Book Review: Court by Tracy Wolff

Title: Court

Author: Tracy Wolff

Series/Standalone: Crave Series (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Pages: 720

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"No one survived the last battle unscathed. Flint is angry at the world, Jaxon is turning into something I don't recognize, and Hudson has put up a wall I'm not sure I'll ever break through.

Now war is coming, and we're not ready. We're going to need an army to have any hope of winning. But first, there are questions about my ancestors that need answers. Answers that might just reveal who the real monster is among us.

And that's saying something in a world filled with bloodthirsty vampires, immortal gargoyles and an ancient battle between two gods.

There's no guarantee that anyone will be left standing when the dust settles, but if we want to save this world, I have no choice. I'll have to embrace every part of me... even the parts I fear the most."

My Rating: 2/5

I was really enjoying this series, but this one seemed to drag so much that I actually had to return it and come back to it to be able to finish it. The whole series has always been pretty over the top, but this one felt as though the author was trying really hard to be serious. That is not what I want from the series and I'm unsure if I will be continuing on.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Coven by Jennifer Dugan

Title: Coven

Author: Jennifer Dugan

Illustrator: Kit Seaton

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Graphic Novels, Urban Fantasy, YA

Pages: 288

Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2022

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Emsy has always lived in sunny California, and she'd much rather spend her days surfing with her friends or hanging out with her girlfriend than honing her powers as a fire elemental. But when members of her family's coven back east are murdered under mysterious circumstances that can only be the result of powerful witchcraft, her family must suddenly return to dreary upstate New York. There, Emsy will have to master her neglected craft in order to find the killer... before her family becomes their next target."

My Rating: 1.5/5

This was not for me and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm missing some other lore or information. Is this part of a series? A spin-off of a famous show or a retelling of some kind? I really wanted to like it but I just found that I was bored throughout the entirety and it felt as though at some points I was in the middle of a series that I hadn't started at the beginning of. Does anyone out there know?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

Title: Rhapsodic

Author: Laura Thalassa

Series/Standalone: The Bargainer (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 326

Publisher: Lavabrook Publishing Group

Year Published: 2016

Format: Ebook (Own a Physical Copy)

"Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want... at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one."

My Rating: 3.75/5

I didn't anticipate this book being an urban fantasy when I picked it up so after adapting my expectations about the plot a bit, I really enjoyed it. The characters had clear chemistry and the romance was a slow burn in my mind, but I know that my expectations of that and others are not the same. The ending wrapped up way too fast in my opinion, it felt rushed and didn't read the same as the rest of the book, I will be continuing the series, but I hope that in the following books, the pacing of the plot is laid out a little better. 

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

Review: Okay by Kieron Gillen

Title: Okay

Author: Kieron Gillen

Contributor(s): Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 9)

Genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 168

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"After five years, we reach the final volume. We go not gentle into that good night, but go driving a converted tank, covered in glitter and spangles, with a sound system audible from Mars blaring nothing but bangers. Gods, pop stars, an ending. We'll miss you."

My Rating: 5/5

What a fucking finale. Watching how this series came to a close was absolutely magnificent. I read this volume in one sitting and couldn't speed through it fast enough. Watching our characters grow and the rapid plot twists throughout the series has been so entertaining. If you're looking for an urban fantasy, alternative reality graphic novel series I would high recommend it. It doesn't always make a lot of sense, but we got there in the end. I would highly recommend it. Also, the art style is stunning throughout! Absolutely stunning.

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: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Title: Legendborn

Author: Tracy Deonn

Series/Standalone: Legendborn Cycle (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 501

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape- until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.

A flying demon feeding on human energies.

A secret society of so called "Legendborn" students that hunt the creatures down.

And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a 'Merlin' and who attempts- and fails- to wipe Bree's memory of everything she saw.

The mage's failure unlocks Bree\s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there's more to her mother's death than what's on the police report, she'll do whatever it takes to find the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates.

She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society's secrets- and closer to each other. But when the Legenedborn reveals themselves as the descendants of King Arthur's knights and explains that a magical war is coming Bree has to decide how far she'll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down- or join the fight."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was such a fun urban ya fantasy to listen to. I think that the author did a wonderful job of creating a secret society and its past in such a short amount of time. The diversity in this book was amazing, we had nonbinary characters, LGBT characters, and p.o.c characters. I was impressed with the discussions that took place regarding the racism that is built into societies such as this one, and the history of North America as well. The only reason this book wasn't all I wanted is the age of the main character. i wished that this was a new adult just so then the book could really go there for the different romance opportunities. I also had trouble remembering that she was 16, not 18 as she was at a college campus. This might just be a me problem. I plan to continue the series after the dynamic ending and can't wait to see where the second book takes these characters.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The King of Crows by Libba Bray

Title: The King of Crows

Author: Libba Bray

Series/Standalone: The Diviners Series (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Pages: 560

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook (Own a physical copy)

"The breath-taking finale to the epic New York Times bestseller, The Diviners, from Printz winner and beloved author, Libba Bray.

After the horrifying explosion that claimed one of their own, the Diviners find themselves wanted by the US government and on the brink of war with the King of Crows.

While Memphis and Isaiah run for their lives from the mysterious Shadow Men, Isaiah receives a startling vision of a girl, Sarah Beth Olson, who could shift the balance in their struggle for peace. Sarah Beth says she knows how to stop the King of Crows- but, she will need the Diviner's help to do it.

Elsewhere, Jericho has returned after his escape from Jake Marlowe's estate, where he has learned the shocking truth behind the King of Crow's plans. Now, the Diviners must travel to Bountiful, Nebraska, in hopes of joining forces with Sarah Beth and to stop the King of Crows and his army of the dead forever.

But as rumors of towns becoming ghost towns and the dead developing unprecedented powers begin to surface, all hope seems to be lost.

In the sweeping finale, The Diviners will be forced to confront their greatest fears and learn to rely on one another if they hope to save the nation, and world from catastrophe..."

My Rating: 4/5

This book started off being just ok for me. If you're going into this book after the excitement of the third one maybe take a breather and think about how much time the author had between writing each installment. It's important to acknowledge that before leaping in. The first half off the book was slow going I felt like part of the magic (New York City) had been taken away without anything to give. After getting to the towns and meeting together I felt better about where this finale was headed. I loved the fast-paced action and horror aspects of the last section in the book. There are a few things I'd like to change, but I do respect what the author chose to do. Overall, I'm satisfied.

Review: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen

Title: The Faust Act

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 176

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Every ninety years, twelve gods incarnate as humans. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are dead. The team behind critical tongue-attractors like Young Avengers and PHONOGRAM reunite to create a world where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. But remember: just because you're immortal, doesn't mean you're going to live forever..."

My Rating: 3/5

This was a really solid start to the series, but I did feel like we as readers are thrown in rather quickly. I'm not sure how else the story would be told, but for some reason I thought that the gods were going to be based only on greek mythology, so I"m a little lost with some of the gods that are being introduced. I liked the brutal art style, as well as our main character so I'm hoping that I will enjoy the series as I continue forward. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny