Book Review: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Opal

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series/Standalone: Lux Series (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance

Pages: 394

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2012

Format:  Audiobook (Library Copy)

"No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn't fooling around. Doubting him isn't something I'll do again, and now that we've made it through the rough patches, well... There's a lot of spontaneous combustion going on. 

But even he can't protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love. 

After everything, I'm no longer the same Katy. I'm different... And I'm not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I'm capable. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won't turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we're stronger... and they know it."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This one wasn't as fun as the first two, if I'm being totally honest. I didn't love the shift in tone and relationship with Katy and Daemon. I still enjoy the training montage and the ideas that are presented. The sci-fi elements are interesting, and the writing is fun, although I caught myself more and more thinking about the age of the author vs. the age of the characters. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Shadows

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series/Standalone: Lux Series (Book #0.5)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, 

Pages: 179

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook

"The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are... well, fun. But since the Luxens have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can't deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren't a complication she wants, she can't stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she's drawn in.

Captivated. Lured Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence... and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can't stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I really enjoyed reading this storyline. I think understanding how these interactions lead to behaviours in the first book will be great to see going forward. That being said, I wouldn't have read this at any separate time. This was a perfect place to read this novella, and I can't wait to continue on in the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Onyx

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series/Standalone: Lux Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Pages: 421

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook (Library Copy)

"BEING CONNECTED TO DAEMON BLACK SUCKS....

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon's determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connections. So I've sworn him off, even though he's running more hot than cold these days. But we've got bigger problems.

SOMETHING WORSE THAN ARUM HAS COME TO TOWN

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked. I'm a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who's got a secret of his own. He knows what's happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard. 

BUT THEN, EVERYTHING CHANGES

I've seen someone who shouldn't be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he's never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them- from me?

NO ONE IS WHO THEY SEEM. AND NOT EVERYONE WILL SURVIVE THE LIES."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I still enjoyed this second book in the series. It remains nostalgic and fun. The only complaint I have for this one is the extreme stupidity of our main character. Which is kind of a part of books written in this time, but as a grown woman, I was screaming at her to make better choices, on repeat! Still fun, I look forward to continuing to read the series and having fun with the concept.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Title: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Author: Cheryl Strayed

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Travel

Pages: 336

Publisher: Knopf

Year Published: 2012

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered, and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State- and she would do it alone.

Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened and ultimately healed her."

My Rating: 4/5

I have started to read more and more nonfiction reads, usually gravitating towards memoirs or biographies as I love hearing about how people survive, overcome or become who they are in current times. This was no different. I think that Cheryl's perspective is interesting, heartbreaking and quirky. It makes you wonder what you would do in her shoes, both throughout life and while on the trail itself. It inspires you. That being said, she did hike the trail in 1995, which was a vastly different time. I'm curious to see what has changed, would she do it again, etc. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Isolation by Dan Wells

Title: Isolation

Author: Dan Wells

Series/Standalone: Partials Sequence (Book # 0.5)

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Novella

Pages: 75

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Year Published: 2012

Format: Ebook (Library)

"Two decades before the events of Partials, the world was locked in a different battle for survival: a global war for the last remaining oil reserves on the planet. It was for the Isolation War that the American government contracted the ParaGen Corporation to manufacture the Partials- our last hope in reclaiming energy independence from China. And it was on these fields of battle that the seeds of humanity's eventual destruction were sown.

Isolation takes us back to the front lines of this war, a time when mankind's ambition far outstripped its foresight. Heron, a newly trained Partial soldier who specializes in infiltration, is sent on a mission deep behind enemy lines. What she discovers there has far-reaching implications- not only for the Isolation War, but for Partials and humans alike long after this war is over."

My Rating:4/5

I should have read these in publication order because this really built on Heron as a character, I just don't think I realized what this novella was about and I couldn't find an audiobook for this one. I really loved seeing what made Heron who she is in the Partials series. I would have liked to see the part she played in the Partial War/Revolution though. If you have read the first one I beg of you to read this before starting the second one.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Partials by Dan Wells

Title: Partials

Author: Dan Wells

Series/Standalone: Partials Sequence (Book #1)

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Science Fiction

Pages: 468

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook (Own Physical Copy)

"Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with Partials- engineered organic beings identical to humans- has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. But sixteen-year-old Kira is determined to fin a solution. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and Partials rests in her attempts to answer questions about the war's origin that she never knew to ask. 

Playing on our curiosity and fascination with the complete collapse of civilization, Partials is, at its heart, a story of survival, one that explores the individual narratives and complex relationships of those left behind, both humans and Partials alike- and of the way in which the concept of what is right and wrong in this world is greatly dependent on one's own point of view."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was a fun reminder of why I loved dystopian young adults growing up. This has been on my shelf for YEARS and every time I went to pick it up I was deterred by the fact that the cover is pretty cringe-worthy and that it's a dystopian from the 2010s. Imagine my surprise when I was totally consumed by the plot of this book. Yes there are some plot holes and there are some moments where you can tell a teenage girl was written by a man, but overall the concepts, the intrigue and the atmosphere were so amazing to read. I have already borrowed the next audiobook from my library and I can't wait to settle into it and continue the story! Would strongly recommend it if you are looking for a dystopian from this time with a little romance but not a ton along with a wonderful atmosphere!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

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: Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer

Title: Between the Lines

Author(s): Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer

Series/Standalone: Between the Lines Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 385

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook 

"Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book- one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous and loving. He really speaks to Delilah. And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He's a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He's sure there's more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom. 

A romantic and charming story, this companion novel to Off the Page will make every reader believe in the fantastical power of fairy tales."

My Rating: 3/5

This was a fun audiobook and I really enjoyed the concept of the story. Seeing such a popular author writing with her daughter gave me the warm and fuzzies but overall this book fell flat for me. I understand that I am not the targeted audience but there were a few messages that I wasn't a fan of. I liked how the characters appeared to be real teenagers. I liked that the perspectives alternated and the chapters from the book where Oliver lives help to really flesh out the world. All together, fun, but nothing that will stick with me. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Throne of Glass    

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series/Standalone: Throne of Glass Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 406

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Year Published: 2012

Format: Own It (Paperback Copy)

"In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass- and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world."

My Rating: 4/5

I didn't know what to expect when going into this loved series but it wasn't this. I purposefully left myself in the dark throughout the books coming out and now I'm hoping (as long as I keep enjoying the series) I plan to binge through this series. I loved the characters in this first book, the plot was interesting and I'm curious to learn more about the world. I do wonder where the series will take us considering it is 7 (I think) books long. I look forward to watching the relationships between our characters grow. Overall this book was great, just not all I had heard it was hyped up about.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Redemption

Author(s): Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Series/Standalone: Caster Chronicles (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Pages: 456

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook

"Is death the end... or only the beginning?

Ethan Wate has spent most of his life longing to escape the stiflingly small Southern town of Gatlin. He never thought he would meet the girl of his dreams, Lena Duchannes, who unveiled a secretive, powerful and cursed side of Gatlin, hidden in plain sight. And he never could have expected that he would be forced to leave behind everyone and everything he cares about. So when Ethan awakes after the chilling events of the Eighteenth Moon, he has only one goal: to find a way to return to Lena and the ones he loves.

Back in Gatlin, Lena is making her own bargains for Ethan's return, vowing to do whatever it takes-- even if that means trusting old enemies or risking the lives of the family and friends Ethan left to protect.

Worlds apart, Ethan and Lena must once again work together to rewrite their fate, in this stunning finale to the Beautiful Creatures series."

My Rating: 2.75/5

This was a fun audiobook series to listen to. It wasn't too heavy and was the right amount of nostalgia for the 2010 reading that I would have done in high school. Is it a masterpiece, no but it was entertaining and fun? I loved a lot of the characters that we were introduced to throughout the course of the series and watching them all play their parts throughout the series was heartbreaking/heartwarming all at once. Will I ever reread this series? Probably not. Would I pick up the Link spin off? I might. Sometimes you gotta enjoy the throwbacks.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Title: A Million Suns

Author: Beth Revis

Series/Standalone: Across the Universe Series (Book #2)

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance

Pages: 386

Publisher: Razorbill

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook

"Godspeed was once fueled by lies. now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. Everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed.

But there may be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to act on his vision- no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder learns shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a mystery that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier. Their success- or failure- will determine the fate of the 2,298 passengers aboard Godspeed. But with each step, the journey becomes more perilous, the ship more chaotic, and the love between them more impossible to fight.

Beth Revis catapulted readers into the far reaches of space with her New York Times bestselling debut, Across the Universe. In A Million Suns, Beth deepens the mystery with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship."

My Rating: 4/5

I'm gonna be clear, this is a fast-paced, young adult science fiction book.... that was written in 2012. So if you are a twenty-something like me still reading through your tbr from when you were 18 you might know what I mean by this. And that would be the fact that there is a somewhat uninteresting romance in her. I get what the author was doing, I understand it was very standard for the time, but god damn do I not care about the romance in this. The rest of this book though is fascinating. The mystery aspects, the dual p.o.v. the different atmosphere changes within the ship itself, and the author's ability to keep the reader entertained throughout. I look forward to completing this series soon and would recommend it as a fun science fiction read to people who long for the 2012 nostalgia in their YA.

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: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Shadow and Bone

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Series/Standalone: The Shadow and Bone Trilogy (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy,

Pages: 358

Publisher: Square Fish

Year Published: 2012

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "The servants called them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke's house like giggling phantoms, darting in and out of the rooms., hiding in cupboards to eavesdrop, sneaking into the kitchen to setal the last of the summer peaches."

"Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn into two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life- a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secret of the Grisha... and the secrets of her heart."

My Rating: 4.75/5

This was such a refreshing read. It was exactly what I needed to read this month. It really reminded me of the Young Adult fantasy that I used to read when I was younger, and why I started writing out my thoughts in the first place. I have so many thoughts on the characters, and I'm intrigued by the world as well. The plot was intriguing and the twists were so fun. I also enjoyed reading about the atmosphere and the training aspects of the story. Most of all I'm interested in the history of the world, and where this plot is taking our characters. 

Will I be buying the whole box set? Absolutely.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Kill Order by James Dashner

Title: The Kill Order

Author: James Dashner

Series/Standalone: The Maze Runner Series (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Pages: 327

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook

"Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.

Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there's something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it's mutating, and all the evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.

Mark and Trina are convinced there's a way to save those left from descending into madness. And they're determined to find it- if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you're worth more dead than alive."

My Rating: 4/5

I love a prequel that describes where the first book takes off. I think that this story did an excellent job of explaining the flares and the illness. Just how everything started out really. This was heart-wrenching and made me angry about how WICKED used people and their innocence to start a pandemic. That being said, maybe not the best thing to read during a global pandemic. I loved Alex's character and would have done anything for that sweet, gruff man. The plot of this book reinvigorated me for the last book in the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Sidny

Book Review: The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Title: The Girl You Left Behind

Author: Jojo Moyes

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Adult, Romance

Pages: 480

Publisher: Penguin Books

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook

"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Giver of Stars, a sweeping bestseller of love and loss, deftly weaving two journeys from World War I France to present day London.

Paris, World War I. Sophie Lefevre must keep her family safe while her adored husband, Edouard, fights at the front. When their town falls to the Germans, Sophie is forced to serve them every evening at her hotel. From the moment the new Kommandant sets eyes on Sophie's portrait- painted by her artist husband- a dangerous obsession is born.

Almost a century later in London, Sophie's portrait hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a wedding gift from her young husband before his sudden death. After a chance encounter reveals the portrait's true worth, a battle begins over its troubled history and Liv's world is turned upside all over again."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I remember hearing about this book from someone, and to be honest I'm not even sure where I heard about it. The concept interested me. The idea of a painting that has travelled and how it got where it is interesting to me. The problem for me was that the characters just weren't fleshed out enough. I felt that they were made intentionally sad, which is fine, but I was more told to feel sad for them then truly shown their suffering in any way. There just wasn't enough connection for me. I felt like the character of Sophie was the character that I connected the most with and even then that wasn't until closer to the end of the story. Overall, I found that this book was just ok. I wouldn't really recommend it unless you're really pulled in by plot lines alone. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Wonder by RJ Palacio

Title: Wonder
Author: R.J Palacio
Series/Standalone: Wonder Series (Book #1)
Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Pages: 315
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Year Published: 2012
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "I know I'm not an ordinary ten-year-old kid."

"'I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.'

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid- but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Time bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie's point of view, but switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion and acceptance."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book has touched a lot of people and made them think about their places in the world, as well as in other people's lives. I kind of knew what this story was about and some of the content matter, but I wasn't prepared for how brutal it got at some points. I enjoyed this story overall, I understand how it gained such traction and why so many middle schooler's read it. I just don't think it was for me 100% there were just some points that I thought could have been done better or actions could have been taken to tell more of his mother's story. That being said I enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone in middle school.  I'm excited to watch the movie adaptation as well. Anyone have a preference between the two?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Fever by Lauren Destefano

Title: Fever
Author: Lauren Destefano
Series/Standalone: The Chemical Gardens Series (Book #2)
Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 341
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Year Published: 2012
Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)
First Line: "We run, with water in our shoes and the smell of the ocean clinging to our frozen skin."

"Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans wait for her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago- surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopefulness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine's twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous- and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can't seem to elude Rhine's father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion... by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren Destefano's harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price- now that she has more to lose than ever."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This series just continues to surprise me. It's not following every other formula that I've seen for dystopian books. I was so excited to see where this series would go and it really didn't do the expected. What I expected was that they would find her brother and set up a plot to attack the government or House Vaughan. Spoilers: That's not what happened. At all. We saw so many different aspects of this world and how people were surviving. Also, the changes in government and laws were extremely interesting. I can't wait to see where the story goes after the crazy conclusion.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Title: Tiger Lily
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings
Pages: 292
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Year Published: 2012
Format: Hardcover Copy 
First Line: "She stands on the cliffs, near the old crumbling stone house."

"Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair...

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthrals her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything- her family, her future- to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Peaches comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up."

My Rating: 1/5

Starting this out maybe wrong, I read Peaches in high school and I freaking loved it! I saw that there was another book she had written a while ago and bought it. It sat on my shelf for a while and when a prompt for a book with orange on the cover came up in the Winter  Magical Readathon. So I decided to read it. And the description tells the whole story. The characters were unrelatable for myself and I felt that there were no real stakes. I think that the plot wasn't paced well things that should have been weighed more weren't were as poetic writing took up many pages. It just wasn't for me. I hope that upon rereading Peaches series I can relive some of the original writing that I liked. Realizing that I am older and more skeptical makes me think that I might not enjoy that as much either. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Save Yourself by Jermey Whitley

Title: Save Yourself
Author: Jeremy Whitley
Artists: Mia Goodwin, Jung-Ha Kim, Dave Dwonch
Series/Standalone: Princeless Series (Volume 1)
Genre: Grahic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 140
Publisher: Action Lab
Year Published: 2012
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Princeless is the story of Princess Adrienne, one princess who's tired of waiting to be rescued. Join Adrienne, her guardian dragon, Sparky, and their plucky friend Bedelia as they begin their own quest in this one of a kind, action packed, all-ages adventures."

My Rating: 4/5


This was a really cute first installment. It really is a feminist princess story, one that I think so many young girls should read. I think it really kicks in for someone my age who still grew up with Disney Princess unreal expectations, but then sees how the world is changing in the most positive way for women. We're not quite there, but we're taking steps to become more than just a princess waiting for a rescuer and that's saying something.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Title: Of Poseidon
Author: Anna Banks
Series/Standalone: The Syrena Legacy (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 324
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year Published: 2012
Format: Audiobook

"Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen- literally, ouch!- both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gift. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance."

My Rating: 4/5

This book was something that I couldn't have imagined. I was surprised to enjoy listening to it so much. It was everything that I wanted from a paranormal romance. Mermaids, sarcasm, sexual tension and most importantly a mystery that will change the main characters life. I loved the characters and both the fantastical elements and the realistic ones. I can't wait to continue the series and see where the characters go. Especially after the final twist?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny