Title: Giant Days Volume 5
Author: John Allison
Illustrator: Max Sarin, Whitney Cogar
Series/Standalone: Giant Days Vol. 5
Genre: Graphic Novels, YA, Contemporary
Pages: 112
Publisher: 2017
Year Published: BOOM! Box
Format: Paperback Copy (Library)
"Going off to university is always a time of change and growth, but for Esther, Susan and Daisy, things are about to get a little weird.
Their freshman year is finally coming to a close, and Daisy, Susan and Esther say goodbye to Catterick Hall forever. Literally forever. It's being bulldozed and re-purposed as a luxury dorm next semester. But as one door closes, another opens and between end of semester hookups, music festivals, and moving into their first home together, the life experience are just getting started."
My Rating: 4/5
This one was really great and just everything that I wanted at the end of their first year. You get to see them go from naive high school students to jaded second years. Slightly more mature but still figuring it all out. And realizing that maybe not knowing is part of the whole experience. I love this series so much and can't wait to see what living on their own brings them. So many adventures to come.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Far from the Tree
Author: Robin Benway
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 374
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook
"A contemporary novel about three adopted siblings who find each other at just the right moment.
Being the middle child has it's ups and downs.
But for Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, discovering that she is a middle child is a different ride altogether. After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family including-
Maya, her loudmouthed younger bio sister, who has a lot to say about their newfound family ties. having grown u the snarky brunette in a house full of chipper redheads, she's quick to search for traces of herself among these not-quite-strangers. And when her adopted family's long-buried problem begin to explore to the surface, Maya can't help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs.
And Joaquin, their stoic older bio brother, who has no interest in bonding over their shared biological mother. After seventeen years in the foster care system, he's learned that there are no heroes, and secrets and fears are best kept close to the vest, where they can't hurt anyone but him."
My Rating: 5/5
This book was so particularly stellar. I had no idea that this would be so amazing and relatable and just so much more. The characters, the plotline, the subject matter just everything is fantastic. I was really happy that the author had an individual voice and story but the combination of all is just amazing. The gaining of understanding and the underlying message that we all have something going on. I plan on buying this book so I can own a physical copy and revisit it as often as I like as well as lend it out to my friends who NEED to read it.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: War of the Cards
Author: Colleen Oakes
Series/Standalone: Queen of Hearts Saga (Book #3)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retelling
Pages: 342
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2017
Format: Hardcover Copy (Own it)
First Line: "Dinah chased a white rabbit, just beyond her reach."
"The final book in the twisted YA trilogy re-imagining of the origin story of the Queen of Hearts.
Dinah has lost everyone she ever loved. Her brother was brutally murdered. The wicked man she believed was her father betrayed her. Her loyal subjects have been devastated by war. And the boy she gave her heart to broke it completely.
Now a dark queen has risen out of the ashes of her former life. Fury is blooming inside Dinah, poisoning her soul and twisting her mind. All she has left is Wonderland and her crown, and her obsession to fight for both. but the war rages on, and Dinah could inherit a bloodstained throne. Can a leader filled with love and rage ever be the ruler her kingdom needs? Or will her all-consuming wrath bring Wonderland to its knees?
This is not a story of happily ever after.
This is the story of the Queen of Hearts."
My Rating: 4/5
This is my favourite book in the series. I expected that this story would focus more on the battle and war that was among the people but it was equally that and then the aftermath. I was happy to see the nods to the original literature as well as to the author. I was impressed by the author's ability to show such rage and anger in one story. I loved it overall, the only reason it wasn't a higher rating for me was that the beginning of this story seemed to drag a bit for me.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
I've finally finished this series that I was supposed to reread through last month and I can't believe it took me so long. I really enjoyed this last instalment. I expected it to lead up to the battle and that be the end of it, but I appreciated that the author put the action closer to the middle and wrapped the story with important plot points. There were times where the main character just seemed to be a little too naive even for me. That being said I was proud when she would realize something or research it for herself. I loved the different world and the notable nods to the original literature. Especially the end one.
Characters:
Dinah: I think the fact that she has that deeply embedded rage really makes the story what it is. The idea that she could just snap at any moment is terrifying both to her as well as the reader. It makes you wonder how she would be capable of ruling at some points and at others helps you acknowledge her fear of being on the throne at some points.
Wardley: My heart broke so soundly for him. I do wish that he had just told her. As per usual lack of communication lead to the death of someone's loved one. That being said, it would be safe to assume that she would have reacted the same way. Also if he can't even look at her how did they make 3 children....?
Cheshire: This scheming mother f**cker really twisted his way right into power. I'm not terribly surprised just disappointed. Wouldn't it have been easier to just manipulate the king and Vittorie? Not to mention did he not think that she would ever find out like she's a little naive but not dumb.
Mundoo: I liked his character, his strength for his people really came through. Overall their culture was so interesting to me.
Bah-kan: I actually bawled when he died and I didn't expect that at all. He might have been my favourite character in this series.
Vittorie: I felt for her, but really to lay with Wardley was asking for it. Like you couldn't resist and just try to leave the palace to get away from him. I just didn't understand that choice tbh.
Sir Gorrann: His story just hit me right in the heart more so than Alice and Wardley. It was far more important to me.
Final Line: "But for her daughter's sake, Dinah prayed that this time, love would be enough to quench the flame."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Giant Days Vol. 4
Author: John Allison
Illustrator: Max Sarin
Series: Giant Days Series (Vol. 4)
Genre: Contemporary, Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Pages: 112
Publisher: BOOM!Box
Year Published: 2017
Format: Paperback Copy (Library)
"It's springtime at Sheffield University- the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and fast-pals Susan, Esther, and Daisy continue to survive their freshman year of college. Susan is barely dealing with her recent breakup with McGraw, Esther is considering dropping out of school, and Daisy is trying to keep everyone and everything from falling apart! Combined with house-hunting, indie film festivals, and online dating, can the girls make it to second year?"
My Rating: 3.75/5
This is lower than I have rated other books in the series and I'm not even sure why. Maybe it was just the plot points or some of the changes with characters, but it just didn't grab me the way the other Giant Days volumes did. That being said I'm so excited to read the next volume and see where our main characters go.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS
Title: Blood of Wonderland
Author: Colleen Oakes
Series/Standalone: The Queen of Hearts Saga (Book #2)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2017
Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The former Princess of Wonderland was lost."
"The queen will rise.
Dinah has been exiled from Wonderland. The vicious father she always feared has framed her for the brutal murder of her brother and turned the kingdom against her.
Now hiding in the lush and mysterious Twisted Wood with only her war steed at her side, Dinah is faced with a choice. She could leave Wonderland forever or return and fight her father for her throne- a fight she knows would only result in bloodshed.
When a chance encounter with one of her father's long-lost enemies brings Dinah more allies than she ever could have imagined, war starts to feel inevitable. But before Dinah can lead her people into combat, she must confront certain truths about her heart and her destiny- no matter how dark those truths may be.
Revolution is rising in Wonderland.
Dinah's battle has begun."
My Rating: 3/5
I remember really liking this book the first time that I read it, but upon rereading it I found that this book was just a bit of a filler book for the trilogy. And that's something that happens during most trilogy series in YA or just trilogies in general. I was curious to see how someone who had everything handed to her would survive in the wild and she just wouldn't have if there weren't people who wanted things from her. I suspected that was the case both times, but I totally forgot about how Cheshire made his appearance and announcement. He's so unbelievably power hungry and he just creeps me out. All these things being said I think that this retelling is really interesting in the way that it brings aspects of the original tale to life in a new light (the caterpillar).
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Still Me
Author: Jojo Moyes
Series/Standalone: Me Before You Series (Book #3)
Genre: Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 402
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year Published: 2018
Format: Audiobook
"Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life.
As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you find the courage to follow your heart-- wherever that may lead?
Funny, romantic and poignant, Still Me follows Lou as she discovers who she is and who she was always meant to be-- and to live boldly in her brave new world."
My Rating: 4/5
What a conclusion. I love how each book in this series has a different setting and a different idea of our main character. I loved this conclusion and was happy to see how the author took care of Louisa. I also enjoyed the fact that this story focused less on romance and more on other contemporary aspects. I loved the setting the most, just due to the excitement surrounding New York and the idea of further exploring high society. I would highly recommend this as an audiobook because the story isn't super action driven but is very character focused and you get so much more of that in the audiobook. If you are looking for a story where you get the enjoyment of watching someone find out who they are this is for you.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Sink or Swim
Authors: Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis
Illustrators: Carey Pietsch
Series/Standalone: Lumberjanes Vol. 6
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Pages: 112
Publisher: BOOM!Box
Year Published: 2017
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)
"Knot on your life!
All is fair in love and badges! Or so April, Jo, Mal, Molly and Ripley thought until they met the mysterious counsellor, Seafarin' Karen. When the Lumberjanes decide it's time to learn more about the theatrical yet intriguing counsellor, things take a turn for the strange. Between a sudden storm hitting the camp, shapeshifters, and strange portals, this is one badge that the Lumberjanes must go above and beyond for."
My Rating: 4/5
So as I am a nervous human, I just decided to binge read this one tonight as well. I was a fan of the storyline far more in this one. It was less of a middle grade read and more just a general adventure story. I am still getting used to the art style, which is hard because I loved the style that they were drawn in, but this one is still interesting to me. I'm curious to see where the mystical woods aspect is going.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Band Together
Authors: Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen
Illustrators: Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Carolyn Nowak
Series/Standalone: Lumberjanes Vol. 5
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA,
Pages: 112
Publisher: BOOM!Box
Year Published: 2016
Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)
"What gives, two legs?!
It's a battle of the bands... with mermaids! April takes it upon herself to restore a friendship that has fallen apart, but will she be in over her head as her above water friendships take a hit? When friendships are challenged, can the Lumberjanes save the day? Don't miss out on this exciting collection!"
My Rating: 2.5/5
Let's be honest. This volume just has something missing. I didn't get the same vibe that I get from the rest of the series, the art style changed and the messages seemed to change as well. All of which is disappointing as this has been one of my favourite series up until now. I'm nervous about where the plot and art are going and hopefully, the next instalment captures my interest otherwise we could have a problem on our hands.
Needless to say, this was just ok for me and I will read the next one, but I'm just disappointed by the content of this volume.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS
Title: Daughter of the Pirate King
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Series/Standalone: Daughter of the Pirate King Duology (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 311
Publisher: Feiwel Friends
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook
"There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for.
Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map- the key to a legendary treasure trove- seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.
More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King."
New Rating: 5/5
So this is my second time listening to the audiobook and it was just as good as I remember. I was in the mood for something fun and this always delivers. It has a great romance, a fun cast of characters, the setting and the premise. This whole story is amazing and I really enjoy the mythological elements of the story. I can't wait to continue on with this series and plan to add it to my physical collection soon.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
