Title: Glass Sword
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series/Standalone: Red Queen Series (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 444
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardcover (Own it)
First Line: "I flinch."
"If there's one thing Mare Barrow knows, it's that she's different.
Mare Barrow's blood is red- the color of the common folk- but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.
The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but she makes her escape from Maven, the prince- the friend- who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.
Pursued by Maven, now vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.
But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, a risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.
Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?
The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they've always known- pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul."
My New Rating: 4.5/5
This is kind of a surprise for me. We all know that this is one of my favourite series of all time. And I know it's not the most original but find any YA book that is 100% original and I'll be surprised. I had to change my rating due to the fact that it took me so long to finish this, that being said this is my 3rd reread of this book and I still found the ending emotional and so gripping. I can't wait to continue my reread and finish the series.I love the characters, setting and the idea of questioning good vs. evil.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series/Standalone: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Book #1)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery
Pages: 337
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Year Published: 2016
Format: Audiobook
"Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege, stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.
Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practise of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period phot, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget."
My New Rating: 4/5
This was a really great reread. For anyone looking to read this book, I would strongly recommend the audiobook. I'm still looking forward to continuing the series and upon rereading the "villain" is spottable. You can notice the person throughout the story but not in a way that is obvious. It also doesn't come out of nowhere. I love the writing style and era. I also enjoy the way the author uses history and gender in a way that makes sense. She doesn't shun the past but embraces how far women have come overall.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Archenemies
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series/Standalone: Renegades Trilogy (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 560
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year Published: 2018
Format: Audiobook
"The Renegades Trilogy continues, in this fiercely awaited second installment after the New York Times- bestselling Renegades by Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles.
Time is running out.
Together, they can save the world.
But they each other's worst nightmare.
In Renegades, Nova and Adrian (aka Insomnia and Sketch) fought the battle of their lives against the Anarchist known as the Detonator. It was a short-lived victory.
The Anarchists still have a secret weapon, one Nova believes will protect her. The Renegades also have a strategy for overpowering the Anarchists, but both Nova and Adrian understand that it could mean the end of Gatlon City- and the world- as they know it."
My Rating: 4.25/5
I was unsure whether or not I would enjoy this installment in the series. I was just ok with the first one, but couldn't shake the way it reminded me of other superhero work that I'd read in the past. That being said, the last book I read physically but finished with the audiobook. I knew that the audiobook helped me keep the characters straight and helped me to better enjoy the story. I really enjoyed this story. I think that the exploration of good and evil is always interesting and this novel is no exception. I enjoyed getting to know more of the characters and beginning to understand more of the changes in the city over time. I think the history of the city is a real highlight in this second book. I can't wait to listen to the third book and look forward to seeing how the characters intertwine in the last novel.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: In Real Life
Author: Cory Doctorow
Illustrator: Jen Wang
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Pages: 175
Publisher: Fir Second
Year Published: 2014
Format: Paperback Copy (Library)
"Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role-playing game where she spends most of her free time. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends.
But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer-- a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. This behaviour is strictly against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda soon comes to realize the questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person's real livelihood is at stake."
My Rating: 3.5/5
This graphic novel is a great quick read about the changes in economics and their relation to the internet and gaming. It was interesting to see how these things correlated as well as watching someone expand their horizons through gaming. That being said the story was short and just seemed like the slightest glimpse into the lives of the characters. I wish that we had gotten a little more. I would recommend this for the middle-grade age range rather than young adult.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction
Pages: 291
Publisher: Dial Press
Year Published: 2008
Format: Audiobook
"'I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.'
January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb...
As Juliet and her correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends- and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society- born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its member were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island- boast a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises and of finding connection in the most surprising ways."
My Rating: 5/5
I heard about this book from my best friend. Her local book club had read it and she just had a feeling that I would love it. She knows me so well! This story captured my interest within the first quarter and I was intrigued throughout. The idea of using letters for the format during this crucial setting of post-WWII was truly astounding and made the plot seem lighter at some points than it really was. That being said the story didn't just contain memories from a brutal war. It contained moments of friends, comradery and romance for many of the characters. I would highly recommend the audiobook as all the voice actors are fantastic and look forward to recommending it to other lovers of historical fiction in the future.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
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
