Book Review: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Title: Falling Kingdoms

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Series/Standalone: Falling Kingdoms Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy,

Pages: 412

Publisher: Razorbill

Year Published: 2012

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

"In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.

Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.

Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was our physical book club book for December, and I've been loving it. I will say that at the ripe age of 28, it read for its intended audience, but there was a surprising amount of violence for that age range. I did enjoy the plot, the different characters and the timeline. The plot twists were pretty obvious throughout so I was hoping for more from that. But I will be reading the sequel. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Big Nick Energy by Morgan Elizabeth

Title: Big Nick Energy

Author: Morgan Elizabeth

Series/Standalone: Seasons of Revenge Series (Book #4)

Genre: Romance, Christmas, Contemporary, Adult

Pages: 294

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "'I'm going on a date tonight,' Connor says into the phone."

"When Connor Finch insists his one-time Tinder Match, Shae, comes to his dad's house for Thanksgiving with her two daughters, it's because he refuses to let them be alone on her first holiday post-divorce.

But when she arrives at the Christmas tree farm and ranch he grew up on, she meets his father- the crazy tall, built, golden retriever cowboy who tells her girls about the magic of the stupid elf on a shelf.

Of course, when she later corners him and tells him thanks a lot for nothing and that she's way too overwhelmed to have to deal with yet another responsibility, he feels terrible.

So terrible, he finds himself driving two hours every night just to deliver an elf, move him about, and create some Christmas magic for her girls. 

But what happens when he decides meeting her the way he did was some kind of Christmas miracle, and he needs to convince Shae to give him a shot?"

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was such a fun and sweet book, in comparison with Tis the Season (which I also really enjoyed). This had so many tropes that I enjoyed, and while I haven't read a slow burn that was this good in a while I loved it. I think the characters were super well written, the dual p.o.v was excellent and it was the perfect mix of hallmark and smutty. I would strongly recommend it for the holiday season. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Title: The Lost Apothecary

Author: Sarah Penner

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult

Pages: 301

Publisher: Park Row 

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook (Own Paperback)

"A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them - setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course.

Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman.
Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.

One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose - selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register.

In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive."

My Rating: 5/5

I absolutely loved this debut. While listening to the audiobook I was fully enamoured, and I found myself doing more things around the house so I had a reason to listen to this audiobook rather than read something physically (I know I'm not the only one...). The plot, the perspectives, the setting and the overall ability to tell the story were so magical in their own way. I loved the author's character choices, and I loved the audiobook narrator's use of inflexion throughout the story. I would strongly recommend and I will be reading anything else the author puts out. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Title: The Host

Author: Stephanie Meyer

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Pages: 624

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Year Published: 2008

Format: Audiobook (Own Physical Copy)

"Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I can't decide how I feel about this book. It was such an unusual story and it felt like a slice-of-life science fiction if that makes sense. It was the most relaxed alien abduction I think I've ever read. It felt very day-to-day while still having an overarching plot. It was fun, it was entertaining but it wasn't captivating. Some choices were made in the love interests that felt a bit dicey. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but it is entertaining if any of this review or the description sounds fun to you.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Pucking Around by Emily Rath

Title: Pucking Around

Author: Emily Rath

Series/Standalone: Jacksonville Rays Series (Book #1)

Genre: Adult, Romance, Sports Romance, Smut

Pages: 756

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Ebook (K.U)

First Line: "Rachel!"

"My name is Rachel Price, and two months ago, I walked away from the perfect man. Sweet and funny, and so hot it should be illegal—we shared one magical night. No names. No strings. I never thought I’d see him again.

I was wrong. It turns out Mr. Perfect is the playboy grinder for the Jacksonville Rays, the NHL’s hottest new hockey team…and I’m his new physical therapist. Oh, and the jerk doesn’t even recognize me!

This fellowship is going to be the longest ten months of my life. Mr. Perfect Mistake will do anything to get back on my good side. Meanwhile, his best friend is the surly new equipment manager always riding my case. Worst of all, I’ve got an uncooperative goalie who thinks I can’t tell he’s hiding an injury!

This is my chance to prove myself, and I’m not risking it for anything. But with one unexpected night, one secret revealed, these men are ready to test all my limits. I can’t fall for a player…let alone three. But if love is a game, these guys are playing to win."

My Rating: 3.75/5

I really enjoyed reading this. I thought when picking it up that there was no way it would fly by, but Emily Rath writes romance in such a fun tone it's hard not to fly through it. The smut in this book is not for the faint of heart and the fact that it is why choose is not something to overlook. I enjoyed the hockey atmosphere and the banter between characters throughout the story. The plot was the perfect amount of drama. I look forward to continuing the story in the next book ASAP. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Twisted Love by Ana Huang

Title: Twisted Love

Author: Ana Huang

Series/Standalone: Twisted Series (Book #1)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult,    

Pages: 360

Publisher: Originally Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "There are worse things than being stranded in the middle of nowhere during a rainstorm."

"He has a heart of ice... but for her, he'd burn the world.

Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape.

Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart.

But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:

A crack.

A melt.

A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can't remember.

But despite her broken past, she's never stopped seeing the beauty in the world...

including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn't want.

Her brother's best friend.

Her neighbor.

Her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen- but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both and everything they hold dear."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This was one that I was hoping I would love but it was just ok for me. I think that the author did a lot within the story but the mysterious aspects were very obvious to me. I had no questions about who was doing what in the background of the plot. I knew exactly who was doing the behind the scenes evil. I guessed within moments of meeting the villains that they were the villains. The sex scenes we did get were great, but I would have liked more. I also am unsure if the series needed to be a companion series or if they would have done just fine as individual stories that were not interconnected. A princess, a photographer, a law student and a regular student all being friends and being introduced like Bratz dolls just wasn't for me. I liked it, I just didn't love it. I look forward to reading the next one, but mainly for the tropes. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Title: This Song Will Save Your Life

Author: Leila Sales

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 291

Publisher: Square Fish

Year Published: 2013

Format: Audiobook 

"A powerful coming-of-age story about an outsider who finds herself when she enters the underground music scene. 

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski's strong suit. All throughout her life, she's been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. 

Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly a love for DJing."

My Rating: 4/5

I'm always hesitant when reading a young adult contemporary story because I have aged out of the targeted market for this book. But reading one like this reminds you of the feelings you had during those formative years. The bullying that Elise experiences is something I have witnessed in high school and being a childcare worker something I've done my best to monitor and dissuade. The idea that music is the way our main character can relate to the world is relatable and the family elements of this story are heartwarming. I would strongly recommend reading this if the synopsis interests you even remotely, whether or not you are in the targeted demographic. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Title: The Young Elites

Author: Marie Lu

Series/Standalone: The Young Elites Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, 

Pages: 355

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook (Own Hardcover)

"Adeline Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina's black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only one jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family's good name and standing in the way of their future. But some of the fever's survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars- they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it's Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they've never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. but of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn't belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was an entertaining fantasy. I know that others are willing to say this is dystopian but until I see full reflection of our world, I'm not so quick to jump there. If you know me you know I love a villain arc. This delivers! The audiobook was a wonderful way to consume this story and the narration lends perfectly to the plot. It is a product of when it is published so it reminds me a lot of some books I read at the time it was published. Overall, fun, exciting and entertaining. I do plan on picking up the next audiobook as soon as possible. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Title: The Nightingale

Author: Kristin Hannah

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult,

Pages: 440

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Year Published: 2015

Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)

"In love we find who we want to be.

In war we find out who we are.

FRANCE, 1939

In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Maurice says good-bye to her husband, Antione as he heads for the Front. She doesn't believe that the Nazis will invade France... but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a Germain captain requisitions Wianne's home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates all around them, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive.

Vianne's sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets Gaetan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can... completely. But when he betrays her, Isabelle joins the Resistance and never looks back, risking her life time and again to save others."

My Rating: 5/5

I'm so late to reading this book. I can't even explain why I put this off for so long, but this was one pick that was voted for in bookclub this month and I'm so grateful it was. Kristin Hannah was able to evoke so many emotions throughout this read and while you expect it to be an emotional read, she made each character feel so realistic that I couldn't help but feel things alongside them. I also thought it was interesting to see how she wove the tales of occupied France between the two siblings who had different values and you are able to see both sisters' points of view. If you have read this I'm curious how you felt about it. If you haven't, may I be another person (likely) to tell you to pick this up!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Title: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Author: Libba Bray

Series/Standalone: Gemma Doyle Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy

Pages: 403

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2003

Format: Audiobook (Paperback Own It)

"In this debut gothic novel mysterious visions, dark family secrets and a long-lost diary thrust Gemma and her classmates back into the horrors that followed her from India.

It's 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma's reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she's been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence's most powerful girls- and their foray into the spiritual world- lead to?"

My Rating: 1.75/5

This book was very straightforward for me. It tried to have a few mysterious plots but as someone who is older than the target demographic. The characters were very limp and the main character made me incredibly upset. The overall magic was interesting, but it was too young for me which makes total sense. I won't be continuing the series. I will try another series by Libba Bray. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Hopeless by Elsie Silver

Title: Hopeless

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Chestnut Spring Series (Book #5)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 486

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "I thought pissing off my brother and storming away would make me feel something."

"Beau Eaton is the town prince, a handsome military hero with a tortured past.

I'm the outcast bartender, a shy girl from the wrong side of the tracks.

He's thirty-five and all man, and I'm twenty-two and all.... virgin.

He's also my fiance. Correction: my fake fiance.

We start out as a bet. He doesn't believe that anyone holds my last name against me. So he offers his to prove a point.

It's win-win. He gets a break from his concerned family's prying, and I get a chance to shed my family's reputation while I save up to ditch this small town.

He says all I have to do is wear his ring, follow his lead, and pretend I can't keep my hands off of him in public.

But it's what happens between us in private that blurs all those carefully drawn lines.

It's what transpires behind closed doors that doesn't feel like pretending at all.

This engagement was supposed to be for show. This agreement? It has an end date.

He once told me he'd never fall in love.

And yet here I am head over heels for my fake fiance."

My Rating: 4/5

This one wasn't my favourite in the series, but it was still a really great read. It was nice to see the characters all together one more time and it did feel bitter-sweet in a lot of ways. I loved this whole series and all the characters we were introduced to throughout the series. The smut was on point, and this series really has a lot going for it. The romance, the comedy, the characters, the tropes that are done so incredibly well, the plot lines and overall the feeling of family. I was teary-eyed as I finished this final book and I would highly recommend not just this book but the whole series to anyone who is even remotely interested. Elsie Silver builds a family that feels so real you wish you could sit at their table for the Eaton Family Dinner.

Thank you for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Title: Midnight for Charlie Bone

Author: Jenny Nimmo

Series/Standalone: The Children of the Red King (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Urban

Pages: 401

Publisher: Orchard Books

Year Published: 2002

Format: Audiobook (Own Paperback Copy)

"A magical fantasy that is fast-paced and easy-to-read. Charlie Bone has a special gift- he can hear people in photographs talking.

The fabulous powers of the Red King were passed down through his descendants, after turning up quite unexpectedly, in someone who had no idea where they came from this is what happened to Charlie Bone and to some of the children he met behind the grim, gray walls of Bloor's Academy.

His scheming aunts decide to send him to Bloor's Academy, a school for geniuses where he uses his gifts to discover the truth despite all the dangers that lie ahead."

My Rating: 5/5

I remember reading these when everyone else was reading Harry Potter and that's when I knew I was a hipster. I liked something before it was cool. I'm joking of course. I read these when I was 10, and rereading them fills some nostalgic holes for me. It is middle grade so any amount of mystery is obvious to me, a 28-year-old lady. But it's a fun read. I understand that people compare these to Harry Potter, but they have enough differences to make it its own unique story.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

Title: They Never Learn

Author: Layne Fargo

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Adult Fiction

Pages: 378

Publisher: Scout Press

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Scarlett Clark is an exceptional English professor. But she's even better at getting away with murder.

Every year, she searches for the worst man at Gorman University and plots his well-deserved demise. Thanks to her meticulous planning, she's avoided drawing attention to herself- but as she's preparing for her biggest kill yet, the school starts probing into the growing body count on campus. Determined to keep her enemies close, Scarlett insinuates herself into the investigation and charms the woman in charge, Dr. Mina Pierce. Everything's going according to her master plan- until she loses control with her latest victim, putting her secret life at risk of exposure.

Meanwhile, Gorman student Carly Schiller is just trying to survive her freshman year. Finally free of her emotionally abusive father, all Carly wants is to focus on her studies and fade into the background. Her new roommate has other ideas. Allison Hadley is cool and confident- everything Carly wishes she could be- and the two girls quickly form an intense friendship. So when Allison is sexually assaulted at a party. Carly becomes obsessed with making the attacker pay... and turning her fantasies about revenge into a reality."

My Rating: 4.75/5

I really enjoyed this book. It gave Dexter vibes but as a woman vigilante, I was into it. I liked the concept. The writing was unsettling and the audiobook was well narrated. The characters were dynamic, and the subject matter that surrounds rape culture was unfortunately too familiar but when written out in this way it's enough to make you flinch back with disgust at what people are willing to brush under the rug. What didn't line up for me in some senses was logic. The end felt a bit rushed for me but overall I appreciated the story.  I hope to read more from the author and I would strongly recommend it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Ritual by Shantel Tessier

Title: The Ritual 

Author: Shantel Tessier

Series/Standalone: The L.O.R.D.S Series (Book #1)

Genre: Dark Romance, New Adult, Fiction

Pages: 628

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "A Lord takes his oath seriously."

"THE CHOSEN ONE

I vow. You vow. We vow.

Barrington University is home of the Lords, a secret society that requires their blood in payment. They are above all- the most powerful men in the world. They devote their lives to violence in exchange for power. And during their senior year, they are offered a chosen one.

People think growing up with money is freeing, but I promise you, it's not. My entire life has been planned out for me. I never got the chance to do what I wanted until Ryat Alexander Archer came along and gave me an option for a better life. He offered me what no one else ever had- freedom.

I chose to be his. He made me believe that anyway, but it was just another lie. A way that the Lords manipulate you into doing what they want.

After being sucked into the dark, twisted world of the Lords, I embraced my new role and allowed Ryat to parade me around like the trophy I was to him. But like all things, what started out as a game soon became a fight for survival. And the only way out was death."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book has trigger warnings a mile long so please before you read any dark romance find a trigger warning list and make sure that the content is something you feel safe to consume. That being said this book was really fun for a dark romance, the plot went so many different directions, the spicey scenes were insane, and the world was fascinating. Was it a literary classic, probably not. Would I read it again? Absolutely. I will be continuing on with the series. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda

Title: The Girl from Widow Hills

Author: Megan Miranda

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Fiction, Adult

Pages: 325

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Everyone knows the story of 'the girl from Widow Hills.'

Arden Maynor was just a child when she was swept away while sleepwalking during a terrifying rainstorm and went missing for days. Strangers and friends, neighbors and rescue workers, set up search parties and held vigils, praying for her safe return. Against all odds, she was found, alive, clinging to a storm drain. The girl from Widow Hills was a living miracle. Arden's mother wrote a book. Fame followed. Fans and fan letters, creeps and stalkers. And every year, the anniversary. It all became too much. As soon as she was old enough, Arden changed her name and disappeared from the public eye. 

Now a young woman living hundreds of miles away, Arden goes by Olivia. She's managed to stay off the radar for the last few years. But with the twentieth anniversary of her rescue approaching, the media will inevitably renew its interest in Arden. Where is she now? Soon Olivia feels like she's being watched and begins sleepwalking again, like she did long ago, even walking outside her home. Until late one night she jolts awake in her yard. At her feet is the corpse of a man she knows- from her previous life, as Arden Maynor.

And now, the girl from Widow Hills is about to become the center of the story, once again, in the propulsive page-turner from suspense master Megan Miranda."

My Rating: 4/5

This had such an excellent atmosphere and that's what I'm finding as I read more and more of Megan Miranda's work. Her atmosphere is fantastic, the feelings of being spooked, unsure and frightened live on throughout the story. I would definitely recommend it for that reason. The characters were fine. The ending was excellent. I would strongly recommend this one out of the other books by the author I've read. Fun, exciting and the audiobook gave me spooky fall vibes. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Something is Killing the Children Volume 6

Title: Something is Killing the Children Volume 6

Author: James Tynion IV

Illustrator: Werther Dell'Edera

Series/Standalone: Something is Killing the Children Series (Vol. 6)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror, Adult Fiction

Pages: 144

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Year Published:  2023

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"With the last person in her corner gone and a ruthless agent from the Order of St. George closing in, Erica Slaughter finds herself alone and without a prayer. Can she take on this horrific new monster plaguing the small town of Tribulation, New Mexico by herself, or is this the end of her story? Erica is faced with a choice to reach out to an unexpected source for help, or find herself dealing with both a monster and her human enemies alone... Erica Slaughter faces her deadliest challenge yet in the next volume of the Eisner-winning and Harvey Award-nominated series from GLAAD Award-winning author James Tynion IV...."

My Rating: 3/5

This volume was fine for me, but I think because I can no longer binge the series, I'm starting to lose hold of the plot. I would be interested in reading it all once it's completed but for now, I will be taking a break from the series. The ideas are excellent, the art style is fascinating and the characters are dynamic. Lots to like, just not my favourite.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

Title: The Family Remains

Author: Lisa Jewell

Series/Standalone: The Family Upstairs Duology (Book #2)

Genre: Thriller, Adult Fiction

Pages: 452

Publisher: Atria

Year Published: 2022 

Format: Audiobook

"Early one morning on the shore of the Thames, DCI Samuel Owusu is called to the scene of a gruesome discovery. When Owusu sends the evidence for examination, she learns the bones are connected to a cold case that left three people dead on the kitchen floor in a Chelsea mansion thirty years ago.

Rachel Rimmer has also received a shock- new that her husband, Michael, has been found dead in the cellar of his house in France. All signs point to an intruder, and the French police need her to come urgently to answer questions about Michael and his past that she very much doesn't want to answer.

After fleeing London thirty years ago in the wake of a horrific tragedy, Lucy Lamb is finally coming home. While she settles in with her children and is just about to purchase their first-ever house, her brother takes off to find the boy from their shared past whose memory haunts their present. 

As they all race to discover answers to these convoluted mysteries, they will come to find that they're connected in ways they could have never imagined."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This was fine, it was enjoyable. It was fast-paced. Was it necessary? I'm not sure about that. I think that the first book could have been a standalone and I wouldn't have been mad about that. I will read more from the author. It is very much a fun traditional thriller. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Title: Stay Awake

Author: Megan Goldin

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller

Pages: 352

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a taxi with no idea where she is or how she got there. When she's dropped off at the door of her brownstone, a stranger answers- a stranger who now lives in her apartment and forces her out in the cold. She reaches for her phone to call for help, only to discover it's missing, and in its place is a bloodstained knife. That's when she sees that her hands are covered in black pen, scribbled messages like graffiti on her skin: STAY AWAKE.

Two years ago,  Liv was living with her best friend, dating a new man, and thriving as a successful writer for a trendy magazine. Now, she's lost and disoriented in a New York City that looks nothing like what she remembers. Catching a glimpse of the local news, she's horrified to see reports of a crime scene where the victim's blood has been used to scrawl a message across a window, the same message that's inked on her hands. What did she do last night?? And why does she remember nothing from the past two years? Liv finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn't remember nothing from the past two years? Liv finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn't remember committing as she tries to piece together the fragments of her life. But there's someone who does know exactly what she did, and they'll be anything to make her forget- permanently."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I had previously read a book by the author and really enjoyed it. So picking up this I thought I would also enjoy it, but it read like a basic cop show. While I was curious where it was going, i was hoping for a wild twist, but it went in a way where I shrugged and just said it made sense. Finishing the book I don't know if I felt anything profound. It was fine, but I wanted so much more. I would give this author one more shot. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

Title: The Good Girl

Author: Mary Kubica

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Adult Fiction

Pages: 352

Publisher: MIRA

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook 

"I've been following her for the past few days. I know where she buys her groceries, where she works. I don't know the color of her eyes or what they look like when she's scared. But I will. 

One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life.

When Colin decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota instead of delivering her to his employers, Mia's mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them. But no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family's world to shatter."

My Rating: 2/5

I have read quite a few books from Mary Kubica at this point and they either really hit for me or miss. This one was a miss. It wasn't what I wanted to read about, but I also think that this might be her debut. So it makes sense that her work has grown from here. I plan on continuing to read her work, mostly on audio. Her audiobooks are some of my favorite to listen to.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: You've Lost a Lot of Blood by Eric LaRocca

Title: You've Lost a Lot of Blood 

Author: Eric LaRocca

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Horror, Adult

Pages: 236

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"A disturbing new vision of terror from the author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke.

'Each precious thing I show you in this book is a holy relic from the night we both perished- the night when I combed you from my hair and watered the moon with your blood.

You've lost a lot of blood..."

My Rating: 2/5

This book was disturbing for me. The use of insects and the way the story is told is excellent. But I felt like either I was missing something or the book was. While it was uncomfortable, it wasn't exactly what I thought I was getting into. I would really enjoy reading more from the author and seeing if there is something I would enjoy more from this author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny