Book Review: Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

Title: Catherine House

Author: Elisabeth Thomas

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Pages: 320

Publisher: Custom House

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"A storey about a dangerously curious young undergraduate whose rebelliousness leads her to discover a shocking secret involving an exclusive circle of students... and the dark truth beneath her school's promise of prestige.

You are in the house and the house is in the woods. 

You are in the house and the house is in you....

Catherine is a school of higher learning like no other. Hidden deep in the woods of rural Pennsylvania, this crucible of reformist liberal arts study with its experimental curriculum, wildly selective admissions policy, and formidable endowment, has produced some of the world's best minds: prize-winning authors, artists, inventors, Supreme Court justices, presidents. For those lucky few selected, tuition, room and board are free. But acceptance comes with a price. Students are required to give the House three years- summers included- completely removed from the outside world. Family, friends, television, music, even their clothing must be left behind. In return, the school promises its graduates a future of sublime power and prestige, and that they can become anything or anyone they desire.

Among this year's incoming class is Ines who expects to trade blurry nights of parties, pills, cruel friends, and dangerous men for rigorous intellectual discipline- only to discover an environment of sanctioned revelry. The school's enigmatic director, Viktoria, encourages the students to explore, to expand their minds, to find themselves and their place within the formidable black iron gates of Catherine.

For Ines, Catherine is the closest thing to a home she's ever had, and her serious, timid roommate, Baby, soon becomes an unlikely friend. yet the House's strange protocols make this refuge, with its worn velvet and weathered leather, feel increasingly like a gilded prison. And when Baby's obsessive desire for acceptance ends in tragedy, Ines begins to suspect that the school- in all its shabby splendor, hallowed history, advanced theories and controlled decadence- might be hiding a dangerous agenda that is connected to a secretive, tightly knit group of students selected to study its most promising and mysterious curriculum."

My Rating: 3/5 

This book is so interestingly written. I loved the way the author's writing was descriptive and creepy, it helped me feel uneasy for the vast majority of the book without feeling over the top. The characters in this book were interesting, but not extraordinary in any way for me. Where this book seemed to get a little confusing for me was the last section. This book is not truly a mystery, but more so a dark academic thriller. I think that if you go in knowing your in for an atmospheric read about a dark post-secondary education you'll truly enjoy it. If you think you're getting a true who done it mystery you may find yourself disappointed. I would like to read more books by this author and see what ideas she puts forth next.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Walking In Two Worlds by Wab Kinew

Title: Walking In Two Worlds

Author: Wab Kinew

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Pages: 296

Publisher: Penguin Teen

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"An Indigenous teen girl is caught between two worlds, both real and virtual, in the YA fantasy debut from bestselling Indigenous author Wav Kinew. Perfect for fans of Ready Player One and the Otherworld series.

Bugz is caught between two worlds. In the real world, she's a shy and self-concious Indigenous teen who faces the stresses of teenage angst and life on the Rez. But in the virtual world, her alter ego is not just confident but dominant in a massively multiplayer video game universe.

Feng is a teen boy who has been sent from China to live with his aunt, a doctor on the Rez, after his online activity suggests he may be developing extremist sympathies. Meeting each other in real life, as well as in the virtual world, Bugz and Feng immediately relate to each other as outsiders and as avid games. And as their connection is strengthened through their virtual adventures, they find that they have much in common in the real world, too: both must decide what to do in the face of temptations and pitfalls, and both must grapple withthe impacts of family challenges and community trauma. But betrayal threatens everything Bugz has built in the virtual world, as well as her relationships in the real world, and it will take all her newfound strength to restore her friendship with Feng and reconcile the parallel aspects of her life: the traditional and the mainstream, the east and the west, the real and the virutal."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I'll say it. I didn't like this book. And after reading the synopsis I totally understand why. I'm not a huge fan of books that take place in large world video games. I'm fine if gaming is mentioned and is well fleshed out but large virtual RPG game ideas really aren't for me in books. So this is totally my fault that this book wasn't for me. If you didn't know I never read the synopsis, I go purely based on how I feel about the cover, the reviews and maybe just intrigue by a tagline. This had really interesting atmosphere taking place post-pandemic. I appreciate the cultural representation and was intrigued by it. The writing just didn't work for me overal. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Mothering Invention by Kieron Gillen

Title: Mothering Invention

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie & Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 7)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 208

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"In the past: awful stuff. In the present: awful stuff. But, increasingly, answers."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was a good instalment, just a bit long for my taste. I found that the history of the story was interesting, but some of the action scenes just didn't hit home for me. I also wasn't a fan of where the most recent plot twist in this volume is taking us. I am curious to see how this series wraps up and plan to read more graphic novels by Kieron Gillen.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Imperial Phase Part II by Kieron Gillen

Title: Imperial Phase, Part II

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 6)

Genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 168

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy

"When you're at the peak of your powers, there's only one way to go. The question becomes- how many people are you willing to drag down with you?"

My Rating: 4.5/5

Even though this volume took me a while to finish it was really an enjoyable read once I got into it. With plenty of plot twists, and once again amazing art this series is always keeping me on my toes. I love the twists, turns and horrors that this series really shows. I can't wait to see where the characters go from her. More graphic horrors no doubt. I hope to continue this series as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Title: Blood Red Road

Author: Moira Young

Series/Standalone: Dust Lands Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 464

Publisher: Doubleday Canada

Year Published: 2012

Format: Paperback Copy

My Rating: 1/5

DNF @ 70%

I won't bother wasting anyone's time with the description of this book. This book states that it is fast-paced though I've never been so bored. It says that the characters are smart and savvy though I've never felt that way. I guess some might believe it. There were no real plot twists and while there was the main goal, it didn't seem to be that urgent as our main character gets sidetracked frequently. The world is not well fleshed out. And it is completely two dimensional.

Needless to say not a fan.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Title: One of Us Is Lying

Author: Karen M. McManus

Series/Standalone: One of Us Is Lying Series (Book #1)

Genre: Mystery, Young Adult, Thriller

Pages: 416

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.

Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.

Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.

Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?

Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was fun. Teen drama, murder, and thrilling gossip. What more could you ask for? It was exactly what I wanted for the moment. It wasn't the best book/thriller I've ever read, and I saw some of the final twists coming, but overall it just was fast-paced. If you're looking for a great CW style teen drama book, I would recommend it. I look forward to continuing with the series. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey

Title: When We Were Magic

Author: Sarah Gailey

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Magical Realism, Young Adult

Pages: 352

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"A moving, darkly funny novel about six teens whose magic goes wildly awry from Magic Liars author Sarah Gailey, who Chuck Wendig calls an 'author to watch.'

Keeping your magic a secret is hard. Being in love with your best friend is harder.

Alexis has always been able to rely on two things: her best friends, and the magic powers they all share. Their secret is what brought them together, and their love for each other is unshakeable- even when that love is complicated. Complicated by problems like jealousy, or insecurity, or lust. Or love.

That unshakeable, complicated love is one of the only things that doesn't change on prom night.

When accidental magic goes sideways and a boy winds up dead, Alexis and her best friends come together to try to right a terrible wrong. Their first attempt fails- and their second attempt fails even harder. Left with the remains of their failed spells and more consequences than anyone could have predicted, each of them must find a way to live with their part of the story."

My Rating: 4/5

This was a great foray for me into magical realism. I haven't read much from the genre, and what I had read before I found complicated or to lyrical for my own personal taste. But this features a bad-ass group of girls trying to find a way to fix a problem they weren't even sure how they managed to create. I loved the characters and hearing about their magic. I loved how the story wrapped overall. It was a great read, and I look forward to reading much more from the author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah. J. Maas

Title: A Court of Silver Flames

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series/Standalone: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series (Book #4)

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 757

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Year Published: 2021

Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)

First Line: "The black water nipping at her thrashing heels was freezing."

"Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key is halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared with war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance- and healing- in each other's arms."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Wow, it took me long enough to get to this book. And overall, I enjoyed it. Could I have gone in right after I read ACOWAR the first time, maybe, but I'm glad I did an overall reread? I also found that the novella right before this one really helps put you in the headspace for this one, and things that happen in that book are referenced quite frequently, so don't miss it. I've taken up the CAWPILE method for rating books, and this one I added a range for rating, smut. The characters in this were as lovely as always, it was great to get a different perspective. The atmosphere and the writing were good for me. The plot is where I found this story really lacked. Yes, there was a plot, but it just wasn't at the forefront for me. Intrigue about the romance was there, the logic for the plot was just okay. BUT THE SMUT! It was next level for this series, and I was LIVING for it. I will be continuing the series, and Sarah J. Maas can just keep the spice coming.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Title: Cemetery Boys 

Author: Aiden Thomas

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, LGBT, Romance

Pages: 344

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Martiza, he performs the rituals himself, and then sets free the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened, and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I really just didn't care about this story. I was interested in the cultural aspects and the ideas that are presented in that regard, but the characters themselves. I felt that their romance was fine and cute, but nothing was something I cared enough to keep me interested. I also saw the plot "twist" at the end of the book coming, it felt like the plot was too obvious to me. I hope that those who read this book for the representation feel that it was fulfilled, and I have no hard feelings about this story, it just wasn't for me. And that's ok.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

Title: Good Girl, Bad Blood

Author: Holly Jackson

Series/Standalone: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Book #2)

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult

Pages: 417

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Pip is not a detective anymore.

With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her.

But she will have to break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds has disappeared, on the very same night, the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.

The police won't do anything about it. And if they won't look for Jamie then Pip will, uncovering more of her town's dark secrets along the way... and this time everyone is listening. But will she find him before it's too late?"

My Rating: 4/5

This book didn't quite hold up to the first book in this series. I found that I had to suspend my disbelief a lot more in the sequel, which makes sense when you're thinking about how many crimes one teenager can meddle her way to the middle of. I did like that the author had sowed the seeds for this mystery in the book before, but our main character went through some interesting growth after the last book, so I just felt like I didn't love her as much. Everything in this book made sense, it just wasn't all I hoped it would be. Looking forward to finishing the trilogy though.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Title: Spin the Dawn

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Series/Standalone: The Blood of Stars Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 392

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of an imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renee Adieh."

My Rating: 1.25/5

I was very disappointed in this read, I thought that the idea was intriguing but that the writing just didn't work for me. I didn't care about the characters or the plot. I wasn't interested in where we were going and didn't care enough about the consequences of this read. I did enjoy the sewing competition aspect more than the adventure aspect. It was just bland for me. I won't be continuing with the series. I hope that if you've read this it was exactly what you were looking for, it just wasn't for me and that's ok.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny