She wants family. She wants a past. And she just found the key she needs to get it: A photograph, pointing her to a town called Phalene. Pointing her home. Only when Margot gets there, it's not what she bargained for.

Margot's mother left for a reason. But was it to hide her past? or was it to protect Margot from what's still there?

The only thing Margot knows for sure is there's a poison in their family tree, and their roots are dug so deeply into Phalene that now that she's there, she might never escape."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was a great audiobook to listen to on a road trip. No way you're falling asleep at the wheel. This story follows Margot whose been cooped up with her mother for as long as she can remember. Following her mother's rules, no matter how absurd they may seem to outsiders. But never getting any answers to her questions until was digging for more. And does she ever find it. This author did a great job of encompassing creepy small town, mystery, and horror aspects into this shorter YA book. I would be extremely interested in reading a book by her that was adult to see where she would take the horror elements. The reason this wasn't a complete 5 stars for me is that it wasn't able to go where I wanted it to. I thought that the end seemed to wrap up a little too quickly. That being said it was a quick, thrilling ride and I look forward to reading Wilder Girls as soon as possible. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

Title: Concrete Rose

Author: Angie Thomas

Series/Standalone: The Hate U Give (Book 0.5)

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 368

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"Internation phenomenon Angie Thomas revisits Garden Heights seventeen years before the events of The Hate U Give in this searing and poignant exploration of Black boyhood and manhood.

If there's one thing seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter knows, it's that a real man takes care of his family. As the son of a former gang legend, Mav does that the only way he knows how: dealing for the King Lords. With this money he can help his mom, who works two jobs while his dad's in prison.

Life's not perfect, but with a fly girlfriend and a cousin who always has his back, Mav's got everything under control.

Until, that is, Maverick finds out he's a father.

Suddenly he has a baby, Seven who depends on him for everything. But it's not so easy to sling dope, finish school and raise a child. So when he's offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. In a world where he's expected to amount to nothing, maybe Mav can prove he's different.

When King Lord blood runs through your veins, though, you can't just walk away. Loyalty, revenge, and responsibility threaten to tear Mav apart, especially after the brutal murder of a loved one. He'll have to figure out for himself what it really means to be a man."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I was extremely excited to read from Maverik's point of view especially considering what a large part he plays in The Hate U Give, as well as how heartwarming he is to read about as a father. I loved hearing his story and the struggles he went through. It made me want to reread The Hate U Give. I also think that Angie does a great job of showing stories without throwing lessons at things, instead of giving examples of what people have gone through. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda

Title: The Perfect Stranger

Author: Megan Miranda

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Adult

Pages: 339

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"Confronted by a restraining order and the threat of a lawsuit failed journalist Leah Stevens needs to get out of Boston when she runs into an old friend, Emmy Grey, who has just left a troubled relationship. Emmy proposes they move to rural Pennsylvania, where Leah can get a teaching position and both women can start again. But their new start is threatened when a woman with an eerie resemblance to Leah is assaulted by the lake, and Emmy disappears days later.

Determined to find Emmy, Leah cooperates with Kyle Donovan a handsome young police officer on the case. As they investigate her friend's life for clues, Leah begins to wonder: did she ever really know Emmy at all? With no friends, family, or a digital footprint, the police begin to suspect that there is no Emmy Grey. Soon Leah's credibility is at stake, and she is forced to revisit her past: the article that ruined her career. To save herself, Leah must uncover the truth about Emmy Grey- and along the way, confront her old demons, find out who she can really trust, and clear her own name.

Everyone in this rural Pennsylvanian town has something to hide- including Leah herself. How do you uncover the truth when you are busy hiding your own?"

My Rating: 2.75/5

This book just isn't what I hoped it would be. I liked the mystery, but it felt a little bit like Gone Girl for me. I think that our main character was a little slow on the uptake. I was so confused why she just kept touching everyone's stuff. That was something that really bothered me. I also found that I had figured out where Emmy had done far before the book was over. I will read more by Megan Miranda because I felt her atmosphere was spooky enough for me to be interested in a different plotline.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Title: Royal Holiday

Author: Jasmine Guillory

Series/Standalone: The Wedding Date (Book #4)

Genre: Romance, Adult Fiction, Holiday

Pages: 304

Publisher: 2019

Year Published: Berkley

Format: Audiobook

"Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality.

Malcolm Hudson has worked for the queen for years and has never given a personal, private tour- until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy affair come New Year's Day... or are they?"

My Rating: 5/5

This was such a great romance for me. I know that it's a Christmas book, but I was fine with reading it at the end of summer. The difference between this book and other books that I've read by this author is the character's age range. They are older, in their 50s I would think, and they knew what they wanted from each other. They knew how to flirt, and there wasn't a huge miscommunication plot that derailed the relationship. It was great to see characters find love again and watch them explore London together. I would highly recommend to people who don't like indecisiveness in their romance.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Romance

Pages: 279

Publisher: Modern Library

Year Published: 1813

Format: Audiobook

"Since its immediate success in 1813, Pride and Prejudice have remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen called this brilliant work 'her own darling child' and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, 'as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.' The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the superb comedy of manners of Regency England."

My Rating: 5/5

I finally read this classic that people have been on my case about for years! And I get it now. The romance in this is just astounding and really timeless. I understand now why women talk about finding their Mr. Darcy and how he is a true love interest for the ages. Elizabeth is an amazing character especially to be written in the time that it was, I'm impressed by the way she holds her own.  I plan to read more classics from Jane Austen, and exploring more classics via audiobook as I find it the best way for me to consume the stories. I'm not sure these are my most coherent thoughts, but here they are quickly jotted down.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Heartstopper: Volume 3

Title: Heartstopper Volume 3

Author: Alice Oseman

Artist(s): Alice Oseman

Series/Standalone: Hearstopper Series (Book #3)

Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, Contemporary

Pages: 384

Publisher: Hodder's Children Books

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"In this volume we'll see the Heartstopper gang go on a school trip to Paris! Not only are Nick and Charlie navigating a new city, but also telling more people about their relationship AND learning more about the challenges each other are facing in private...

Meanwhile Tao and Elle will face their feelings for each other, Tara and Darcy share more about their relationship origin story, and the teachers supervising the trip seem... rather close...?"

My Rating: 5/5

I really enjoyed the change of setting and the different characters we were able to see in this story. I think that Alice Oseman does a great job of making you care about other characters and their relationships. I wasn't expecting to care so much for side characters and yet, here I am. I also love how cute the art style is in these. I can't wait to read the next installment in the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Full Disclosure by Camryn Garret

Title: Full Disclosure

Author: Camryn Garret

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Hard-hitting

Pages: 290

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"In a community that isn't always understanding, an HIV- positive teen must navigate fear, disclosure, and radical self-acceptance when she falls in love-- and lust-- for the first time. Powerful and uplifting, Full Disclosure will speak to fans of Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon.

Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She's making real friends, making a name for herself as a student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for the word to get out that she's HIV-positive, because last time... well, last time things go ugly.

Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for real-- shy kisses escalating into much more-- she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him that she's positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she's terrified of how he'll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.

Simone's first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face that haters head-on."

My Rating: 5/5

I absolutely loved this book. The romance, the subject matter, and the characters all kept me reading at a fast pace. I loved the fact that this story had such dynamic characters that were easy to distinguish from one another even though there are so many characters. I loved the look at musicals through a high school lens, it really added to the story. The subject matter itself is extremely important to read about, whether to further understand the prejudices against HIV-Positive people or to feel seen in the world. I was glad to hear that the author had done so much research and included people with HIV to read the story and manuscript to make sure that the experiences represented were authentic. Camryn Garrett's storytelling was beautiful and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

Title: All Boys Aren't Blue

Author: George M. Johnson

Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Memoir, LGBT, Young Adult

Pages: 320

Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing, this young-adult memoir weaves together with the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.

Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults."

My Rating: 4/5

I originally took out this book to be a better ally, but through reading it I couldn't help but think about how this book will impact my professional life as well. I work in childcare as an Early Childcare Educator, and I'm trying to work at reading books that help me to combat my own societal prejudices and to reflect on my practice with children. My goal is to make sure that all children in my care feel seen and accepted. This book is obviously more than that, but I really enjoyed it. I hope that people who are reading this are feeling seen, and heard. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny