Tag: YA books

The Grimoire of Grave Fates created by Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This is a great book for diverse reads, and I really loved the representation in this. A school of magic, a murder, and each story is a different classmate finding clues!

I enjoyed this. It’s a bit young YA, if you know what I mean? So, I had a harder time connecting with every character. But overall, I think this concept is so unique, and I really feel like it has been executed well.

It’s a fun book to pick up and read through!

Out June 6, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Always isn’t Forever by J.C. Cervantes 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I knew this would be heartbreaking, but while reading and sobbing, I also found a beautiful hopefulness in this story that I will not forget.

Ruby and Hart. They have their whole lives ahead of them, and they are lucky enough to have found each other and their impossible love so early in life. When Hart drowns while saving another, an angel takes pity and saves his soul for a new body. Hart winds up waking as Jameson. Jameson is everything Hart is not. A party boy who seems to not care about anything except football. Can Hart work his way back to Ruby in Jameson’s body, with Jameson’s history?

This book was heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. It is a story of loss and sadness,but also, real true love. Get the tissues ready now!!

Out June 6, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

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The Battle Drum is a stunning sequel to The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi. I love how this author expanded upon the world being created. Especially with the inclusion of different cultures as inspiration for some of it. So far, I have not been disappointed at all throughout this series.

Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa show their bravery and courage in different ways. Hassa, in particular, is a favorite of mine. Jond also is an intriguing character in this book, only leading me to fall even more in love with this story.

I really don’t want to give anything away, so I shall leave on this note. If you enjoyed The Final Strife or think you just might like this series, then I can not recommend picking these books up more! I feel like so many aspects to this story need to be told, and I’m so happy I got to read more!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Out May 23, 2023!

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee. 🌟Arc Review 🌟

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This was the sweet, fluffy, ya romance that I needed. I loved this book immediately. As soon as I started reading, I could tell that this was going to be a new favorite, and it definitely is!

Dylan is working and living at his aunt’s restaurant, Wok Warriors, when he has to make a delivery and comes across the rich and handsome Theo. He is talked into fake dating Theo after Theo makes a large donation to his aunt’s restaurant. Theo takes Dylan to the Hamptons, but is this fake dating maybe based on a real crush?

Everything about this is kind and simply wonderful. Even just the descriptions of food have been so delicious sounding. (I’ve been eating dumplings all week bc I can’t just read about dumplings without picking some up at my local restaurant). This is such a comfort romcom read!!!!

Out May 16, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This is a fun, fast-paced ya thriller that kept me on my toes.  Jade is a bit of a drama queen, but who could help it after a horrible breakup.  Jade’s ex, Silas, left her for her best friend and both cut off all contact.   Pretty depressing.   But, when she sees that they are boarding the same overseas learning cruise, things start to fly off the handle, and Jade winds up looking suspicious.

I enjoyed this one.  It’s really a fun and quick read.  I couldn’t take Jade too seriously because she seemed a bit over the top at times.  But, I wound up liking this!

Out May 2, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

To Shape a Dragon’ Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This excellent steampunk world that also has dragons was not only fun but also very poignant about the reality of colonialism and racism (many of these factors still exist today).

I loved the energy here. The author did not hold back with this main character. I felt pure pride reading about this MC challenging every misconception of her people and standing up against any slight.

This is a great fantasy with a lot of attention to the details, which is what really highlights it as steampunk to me. These small details of designs to either create machinery or to control a dragons breath are simply fantastic.

I will say that parts of this book seriously dragged for me and seemed a bit slow. But I am so glad I kept reading because the ending is wild!

Out May 9, 2023!

I’m Not Supposed to be In the Dark by Riss. M. Neilson 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This story immediately pulled me in. I loved the main character, Aria, and I found that this whole story was just so well written and composed that I couldn’t help but enjoy this.

Aria has a secret power. She’s not really sure. In the very beginning of the book, she stops drinking the tea her mother and grandfather always push on her, and she begins to see into a gray world, some spirits. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Her power doesn’t fully come into play until later in the story, but it is there the whole time.

She begins noticing some oddities about her neighbors. Her ex-bestfriend, Derek, lives next door. And, he is really acting strange. It’s almost like it’s not exactly him sometimes. In her search to help Derek, Aria also finds out a lot about herself.

I love this cover!!! And, throughout this story, the author includes some beautiful descriptions of Wisteria. (I just wish I didn’t have allergies! But I love Wisteria season!)

Overall, I really enjoyed this!

Out May 9, 2023!

The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I had high expectations for this book, and it went beyond those plus another billion high.  This is my new favorite ya series right now! I have not been so invested in a ya fantasy in a while, and this had me heart and soul.  Very character driven,  plot driven also.  But these characters,  Selly, Leander, and Keegan, feel like my new best book friends. 

A sentinel goddess that requires a sacrifice, a slumbering god that needs to awaken.  These are the two sides of a war that seem hellbent on coming.  Leander is a prince who is journeying to make a sacrifice to his kingdom’s goddess, unknowingly entering dangerous waters on Selly’s ship.  Keegan, a scholar, is also aboard, unwittingly being dragged into the middle of history in the making.

What they don’t know is that the country across from them has been paying attention.  Particularly Laskia, dying to prove that she is better and worth more than her infamous sister.

I cried 5 times reading this, and I really never cry in books.  This author had me instantly feeling attached to these characters and their emotions,  so yeah… some tearjerker moments had me. 

Out May 2, 2023!

Dear Medussa by Olivia A. Cole 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This meant a lot to me. I think sexual assault and trauma can happen to anyone, at any age, but this author speaking from 16 year old Alicia’s pov really gave this particular trauma a strong voice.

Alicia’s whole life changed after being sexually assaulted by a popular teacher. The girl who ran track and wanted a future was gone, but throughout this story told in verse, Alicia does regain her strength. Particularly with the help of other girls, other strong girls that show her that she is worth fighting for.

I loved the tie-in with Medusa, particularly the ending. I have heard and read many variations on Medussa’s story at this point, and it has become so clear to me that she was not the monster in her tale. I am so thankful to all the strong people out there, including this author, writing these stories and helping everyone no matter where they are in life with a problem that is so much more common than what I believe many people think.

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!