South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of South of the Buttonwood Tree in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Heather Webber’s South of the Buttonwood Tree is a charming and whimsical story. It journeys into a small Southern town where magic and mystery intertwine with the lives of its inhabitants. Blending contemporary fiction with elements of magical realism, Webber crafts a story that is both enchanting and heartwarming. The Details Webber’s writing is imbued with a sense of nostalgia, capturing the essence of…
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The Kingdom of Liars
The Kingdom of Liars by Mick Martell My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Kingdom of Liars in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Kingdom of Liars introduces readers to a complex and expansive fantasy world, but its execution leaves room for both admiration and constructive critique. The novel, while promising, presents challenges that may impact the overall reading experience. The Details The protagonist is a multifaceted character with a compelling journey that intertwines personal secrets with larger mysteries. Martell’s narrative skill is evident, especially in the exploration of…
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The Cold is in Her Bones
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Cold Is in Her Bones in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Cold Is in Her Bones by Peternelle van Arsdale is a solid addition to the young adult fantasy genre. The novel, while engaging, falls into the familiar territory of fairy tale retellings and coming-of-age stories. With a foundation rooted in classic themes of curses, folklore, and self-discovery, the narrative builds a world that is both enchanting and ominous. The Details The characters are well-crafted, and the author successfully explores themes of isolation and the consequences of…
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The Dark Beneath the Ice
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Dark Beneath the Ice in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Dark Beneath the Ice is a gripping and atmospheric journey into the unknown, skillfully blending elements of the supernatural with the challenges of adolescence. Amelinda Bérubé weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, balancing the eerie with the emotional intricacies of the protagonist’s journey. The Details Bérubé’s writing is atmospheric and evocative, immersing readers in the chilling world that the protagonist inhabits. The exploration of mental health themes is woven seamlessly into…
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Artemis
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Artemis in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Artemis by Andy Weir, though brimming with scientific detail and a promising lunar setting, falls short of the high expectations set by the author’s previous work. While Weir’s attempt to blend science and storytelling is commendable, the execution leaves much to be desired. The Details One of the notable drawbacks is the protagonist. Instead of being a relatable and dynamic character, she comes across as forced and at times, clichéd. The humour often feels contrived and fails to land, disrupting the narrative…
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Starborn – Worldmaker Trilogy #1
Starborn – Worldmaker Trilogy by Lucy Hounsom My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Starborn in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Starborn by Lucy Hounsom is a gripping and imaginative fantasy novel that takes readers on a thrilling adventure through a beautifully crafted world of magic, mystery, and danger. The novel follows the journey of Kyndra, a young girl who discovers that she has the power to control the elements and that she is destined to play a crucial role in the fate of her world. The Details…
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The Sacrifice
The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Sacrifice in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist You know what? I’m kind of tired writing these negative, or shall we say unfavourable reviews. There have been a lot of them lately. So, here I am, excited to start Rin Chupeco’s newest story. I loved her Bone Witch trilogy and Never Tilting World duology, but there was something missing in The Sacrifice. The Details I loved the premise, the setting, the contradiction between such a beautiful…
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Belladonna
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Little, Brown for Young Readers, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Belladonna in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist I don’t know what to say. I am so done having to deal with this book; I just want to forget about it. Less than a week ago I made the YouTube book review video for Belladonna, thinking at least that part is out of the way. I thought wrong. It appears my microphone decided to break halfway through the shoot and I had to make the…
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Book Haul 2016
I’m trying something new and giving this book haul trend a go not only on my YouTube channel, but also on my blog. I noticed that I have a lot of books that I read in the past few years that never made it on this blog or even Goodreads. So, in order to clean up this mess, I’m doing a sort of book haul by the year. Turns out I have to go back six years. That a long time ago and so much has changed since then. Each book gets a paragraph or two in which I talk a little bit about the impressions the story has made…
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Gilded Serpent
Gilded Serpent by Danielle Jensen My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Tor Teen, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Gilded Serpent in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist So, this is part three in Jensen’s epic fantasy series and boy do I love it! I started Gilded Serpent over a year ago. Had to stop, because life got kind of stupid and then started again many months later from the beginning. At first I just wanted to finish it as quickly as possible, because I NEEDED to know what was going to happen. I quickly realized…
