#paigesreviews

[yadaily]

The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves #1) by Roshani Chokshi

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

No one believes in them. But soon no one will forget them. It's 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance. To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood. Together, they will join Séverin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history--but only if they can stay alive.

Read on Wordpress!

I had been meaning to get around to this book for so long, so when I saw that The Gilded Wolves Readathon was happening, I knew I was in. And boy, I’m so glad I read this. I’ve strayed from YA Fantasy in recent years, but Chokshi made null and void all of my typical hesitations and concerns with how deftly and intricately she plotted and wrote this story. I had seen a lot of people compare this book to Six of Crows, and while I haven’t read Six of Crows yet, I understand the knee-jerk comparisons. However, this book was doing something really, really special with its mythology and characters that I don’t think I’ve seen replicated in many, if any, other works.

While I got lost a bit in the mythology in the beginning of this book, as I felt a bit info-dumped on and like I was struggling to understand each key point’s interaction with another, I still very thoroughly enjoyed its place and its individual aspects. I loved that Chokshi weaved religion into the mythology here, that those two things and/or their respective cultures existed not in opposition with each other but as vital, integral parts to each’s existence. She didn’t shy away from confronting colonialism in this book, it was this book. From the subtle to the outright, opposition towards colonialism and colonialist exhibitionism are at the heart of this story and its characters’ lives. A lot of other works are afraid to do what this has done.

The characters, too, were incredible. I loved them all. I was invested in each and every single relationship. I loved that Séverin and Laila had this undercurrent of pre-established tension and romance that infused their every moment with each other. I loved Enrique and Zofia and Tristan, and I loved the burgeoning love triangle between Enrique/Zofia/Hypnos. First time I’ve been genuinely interested in and possibly torn between a love triangle in…years. Years. The whole found family trope was just on perfect display here.

However, while I loved Laila so much and she undoubtedly played an integral role in this story in every way she could (and I think she’s going to play an even more prominent and important one in the sequel), I felt she often became this kind of caretaker. Sure, she loved assisting others, but I felt uncomfortable in moments where everyone was working hard and “tangibly” towards an acquistion’s planning and she was just…making everyone food. I hope that such a vibrant, bright, interesting and well-developed character as Laila will continue to break out of that mold.

The climax of this book was…oof. I could not put it down. I loved every minute of it, even its most heartbreaking but realistic, and this book is now so perfectly positioned for its sequel, it’s unreal. I am so, so looking forward to seeing the characters and their relationships grow, and this story just get even more convoluted.

[yadaily]

American Royals (American Royals #1) by Katharine McGee

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Two princesses vying for the ultimate crown. Two girls vying for the prince's heart. This is the story of the American royals. When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne. Like most royal families, the Washingtons have an heir and a spare. A future monarch and a backup battery. Each child knows exactly what is expected of them. But these aren't just any royals. They're American. And their country was born of rebellion. As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America's first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling. Nobody cares about the spare except when she's breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn't care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her. And then there's Samantha's twin, Prince Jefferson. If he'd been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart. The duty. The intrigue. The Crown. New York Times bestselling author Katharine McGee imagines an alternate version of the modern world, one where the glittering age of monarchies has not yet faded--and where love is still powerful enough to change the course of history.

View on WordPress

My summer of royal reads continues, I see, and I was so elated to receive a copy of this title in advance. The summary had me hooked so quick and within just the first few pages, I knew I would be unable to put this novel down — and I was right. I practically swallowed it whole. While I approached the concept of an American monarchy with a bit of trepidation, it was the characters and their respective romances which really kept me hooked. Their stories were filled with both joy and heartbreak at every turn, and watching each character grow in their own right was a real treat. I’m already eagerly anticipating the sequel, as I need my hands on more of this story immediately. For any fans of The Selection, I urge you to run to your local bookstore on September 3rd — this is the perfect read if you’re looking for those same vibes again.

Though I felt like the prose sometimes became bogged down by the multiple narrators, it drove forward, for the most part, at an impeccable pace. It flowed really well. However, it also covered a lot of ground very quickly, and while that led to a feeling that the plot was rushed in places, it also set the novel up perfectly for a sequel (especially with that cliffhanger — oof). Is it predictable? Sure. But is it also an enjoyable read? Absolutely. Tropes are fun to engage with and I expected to here, and those elements didn’t disappoint. I wasn’t expecting anything groundbreaking. If you’re looking for a solid royal romance, this is one.

My one major complaint was that the language felt tone-deaf at times, namely when it was attempting to slyly refer to the America that could-be in this novel; that is, the American democracy we actually live in. It felt so contrived. Considering the current political climate and all that we know about how history really went down, I thought that a little more attention given to the way those bits of prose were actually written would do the novel well. I have no problem with revisionist novels most of the time, but there are a lot of massive, ingrained problems associated with monarchy, especially one which apparently thrives in modern times. Sure, this was a fun read. But the novel tackling those issues head-on instead of skirting around them would only add to this story, not detract from it. America’s history is dark and bad and uncomfortable to confront, but our stories become all the more strong when we do. We can’t ignore that America was built on the backs of colonized Indigenous peoples, and we shouldn’t want to. I hope to see these issues addressed in the sequel (and I have a feeling I will).

Overall, I enjoyed this story. I don’t think it’s pretending to be anything that it’s not, and while I have problems with the revisionist history, the truth is it’s not trying to be about that. It’s just telling of royal romances which happen to be set in a hypothetical America. I look forward to watching each character’s story further unfold in the sequel.

[yadaily]

Her Royal Highness (Royals #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Millie Quint is devastated when she discovers that her sort-of-best friend/sort-of-girlfriend has been kissing someone else. And because Millie cannot stand the thought of confronting her ex every day, she decides to apply for scholarships to boarding schools . . . the farther from Houston the better. Millie can't believe her luck when she's accepted into one of the world's most exclusive schools, located in the rolling highlands of Scotland. Everything about Scotland is different: the country is misty and green; the school is gorgeous, and the students think Americans are cute. The only problem: Mille's roommate Flora is a total princess. She's also an actual princess. Of Scotland. At first, the girls can barely stand each other--Flora is both high-class and high-key--but before Millie knows it, she has another sort-of-best-friend/sort-of-girlfriend. Even though Princess Flora could be a new chapter in her love life, Millie knows the chances of happily ever afters are slim . . . after all, real life isn't a fairy tale . . . or is it?

View on WordPress | Buy on Book Depository

It’s no secret that Rachel Hawkins is one of my absolute favorite authors, and I was so glad to see her release another Royals novel. Her Royal Highness is such a fantastic complement to Royals (now re-packaged as Prince Charming) and I absolutely adored it. Whereas Royals spent a lot of time enveloping you in the world of royalty and all that encompasses, this story was a pure and sweet romance. While those royal elements were there, of course, how could they not be, they were not the focus of this novel. I love both novels, but this one has a really special place in my heart.

I feel like I got a really incredible sense of Millie’s voice and Flora’s character. I was so glad to see more of Flora, as just from the brief glimpses we got of her in Royals, I knew she had such a story to share. The two girls complimented each other so well and to see their hatred turn to tentative acquaintanceship to budding romance was beautiful, and felt so, so natural. They both grew and changed apart, but together and because of each other as well. It was truly heartwarming. While I’m not a fan of insta-love, I thought it was actually really effective here! I recognize the tradition of the Happily Ever After this novel is situating itself in, and I thought the use of the convention was in line with my expectations. Also, it was so far towards the end I could understand and excuse it a bit more than I probably normally would. My one gripe, which may not be important to some but is certainly important to others, is that Flora directly identifies herself as gay towards the end, but I think it would have been really important to use the word lesbian. The two words have such different connotations and histories, and it would have been really nice to see in a novel targeted toward young, developing teenage girls.

I’m also glad that this was such a lighthearted read. While questions of sexuality and identity obviously came up, and some heavier stuff was discussed, this book so smoothly interspersed those moments with the fluff that you still came away undoubtedly reading it as a romance novel. The only thing I wish were present was a little bit more of Millie’s “old” life meeting the new. I understood why it wasn’t there and honestly, maybe it wouldn’t have fit in this story, but I still wish I had gotten some glimpses of how her two worlds would have collided directly. I was also glad to see the Royals characters that I knew and loved, even if only briefly. Their voices and characterizations remained so true to what I remembered of them, and it was a real treat.

Overall, this story is one that filled my heart with just so much light and love and hope. I was literally feeling all warm and fuzzy while reading it, and telling these important same-sex romance stories in such an accessible, casual manner is integral to the genre’s future. I am sure this novel will join a really fantastic and ever-developing tradition, and I’m excited to see the important work it does. Let’s all ensure that we give it the space to do so and to reach a wider audience.

[yadaily]

Little White Lies (Debutantes #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

"I'm not saying this is Sawyer's fault," the prim and proper one said delicately. "But." Eighteen-year-old auto mechanic Sawyer Taft did not expect her estranged grandmother to show up at her apartment door and offer her a six-figure contract to participate in debutante season. And she definitely never imagined she would accept. But when she realizes that immersing herself in her grandmother's "society" might mean discovering the answer to the biggest mystery of her life-her father's identity-she signs on the dotted line and braces herself for a year of makeovers, big dresses, bigger egos, and a whole lot of bless your heart. The one thing she doesn't expect to find is friendship, but as she's drawn into a group of debutantes with scandalous, dangerous secrets of their own, Sawyer quickly discovers that her family isn't the only mainstay of high society with skeletons in their closet. There are people in her grandmother's glittering world who are not what they appear, and no one wants Sawyer poking her nose into the past. As she navigates the twisted relationships between her new friends and their powerful parents, Sawyer's search for the truth about her own origins is just the beginning.

View on Wordpress

I have always been an enormous fan of debutante stories, as well as an even bigger fan of Jennifer Lynn Barnes. The Fixer has long been one of my favorite books, so I knew that this book would be immensely satisfying. And it certainly was. This book is full of mystery, intrigue, twists and turns only Barnes can pull off so well, and gripping characters. While I’d love to have seen some ~romance~ included, this was a fantastic start to what I’m sure will be an incredible series.

Sawyer Taft anchors this story, and she was really the one I felt kept it moving forward. I loved seeing her development, but what initially drew me to her was how steadfast she was from the beginning. She’s driven, committed, and knows what she wants and how she wants to get it, social expectations be damned. She comes to many a realization over the course of this novel, and I felt a got a great sense of who she really was in the wake of so many plot twists because she was established so well at the start. All of the characters really start to come into their own and become humanized over the course of the novel. They don’t remain caricatures of debutantes or southern society girls, and the progression of Sawyer and Lily’s relationship really aids that. I loved seeing the growth of their friendship and I cannot wait to see even more of it in the future.

While I loved the concept of the novel and the plot did end up coming together very nicely, there were times where I felt it was just a bit hard to follow and fully understand all the familial relationships and what exactly the story was leading up to. I’ve had this problem in the past with some of her novels, but knowing that everything was sure to be worked out by the end really kept my attention despite any confusion I felt. I would have liked to see the interludes in the holding cell be fleshed out more in particular, as the humor and banter (which is phenomenal throughout!) really shined through in those chapters. There were times where I felt like I was just not getting full explanations for important moments, but the story moved forward steadily and the pacing was well-done regardless.

I found the mystery surrounding Nick the most compelling part of the novel, and I’m excited to see even more with him in future novels. The twist at the end was perfect and very necessary, as I started to worry that things were wrapping up just a bit too nicely once I got into the latter portions of the novel. Overall, I’m very much looking forward to the continuation of this series, and I know that whatever complex plot moves Barnes has in store for the next installment are going to be just as alluring as the ones on display here.

[yadaily]

Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Small

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 

Publication: May 21, 2019

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for providing an advanced copy of the novel and for inviting me to be a part of the blog tour!

Synopsis: Best friends Marine Duval and Kate Sanders have trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School since childhood, where they’ve formed an inseparable bond forged by respective family tragedies and a fierce love for dance. When the body of a student is found in the dorms just before the start of their final year, Marine and Kate begin to ask themselves what they would do to win the ultimate prize: to be the one girl selected to join the Opera’s prestigious corps de ballet. Would they die? Cheat? Seduce the most talented boy in the school, dubbed the Demigod, hoping his magic would make them shine, too? Neither girl is sure. But then Kate gets closer to the Demigod, even as Marine has begun to capture his heart. And as selection day draws near, the competition—for the prize, for the Demigod—becomes fiercer, and Marine and Kate realize they have everything to lose, including each other. 

View on WordPress

I’m obsessed with ballerina thrillers, as I think that by nature of a story being rooted in such a cutthroat world, you’re almost always certain to get one hell of an enthralling story. Bright Burning Stars definitely leans towards the more mature side of the Young Adult genre with its NA flair, and there are a number of trigger warnings which I hope readers will consider (which I will list at the end of this review if you’d like to scroll down and peek at those now before continuing to read). That said, the author’s background in competitive ballet was a really important factor here, and it was clear that while this story was written with love, it was not without a critical eye. Her knowledge shone through in every word and helped root the reader in the story, hooking you from the very beginning. It was a very interesting read, and while it wasn’t a favorite of mine, I do believe it is doing important work in a compelling manner.

Kate and Marine were fascinating characters. I found Kate’s narrative and her character arc to be just slightly more riveting, but the two women balanced the story between the “classic” issues one would expect a novel about the ballet world to handle and those newer, more interesting and refreshing issues which one may not even have previously thought factor into life as a prima ballerina. I thought the way that the two girls were depicted as drawing both together and apart in distinct stages was very fitting and natural. Oftentimes in close friendships, your lives may simply diverge for a number of reasons without some huge external factor contributing to it, and it was nice to see that dynamic on display. It also enabled the reader to really get into each girl’s head and understand their personal worldview. I also adored the relative isolation of this story. It helped pull you into the world, even though the prose itself, unfortunately, did not. The technical language sometimes overwhelmed some of the story’s grandest moments, but they still made an impact on me.

However, I grew frustrated towards the middle of the novel with its linear nature. There was nothing to drive the story forward except your knowledge that the school year had to come to an end and someone had to win “the Prize,” but that led to the middle section of the novel really dragging. Kate also frustrated me, as she made the same mistakes over and over and over again with almost no clue she was making them, and I wanted to scream at her by the end of the book. While that can be effective in some cases, I’m not sure if it paid off here. I also wished we had gotten more of Cyrille, especially his backstory. I thought the use of created archetypes throughout the book was incredible, and I loved seeing Cyrille slowly become humanized while still never losing that otherworldly luster which was assigned to him. I think the novel could have benefitted from unpacking him further.

Overall, this was a very interesting read and one that I know will stick with me for a long time. While I don’t think every issue it brought up was necessarily handled well (perhaps too many were considered for just one novel), the raw, real and undoubtedly blunt depiction of this world was highly effective. For fans of the really dark and nitty-gritty, this is a perfect read.

[yadaily]

Any Second by Kevin Emerson

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Publication: November 20, 2018

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Five years after being kidnapped, Elian's captor sends him into the mall--with a bomb strapped to his chest. Across the mall is Maya, a girl whose crippling anxiety holds her prisoner in its own way. Whether it's chance or fate, Maya keeps Eli from ending them all. And now nothing is the same. Drawn together by their dark pasts, Maya and Eli know it takes only seconds for their entire worlds to change. But time will tell if meeting each other will change them for better or worse.

View on WordPress

This book was a lot to take in. I was immediately intrigued by the premise, but the story ended up taking me somewhere completely unexpected and surprising me consistently along the way. However, while I am not typically one to issue trigger warnings, I believe some may need to proceed with caution when reading this novel. The subject matter can be hard to read at times and it handles mature themes throughout. While it does so with a deft hand and with care, for sensitive readers or those YA readers who may be on the younger end of the targeted age group, I would tread lightly. There is some seriously disturbing imagery on display.

With a title like "Any Second," I was expecting the story to remain in the moment of this almost-tragedy just a bit more, but I ended up being very glad it expanded beyond that. So much time and attention were given to the repercussions of this event and its subsequent re-adjustment period, and the nuance with which it was detailed cannot be overstated. The story handles such things as kidnapping, indoctrination, drug abuse, Stockholm syndrome, and so much more that is seamlessly integrated. While it wasn't the most engaging read, it certainly raised critical and often overlooked questions.

Eli and Maya were interesting characters, and I loved seeing how they developed and how their shared trauma bound them together. They were both highly damaged but handling it in very different ways. However, the brief inklings of romance between the two were very weird and unnecessary. It's important to recognize the connection that was formed between them, but that was just odd and didn't enhance the story at all. The side characters were also very interesting, and surprisingly fully fleshed out. I loved the slow build of suspense they contributed to, as the reader could tell something was seriously off, but the two main characters were so wrapped up in their own trauma that they couldn't see the warning signs. It helped to paint a more tragic picture.

However, the queer representation on display here was sketchy at best. Maya got consistently treated like garbage, and while she evolved past it, I'm not sure if the long, drawn-out sequences of her being mistreated were for good reason. I'm glad Maya developed and came to realize what was good for herself, but it was frustrating and hard to read at times.

This is a complex, nuanced novel which really delves into trauma, abhorrent acts and the reasons why and how some come to commit them, and the repercussions of it all. It was pretty nihilistic and depressing at times, just to see how two people could find themselves involved in such violence over and over again. While I enjoyed the read and found it important, this was certainly a lot to handle.

[yadaily]

The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Publication: September 18, 2018

True Detective meets The Exorcist in this gripping YA mystery debut about one girl’s exorcism—and her desperate quest to reunite with her demon Clare has been miserable since her exorcism. The preacher that rid her of evil didn’t understand that her demon—simply known as Her—was like a sister to Clare. Now, Clare will do almost anything to get Her back. After a chance encounter with the son of the preacher who exorcised her, Clare goes on an adventure through the dark underbelly of her small Southern town, discovering its deep-seated occult roots. As she searches for Her, she must question the fine lines between good and evil, love and hate, and religion and free will. Vivid and sharp, The Good Demon tells the unusual story of friendship amid dark Gothic horror.

View on WordPress

Girl meets demon. Girl loses demon. Girl is determined to get demon back. After Clare undergoes an exorcism, she finds herself lost, empty, and confused, unsure how to keep going in life without Her (her aptly named demon) beside, and inside, her. She becomes determined to get Her back, whatever the costs.

As a horror buff, I’m always looking for original, challenging ideas – and this was certainly that. It was such an interesting, unique concept. Instead of taking the typical route of talking about demonic possession, it instead dives deeper into life post-exorcism. With a very distinctive voice and a plot which calls upon classic horror tropes while still subverting many of them, this book was a thrill.

While I greatly enjoyed it, I wish there had been more information on Clare’s life before her demon found her instead of just her time with it. How did the two come to be together? Why was their attachment so strong? What was it about her that drew these dangerous forces in? While some of those questions get answered, it was a little too late in my opinion. I also really wanted more Southern Gothic elements. They were there, but barely touched upon, and I believe including more of those hot, sweaty summer nights and old town history and gossip would have only served to make this book more atmospheric. The horror really amped up towards the end, but there was a distinctive lack of external obstacles until about 60% in that could make the book drag a bit. However, the illustrations included were fantastic, and really enhanced the effect of the novel.

Clare was a very interesting character, but her relationship with Roy felt awkward, seemed even forced at times. I never got a good sense of them together, and just barely did I begin to understand them apart by the end. They were both so frustratingly naive. I only wish there had been more room for character development, though Clare did exhibit some great strides towards the end.

Overall, this was a very new idea and one which will set itself apart and challenge the YA horror genre. I enjoyed the story immensely, even when I didn’t enjoy all of its elements or every decision made by the author.

[yadaily]

Analee, In Real Life by Janelle Milanes

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Publication: September 18, 2018 from Simon Pulse

*OwnVoices for Latinx Rep*

Ever since her mom died three years ago, Analee Echevarria has had trouble saying out loud the weird thoughts that sit in her head. With a best friend who hates her and a dad who’s marrying a yogi she can’t stand, Analee spends most of her time avoiding reality and role-playing as Kiri, the night elf hunter at the center of her favorite online game. Through Kiri, Analee is able to express everything real-life Analee cannot: her bravery, her strength, her inner warrior. The one thing both Kiri and Analee can’t do, though, is work up the nerve to confess her romantic feelings for Kiri’s partner-in-crime, Xolkar—aka a teen boy named Harris whom Analee has never actually met in person. So when high school heartthrob Seb Matias asks Analee to pose as his girlfriend in an attempt to make his ex jealous, Analee agrees. Sure, Seb seems kind of obnoxious, but Analee could use some practice connecting with people in real life. In fact, it’d maybe even help her with Harris. But the more Seb tries to coax Analee out of her comfort zone, the more she starts to wonder if her anxious, invisible self is even ready for the real world. Can Analee figure it all out without losing herself in the process?

View on WordPress

There’s nothing I love more than a fake dating novel. Nothing. And when I tell you that this one is incredibly special, heartwarming, unique, and moving, I mean it. The story follows Analee, a socially-awkward sixteen year old who spends most of her time online playing video games and trying to devise a way to make her online crush like her back. Still reeling from her mother’s death and losing her best friend, Analee is in the process of not only trying to figure out her own person, but also watching her family stretch and change, what with her father getting married to a new woman soon. Right when Analee thinks things can’t get any harder, enter Seb, the soccer-star-most-popular-boy-in-school who suggests to Analee that they should fake date in order to get back what they both need the most. And from there, things spiral.

What I loved the most about this book was how integral the family elements were. Watching Analee try to navigate the complicated process of adjusting to new family dynamics while still feeling such a deep connection to the old ones was far more emotional than I ever expected it to be. By the end, I was literally weeping. But even though grief is at the forefront of this novel, it never once overpowers all the lighthearted, romantic elements. In fact, it just serves to enhance them. And it was surprisingly hilarious, too! The rapport between all of the characters felt so natural, and made relating to them so easily even when their situations were so unique.

But oh, Seb and Analee. I love how gently he coaxed her out of her shell, and how you could see her slowly change and adjust to her new life, her new self. And even though I was so irritated that Analee was so resistant to Seb’s kindness at first, and how she struggled to see that his feelings for her were so genuine, their relationship was so endearing, built on trust and honesty that you don’t often see in fake dating. There was no easy solution to Analee’s feelings, and honestly, there shouldn’t have been. This book was real, through and through, and I could not have appreciated it more.

My only real issue that I have with this book is that there was a little bit too much hatred of stereotypical femininity for my liking. I understood why, but it was constantly pulsing in the background of the story, even when it wasn’t obvious that it was happening. There were also not a lot of actual video game elements to this story. For me, that’s a great thing. For others, maybe not so much.

Overall, I could not have adored this novel more. It was such an incredible take on fake dating, and if you think you’ve seen it all before, this book proves you haven’t. If you’re looking for a good cry, I promise, you’ll be weeping tears of happiness, sadness, and emotions-you’ll-never-be-able-to-name for half an hour over this book. I know I did.

[yadaily]

The Chaos of Now by Erin Jade Lange

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★

Publication: October 2, 2018

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Is it real if it happens online? Life at Eli’s high school hasn’t been the same since his classmate Jordan committed suicide after being tirelessly bullied. Schools now have access to students’ online activities and students have less privacy than ever. Eli just wants to graduate—so he can get out of town, get away from his father’s embarrassingly young fiancée, and get himself a prestigious coding job. But Eli’s hacking skills get him roped into a vigilante website that—while subverting the school’s cybersnoops— seeks justice for Jordan and everyone else being bullied. Suddenly Eli finds himself in way over his head as his keystrokes start to have devastating consequences in the real world . . . This timely story from the author of Butter is a thrilling tale about the power of the internet, the young people who wield it, and the fine lines between bully and victim, justice and vengeance. 

View on WordPress

This book surprised me, and not necessarily in a good way. I was unsure what to expect, as I had never read a book concerning coding and hacking before, and I was especially wary of the bullying aspect of the novel. Bullying, albeit a serious topic, often gets treated in a manner by adults which makes it clear they have no real understanding of how bullying actually occurs in this day and age. While this book took pains to make it clear that actions on the Internet can have disastrous consequences, I feel like it lost its message along the way. Overall, I was left unimpressed and with a sour taste in my mouth.

For starters, the narrator was extremely unlikable – and not in a useful way. Filled with nerdy teenage angst and sexual frustration, I felt no attachment to him. At times, he was just plain mean. The humor on display was immature and very forced, and I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated with hearing these men talk. Furthermore, there was a lot of anti-sex work rhetoric and objectification of women that was infuriating. Like, we get it, you’re in love with the hot girl in your Spanish class who will never notice you much less speak to you – I’ve heard it all before. And there were moments where suicide was being painted as a selfish act, which is just unacceptable to present to young readers.

While there was interesting commentary on free speech and social media usage, I have to question how well it will resonate with a generation born and bred on technology. The situation was so outlandish I couldn’t suspend my belief far enough. However, the book was surprisingly not overwhelmed with coding jargon, which I was impressed by. I think there is a good audience out there for this book, but I simply was not it.

[yadaily]

The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★

When August learns that his best friend, Jack, shows signs of degenerative hallucinatory disorder, he is determined to help Jack cope. Jack’s vivid and long-term visions take the form of an elaborate fantasy world layered over our own—a world ruled by the Wicker King. As Jack leads them on a quest to fulfill a dark prophecy in this alternate world, even August begins to question what is real or not. August and Jack struggle to keep afloat as they teeter between fantasy and their own emotions. In the end, each must choose his own truth.

View on WordPress

This was one of the oddest, most intriguing books that I've ever read. It was genuinely eerie. I wasn't sure what I expected when I picked it up, but I was surprised by the direction the story went in - and I'm very glad I was. The chapters were incredibly short, and I found myself completely unable to put it down. I raced through this book like lightning.

It was, however, genuinely confusing at times. One of my biggest hesitations here is that there was definite romanticization of mental illness going on. Though it was done with brevity, purpose, and an incredibly deft hand, the relationship was objectively unhealthy. I loved the dynamic between the two boys, and the representation was fantastic what with the discovery not only of romantic feelings but of themselves as well, but it was just a bit off-putting. I felt so disconnected from them, and I was craving more depth to all of the characters involved. But what I adored was the format of this novel - how the detailing on the pages followed the progression of the story as it got darker and darker, and the use of photographs.

This was a very intriguing, delicate take on mental illness and co-dependency. I'm not entirely sure if I loved it, but it was thought-provoking and engaging. Though this seems like the kind of novel I should have salivated over, for whatever reason, I didn't.

[yadaily]

Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Editor)

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★

Whether or not you believe in fate, or luck, or love at first sight, every romance has to start somewhere. MEET CUTE is an anthology of original short stories featuring tales of "how they first met" from some of today’s most popular YA authors. 

Readers will experience Nina LaCour's beautifully written piece about two Bay Area girls meeting via a cranky customer service Tweet, Sara Shepard's glossy tale about a magazine intern and a young rock star, Nicola Yoon's imaginative take on break-ups and make-ups, Katie Cotugno's story of two teens hiding out from the police at a house party, and Huntley Fitzpatrick's charming love story that begins over iced teas at a diner. There’s futuristic flirting from Kass Morgan and Katharine McGee, a riveting transgender heroine from Meredith Russo, a subway missed connection moment from Jocelyn Davies, and a girl determined to get out of her small town from Ibi Zoboi. Jennifer Armentrout writes a sweet story about finding love from a missing library book, Emery Lord has a heartwarming and funny tale of two girls stuck in an airport, Dhonielle Clayton takes a thoughtful, speculate approach to pre-destined love, and Julie Murphy dreams up a fun twist on reality dating show contestants. This incredibly talented group of authors brings us a collection of stories that are at turns romantic and witty, epic and everyday, heartbreaking and real.

View on WordPress

I love finding new anthologies, and overall, this was a pretty average set of stories. There were a few standouts that I could read entire books of, and the second half was definitely better than the first, but overall it was pretty solid. There were wonderful, imaginative concepts all around, and for an insta-love hater like me, I enjoyed the romances a lot more than I anticipated.

Siege Etiquette by Katie Cotugno - 3/5

This was a nice way to start the book off, and I loved how realistic the scenario was. Sometimes those moments happen and you move on, and it doesn’t mean as much after its ended. However, 2nd person POV is really, really hard to do well, and while this wasn’t a total disaster, it ultimately fell flat.

Print Shop by Nina LaCour - 4/5

This was a very sweet, original idea. It was atmospheric, endearing, and you could tell it was completely genuine. I can always expect a solid story from LaCour, and great representation, of course.

Hourglass by Ibi Zoboi - 2/5

I loved that this story was centered around shopping for prom dresses, and the various anxieties which can emerge as a result. As a person who hated that fateful shopping trip myself, I was very empathetic. However, this didn’t really fit into this compilation at all, considering how there was basically no romance.

Click by Katharine McGee - 5/5

This was one of my favorites of the anthology, and loved how original and modern the concept was. It reminded me of Black Mirror’s “Hang the DJ” and even incorporated a nice, classic little rom-com twist. I loved both characters and their connection, and this story was just so adorable in general.

The Intern by Sara Shepard - 2/5

This story was not at all what I expected, and I was really hoping for something a bit more trope-y, but it was still cute. However, it somehow managed to still be underdeveloped and a little bit confusing.

Somewhere That’s Green by Meredith Russo - 3/5

This was a really interesting story, and a very necessary one to tell and normalize within YA fiction. It was well-written, and I loved the musical theater elements scattered throughout, but I found myself really skeptical of the “redemptive bigot” angle. Even though it ended up being very genuine, the perfect, happy ending just seemed too unrealistic.

The Way We Love Here by Dhonielle Clayton - 5/5

This was probably my absolute favorite of the bunch. It was such an interesting take on soulmates, so mystical and richly imagined, filled with fantastic worldbuilding and incredibly developed characters with an amazing romance. It was truly magical. I could read a whole book of this story, honestly.

Oomph by Emery Lord - 4/5

This was an adorable little flirtatious romance, and had some really incredible banter between its two women. Not only was it great representation, but they were fascinating characters as individuals as well and you got to know them easily. Overall, it was just purely enjoyable.

The Dictionary of You and Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout - 4/5

This was a cute story, and a really cute concept, it not a bit predictable. The narrator was really likable and had great banter with the love interest, and I appreciated that it got right into the good stuff from the very beginning.

The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies - 5/5

This was another one of my favorites. It was a super cute concept, and I loved how it played with the idea of fate vs. chance. It was also really nicely segmented, and honestly, it was just so adorable I couldn’t not love everything about it.

259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan - 2/5

This was definitely my least favorite. The narrator was so annoying, and was such a classic “awkward” boy, and it played so hard into the “nice guys finish last” absurdity that it made me cringe. Plus, Blythe was a total Manic Pixie Dream Girl. I just felt so frustrated by this story.

Something Real by Julie Murphy - 3/5

This was cute, and had an especially interesting setting. It took an unexpected but pleasant turn, and had a fantastic mix of light and serious. It was solid, but overall forgettable.

Say Everything by Huntley Fitzpatrick - 4/5

This was a really well-written, intriguing story. I don’t have much to say, honestly, other than that I found it really engaging. I like that it left so much unexplained and open, and I would be interested in hearing more from these characters.

The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon - 5/5

This was another favorite of mine. It was a really solid end to the anthology, and had a really, really interesting concept. It was well built, well explained, and had two great characters with a very enjoyable connection. I love how it made the clinical emotional, and it was another one I could read an entire book of.

[yadaily]

Check out our double review of Gemina and Obsidio now!

[yadaily]

The Leading Edge of Now by Marci Lyn Curtis

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Publication: September 4, 2018 from Kids Can Press

Just when Grace is beginning to get used to being an orphan, her estranged uncle suddenly comes forward to claim her. That might have been okay if he'd spoken to her even once since her father died. Or if moving in with Uncle Rusty didn't mean returning to New Harbor. Grace once spent the best summers of her life in New Harbor. Now the place just reminds her of all she's lost: her best friend, her boyfriend and any memory of the night that changed her forever. People say the truth will set you free, but Grace isn't sure about that. Once she starts looking for it, the truth about that night is hard to find --- and what happens when her healing hurts the people she cares about the most?

View on WordPress

This was a very interesting novel. On the one hand, its treatment of such a sensitive topic as rape was highly important, and it handled the navigation through all of the feelings which accompany such a trauma with skill. And yet, I felt that I was never able to get a good read on these characters, and so the impact of this novel just never came to fruition for me.

The beginning was just a bit confusing, as I felt like I had very little introduction to this girl and her circumstances. While that was fleshed out later, it represented my biggest problem with this book – it was just all over the place. I could never tell what the reader was supposed to get out of this. And Grace’s voice felt so unfortunately stilted and off, overall forced and awkward. And when revelations did come, they came without any build up, lessening their emotional impact.

However, what was really ridiculous was not the emotions handled in this novel, but the circumstances which played into Grace’s character development. A character who spent two years believing the boy she was falling for had raped her would never turn around almost immediately after discovering he didn’t and start to fall for him again. She spent two years being terrified of him, but as soon as she realized her (albeit completely understandable) mistake, all her romantic feelings came rushing back. Plus, the people in her life kept pressuring her to go to the police, recount her assault, etc. which is textbook unhelpful and even harmful for rape victims.

While I think the novel did a really fantastic job handling the repercussions of rape, especially the guilt which so many unfortunately feel after a sexual assault, I just never felt like this was fully developed enough. There was far too much of a focus on making sure the people in Grace’s life were healing after discovering her truth, and not nearly enough, until the very end, about how Grace herself was learning to cope.

[yadaily]

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★

Maddie thought she and Logan would be friends forever. But when your dad is a Secret Service agent and your best friend is the president's son, sometimes life has other plans. Before she knows it, Maddie's dad is dragging her to a cabin in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. No phone. No Internet. And not a single word from Logan. Maddie tells herself it's okay. After all, she's the most popular girl for twenty miles in any direction. (She’s also the only girl for twenty miles in any direction.) She has wood to cut and weapons to bedazzle. Her life is full. Until Logan shows up six years later . . . And Maddie wants to kill him. But before that can happen, an assailant appears out of nowhere, knocking Maddie off a cliff and dragging Logan to some unknown fate. Maddie knows she could turn back- and get help. But the weather is turning and the terrain will only get more treacherous, the animals more deadly. Maddie still really wants to kill Logan. But she has to save him first.

View on WordPress

There’s friends to lovers. There’s enemies to lovers. Then there’s friends to enemies to lovers. Anyone want to guess which one this is? As a huge fan of Ally Carter, I knew this book would be filled with political intrigue, cliche romance, and badass women. But as much as I enjoyed it, it just didn’t do for me what her previous works had. Perhaps it was the isolated setting of rural Alaska, or maybe it was the insta-love, but I found myself increasingly annoyed with the characters as time went on.

I loved Maddie, and I thought she was an utterly fantastic character. There’s nothing I love more than smart teenage girls who pretend to be stereotypical, dumb teenage girls so that male authority figures doubt them, only for those men to be taken down as a result of their judgment. Maddie did that time and time again, and I loved how she knew exactly what her strengths were, yet she also remained very aware of how much of a kid she still was, and it was refreshing. However, what I couldn’t stand was how even through this entire ordeal, neither she nor Logan could set aside the past and just focus on survival.

One of the great things about rural Alaska being the setting for this novel is that it presents very realistic obstacles at a constant pace. They were never out of the woods (literally) until the very, very end, and during that time had so much to overcome it made my head spin. And while there was still just enough time for romance to blossom, I became very annoyed when the novel focused solely on the romantic bits. I kept wanting to scream reminders at these characters that they were in a life or death situation, and those longing glances could wait.

But Logan, oh Logan, he was my real problem. The hyper-masculinity and overcompensation on display made me angry from the start, and he was so stubborn I wanted to pull my hair out. He claimed to care so much about Maddie and her safety, yet constantly doubted her, got in the way of her plans, and didn’t trust her enough to just listen and not act impulsively for five seconds. He had his fantastic moments, but at the end of the day, I think he was my real issue with this novel.

I loved how fast-paced and exciting this novel was, and it was truly thrilling to follow a plot with such real and dangerous antics. There was no suspension of belief here at all. But even though the characters were great and handled themselves well throughout all the craziness, the romance was the real pitfall here. Despite all that, I still enjoyed my reading experience, just not as much as I had hoped too. 

[yadaily]

People Like Us by Dana Mele

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★

Kay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet, but the past is past, and she's reinvented herself entirely. Now she's a star soccer player whose group of gorgeous friends run their private school with effortless popularity and acerbic wit. But when a girl's body is found in the lake, Kay's carefully constructed life begins to topple. The dead girl has left Kay a computer-coded scavenger hunt, which, as it unravels, begins to implicate suspect after suspect, until Kay herself is in the crosshairs of a murder investigation. But if Kay's finally backed into a corner, she'll do what it takes to survive. Because at Bates Academy, the truth is something you make...not something that happened.

View on WordPress

As previously stated, I’m a sucker for a boarding school murder mystery. And I was so, so looking forward to delving into this book and discovering all the secrets these girls held. And while I did enjoy it, it left something to be desired. I wanted darkness, I wanted depth, I wanted an aching hunger underlying these too-perfect, too-privileged girls. Instead, I got intrigue without much payoff.

My favorite aspect of this book was how casually same-sex attraction was portrayed. There wasn’t a straight girl in sight here, and that was no big deal – it was a plot point, sure, it drove a lot of actions, but it was just simply a facet of the lives that were being led. And I loved that. It was so rare, and executed so well. The reader is immersed so quickly and quietly in this story that you don’t realize you can’t put it down until you’re finished. You’re drawn into the action from the start.

While the novel was successful in keeping the true killer in the dark for much longer than I anticipated, despite the plethora of clues in hindsight, the writing felt stiff and unnatural at times. Part of that was due to Kay’s cold, unforgiving narration, which was actually one of the more fascinating methods at play – you were constantly wondering just who this girl at the center of all the bloodshed is. However, I desperately wanted the stakes to feel higher, for the time crunch at play to actually feel claustrophobic. The pacing was too languid for the subject matter.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It wasn’t my favorite, but I loved that there were real repercussions and consequences here. Everyone payed the price for their actions, past and present, and that doesn’t always happen to seemingly untouchable rich girls in young adult novels. I’m looking forward to whatever Mele puts out next.

[yadaily]

The Merciless IV: Last Rites by Danielle Vega

Review by: Paige

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The ropes tighten on Berkley Hubbard's wrists. Blood drips down her fingers and lands with a smack on the cold floor of the church basement. She's trapped, bound, and petrified by fear. A knife punctures her fragile skin as Berkley's captors search for the mark of the devil on her body. They say they want to save her--drive the devil away and cleanse her soul--but will she make it out alive? When Berkley arrived in Italy a week ago, the last thing she expected was that she'd end up fighting for her life. After spending six months at the Institute, confined to a room with the dangerous-yet-alluring Sofia Flores, Berkley was certain that a vacation in Italy with her two best friends would be the perfect getaway. But Berkley is hiding a terrible secret, one that threatens to undo everything. As she's forced to face her wicked past, she learns that the devil is always watching, and no one is coming to save her.

View on WordPress

I’ve been a tried and true fan of The Merciless ever since I picked up the first novel, and I can honestly say that this conclusion was the perfect way to close out this series. It was thrilling, captivating, and gruesome, just as I anticipated it being. Next to the first book, this was honestly the best by far.

I devoured this in a day, sitting on the beach drinking wine and letting my jaw drop at all of the right moments, and it was fantastic. But what made it so wonderful was how full circle this story became. Considering how many twists and turns the chronology of the series took, it was impressive. Not only did Berkley remind me of Sofia countless times, but the plot drew a lot of subtle parallels to the first one as well. And yet, it still remained very much its own story.

I’ve always taken issue with the romances in this series, but it was such a blip on my radar during this book in particular that it never really affected my reading experience. I loved all the flashbacks, and how the story established itself as an intriguing, twisted journey of self-discovery from the start. But what I loved the most was the ending sequence - and its classic horror movie vibes. The unexpected revenge angle was interesting, and I loved that it gave us Berkley’s full story in such a succinct fashion while still tying up Sofia’s story and giving it a deserved open ending. All in all, a fantastic conclusion.