[Review: This Darkness Mone by Mindy McGinnis

"This Darkness Mine"
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Series: None
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Thriller, Horror
Date Published: October 10th, 2017
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by the publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Sasha Stone knows her place—first-chair clarinet, top of her class, and at the side of her oxford-wearing boyfriend. She’s worked her entire life to ensure that her path to Oberlin Conservatory as a star musician is perfectly paved.

But suddenly there’s a fork in the road, in the shape of Isaac Harver. Her body shifts toward him when he walks by, her skin misses his touch even though she’s never known it, and she relishes the smell of him—smoke, beer, and trouble—all the things she’s avoided to get where she is. Even worse, every time he’s near Sasha, her heart stops, literally. Why does he know her so well—too well—and she doesn’t know him at all?

Sasha discovers that her by-the-book life began by ending another’s: the twin sister she absorbed in the womb. But that doesn’t explain the gaps of missing time in her practice schedule or the memories she has of things she certainly never did with Isaac. As Sasha loses her much-cherished control, her life—and heart—become more entangled with Isaac. Armed with the knowledge that her heart might not be hers alone, Sasha must decide what she’s willing to do—and who she’s willing to hurt—to take it back.

Edgar Award–winning author Mindy McGinnis delivers a dark and gripping psychological thriller about a girl at war with herself, and what it really means to be good or bad.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

If you've ever wondered what it would be like if Mindy McGinnis wrote a magical realism book, This Darkness Mine is the answer to your question. And yes, it's just as twisted, uncomfortable, and utterly fucked up as you'd expect it to be. Honestly, this book isn't for the faint of heart. This book is brutal... in all the best ways.

Mindy McGinnis is one of the few authors who are on my instant buy list, and she hasn't let me down yet. Even though this is the weirdest book in her catalogue so far, I dig it. This Darkness Mine is one of those books that's hard to review, because you don't want to give anything away, and you honestly can't put your finger on how to review it. 

I'm sure that some people are going to say that the plot isn't realistic, and I think that that's what makes it work. I mean the main character absorbs her twin in the womb, and that's just the beginning of the messed up things that "perfect" Sasha Stone has done to the people around her. Is Sasha the only one living in her body, or is her dead twin still around? McGinnis explores this idea in ways that can't be medically verified, but like I said, this book feels like a messed up, magical realism novel, so it worked for me.

Sasha starts out as this perfect angel, and it's fun to see who she truly is. Some might call her an antihero, some might call her a villain, and truth be told, she's not a good girl, that's for sure. 

On one side, it feels like you're watching Sasha's life unravel, but if you look closely I think that this book is about Sasha finding herself. She's not nice, she's not a reliable narrator, and if you're looking for a cute story about a girl finding out who she is, this isn't going to be the book for you. McGinnis is unflinchingly real with her narrative, and even though you'll be disturbed, you won't be able to look away.

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Among the Red Stars by Gwen C. Katz]

"Among the Red Stars"
Author: Gwen C. Katz
Series: None
Pages: 384
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, War Stories
Date Published: October 3rd, 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by the publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

World War Two has shattered Valka’s homeland of Russia, and Valka is determined to help the effort. She knows her skills as a pilot rival the best of the men, so when an all-female aviation group forms, Valka is the first to sign up.

Flying has always meant freedom and exhilaration for Valka, but dropping bombs on German soldiers from a fragile canvas biplane is no joyride. The war is taking its toll on everyone, including the boy Valka grew up with, who is fighting for his life on the front lines.

As the war intensifies and those around her fall, Valka must decide how much she is willing to risk to defend the skies she once called home.

Inspired by the true story of the airwomen the Nazis called Night Witches, Gwen C. Katz weaves a tale of strength and sacrifice, learning to fight for yourself, and the perils of a world at war.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

I love when a book takes real events, real people, and then transposes a fictional story over the top. That's how Among the Red Stars is written, and this is why I enjoyed this book so much. Katz tells a tale of the Night Witches, a group of female airwomen that flew the skies during World War II in Soviet Russia. 

We read a lot of World War II stories, but for the most part we're reading stories that take place in Europe, Great Britain, or America. Katz brings us the story from the eyes of a female pilot fighting for Russia, and it makes the narrative new, it shows the war in a new light, and it also gives us a little bit of Russian history as well.

Valka is a wonderful character, and even though she's one of the fictional ones, she feels real. You feel her excitement when she realizes that all of her flight time in a broken down plane is actually going to let her help her country, you see the conflict she has when the war becomes something that she's fighting, and you get to learn history as her story unfolds. Valka has to deal with the realities of war, and the fact that she's the one dropping bombs on people in the dark of night. 

The story is told two ways, we get to see letters written between Valka and her old friend Pasha, and also what is happening to Valka while she waits for his replies. The letters give the story a bit of a romance, but they're also there to tell you what it was like for the men on the ground as well as the women in the sky. Sometimes the romance aspect got a little old (which is why this drops from a 5 to 4 unicorn book), but I enjoyed the letters for that inside look into the other, male driven side of the war.

And let's not forget that this story is also about female friendship. It's a story about girls brought together by a love of flying, as well as a love for their country, that then becomes a love for each other. Valka and her cousin go to sign up for the war together, and become a team that we can't help but root for.

I think what I found most interesting about this book is that so much of it is true. Sure, Katz tells us in the author's notes that she had to fudge a bit of the truth to make her story work, but that was basically just timelines. And even though Valka, her cousin, Pasha, and the characters in Valka's family weren't real, so many of the other women who feel these pages were. Make sure you read the author's note when you're done, it'll put the story in a whole new light.

Rating:

 

 4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Odd & True by Cat Winters]

"Odd & True"
Author: Cat Winters
Series: None
Pages: 368
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Date Published: September 12th, 2017
Publisher: Amulet Books
Format Read: eARC provided by the publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

Trudchen grew up hearing Odette’s stories of their monster-slaying mother and a magician’s curse. But now that Tru’s older, she’s starting to wonder if her older sister’s tales were just comforting lies, especially because there’s nothing fantastic about her own life—permanently disabled and in constant pain from childhood polio.

In 1909, after a two-year absence, Od reappears with a suitcase supposedly full of weapons and a promise to rescue Tru from the monsters on their way to attack her. But it’s Od who seems haunted by something. And when the sisters’ search for their mother leads them to a face-off with the Leeds Devil, a nightmarish beast that’s wreaking havoc in the Mid-Atlantic states, Tru discovers the peculiar possibility that she and her sister—despite their dark pasts and ordinary appearances—might, indeed, have magic after all.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Cat Winters has done it again, blending reality and the paranormal, while making you wonder what's real and what's not. If you're familiar with Winters' work, "Odd & True" will feel both familiar and new. While the novel has all the staples of a Winters' novel, it also feels a lot darker, and like more of a fairytale than any of her previous YA novels. 

"Odd & True" is the story of two sisters and the stories that they tell themselves. As the narrative unfolds the walls between what is real and what is made up start to break down. This is a historical novel that's deeply rooted in heartache and darkness, and yet there is still a lightness, and a love that fills the pages. 

It's a historical fairytale in a way. Odd tells True about their life and weaves a story of mothers who are monster hunters, and castles on hills, but it's what she's hiding behind these pretty stories that makes this book so interesting. Odd's a haunted character, and the way she deals with confronting her demons is to be commended! She's such a great character.

And then we have True. True who has grown up feeling like her family isn't a mess, thanks to Odd. But she's got her own things to deal with, including a disability she got from having polio as a child. Winters' takes True from a shy character to one that's just as strong and just as interesting as her older sister, and it's great fun to watch her grow as the story unfolds. 

The story comes to a head when the sisters take off to hunt down their mother, and the great Leeds Devil. Do they really come from a family of monster hunters? Is the Leeds Devil real? Will they make it out alive? And what secrets are each of the girls hiding? You're just going to have to read "Odd & True" to find out.

  5 Unicorns = Get Your Hands On This NOW!

[Review: I See London, I See France by Sarah Mlynowski]

"I See London, I See France"
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Series: I See London, I See France #1
Pages: 336
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Travel
Date Published: July 11th, 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

I see London, I see France
I see Sydney’s underpants.

Nineteen-year-old Sydney has the perfect summer mapped out. She’s spending the next four and half weeks traveling through Europe with her childhood best friend, Leela. Their plans include Eiffel-Tower selfies, eating cocco gelato, and making out with très hot strangers. Her plans do not include Leela’s cheating ex-boyfriend showing up on the flight to London, falling for the cheating ex-boyfriend’s très hot friend, monitoring her mother’s spiraling mental health via texts, or feeling like the rope in a friendship tug-of-war.

In this hilarious and unforgettable adventure, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski tells the story of a girl learning to navigate secret romances, thorny relationships, and the London Tube. As Sydney zigzags through Amsterdam, Switzerland, Italy, and France, she must learn when to hold on, when to keep moving, and when to jump into the Riviera… wearing only her polka dot underpants.

-Goodread

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My Thoughts:

Okay, this is the perfect summer read. It's fluffy as you can get, but it's also deals with some tough issues. I feel like the best fluffy summer reads always deal with more than just a hot romance. That being said, I See London, I See France also delivers in the romance category. So much so that I'd almost argue that it's more of a New Adult title than a YA one. That being said I wouldn't change anything about this book.

It's fun to see Sydney break away from her family. She's been looking out for her mom since her dad left them, and it's not an easy job. Her mom can't even leave the house, and so Syd and her little sister have been tied down to one place for as long as they can remember. I love that it takes a trip to Europe for everyone to find their own footing in Sydney's family. And the family dynamics makes the story seem a bit more real.

The main story is a bit silly and predictable. Two girls go to Europe and the cheating ex shows up with a hot friend. It's simplistic, but in being simple you actually get a feel for some of the foreign places the girls see. I like that in a travel themed book. Sure, the books a bit goofy, but weird, goofy things happen when you're out traveling the world. 

All in all I enjoyed this book a lot. If you're looking to get away this summer, pick I See London, I See France up!

  4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Red Velvet Crush by Christina Meredith]

"Red Velvet Crush"
Author: Christina Meredith
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Music
Date Published: June 14th, 2016
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Rock music, a broken family, challenging sisters, and the crush of first love—Red Velvet Crush has everything you need in a summer read. For fans of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Eleanor & Park, and This Song Will Save Your Life.

Teddy Lee’s mother ran off when she was in second grade. And ever since, Teddy Lee, the often-overshadowed middle kid, has tried to keep her family together. But her older brother Winston usually keeps himself busy with smoking, drinking, and girls, and who knows what else. Her younger sister Billie is occupied with her shoplifting habit and boys . . . and who knows what else. So when Teddy Lee finally takes the songs she’s always written and forms a band, maybe it’ll bring everyone closer together, maybe it’ll be her time to shine. Unless Billie steals the spotlight—and the boy—just like she always does. Christina Meredith explores the complicated relationship of sisters—both the unconditional love and the unavoidable resentments—in a novel full of music, urgency, the first blushes of love, and the undeniable excitement of hitting the road. 

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

Finally, a book about music that I actually enjoyed. It's true that I'm really picky when it comes to books that have to do with bands and going on the road. In fact they usually fall really flat for me, but Red Velvet Crush surprised me, and I found that I really liked it. It's much better than the band name the book is named after, but that's beside the point. 

I think that what works so well for this novel is that it's about so much more than just the music. It reminded me of Almost Famous in that way. That the story is actually more about a group of people coming together and learning some really tough lessons, while also rocking out, and having a grand adventure at the same time. It's refreshing, and it's bold.

I also have to say that I really enjoyed Meredith's writing style. It's whimsical, but it's also brash, and I think it's one of the reasons that this book works so well. Her flowery prose makes reading some of the harsher details much more interesting. And she makes sure to make you feel as unsure as the characters in her story as you read along.

The relationships in Red Velvet Crush felt really authentic. They felt real, and that is part of this books charm. Sure Teddy Lee and her family aren't perfect (at all) but there is a love there that can't be denied. Winston, though he plays a part in the novel, takes a backseat to the relationship between Teddy Lee and Billie. Theirs is a sister bond that isn't full of rainbows and butterflies, and that's one of the biggest plot pushes of the book. It's uncomfortable sometimes, but it means that we get to see Teddy Lee grow a lot in the short amount of time that we have with her.

The romance element was fun, but it wasn't the best part of the book for me. In fact my only complaint with the book has to do with the romance and how it all ended. Now, I'm sure that teen readers are going to eat the end up, but as someone who's older, I found that it didn't work for me. 

That being said, Red Velvet Crush is a delightful summer read for anyone who's a music junkie like I am. Meredith fills the pages with old school band references, beautiful words to describe the music that's happening on the page, and some good old "on the road" shenanigans.  

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: With Malice by Eileen Cook]

"With Malice"
Author: Eileen Cook
Series: None
Pages: 320
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Thriller
Date Published: June 7th, 2016
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

A read about a teenage girl who wakes up in a hospital bed and cannot remember the last six weeks of her life, including the accident that killed her best friend--only what if the accident wasn't an accident?

Eighteen-year-old Jill Charron wakes up in a hospital room, leg in a cast, stitches in her face and a big blank canvas where the last 6 weeks should be. She comes to discover she was involved in a fatal accident while on a school trip in Italy three days previous but was jetted home by her affluent father in order to receive quality care. Care that includes a lawyer. And a press team. Because maybe the accident...wasn't an accident. Wondering not just what happened but what she did, Jill tries to piece together the events of the past six weeks before she loses her thin hold on her once-perfect life.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

With Malice is the kind of YA thriller that I've been missing in my life lately. It's dark, and confusing, and it'll take you on a trip into the mind of someone who can't remember a life shattering event until people tell her what happened. I think that Cook is a genius for giving us the story from the view of someone who doesn't remember what happened. And the question of whether or not the accident was actually an accident will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

This book is one of those books that's hard to talk about. It's so convoluted that if you say too much you're going to give away a chunk of the plot. And nobody wants that. 

I will say that Jill's character was a really interesting one. Cook made sure that you felt for her, even though you knew she was an unreliable narrator. She can't remember the last six months of her life, and she's thrown into a confusing world that the people around her expect her to understand.

Most of the secondary characters are frustrating, and I disliked her father the most of all. But I am glad that Cook decided to give Jill a friend in the form of her roommate Anna. And that Cook actually uses Anna's character to move the plot along. 

If you love a good mystery, who done it, what really happened, type of book, then this is the one that you should be reading this summer. Plus some of the book takes place in Italy, and if that's not the perfect summer vacation spot I don't know what is. 

Rating:

5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!

[Review: Frannie and Tru by Karen Hattrup]

"Frannie and Tru"
Author: Karen Hattrup
Series: None
Pages: 320
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 31st, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

When Frannie Little eavesdrops on her parents fighting she discovers that her cousin Truman is gay, and his parents are so upset they are sending him to live with her family for the summer. At least, that’s what she thinks the story is. . . When he arrives, shy Frannie befriends this older boy, who is everything that she’s not–rich, confident, cynical, sophisticated. Together, they embark on a magical summer marked by slowly unraveling secrets.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book is so beautifully written that I found myself highlighting sections in my Kindle. Hattrup has a way with words that turns even the most ordinary moments into something memorable. And trust me she showcases this talent a lot in Frannie and Tru. The plot is a very simple one, and even though a lot of self discovery happens in the pages, not much else does. I'm glad to say that it's not a bad thing here. Somehow Hattrup is able to take the internal workings of a young teen and make it something that you want to keep reading. 

Frannie is a familiar character. The girl who is young. The girl who doesn't know who she is yet. The girl who thinks that the world is a better place than the one she actually lives in. That being said, she feels fresh, and she feels fresh because she's so incredibly honest. I found myself rooting for her instead of shaking my head at her, because I felt like, even though she was learning some tough lessons, she was actually learning them. I'm glad that a character like her exists in teen fiction.

Tru on the other hand, was a hot mess of a character, but his personality mixed with Frannie's kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I have to admit that Tru is a male version of the Manic Pixie trope, but it really works here. I think it has a better impact because the plot doesn't make him the sexual desire of the main character. In fact, aside from one slight romance, he's simply a character, and not a romantic lead. 

Which brings me to the fact that Frannie and Tru is a coming of age story that has more to do with family dynamics than a romance, and I found that really refreshing. Frannie finds herself not because she falls in love, but because she idolizes her older cousin, who in turn drags her into the real world. 

My one complaint with the story is a small one. And that's the fact that the promised "secret" and "suspense" boiled down to really flat conclusion. I wish that the part of the story would have been as good as all the rest of it, but in the end it didn't have much sway over my general like of the novel.

If you're looking for an awesome book about finding yourself, and are also looking for a fun, yet deep, summer read, this is the book for you.

Rating:

 4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes]

"Girl Against the Universe"
Author: Paula Stokes
Series: None
Pages: 382
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 17th, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

From the author of The Art of Lainey and Liars, Inc. comes a fresh, contemporary story about one girl’s tragic past and a boy who convinces her that maybe her luck is about to change. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen or Jenny Han.

Maguire knows she’s bad luck. No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when Maguire is around. Like that time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash—and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch. But then on her way out of her therapist’s office, she meets Jordy, an aspiring tennis star, who wants to help Maguire break her unlucky streak. Maguire knows that the best thing she can do for Jordy is to stay away, but staying away may be harder than she thought.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book is straight up huggable. It's cute, but it's also daring. Add in the fact that there is a dark streak that runs through it, and you have a very dynamic book. On top of all of that it's a story about mental illness, sports, and finding a way to help yourself.

I found myself instantly taken in by Maguire's struggles. She believes that she's cursed, because she's lucky. She manages to live and walk away from things that leave the people around her either hurt or dead, and she carries that around in a way that only makes sense to her. She's also a real tough cookie, and she's learned how to live her life in a way that makes sure no one has to know what she's dealing with. It's wonderful to see her walls come down, and to see her realize that her life doesn't have to be what she's been making it into. She's a likeable character, and it's easy to find yourself rooting for her as she deals with her heavy dose of survivors guilt, as well as other mental health issues. 

Stokes handles Maguire's struggles in a real, tangible way, and creates a story that everyone can connect to. And she adds so many light moments into the novel that it never feels too heavy.

I adore that Maguire and Jordy meet at their therapist's office. It makes the book so much more than just a book about tennis. It makes it about the struggles that people have as they try to uncover who they really are, and how they want to live their lives. 

Speaking of which, Jordy is an adorable love interest. He's got so much going on in his life, and yet he still takes time out of his busy, overly controlled, schedule to help Maguire learn how to help herself. He also gets a lot out of it himself. It's the cutest, and I'm so glad that this element is part of the book as well.

Add in the fact that Stokes throws in a bunch of secondary characters that are just as fleshed out as her main characters, and you've got a whole cast of awesome people, usually being awesome.

If you adore feel good books that deal with some tough issues, and hot tennis players, give this book a go!

Rating:

  4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: This is My Brain on Boys by Sarah Strohmeyer]

"This is My Brain on Boys"
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Series: None
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: May 10th, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Jane Austen’s Emma meets The Rosie Project in this quirky, irresistible, romantic comedy from Sarah Strohmeyer, the author of Smart Girls Get What They Want.

Addie Emerson doesn’t believe in love. Not for herself anyway. With one year left of high school, she’s more interested in snagging a full scholarship to Harvard than a full-time boyfriend.

That doesn’t mean she’s oblivious to the ways of the heart. Or, rather, the head. Because after months of research, Addie has discovered how to make anyone fall in love. All you need is the secret formula.

But will her discovery be enough to win the coveted Athenian Award and all its perks? (See above, full scholarship to Harvard.) Or will she be undone by Dexter, her backstabbing lab partner, who is determined to deep-six her experiments at their exclusive private school?

Those are the least of her problems now that she’s survived a death-defying flight with a mysterious, dark-haired boy, who has delicious chocolate-brown eyes and a few secrets of his own.

With an experiment to mastermind, an infatuated exchange student on her hands, and at least one great white shark (more on that later), can Addie’s prefrontal cortex outwit her heart? Or will she have to give in to her amygdala and find out, once and for all, if this thing called love is more than just her brain on drugs?

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book is extremely unique. It's clear going into it that this isn't your normal YA romance, and I loved that about This is My Brain on Boys. As the title suggests, this book is quirky, nerdy, and a little like an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" dropped right into it. If you like the show, you're sure to love this novel.

As a nerd myself, I was excited to dig into Strohmeyer's newest contemporary. And after finishing it, I realize that I'm not quite the same kind of nerd as Addie. Though I did find her to hilarious anyway. She's so socially awkward that it's pretty cute, and she's a total smartass to boot. She kept me laughing, that's for sure. I loved the fact that she's always in control in the book. Not many YA contemporary leads tend to have this good of a grasp on the world. Sure, she might be a tad annoying as well, but she's usually right, so I found myself forgiving her for moments I didn't think I would. Yay, for smart girls who are also smartasses!

Kris was also a great character. Though I'm not sure that I bought the whole "I love animals soooo much" thing. It felt corny to me, but I also thought it gave him dimension, so I'm just going to say that I have mixed feelings about him. He's great for Addie, but he's also a little strange for the story. But maybe that's just me.

The plot itself is a great one. Strohmeyer has this grasp on her story that makes it read really smooth. And the payoff is so good, that you'll have a smile on your face at the end. Because, once again, she makes sure that Addie gets the last word. So much girl power fills the pages of this book, even though the whole book is about love and such. 

If any, and or all of this sounds good to you. Read it!

Rating:

    3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had its issues!

[Review: Ruined by Amy Tintera]

"Ruined"
Author: Amy Tintera
Series: Ruined #1
Pages: 368
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Date Published: May 3rd, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

We have new Amy Tintera guys! When I heard that Tintera was stepping into fantasy, I got really excited. I adored her zombie novels Reboot and Rebel, and I've been needing a fix of Tintera's writing. And boy did she deliver. 

Ruined is a fast paced adventure that doesn't play by all the normal fantasy tropes. I found myself being pulled into the story immediately, and it didn't take long for me to fall in love with the world and the characters that filled the pages. I'm actually really bummed that I'm going to have to wait for the rest of series. Which is really really good thing.

One thing that I've always loved about Tintera's writing is her ability to write fantastic underdog stories, and Ruined is no different. Em is a girl without magic who's had to overcome so much, though she doesn't make it seem that way. She's had to use the skills and assets that she's been given to make her as strong as the people filled with magic around her. In fact it makes her seem like she has a lot more going for her than anyone else in the story. I found myself instantly pulled into the tale because of Em's strong voice. She's someone anyone can cheer for.

Cas is also a bit of an underdog in his own rite. He may be a prince, but he's not the prince anyone wants him to be. It makes him interesting. It makes him more than eye-candy. And its makes the story between Cas and Em so much more touching, annoying, and beautiful. It will make you feel all those things, and possibly in that order. 

Tintera also doesn't shy away from making her characters fierce. Body count, blood spillage, and gore are not things that she shies away from. It gives this story so much life. Conflicted characters who make tough calls are my favorite, and this book is full of them. 

If you're looking for a fantasy novel that's full of great characters, great world building, and tons of conflict (without being too much drama), this book is perfect. 

Rating:

  5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!

[Review: Rebel Angels by Anne Blankman]

"Traitor Angels"
Author: Anne Blankman
Series: None
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Historical, Romance, Mystery
Date Published: May 3rd, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Six years have passed since England’s King Charles II returned from exile to reclaim the throne, ushering in a new era of stability for his subjects.

Except for Elizabeth Milton. The daughter of notorious poet John Milton, Elizabeth has never known her place in this shifting world—except by her father’s side. By day she helps transcribe his latest masterpiece, the epic poem Paradise Lost, and by night she learns languages and sword fighting. Although she does not dare object, she suspects that he’s training her for a mission whose purpose she cannot fathom.

Until one night the reason becomes clear: the king’s man arrive at her family’s country home to arrest her father. Determined to save him, Elizabeth follows his one cryptic clue and journeys to Oxford, accompanied by her father’s mysterious young houseguest, Antonio Vivani, a darkly handsome Italian scientist who surprises her at every turn. Funny, brilliant, and passionate, Antonio seems just as determined to protect her father as she is—but can she trust him with her heart?

When the two discover that Milton has planted an explosive secret in the half-finished Paradise Lost—a secret the king and his aristocratic supporters are desperate to conceal—Elizabeth is faced with a devastating choice: cling to the shelter of her old life or risk cracking the code, unleashing a secret that could save her father…and tear apart the very fabric of society.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This isn't my first time reading something from Anne Blankman. She's actually one of my favorite historical writers. Without a doubt it's because she mixes actual people from history, and made up characters into a story together. She uses her fictional characters to give you an understanding of actual historical figures, and Traitor Angels doesn't disappoint on that front. 

Almost all of us have heard of the poem Paradise Lost, and we know that Milton wrote it. Blankman takes that knowledge and throws us into a world of mystery and excitement, one that clearly didn't happen the way she's written it. But also one that's so wrapped up in historical fact and people from history that it feels like it could have. 

She give us a protagonist in the form of Elizabeth Milton. Elizabeth was not an actual person, but the rest of the Milton family is as historically accurate as Blankman could make them. I liked that John made sure that Elizabeth could take care of herself. While other girls are learning how to keep a home, Elizabeth is taught the art of sword fighting, reading/speaking/writing mutable languages, and the art of his poetry. All of these things come into play in the novel, and nothing that Blankman writes goes to waste. 

The book not only plays with the idea of poetry, but also delves into the impact of religion. These are the two biggest things that drive the plot of the novel. Art, exploration, studying the skies, power, and more are also key elements. 

I enjoyed this one a lot, but as I don't love the time period that it was set in, I found that it read a bit slow, but I know that it was just me. It's also got extremely exciting near the end, as Blankman made sure to throw in a few more historical events. That being said I still enjoyed this novel a lot. It's a mystery novel at its heart, and what's better then that.  

Rating:

 3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had its issues!  

[Review: Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate]

"Seven Ways We Lie"
Author: Riley Redgate
Series: None
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: March 8th, 2016
Publisher: Amulet Books
Format Read: ARC provided by publisher for honest review

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Summary:

 Paloma High School is ordinary by anyone’s standards. It’s got the same cliques, the same prejudices, the same suspect cafeteria food. And like every high school, every student has something to hide—whether it’s Kat, the thespian who conceals her trust issues onstage; or Valentine, the neurotic genius who’s planted the seed of a school scandal.

When that scandal bubbles over, and rumors of a teacher-student affair surface, everyone starts hunting for someone to blame. For the unlikely allies at the heart of it all, the collision of their seven ordinary-seeming lives results in extraordinary change.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

There are a few things that I normally don't like reading in YA fiction, mainly stories that take place in the halls of high school, and books with more than two POVs. If you know anything about Seven Ways We Lie, you know that both of these things are written into the story. But in a strange turn of events, this is good news. See, Redgate has managed to write a story that kept me swept up in the tale, even when she used some of my least favorite story components. Her writing is quick, sharp, and makes you take note of the things she's trying to say. All in all, she's an interesting author with a strong, unique voice, and I didn't feel like I was reading a debut from her as I dug into this book.

I think it's the fact that even though Seven Ways We Lie is told through the viewpoint of seven students, the flow of the novel isn't interrupted. Sure we see things from different view points, but I never felt confused, and I always felt like I was getting somewhere in the story. The story was pushing forward, and each character had something to say that I needed to know. And yet, Redgate made sure that I cared about, or at least had strong feelings about, each of the characters in their own rite. 

Sure, there were a few characters that I didn't care for, and there are a few that I connected to a bit too closely, but the fact is, I felt things about each of them. And that's important when you're writing a story with so many main characters. You want to make sure that your reader feels something about each of them, and Redgate does that in spades!

I was also captivated by the fact that each of the seven characters took on the seven deadly sins. It was fun to figure out who was who, and why, and what part they all played in the student/teacher scandal at the school. 

That might actually be my only complaint with this book. I found that the student/teacher scandal was a bit simple. I wish it would have been fleshed out a bit more. But at the same time it was its simplicity that really made the characters shine, so I'm really not sure why it bugged me, but I can say that it did.

If you're looking for a book that takes place in high school that's told in a unique way, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it!

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect! 

Mini Review Batch

"The Great Hunt"
Author: Wendy Higgins
Series: Eurona Duology #1
Pages: 416
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Date Published: March 8th, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

“Aerity…” Her father paused as if the words he was forming pained him. “I must ask you to sacrifice the promise of love for the sake of our kingdom.”

She could only stare back, frozen.

When a strange beast terrorizes the kingdom of Lochlanach, fear stirs revolt. In an act of desperation, a proclamation is sent to all of Eurona—kill the creature and win the ultimate prize: the daughter of King Lochson’s hand in marriage.

Princess Aerity knows her duty to the kingdom but cannot bear the idea of marrying a stranger…until a brooding local hunter, Paxton Seabolt, catches her attention. There’s no denying the unspoken lure between them…or his mysterious resentment.

Paxton is not the marrying type. Nor does he care much for spoiled royals and their arcane laws. He’s determined to keep his focus on the task at hand—ridding the kingdom of the beast—but the princess continues to surprise him, and the perilous secrets he’s buried begin to surface.

Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ tale “The Singing Bone,” New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins delivers a dark fantasy filled with rugged hunters, romantic tension, and a princess willing to risk all to save her kingdom.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Higgins creates a glistening world in The Great Hunt that I quite enjoyed. In fact, her world building was my favorite thing about the novel. Right out of the gate she hits you with a death, which got the story moving at a fast rate, and I love that. I will say that as the book went on, I felt that there were moments that it dragged a bit. The characters were a lot of fun. And I liked the predicaments that Higgins forced them into. I will say that I found the plot a tad predictable, and even though Aerity is fierce, she also gets a bit too swoony for my taste. I will be on the look out for the sequel, since I'm pretty sure that I'll like this book even more once I've finished the whole story in its entirety.  

My Rating:

3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had its issues!

"Harmony House"
Author: Nic Sheff
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Horror
Date Published: March 22nd, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Jen Noonan’s father thinks a move to Harmony House is the key to salvation, but to everyone who has lived there before, it is a portal to pure horror.

After Jen’s alcoholic mother’s death, her father cracked. He dragged Jen to this dilapidated old manor on the shore of New Jersey to “start their new lives”—but Harmony House is more than just a creepy old estate. It’s got a chilling past—and the more Jen discovers its secrets, the more the house awakens. Strange visions follow Jen wherever she goes, and her father’s already-fragile sanity disintegrates before her eyes. As the forces in the house join together to terrorize Jen, she must find a way to escape the past she didn’t know was haunting her—and the mysterious and terrible power she didn’t realize she had.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Harmony House reads like an underdeveloped, or weak season of American Horror Story. There is really no better way to put it. It's sold to us as a horror novel, and while it has it's creepy moments, it's so disjointed that it never pulled me in enough to feel freaked out. Disturbed? Sure. But freaked out, nope, I never got to that point. I'm still a little confused about what I read to be honest. And while I liked the atmosphere that Sheff created, and I don't mind unlikable characters, I found that I just didn't connect with much of anything in this book. The characters flip flop in their emotions so quickly that you question if they feel anything at all, and the religious aspect didn't feel original. It just ended up feeling like an overused trope. So while I was interested enough to finish the book, I have to say that I'm not satisfied with my reading experience, though there was hope all along that it would end up being something more than it was.  

My Rating: 

2 Unicorns = It was okay, but something didn't work for me!

[Review: The Steep & Thorny Way by Cat Winters]

"The Steep & Thorny Way"
Author: Cat Winters
Series: None
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Date Published: March 8th, 2016
Publisher: Amulet Books
Format Read: ARC provided by publisher for honest review

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Summary:

A thrilling reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Steep and Thorny Way tells the story of a murder most foul and the mighty power of love and acceptance in a state gone terribly rotten.

1920s Oregon is not a welcoming place for Hanalee Denney, the daughter of a white woman and an African-American man. She has almost no rights by law, and the Ku Klux Klan breeds fear and hatred in even Hanalee’s oldest friendships. Plus, her father, Hank Denney, died a year ago, hit by a drunk-driving teenager. Now her father’s killer is out of jail and back in town, and he claims that Hanalee’s father wasn’t killed by the accident at all but, instead, was poisoned by the doctor who looked after him—who happens to be Hanalee’s new stepfather.

The only way for Hanalee to get the answers she needs is to ask Hank himself, a “haint” wandering the roads at night.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Cat Winters has done it again. She's mixed historical horrors with paranormal horrors, and still managed to make the historical ones chill my blood more than the supernatural ones. As soon as I heard that she was writing a reimagining of Hamlet set in 1920's Oregon, I knew this was going to be one of my most anticipated reads of 2016, and boy oh boy, I wasn't wrong in assuming it would be quick favorite. 

Though Hanalee is Winters' main protagonist, she doesn't shy away from adding a secondary lead in the form of Joe. Not only were both of these characters amazing on their own, but when you put them together, actual magic happens. They're the most unlikely SHIP ever, but even with main plot points being in the way, I still found myself SHIPING them, and then I found myself satisfied with how Winters wrapped those two kids together. They're a dynamic duo, and one that I'm glad I got to "meet".

The historical detail that Winters goes into is something to praise. She doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. She puts her characters through the ringer to make sure that history isn't forgotten. I found myself being shocked by facts about the KKK that I wasn't privy to before I read this novel. The Klan's prejudice wasn't directed at one people group, but a large collection. Jews, homosexuals, and Catholics were also persecuted in the name of their cause, and I applaud Winters for making sure that she added these facts into her story. It's terrifying, but it's a part of our history that shouldn't be forgotten. 

Winters also adds in bootlegging, ghosts, and so many twists and turns that you don't know where to look. This might be Hanalee and Joe's story, but it's also a story about the human soul, and it proves that no matter what gets thrown at us, there is always a way to uncover the truth. There is always a time to find true friendship. And there is always a place to finally call home.

Wanna know more? I interviewed Cat over at Bystander Mag, and she has a lot of interesting things to say!

Rating:

     5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this one NOW!

Mini Review Batch

"Burning Glass"
Author: Kathryn Purdie
Series: Burning Glass #1
Pages: 512
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Date Published: March 1st, 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Sonya was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel—both physically and emotionally—a gift she’s kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.

Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, and she can’t always decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.

As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the charming-yet-volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book started out so promising! Death and mayhem filled the beginning, and I thought that I had found a book I would adore. Now, I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy this book, because I did, but I will say that once we made it into the kingdom, it became something I wasn't expecting. Purdie knows how to write gruesome depictions, and swoony moments, and who doesn't love that. I will say that as the story went on, I found that the book became a little too swoony for my taste, and the bloody parts seemed a little less hard hitting because of that. Sonya was a great protagonist though, and even though she seems a bit boy crazy, it's clear that she's got a good head on her shoulders. So, even though this book was middle of the road for me, I'm looking forward to the next installment, and I'm curious to see what Purdie does next.

Rating:

  3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had it's issues!

"Seven Black Diamonds"

Author: Melissa Marr

Series: Seven Black Diamonds #1

Pages: 400

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal

Date Published: March 1st, 2016

Publisher: HarperCollins

Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Lilywhite Abernathy is a criminal. Her father’s “unconventional” business has meant a life of tightly held secrets, concealed weaponry, and a strict code. But Lily’s crime isn’t being the daughter of a powerful mob boss. Her guilt lies in the other half of her DNA—the part that can coax ancient rumors from stones and summon fire with a thought. Lily is part fae, which is a crime in her world.

From the time before she was born, a war has been raging between humanity and fae. The Queen of Blood and Rage, ruler of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts, wants to avenge the tragic death of her heir—a death that was the fault of reckless humans.

Lily’s father has shielded her from the repercussions of her ancestry…until she is sent to the prestigious St. Columba’s school, straight into the arms of the Black Diamonds.

Mysterious, glamorous, and bound together in their mission but constantly at odds, Zephyr, Creed, Will, Roan, Violet, and Alkamy are a Sleeper cell of fae, planted in the human world to help destroy it from within. With covers as rock stars and celebrity children, the Black Diamonds carry out the queen’s war against humanity. And unbeknownst to Lilywhite, she’s been chosen to join them.

Now more than ever, Lily’s heritage puts her in peril, and even the romantic attention of the fae singer Creed Morrison isn’t enough to keep Lily from wanting to run back to the safer world of organized crime.

Melissa Marr returns to faery in a dramatic story of the precarious space between two worlds and the people who must thrive there. 

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

Out of all the YA fairy stories out there, I always enjoy Melissa Marr's the most. Seven Black Diamonds is no exception to that rule. The plot is intricate, the characters have conflicting motives, the kids feel real, and the magic doesn't seem corny. I did feel like this book was a lot of set up. Not at say that it wasn't good set up, but I am looking forward to the next book in the series, since I feel like I really know the characters now. Trust me, Marr gives a lot of characters a voice in this novel. I also enjoyed how she mixed the fantasy world with one that felt normal, though slightly off. Plus, I enjoy the fact that there is always a slightly sinister angle to Marr's stories. This one was a lot of fun!

Rating:

3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had it's issues!