Month: June 2023

Review: Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1)

Title: Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1)
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: RB Media
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Audiobook
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

Review:

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail, the daughter of the commanding general, was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant and live a quiet and safe life. Her mother orders her to join the Riders Quadrant, which has a high death rate, especially for someone like Violet who hasn’t had any training for it. Not only does Violet’s small, brittle body make her unlikely to bond with a dragon, with her famous last name, she’s the target of other students in her quadrant. Xaden Riorson is the wingleader of her quadrant, and he has a reason to not like Violet. However, Violet defies all the odds when it comes to training and bonding with a dragon. She must do anything she can to survive. 

This book definitely lived up to the hype! There was a great slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance which I loved! I listened to the audiobook and read a physical copy. I found it a little difficult to follow the audiobook, mostly because it was such a complex world to enter. I enjoyed the physical book much more. There were shocking twists at the end, including a huge cliffhanger ending. I’m so glad that I only have to wait a few months for the next book in the series!

Fourth Wing is an amazing new dragon-filled fantasy!

Thank you RB Media for providing an audio arc of this book!

Content warnings: death of parent, broken bones, murder

Have you read Fourth Wing? What did you think of it?

Review: Imogen, Obviously

Title: Imogen, Obviously
Author: Becky Albertalli
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQ
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Imogen Scott may be hopelessly heterosexual, but she’s got the World’s Greatest Ally title locked down.

She’s never missed a Pride Alliance meeting. She knows more about queer media discourse than her very queer little sister. She even has two queer best friends. There’s Gretchen, a fellow high school senior, who helps keep Imogen’s biases in check. And then there’s Lili—newly out and newly thriving with a cool new squad of queer college friends.

Imogen’s thrilled for Lili. Any ally would be. And now that she’s finally visiting Lili on campus, she’s bringing her ally A game. Any support Lili needs, Imogen’s all in.

Even if that means bending the truth, just a little.

Like when Lili drops a tiny queer bombshell: she’s told all her college friends that Imogen and Lili used to date. And none of them know that Imogen is a raging hetero—not even Lili’s best friend, Tessa.

Of course, the more time Imogen spends with chaotic, freckle-faced Tessa, the more she starts to wonder if her truth was ever all that straight to begin with. . .

Review:

Imogen Scott is the heterosexual girl in her group of queer friends. She’s the proudest ally in their Pride Alliance at school. Her two closest friends are Gretchen and Lili. Gretchen always points out when Imogen is misappropriating queerness, whereas Lili has recently come out and is attending college nearby. When Imogen visits Lili at college for a weekend, Lili tells her that she told her new queer college friends that she used to date Imogen. Now, Imogen has to masquerade as a bisexual during that weekend and no one questions it. Imogen connects with Tessa at the college, and she has feelings for her that she doesn’t really understand. She has to figure out if she isn’t as straight as she thought. 

I absolutely loved this story! Imogen was adorable in the way that she was figuring things out as she went along. She was loyal and supported her friends, even when they didn’t deserve it. Her friend Gretchen acted as the queer police, explaining Imogen’s feelings to her rather than actually listening to how she felt. Everyone’s identity is different and unique, so one person or group shouldn’t try to define it. I loved Imogen’s growth throughout the story!

Imogen, Obviously is an adorable new queer story!

What to read next:

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales

Have you read Perfect on Paper? What did you think of it?

Review: A Broken Blade (The Halfling Saga #1)

Title: A Broken Blade (The Halfling Saga #1)
Author: Melissa Blair
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Union Square and Co.
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: August 2, 2022
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

My body is made of scars,
some were done to me,
but most I did to myself. 
 
Keera is a killer. As the King’s Blade, she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. And the king’s favored assassin. When a mysterious figure moves against the Crown, Keera is called upon to hunt down the so-called Shadow. She tracks her target into the magical lands of the Fae, but Faeland is not what it seems . . . and neither is the Shadow. Keera is shocked by what she learns, and can’t help but wonder who her enemy truly is: the King that destroyed her people or the Shadow that threatens the peace?
 
As she searches for answers, Keera is haunted by a promise she made long ago, one that will test her in every way. To keep her word, Keera must not only save herself, but an entire kingdom.
 
Fans of fast-paced high fantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses series, The Inadequate Heir, and From Blood and Ash author Jennifer L. Armentrout, will enjoy the fierce female characters, sapphic representation, and fantasy romance of A Broken Blade.

Review:

Keera is the King’s Blade, his favourite assassin. When a mysterious figure known as the Shadow starts attacking near the capital, the King sends Keera out to find him. She travels to the lands of the Fae to find out more about the Shadow. Keera is shocked when she meets the Shadow, and he isn’t the enemy she thought he was. The Shadow makes Keera question her position as the Blade and who her real enemy could be. 

This book definitely lived up to the hype. It was fast-paced and action packed. This story was based on the way Indigenous people were/are treated in North America. The King in this book took the lands from the Fae and Elves who lived there. Halflings, those who were half mortal, half elf, were deemed as lesser. The King would take custody of and train Halflings as his own soldiers. This story showed how horrible a leader like the King really is, and it’s disturbing that it’s a mirror image to what happened in the real world here. 

A Broken Blade is a fantastic fantasy! I can’t wait to read the sequel!

Thank you Union Square and Co and Manda Group for sending me a copy!

Content warnings: self harm, alcoholism, murder, physical abuse, parental death

What to read next:

A Shadow Crown by Melissa Blair

Other books in the series:

  • A Shadow Crown (The Halfling Saga #2)

Have you read A Broken Blade? What did you think of it?

Review: Schnozzer and Tatertoes: Take a Hike!

Title: Schnozzer and Tatertoes: Take a Hike!
Author: Rick Stromoski
Genre: Children’s, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: June 27, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A buddy adventure through the forest, starring two best-pal pooches!  Two best friend dogs, Schnozzer (the smart one) and Tatertoes (the cheerful one), set off into the forest on a journey to visit Tatertoes’s mom. Along their adventure, they encounter bees, bears, quicksand, characters from fairy tales, something called “nose spiders,” and  lots  of yo-yo action. Their adventures are told as a series of vignettes, propelled by easygoing but giggle-inducing humor. That plus Rick Stromoski’s lush, illustrative style and charming character designs make for page-turning, chuckle-filled reading.

Review:

Schnozzer and Tatertoes are two dog friends who live together. After a game of “Mother May I,” Schnozzer realizes he doesn’t have any memories of his mom. They decide to go to the farm where Schnozzer was born to find his mom. Along the way, they meet fairytale characters, like Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks, and creatures like “nose spiders” and “a log with a face” in the water. They have a entertaining journey to find Schnozzer’s mom. 

This was an adorable children’s graphic novel! Schnozzer is a cheerful and naive dog, while Tatertoes is more logical. There were jokes that will make kids and adults laugh. The illustrations were beautiful and expressive too. I liked the inclusion of familiar fairy tale characters. It made the story relatable, since they were characters I already know. 

Schnozzer and Tatertoes Take a Hike is a great children’s graphic novel!

Thank you Union Square and Co. for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read Schnozzer and Tatertoes: Take a Hike? What did you think of it?

Review: Reputation

Title: Reputation
Author: Lex Croucher
Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 8, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A classic romcom with a Regency-era twist, for fans of Mean Girls and Bridgerton.

Abandoned by her parents in favour of a sea view, middle class Georgiana Ellers has moved to a new town to live with her dreary aunt and uncle. At a particularly dull dinner party, she meets the enigmatic Frances Campbell, a wealthy socialite and enchanting member of the in-crowd.

Through Frances and her friends, Georgiana is introduced to a new world of wild parties, drunken debauchery, mysterious young men with strangely alluring hands, and the sparkling upper echelons of Regency society.

But high society isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and the price of entry might be more than Georgiana is willing to pay . . .

Full of lavish parties, handsome men on horseback and laugh-out-loud humour, this is the summer read everyone’s talking about.

Review:

Mean Girls meets Bridgerton in this Regency rom com. Georgiana Ellers has been sent to live with her aunt and uncle for the season while her parents stay by the sea for her mother’s health. At a boring dinner party, Georgiana meets Frances Campbell, a wealthy socialite and rebel. Georgiana is soon accepted into Frances’s exclusive group of friends, who drink, do drugs, and have wild parties. However, things take a dark turn when the parties get out of control. Georgiana must stand up for herself, even if it means giving up her place in high society. 

This was such a fun rom com! I loved the way modern partying was combined with a Regency setting. Frances was like Regina George from Mean Girls, influencing Georgiana to do everything she’s been taught not to do. There were even some references to Mean Girls which I loved. The story took a darker turn towards the end. There was a sexual assault and a bit of a “me too” movement, which also made the story relatable to a modern audience. This part was definitely deserved in the story, as it showed how the wild parties can have an explosive ending. 

Reputation is a great Regency rom com!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: abandonment, parental death, sibling death, alcohol poisoning, drug use, sexual assault

What to read next:

Infamous by Lex Croucher

Have you read Reputation? What did you think of it?

Review: Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music

Title: Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music
Author: Rebel Girls
Genre: Children’s, Nonfiction
Publisher: Rebel Girls
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: March 7, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

TRUE STORIES OF WOMEN WHO RAISE THE ROOF!

This collection features 25 stories of extraordinary women in music—women who have moved hearts and minds with their lyrics, uplifted other musicians, and gotten people to jump, dance, and sing along with their music.

Belt out pop anthems with Lizzo, bang on the drums with Nandi Bushell, and write country hits with Dolly Parton. The women in this book come from all around the world. They play different instruments, experiment with new sounds, and stand out in their genres. But one thing is true of them They rock! 

With a forward by iconic rocker Joan Jett and activities curated by Gibson Guitars, this book will have readers everywhere jamming out! Plus, scannable codes let you listen to more stories on the Rebel Girls app.

Review:

Rebel Girls Rock tells the stories of 25 women in the music industry. The women are musicians, singers, or music executives. 

I was familiar with many of the women, such as Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, and Lizzo, but most of them were new to me. Evelyn Glynne is a Scottish drummer who is deaf. She creates music through feeling the thumps of the percussion instruments. Jody Gerson is the CEO and chairman of Universal Music Publishing Group, and works with artists such as Lady Gaga and Halsey. Laura Jane Grace is a trans punk rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist who found confidence through creating music. I loved learning about these inspiring women in music. 

Rebel Girls Rock is a must-read for anyone interested in the music industry!

Thank you Rebel Girls for providing a digital copy of this book!

What to read next:

Rebel Girls Lead: 25 Tales of Powerful Women by Rebel Girls

Have you read Rebel Girls Rock? What did you think of it?

Review: Something More

Title: Something More
Author: Jackie Khalilieh
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Tundra Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: June 6, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A contemporary teen romance novel featuring a Palestinian-Canadian girl trying to hide her autism diagnosis while navigating her first year of high school, for fans of Jenny Han and Samira Ahmed. 

Fifteen-year-old Jessie, a quirky loner obsessed with the nineties, is diagnosed as autistic just weeks before starting high school. Determined to make a fresh start and keep her diagnosis a secret, Jessie creates a list of goals that range from acquiring two distinct eyebrows to getting a magical first kiss and landing a spot in the school play. Within the halls of Holy Trinity High, she finds a world where things are no longer black and white and quickly learns that living in color is much more fun. But Jessie gets more than she bargained for when two very different boys steal her heart, forcing her to go off-script.

Review:

Fifteen-year-old Jessie Khassis has just been diagnosed with autism the summer before starting high school. This diagnosis has explained why she has always felt different, but she wants to have a fresh start in high school and keep her autism a secret. Jessie makes a list of goals as she begins to navigate the confusing landscape of high school. She makes new friends who don’t always behave the way she thinks they would, and there are boys who she likes but they send her mixed signals. Jessie must find her place in high school while learning more about herself along the way. 

I found this story so relatable. Jessie is neurodivergent and understands the world in a way that is different from neurotypical people. However, I think neurodivergent and neurotypical readers could relate to her struggles in high school. Being a teenager and figuring out high school can be difficult. Some people can be confusing, like Jessie’s friends who said one thing but acted a different way. Even though Jessie’s autism makes her view the world in a unique way, these kinds of mixed signals can be confusing for anyone. Even when something is right in front of us, we may not want to believe it if we don’t want to be real. 

Something More is one of the most authentic and relatable contemporary young adult novels I’ve read in a long time!

Thank you Tundra Books and Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: bullying, cheating, death of grandparent

What to read next:

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

Have you read Something More? What did you think of it?