Tag: ARC book

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Holy cow. This was unexpected. I am shocked at the amount of emotion that this book pulled from me.

The main character, Kyr, is a stickler for the rules. In a bad way. The lack of outward emotion had me confounded and in extreme dislike of her. She was head of her mess in a military setting. Always arguing with her rival, Cleo, but remaining her unit’s leader always.

She is fighting to avenge earth, a distant home planet that was destroyed by the Wisdom. When she finally gets her appointment to a particular long-term job… she is speechless. But, on learning of her brothers disappearance, this sets off a tide.. a tsunami… of events that change absolutely everything.

I had no idea how attached to this character I would become. No idea the depths of this story. This is a masterpiece and led me to thinking of all sorts of issues relatable. Great read!

Out April 11, 2023!

Damsel by Evelyn Skye 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Elodie lives in a land that has been impoverished by drought, so when her father promises her hand in marriage to a prince of a rich kingdom, she is all for it.  I think what I really admired about Elodie is her tenacity to do anything for her people.  

What Elodie doesn’t know is that this rich, beautiful,  golden kingdom and its golden boy prince are going to leave her as a sacrifice to a dragon.  This is how their land stays so opulent and thriving.  

What nobody expects is Elodie fighting back.

I liked this book.  But I didn’t love it.  I felt that Elodie’s character could be more fleshed out with maybe a more interesting personality.   Much of this seemed a bit superficial and forced, which is not something I enjoy.  However, I love the idea and the strength of this character.

Out April 18, 2023!

Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This was stunningly beautiful. I want to say upfront that there is animal harm and death throughout this story. However, if you can get through that, then I highly recommend this.

Untethered Sky is an amazing story of tragedy, obsession, and the very human quality of ownership and love for a creature. Ester is a Rukher, which means she is part of a group that trains Roc’s (huge, magnificent birds of prey) to hunt Manticores.

The story begins with the tragedy that befell Ester’s family when a Manticore attacked. Ester and her father survived, but she was still very much estranged from love and family. When she becomes a Rukher and cares for her Roc, Zahra, she finds a whole new reason to live and to love.

As much as she loves Zahra, though, Ester’s Roc is still somewhat captive. She has much freedom and a good life, but she doesn’t have natural freedom. So, no matter how devoted and enthralled Ester is to her Roc, she is in constant fear of losing her.

This was gorgeous storytelling. Not unexpected from Fonda Lee, of course. A very meaningful and beautiful story.

Out April 11, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Tor, for this opportunity.

Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Wow.  This is intense.  Four students are being interrogated in separate rooms. All seem suspicious.   Each chapter is a separate question, but with each students answer, often not aligned at all.  Basically,  who killed Maylee?

One night camping in the woods, this odd group often finds themselves in disagreement over everything.   Really,  it was a bit funny at times.  Each short chapter added information that created a whole picture at the end.  But, I have to admit, I was completely shocked by how everything turned out.

This book is dark, mysterious, and full of tension.  I wound up really enjoying this!

Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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A secret agent and a pop star work together to find evidence that could stop a world war. There is romance, action and a whole lot of danger. There is a big twist in the end and I loved reading this. (I’m fairly certain there will be a sequel and I can’t wait!)

Winter is the most famous pop star in the world while Sydney is one of the most talented secret agents at Panacea. Panacea is a large group that is separate from the CIA and works to keep the world safe. When Winter becomes an agent and Sydney is to work with him as a partner (pretending to be a body guard), things start getting intense very quickly.

Marie Lu has always been one of my favorite authors. I feel like it’s so easy for me to lose myself in her books. Her writing is very smooth with characters that I can’t help but fall in love with. Lu always keeps the plot moving fast, keeps it exciting, and, in few words, helps me visualize everything very clearly. I’m pretty sure this is Marie Lu’s first book without any fantasy, a NA thriller/romance.

Out March 28, 2023!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for this opportunity!

Lone Women by Victor Lavalle 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

This is a mesmerizing, dark, and unsettling story. Adelaide Henry leaves home in a rush. She may not be carrying much, but she is carrying a great amount of weight. The steamer trunk is literally very heavy, but what is even heavier are her secrets.

This story takes place mainly in Montana before it was completely settled. Adelaide travels to this huge, wide and open, freezing cold state as a homesteader. She makes it all the way there, leaving behind some secrets but still towing one with her, and faces this land on her own. Soon enough though, the steamer trunk is opened and what comes out reveals the horror of this tale.

But is this monstrous thing the true horror? Or, is true horror what lies behind a prettier, more perfect seeming facade?

I loved this! This gave me historical fiction, horror, supernatural, and thriller all at once. Not to mention the amazing attention to the lone women of that time. I loved every single thing about this book and highly recommend it!

Out March 28, 2023!

A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

This was stunning and absolutely breathtaking. Literally and figuratively breathtaking!!!

This prequel to Priory of the Orange Tree is full of beautiful descriptions and content that compliments the first book so well.

The themes running through this novel are very similar to Priory. Mainly ideas on religion and also, women’s roles in history, the strength of women.

I just finished this and I know I’m going to have more to say while this story truly sinks in now.

Out February, 28 2033!

Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

This is a sweet, gruesome, disgusting, caring, horrific and brilliant book! And, that’s as much as a warning as a recommendation. This book may make your bile rise, but it will also become a welcomed obsession when your flying on the wings of a reader high! (Don’t ask, idk)

The characters in each section are all somehow connected which was a satisfying plus. This takes place years after covid with the beginning of a new pandemic. However, some lucky patients seem to turn into Vampire and zombie-esque types of new people, maybe even a new species.

This story and the author’s powerful, no spare on the gore style had me from the beginning to the end. It’s not a long book and it’s a very quick read.

Out February 21, 2023!

Such Pretty Flowers by K.L. Cerra 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

This was one of those weird, creepy thrillers, and I loved every second! Give me the weird and strange with a Savannah setting and goth goth gothic style, and I am happy!!

Holly recently lost her brother to suicide and she has been picking apart the possibilities, the reasons why, nonstop. When she begins thinking of Dane’s girlfriend that he moved in with right before the tragedy, she feels not only suspicion but an attachment to this girl, Maura.

Holly soon finds herself interacting with Maura, trying to parcel together clues for her brothers sudden decline. However, when she decides to move in with her to further along her chances of figuring this out, everything seems to start slipping sideways. Maura seems to all at once to be in and out of control while Holly realizes she has stumbled into something beyond her understanding. Something so strange and unthinkable that she may follow the same path as her brother.

This was so fun! The author didn’t hide that Maura was a suspect, so I really felt like I was being led into the finale very purposefully. But, the finale itself!!! I am so glad I got to dip into this author’s creative and creepy mind! And, I’m looking forward to their next book!

They’re Watching You by Chelsea Ichaso 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

This book is a blast! I had so much fun reading this!! The whole time I was reading this I constantly was questioning everything and everyone and every action anyone took. This book kept me on my toes till the last page and I love that so much! It’s exactly what I’m looking for in a ya thriller.

This has romance, dark academia vibes with the boarding school and the secret society. The life or death vibe while crawling through tunnels and catacombs kept the tone of the book very dark and creepy. Definitely recommend!

Out January 3, 2023!