Title: Wolfsbane
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series/Standalone: Nightshade Series (Book #2)
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 390
Publisher: Philomel Books
Year Published: 2011
Format: Audiobook
"Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer- one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack- and the man- she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive."
My Rating: 3.75/5
These are audiobooks I would definitely recommend, I don't think that reading these books physically I would get the same feeling as I get when I listen to them. That being said there were moments in this book where I shook my head at how corny the voice acting was. It was fair due to the writing, but at times it was a little much for even me (the lover of corny audiobooks). This book is clearly a 2010s series just due to the content and the use of love triangles. That being said, I'm not mad about it. I overall enjoyed the world and most of the plot I just think that I'm cheering for the losing love interest in all of this and I wonder how the story will conclude in the next book. Would say this is a guilty pleasure read for sure.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Renegades
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series/Standalone: Renegades Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 552
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook (For the last 2/3s)
"Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.
The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies- humans with extraordinary abilities- who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.
Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice- and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both."
My Rating: 3/5
A few years ago this was one of the most hyped books on booktube and in the book community. And I gotta say, I just don't think that I understand where all the hype came from. As someone who generally enjoys Marvel and DC movies, I was so excited about the idea of a superhero YA book. That being said, I had some problems with this story that I also have in a superhero movie (for example disguises that just don't make sense to me or wouldn't modify a person's voice). But I also for other reasons (why does every YA anything have to have a romance). I was left with some lingering questions, but I'm not sure if it's enough for me to want to continue the series. I will be taking some time to decide whether I will be listening to the next book on audio this year (spoiler: probably not unless I run out of other audiobooks).
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
I'm a pretty big fan of most Marvel movies. Let's start by saying that. When one comes out I usually either go to see it or binge watch a series (all the Iron Man movies, etc). I was so excited to hear about the premise of this book and even more excited when Gee from Bookroast said she would be reading this book for her book in a jar.
And that's about it.
This story wasn't what I hoped it to be and I had some issues with some aspects of the story. For example, why doesn't anyone recognize anyone else's voice? Is anyone ever suspicious of the new girl looking into weapons and armoury on her first day? Why must every YA have a romance? Was one of our main characters unreliable?
Characters:
Nova: I liked her perspective. The battle between what was right and wrong in her head was interesting especially seeing how she grew up. I was also curious about where her allegiance may lie over time due to her budding (barf) relationship with Adrian. I wasn't surprised when she pulled the trigger, because she has good instinct, I was more surprised with her meeting Ace at the end of the story.
Adrian: The Sentinel is stupid. I'm just saying it. It's an unpracticed superhero sucking at what he does. All he ever seems to do is mess up. Also what about his mom and dad? I'm guessing Max was used on her first before she "fell" to her death.
The Detonator: Being cooped up underground clearly did her no favors and the ideas that she had might have worked if she wasn't the stereotypical gloating villain. Just do your shit and get it over with.
Max: He is who I want to know about. Does he know what they are going to use his blood for? Would he agree to it? Where did he get all his abilities and does he believe everything he hears about his parents from the council?
Ace: When will he strike and why didn't he just kind of convince Nova that he was still alive? I'm guessing that he was behind the attack on her family due to her dad saying that the Renegades would come, Ace wouldn't have liked that shit one bit.
Captain Chromium: I just can't with this guy. His name. His look. Everything other than his wholesome family is too much for me.
Dread Warden: Far more likeable in my book. I felt like he was more compassionate to those around him. Even those he wasn't related to.
Ruby: She's ok. Obviously, she will be getting together with Oscar in the new future. Yay more budding romance that isn't necessary.
Leopold: I like him. I like his car. His use of vocabulary and the fact that he's just overall poisonous. Pretty dope.
Honey: Stereotypical female villain. Is "vain" and thinks about her self also has some natural element to her. Just wish she could have conjured huge birds instead.
Oscar: I liked his rep and that he wasn't a pushover. He was able to hold his own and was just like everyone else.
Title: Saga Vol. 6
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Series/Standalone: Saga Series
Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Adult
Pages: 152
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2016
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
"After a dramatic time jump, the three-time Eisner Award winner for Best Continuing Series continues to evolve, as Hazel begin the most exciting adventure of her life: kindergarten. Meanwhile, her star-crossed family learns hard lessons on their own."
My Rating: 5/5
Somehow I keep expecting each issue not to live up to the next one, but somehow they keep the story going and keep me entertained. I wonder how the story will grow along with Hazel and how the new characters that were introduced will affect the storyline over time. I just wish I wasn't catching up to all that was out so fast.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series/Standalone: Nightshade Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 452
Publisher: Philomel
Year Published: 2010
Format: Audiobook
"Calla Tor has always known her destiny. After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known.
By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?"
My Rating: 3/5
I had remembered hearing about this series when I first started watching booktube about 4 years ago and I was interested in what the story was about. I was curious about what the world would contain and in some aspects the romance. But this is very much a post-twilight book. The romance and the use of a love triangle is something that was very popular during the post-Twilight YA craze. That being said it was an interesting world and I enjoyed some aspects of the story. Especially the different mythological creatures. That being said most aspects were predictable and corny. I would recommend this for fans of Underworld for sure as long as you won't miss the vampires too much.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The You I've Never Known
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT, Verse
Pages: 608
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Year Published: 2017
Format: Library Copy
"For as long as she can remember, it's been just Ariel and Dad. Ariel's mom disappeared when she was a baby. Dad says home is wherever the two of them are, but Ariel is now seventeen and after years of new apartments, new schools and new faces, all she wants is to put down some roots. Complicating things are Monica and Gabe, both of whom have stirred a different kind of desire.
Maya's a teenager who's run from an abusive mother right into the arms of an older man she thinks she can trust. But not she's isolated with a baby on the way, and life's getting more complicated than Maya ever could have imagined.
Ariel and Maya's lives collide unexpectedly when Ariel's mother shows up out of the blue with wild accusations: Ariel wasn't abandoned. Her father kidnapped her fourteen years ago.
What is Ariel supposed to believe? Is it possible Dad's woven her entire history into a tapestry of lies? How can she choose between the mother she's been taught to mistrust and the father who has taken care of her all these years?"
My Rating: 2/5
After writing out that synopsis I'm a little confused on the point of this story. I thought that the whole idea was finding out how Maya and Ariel connected and what happened all those years ago. But the description pretty much does it justice.
I have read other works by Ellen Hopkins in the past, mainly while I was in high school and I will say that I do love the use of verse in her stories. In other novels, it helps to capture a feeling that words might be able to describe and keep the reader hooked. In this story I just found it to be drawn out and frustrating. Overall this book was ok for me, but I'm not sure I understand the purpose other than to inform people about the issues of spousal kidnapping (it's more common than you think).
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So let's start this off by saying that I rarely read the synopsis in a book and I'm certainly glad that I didn't in this one. After writing it out I see that any idea of mystery or wonder is totally explained in the description. I found it extremely frustrating that this is the case. I understand that the author is using her voice to describe a situation that in some ways was own voices. A terrifying tale to say the least, but this is more common than some may think. That being said, as someone who works in childcare, I understand how these things could happen.
Overall I just found this story to be too drawn out for me. I enjoyed the verse, but it didn't have the same effect on me that it has in some other books by the author. I also found that the characters were difficult to connect with.
Characters:
Ariel/Casey: I think that her character is difficult to read from. Watching her walk on eggshells around her father and talk about her love for him was difficult to stomach, but that's the only life she remembers. Seeing her develop relationships with those around her was also good, but just not in depth as I thought that it would be.
Jason: I do believe that he has a mental disorder. I'm not sure what, but the way he manipulates and uses Ariel/Casey against Maya is horrifying to think about. That and the way he is able to lie so convincingly made me extremely uncomfortable. I do wonder what happened to all the women he used and abused along the way.
Maya: I enjoyed her end journal entry's to be able to better understand her life with and without her daughter. The hope she lives with is amazing.
Monica: Her character wasn't as fleshed out as I hoped it to be. At some points, she was spoken as this kick-ass girl who knew who she was and other times she almost appeared meek.
Gabe: I liked him, but probably based on every basic guy I've ever met.
Hillary: I'm more interested in her life. Was she running away on her horse? What is she going to do now that she can't ride? Does she miss it? Like we're not going to talk about this?
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Juliet Immortal
Author: Stacey Jay
Series/Standalone: Juliet Immortal Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 322
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2011
Format: Audiobook
"'These violent delights have violent ends. And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume.'
-Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
The most tragic love story in history...
Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love."
My Rating: 2/5
Just an ok audiobook overall. Good if you're a big fan of Romeo and Juliet or perhaps if you're interested in a retelling. I also think it's good if you just want a quick fun read, I did find that most of it was unreal and super corny. I just don't think that romance books like this just aren't for me. I also disliked the ending, a lot. It's not my thing in a book like this and for these reasons, I will not be continuing the series. I am interested in more work from the author, but I'm not sure if it's something I will be looking into immediately.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Out of the Easy
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 348
Publisher: Philomel Books
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook
"It's 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan to get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodly, the brusque madam on Conti Street.
Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.
With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny."
My Rating: 4/5
Last year I had the chance to read another book by Ruta Septys and I loved her ability to transport me to another time completely. This time I decided to borrow an audiobook and was excited when I started it to realize that it takes place in the 50s. It's an interesting time in the lives of people all over the world. After the war and with rights for people beginning to shift, Ruta Sepetys shows the lives of so many different people in one of the most popular holiday destinations of the time.
I loved the characters and the setting. I was fully entertained and interest in the story. The only reason that I knocked off a star, is that I felt this was marketed as a mystery and I just didn't find it that mysterious. There wasn't much of a mystery at all in fact.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves the time of the setting and is interested in a great audiobook with an amazing narrator.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So this book is marketed as a mystery and I would have to disagree with that. I think that this is a wonderful book that follows characters that you grow to love so incredibly quickly. As I was telling my boyfriend about the storyline I kept getting drawn into all the characters and how well developed they were. I also loved the setting the idea of New Orleans after the war and the difference between the Quarter and the rich areas. The narrators had wonderful accents that were natural and not overdone. The whole book was very well written.
I will warn anyone going into this book that while it is marketed as a mystery, I wouldn't say that that is it's the strongest aspect.
Characters (excuse the spelling, it was an audiobook):
Jo: I love that she is willing to push herself to be more than anyone expects, she is smart, cunning and ambitious in the best ways possible. But she doesn't push it too much. She wants what she deserves and doesn't use people to get it. I was annoyed that she didn't just go to Willie when she got the mark, but in some ways, I understand why she felt she had to do it herself.
Jesse: I like his character overall, but I'd be lying if I said that he was my first choice. I thought that he was a good fit for Jo because of their backgrounds and mutual understanding. I think that he is also willing to push Jo to be her best, and I hope that he will do the same for himself.
Patrick: His character was one of my favourites. I felt for him and his relationship with those around him. His fear about what people would do if they found out. And the loss of his father was almost too much to handle. I hope that he played the piano on the world stage at some point.
Willie: Now at the start I expected that I would hate her character and I didn't understand her attitude towards others, but as I continued I realized she was hard because she had to be. She felt as though she had to shut some out to be strong, that being said it didn't mean she didn't love anybody. Her relationships with some of the girls was so much stronger than I expected and I loved her. Up until the end.
Cokey: He's another character I just loved. He was well fleshed out and although he had a gambling problem he wanted to do good for those he cared about. I think that his singing was one of the best parts in the audiobook.
Charlie: I wonder about his life and how he got to know Willie so well. Were they just friends in the Quarter or had they known each other since he opened up shop? I wish that he hadn't met his end so soon, but I'm grateful that it was peaceful.
Loius: The things people will do to their own children never fail to frighten me. The way she acted as though she was nothing hurt me so deeply.
Cincinnati: A sick freak who knows how to woo those who want his cash. Just sad that in the long run, he didn't end up behind bars.
Lockwell (I can't remember his name): By far the villain in this book. His character was well written and it made my skin crawl. To know the things he wanted to do to young women and how he thought he was entitled to do just that was horrible to read about. But I think extremely important.
Charlotte: I hope that their friendship continue into the future. Because we all know you can't judge someone by their parents.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standlone: Harry Potter Series (Book #4)
Genre: Fantasy, Classic, Magic
Pages: 636
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 2000
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The villagers of Little Hangleton still called it 'the Riddle House,' even though it had been many years since the Riddle family had lived there."
"When Harry Potter wakes one morning with a searing pain in the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, he is not sure what it means. All he knows is the last time it happened Lord Voldemort was close by. Three days later, the Quidditch World Cup ends in carnage at the hands of the Dark Lord's followers- and Harry steels himself for more trouble ahead.
Back at Hogwarts for his fourth year, Harry is astonished to be chosen by the Goblet of Fire to represent the school in the Triwizard Tournament. The competition is dangerous, the tasks terrifying, and true courage is no guarantee of survival= especially when the Darkest forces are on the rise..."
My Rating: 4.5/5
I'm really enjoying the reread of this series, but I have to say that I'm not the biggest fan of Harry as a character. And that's why I knocked down half of a star. I did really enjoy the setting and the expansion of the world that goes on in this book. I think that this book has a really great natural rhythm to it. I will say that I was annoyed with some of the other plot points a little bit, but I'm excited to continue rereading the series but I will be taking a month off from the reread, as my friend needs to finish this book this month (and she doesn't think she's gonna make it).
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
