Book Review: Queens of Geek - Jen Wilde

I was so lucky to receive this eARC from NetGalley!

This book hit all sorts of sweet spots with me, in the best of ways. Since I've been to ComicCon with my friends, consider myself a huge Harry Potter fan, and I'm definitely curvy, I could really identify with Taylor. But Taylor has more depth, as do all the characters, than I was expecting in a story that takes place over the span of one weekend.

1 & 2 stars - This story has two POV (why we don't get to hear from Jamie, I'm not sure but it works fine) and the story stays very focused on our group. This trio has always wanted to attend SupaCon, and has just flown in from Melbourne, Australia to have an epic weekend before they make some choices and moves for college. Right from the beginning, I was invested in these characters' lives. What happened before, what was going on, and where things would taken them afterwards. While there are still some unknowns, we are shown a great level of growth in these characters over the span of one weekend. I adored every moment with them.

3 stars - Not only was there a non-stereotypical woc (Charlie is Asian, with pink hair!), but there's Taylor, who is an "aspie" and she tells us she is somewhere on the spectrum. Oh, and she has anxiety disorder. Having chosen to attend SupaCon, she sets all that aside because she wants to meet her idol- the star of the Queen Firestone books & movies. What she doesn't anticipate are the people she meets (many in fact, good and bad), a Firestone contest, and her best friend Jamie's flirtations. And it's fantastic. I won't say how things turn out, but being in Taylor's headspace was really opening for me and is really fantastic to see in YA. 

4 stars - Charlie also gets a nod of her own because she's very deep as well. A YouTube vlogger, she's just struck big in the next dystopian movie series The Rising . Her acting managed to score the trio tickets, but it did not manage to score her time away from Reese- her awful recent ex. Since Reese, Charlie has openly come out as bi but hasn't dated a girl. While at the Con, she meets her crush Alyssa, another YouTube vlogger and celebrity of sorts. And while the girls hit it off with a lot in common, Charlie can't tell if Alyssa likes her back. It's a charming and adorable plotline and I really appreciated Charlie's narration.

5 stars - Jamie <3 , the boy who gets it. This trio has the healthiest and most open friendship I have seen in a YA book in awhile. With the exception of some things that give Taylor anxiety (i.e. things she won't talk about), they're pretty open and very close. And there are some great scenes where Jamie supports both of the girls by standing up, both verbally and physically. He's the dude you want your son to be. 

I don't think I have a favourite character, but I love this book and will be thinking fondly of it as I wait to open the paperback copy.*

*Originally published for Goodreads

Book Review: A Gathering of Shadows

Hey, welcome back to my shelf!

I have no idea what I'm going to do when this series wraps up next week... 

I wasn't sure where V.E. Schwab was going to take this book and, as much as I love her, I can't help but dread the middle book in any trilogy. It's usually lame, involving little action and often serving only to build the third book. But V didn't disappoint! There is a beautiful blend of action and magic, wittiness and politics. I never felt like the story was dragging. I did find, like the cover quotes, that it was addictive. I tried to stretch this out, to savor it, but spent many nights reading past my bedtime.

1 star - I love the complexity of the relationships in this book. There is a great moment when Rhy talks to Lila about the way Kell loves people, the few that he does, and he says something along the lines of 'just because he doesn't shower you with sweetness doesn't mean he doesn't love you.' (If I had my copy handy I'd quote the exact thing.) But it highlights that, in all kinds of love, it isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Humans have emotions and sometimes we argue, sometimes we try to overprotect someone or shelter them, and maybe we have to refind common ground. The relationships in this book are so realistic, so relatable. V's characters are something I always appreciate and look forward to when reading her books. 


2 stars - I love the building mysteries. I'm assuming you've read the first book if you're reading this? Okay, good. So in the first book, Master Tieren hinted that Lila might be an impossible thing- an antari. In this book, we are still questioning this idea. We also see Ned again ( <3 ) and he too is playing with the idea that Grey Londoners might be able to wield magic. On top of all that, we meet someone who shouldn't be around. We meet a new Captain who (he and his cat) are questionable. And the end is kiiind of a cliffhanger (sorry V, but it is!)

3 stars - Allucard is a new favourite character of mine and he deserves his own star. I very much hope for his continued involvement in book 3, and perhaps his POV in the book. (This is a series where it's really hard to pick a favourite character and there's also no clear Book BF.)

4 stars - For creating such beautifully deep characters. Not only do we build on Lila's issues of the past, but also we see Rhy and Kell are developing in different ways than they were before. On top of all of this, we discover an old lover of Rhy and that creates drama between the boys. (Can I just say I love how fluid the sexuality of some of these characters are? And it's written wonderfully normal too! Man, I love Rhy and the arc of his character.)

5 stars - Between the creative wit, the beautifully written realms, and the ease of action, I loved where this book went- both over seas and abroad. 

Is it February 21st yet?

Stay tuned to see what else I put on my shelf!

Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic

Hello, welcome back to my shelf!

In celebration of the third book in V.E. Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic releasing in less than a week and Valentine's Day, I thought I would re-post my review of the first book and relive how much a loved it.

I picked this book up having read This Savage Song . I loved TSS for it's characters and narrative as well as Schwab's ability to create a visual and visceral world. I don't usually backread (read something that isn't new, particularly a series), but I was SO glad I did. Kell and Lila were fantastic characters and Victoria(aka V.E.) created an awesome fantasy London for them to live in. Anyone who doesn't want to live in Red London is crazy! ;)

1 star For the adorable and charming Kell. He was easy to fall in love with. I'd say he has the whimsy of the 10th doctor with the swagger of Once's Hook. And something else I can't place my thumb on. He was such an interesting character.

2 stars The idea of 4 Londons was awesome and I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series takes us.

3 stars Every little vignette makes you question things. You wonder what might be important that you're missing and find yourself picking up what otherwise might have been a throwaway line. I cannot wait to see where the pirate-esque Lila ends up. 

4 & 5 stars This story was such an original idea to me. And I really enjoyed how caught up in the world I became. I decided to spend November 2016 reading Fantasy books (at the time YA, but this turned out not to be YA) as that's my weak area. They can be a little overwhelming and I have a hard time remembering characters, places, and other fantasy items. But not with DSoM. I was able to remember everyone, clearly picture the world, and found myself completely immersed. I loved how things surprised me as much as I loved that there were some thing I suspected early on. 

London is always a neat place for a story to happen and I really look forward to the next 2 books.*

Stay tuned to see what else I put on my shelf!

*Originally posted to Goodreads.  

Romance Week - YA Heart Breakers

Hello, welcome back to my shelf!

This is a list of books that hit me straight in the feels.  I won't say much about them, because I don't want to give anything away,, but you should still read them if you haven't.  So, without further ado...

#5 - Belzhar - Meg Wolitzer

#4 - Orbiting Jupiter - Gary Schmidt

#3 - Salt to the Sea - Ruta Septys 

Is she done researching yet?  I'm ready for more brilliance from Ruta!  

#2 - More Happy Than Not - Adam Silvera

Nicest dude!  Super tall too!

And...

#1 - The Serpent King - Jeff Zentner

This guy is very cool.

Honorable Mentions:

Dumplin' - Julie Murphy

The Rest of Us Just Live Here - Patrick Ness

Replica - Lauren Oliver

So, that's it for now.  Stay tuned to see what else I put on my shelf!

Romance Week - YA Books

Hey, welcome back to my shelf!

It's #RomanceWeek over on Goodreads.  From now through Valentine's Day, some authors who write romance are sharing short stories.  Since I mostly read YA for work (YA Librarian), I thought I'd list my Top 5 Favourite Romances in YA novels.  I think that there are all kinds of love too, so instead of just listing books that had relationships, I want to also list ones that had love between friends. (I'll save self-love and fave friends for another post).

There are bound to be some books that I will forget and there are all types of love that I want to include, so if you don't see your fave listed feel free to include it in the comments below!  And before you comment, I left Harry Potter out on purpose. There are a tons of brilliant instances of love and friendship in that book, and we all know it ;)

#5 - Of Fire and Stars - Audrey Coulthurst

This is a fantasy novel set in a pretty realistic setting.  Other than the sprawling territories, arranged marriages, and hidden magical powers, it's very relatable.  We find ourselves reading from the alternating POV of Mare & Denna.  Denna has been waiting years for the day she would have to fulfill the arranged marriage between her and Mare's brother, all the while keeping her powers a secret.  But neither girl could have predicted that they would fall for each other.  This is a sweet story that takes its time, building a believable and strong relationship between the girls while providing us with a mystery within the kingdom (a "whodunit" of royal proportions).  Both of these girls are strong and independent, making their support of each other even better.  If you haven't read it, you can check it out on Goodreads.  

#4 - The Darkest Part of the Forest  - Holly Black

This isn't your typical love story.  For years, this small town has known about the trickster fairy-like creatures in the woods.  For Hazel and Ben, most of their attention is on the fawn prince- a boy with horns and a knife, encased in glass.  And their love grows for him, seemingly there forever.  Until, one day, he's not.  And their secrets come crashing down around them. It's a little darker than your average romance, but it's one of my favourite examples of mixing up a fairytale.  And it's very quick-paced too.  You really should add it to your TBR pile.   

#3 - Caraval - Stephanie Garber

Sisterly love, arranged marriage love, forbidden stranger love.  This story of a game of intrigue as everything.  Scarlett and Tella are very close sisters who, for years, have dreamt of attending Caraval- a grand magical game, or performance if you're not participating.  And just as it seems the girls will never be able to attend, an invitation arrives for them.  When a mysterious strange arrives to their home, days away from her wedding, and her sister goes missing.  Scarlett must find her sister and return before she is out of time.  But can Scarlett trust this handsome sailor?  

Even though this was the first thing I read last year in May (from my BEA '16 book haul) it feels like just yesterday.  Maybe I should reread it, to fall in love all over again.  Check it out on Goodreads.   

#2 - My Lady Jane -Cynthia Hand(et al.)

The love in this story takes its time.  The story takes places as Edward, son of Henry VIII, has reached the peak of his Affliction and must find an heir to the throne.  Since he can't make one himself, his Royal Advisor convinces him to wed his cousin Jane Grey to his own son, Gifford.  Told in 3 POVs, this is a tale as witty as the Princess Bride with just a smidge of magic okay maybe a lot more than a smidge to twist history.  The romance that build between Jane and Gifford is just as fantastic as Buttercup and the Dred Pirate too!  Add it to your TBR pile!  

#1 - Queens of Geek - Jen Wilde 

This book had two romances going on and they were equally adorable.  While they were our main focus, I also felt like the love between the trio of friends (Jamie, Charlie, and Taylor) was very strong.  It was also one of the best YA books I had read in a while (for various reasons) mainly because these relationships were all healthy.  These teens thought things through and realized what was best of them and what wasn't.  When Charlie met her online crush, it was adorable and stayed that way.  When Taylor and Jamie clearly had the feels for each other, I was routing for them the whole time.  You can read my full review for this one soon- stay tuned for that blogpost.  This book comes out in March, so add it to your Goodreads TBR now!  

Honorable Mentions:

 The Serpent King  - Jeff Zentner

And the Trees Crept in - Dawn Kurtagich

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

More Happy Than Not - Adam Silvera

I'm going to be posting soon with books I love, not necessarily for romance but because they're fantastic and you should have read them yesterday.  I'm also going to post a list of Heart Breakers, books that hit me really hard in the feels.  Stay tuned to see what else I put on my shelf!

Check out my Goodreads group here!

Book Review: Allegedly - Tiffany Jackson

Hello, welcome to my shelf!

Holy Jeez! I don't even know where to start with this one. If you're a fan of We Were Liars , Orange is the New Black , or books with drama and "whodunnit," this is a good choice.

1 star - I loved the back and forth of story and interview/documentation. Sometimes this doesn't work, but this is one of those stories where it was super important for us (as readers) to understand the depth of what was going on. It was interesting to read these excerpts (including one of Mary's crime biography) that were written during and after her initial manslaughter sentence.

2 stars - This book is deep. Not only is race a part of the discussion, but there is a greater discussion about kids in the prison system and kids aging out of the prison system. We find out early on that Mary is pregnant and this adds an entirely new level to an already awful situation. I would be interested in reading this story again through Ted's perspective (Mary's beau), if only to gain a greater perspective on a male poc in the system. But from Mary's perspective, it definitely causes us to think a bit and cringe a whole lot.

3 stars - I love the character type of an unreliable narrator. From the very beginning, we wonder "Did she do it?" which is what everyone else Mary meets has been asking. And while you can relax in knowing that we do discover the truth, the way we get there is what will keep you speeding through the pages. I had my guesses and (view spoiler)

4 star - While I was a a teeny bit unsatisfied with the ending, the set up is definitely there. I was also interested in the other girls though, after reading the book, I can't help but wonder (view spoiler) I do wonder about how so many of the adults were so checked out, but I think that's why adults like Ms. Claire and Ms. Cora were so important. I want to see supportive figures like those in more YA books.

The only reason I didn't give this five stars was because I could feel the hand tip in the "whodunnit" and wasn't that surprised. There were also a few elements that I felt were mentioned and then quickly dropped, not to be entirely resolved. And, while this didn't detract from the story, it did distract me as a reader. That being said, this is still really good. As a YA librarian, I recommend this as an older teen read and I would note a few trigger-worthy moments (mental/physical abuse, implied rape & stories of rape, and implied molestation to name a few.)*

Stay tuned to see what else I put on my shelf!

*Originally puublished for Goodreads.