Review: The Chosen by Marjorie Liu

Title: The Chosen

Author: Marjorie M. Liu

Artist(s): Sana Takeda

Series/Standalone: Monstress Volume 4

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Pages: 176

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Maika and Corvin make their way through a warped and lethal land in search of Kippa, who is faced with her own terrible monsters. But when Maika comes face-to-face with a stranger from her deep past, startling truths are uncovered, and at the center of it all lurks a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the Known World. Maika is finally close to getting all the answers she ever wanted, but at what price? With war on the horizon- a war no one wants to stop- whose side will Maika choose?"

My Rating: 2.5/5

I took too long of a break in between this volume and the last one. I'll admit it. I was starting to feel lost again at the start of this volume just because I couldn't remember what had happened, but after taking a minute and thinking about it I figured it out (as much as I ever do in this series). I liked the views of many different betrayals, and that in itself interests me, but I just didn't love this volume as much as I wanted to. Hope to enjoy the next one more.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Power by Naomi Alderman

 

Title: The Power

Author: Naomi Alderman

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Science Fiction, Adult

Pages: 341

Publisher: Viking

Year Published: 2017

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

"In The Power the world is a recognizable place: there's a rich Nigerian kid who lounges around the family pool; a foster girl whose religious parents hide their true nature; a local American politician; a tough London girl from a tricky family. But something vital has changed, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power- they can cause agonising pain and even death. And, with this small twist of nature, the world changes utterly.

This extraordinary novel by Naomi Alderman, a Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year and Granta Best of British writer, is not only a gripping story of how the world would change if power was in the hands of women but also exposes, with breath-taking daring, our contemporary world."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This book really grabs your attention and you're not sure where the plot is going. Right from the start, I was interested in the way the characters were developing alongside a new world. To watch the world begin to explode and change rapidly, I was curious how it would start to wrap up and what an ending it was. I don't think that I preferred the way that it wrapped, but the letters at the end really wrapped it up nicely for me.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

Title: The Last Time I Lied

Author: Riley Sager

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Adult, Mystery

Pages: 384

Publisher: Dutton

Year Published: 2018

Format: Audiobook

"Fifteen years ago, summer camper Emma Davis watched sleepily as her three cabin mates snuck out of their cabin in the dead of the night. The last she-- and anyone-- saw of them was Vivian closing the cabin door behind her, hushing Emma with a finger pressed to her lips.

Now a rising in the NYC art scene, Emma turns her past into paintings. They catch the attention of Francesca Harris-White, the socialite and wealthy owner of the very same Camp Nightingale-- and when Francesca implores Emma to return to the camp as a painting counselor, Emma sees an opportunity to find closure and move on.

Yet, it is immediately clear that all is not right at Camp Nightingale. Already haunted by surfacing memories, Emma is suddenly plagued by a security camera pointed directly at her cabin, mounting mistrust from Francesca, and most disturbing of all, cryptic clues Vivian apparently left behind about the camp's twisted origins. And as history begins to repeat itself and three girls go missing again, Emma must face threats from both man and nature in order to uncover all the buried secrets--- including what really happened all those years ago."

My Rating: 5/5

This story follows Emma through a traumatic experience that includes flashbacks, that coincide right along with current mysteries. And I loved it! I enjoyed this even more than the writer's debut, Final Girls. I felt like this book was so much more atmospheric just with the setting being at a summer camp. I also love an unreliable narrator done this well. Without spoiling it, the ending was potentially my favorite part. I can't wait to read another Riley Sager thriller and make my way through their works.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Title: Kings of the Wyld

Author: Nicholas Eames

Series/Standalone: The Band (Book #1)

Genre: Adult, High Fantasy

Pages: 502

Publisher: Orbit

Year Published: 2017

Format: Paperback (Own It)

First Line: "You'd have guessed from the size of his shadow that Clay Cooper was a bigger man than he was."

"Clay Cooper and his band were once the best of the best-- the meanest, dirtiest, most feared crew of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld.

Their glory days long past, the mercs have grown apart and grown old, fat, drunk - or a combination of the three. Then an ex-bandmate turns up to Clay's door with a plea for help. His daughter Rose is trapped in a city besieged by an enemy one hundred thousand strong and hungry for blood. Rescuing Rose is the kind of mission that only the very brave or the very stupid would sign up for.

It's time to get the band together for one last tour across the Wyld."

My Rating: 4/5

If you like DnD this might be the book for you. If you want to read about a DnD crew that has retired and has one more great story in them, it's fantastic. I absolutely LOVED the characters in this story. The fact that they were each unique and were easy to place was such a treasure. My personal favorites would have to be Moog, Kit, or Clay. Honestly, who can decide with such a variety to chose from. That being said this is where I had a bit of trouble with the plot. I think sometimes books like this have too many side quests going on. Not that I didn't enjoy some of the conflicts, just that at times it was a bit overwhelming, especially for someone who reads before bed. I also spoiled myself by seeing the title for the next book, and that lowered the stakes. That being said would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun fantasy read.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Title: Ready Player One

Author: Ernest Cline

Series/Standalone: Ready Player One Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Pages: 374

Publisher: Crown Publishers

Year Published: 2011

Format: Audiobook

"IN THE YEAR 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within the world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.

But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win- and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I'm trying to be more honest with my ratings, even though sometimes I feel that giving books a low rating is a bit harsh. That being said, this book just wasn't for me. I had seen a lot of booktubers read it when the movie came out but not many spoke about it after, and curiosity got the better of me. I attempted to read this knowing nothing, and I think that you need to know a few basic premises going in. This book revolves around 80s pop culture. If that's not an interest to you, or you don't like pop culture references, take a stroll. This book is also a product of its time. 10 years after being published I can confidently say that books that speaks with derogatory terms about transgendered people would not be published, or at least I doubt they would be as ridiculously popular as this book is (one can hope). And lastly, it just wasn't for me.

I don't plan on continuing with the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica

Title: Don't You Cry

Author: Mary Kubica

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Pages: 313

Publisher: MIRA

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"In downtown Chicago, Esther Vaughan disappears from her apartment without a trace. A haunting letter addressed to My Dearest is found among her possessions, leaving her roommate Quinn Collins to question how well she really knew her friend. Meanwhile, in a small town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where eighteen-year-old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more sinister.

As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger's spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and show that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This just wasn't what I wanted from my next thrilling read. I didn't read the synopsis before I started the book because I find sometimes they are misleading or give too much about the plot away. But this one sums it up. We follow two P.O.Vs from different lives and we watch as they begin to connect.I just didn't find that this story was as twisted as I wanted it to be. I found that Quinn was often looking facts in the eye and then shocked when she realized the facts that they held. As for Alex, just a teenage boy with some mommy issues. I wasn't fully shocked at the conclusion as I came to understand what was happening a few chapters before it happened. That being said the premise was interesting enough that I finished the story. I do hope to read more from the author in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

Title: The Escape Room

Author: Megan Goldin

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Adult

Pages: 357

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"Welcome to the escape room. Your goal is simple. Get out alive.

In a lucrative world of finance, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam are at the top of their game. They've mastered the art of the deal and celebrate their success in style- but a life of extreme luxury always comes at a cost.

Invited to participate in an escape room challenge as a team-building exercise, the ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high-rise building, eager to prove themselves. But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they're caught in a dangerous game of survival.

Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free. But as the game begins to reveal the team's darkest secrets, they realize there's a price to be paid for the terrible deeds they committed in their ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. As tempers fray, and the clues turn deadly, they must solve one final chilling puzzle: which one of them will kill in order to survive?"

My Rating 4/5

I would claim that this book is a mystery, but damn is it ever thrilling. I would really recommend this to someone who wants a twist between Hustlers and Wolf on Wallstreet. It really describes this incredibly competitive work life, and the way people who make a ton of money live, or work to live. I always think this is interesting, as my career choice is so vastly different (not that ECE's don't work hard, of course, we do but to this extreme). I also loved the dual P.OV's in the book. Going between past and present really upped the tension. I look forward to reading more work by the author, hopefully, more thrillers!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Giant Days Vol 12

Title: Giant Days Vol. 12

Author: John Allison

Artist(s): Max Sarin

Series/Standalone: Giant Days (Volume 12)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Contemporary

Pages: 112

Publisher: BOOM! Box

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"It's never a quiet day at the University of Sheffield as best friends Esther, Susan and Daisy try do regular things like solving comic book shop capers, attending McGraw's brother's wedding and Daisy learning to drive OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL DOOMED. Meanwhile, Ed has to have a hard conversation with his girlfriend about her behavior when she drinks and what it means for their future... if they have one..."

My Rating 3.5/5

This is the first time I have rated one of the Giant Days series. I think it just wasn't exactly what I wanted from their last year. Yes, there were shenanigans, but they seemed a little much at some points. Also, the last volume had a completely different art style and I wasn't a fan. I hope that the final volume has the original art style. Looking forward to completing the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

Title: Piecing Me Together

Author: Renee Watson

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 277

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"A timely and powerful story about a teen girl from a poor neighborhood striving for success, from acclaimed author Renee Watson.

Jade believes she must get out of her neighborhood if she's ever going to succeed. Her mother says she has to take every opportunity. She has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for 'at-risk' girls. Except really, it's for black girls. From 'bad' neighborhoods.

But Jade doesn't need support. And just because her mentor is black doesn't mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference.

Friendships, race, privilege, identity- this compelling and thoughtful story explores the issues young women face."

My Rating: 3.75/5

I don't want to make this review confusing, but just because I rate something 3 stars doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it or find meaning in the work. I certainly did. I think this book says so many things about society, systemic racism, and the white gaze that is often put on BIPOC. That being said, I prefer a plot that has a little more flow in it than this book did. The real star of this novel was the characters, they were real, they were flawed, and they were DYNAMIC. I felt like I knew these characters. I plan on reading more work by the authors as soon as possible. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

Title: When No One is Watching

Author: Alyssa Cole

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult, Thriller

Pages: 352

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"The gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood takes on a sinister new meaning...

Sydney Green is Brooklyn born and raised, but her beloved neighborhood seems to change every time she blinks. Condos are sprouting like weeds, FOR SALE signs are popping up overnight, and the neighbors she's known all her life are disappearing. To hold onto her community's past and present, Sydney channels her frustration into a walking tour and finds an unlikely and unwanted assistant in one of the new arrivals to the block- her neighbor Theo.

But Sydney and Theo's deep dive into history quickly becomes a dizzying descent into paranoia and fear. Their neighbors may not have moved to the suburbs after all, and the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised.

When does coincidence become conspiracy? Where do people go when gentrification pushes them out? Can Sydney and Theo trust each other- or themselves- long enough to find out before they too disappear?

My Rating: 4.5/5

This book was an amazing thriller, maybe because it's so close to the way things happen. It really made me think about gentrification in our neighbourhood and city. It also got me thinking about how people are forced out of neighborhoods or how systemic racism started in the first place. I think this book did an excellent job with the characters along with a fast-moving plot. While there were still some questions I had by the end of the book, that also felt natural due to the subject matter. I was impressed where the author took this thriller and look forward to reading more thriller/mysteries by her in the future (it seems that she mainly writes romance which isn't my cup of tea). 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny