The Testing (The Testing #1) by Joelle Charbonneau is okay but reminded me too much of both Divergent and The Hunger Games to really get invested in tThe Testing (The Testing #1) by Joelle Charbonneau is okay but reminded me too much of both Divergent and The Hunger Games to really get invested in the story, characters, and world (which honestly seemed a bit flat to me). I don't know if I had read it back when it was new I would have preferred it, or not. I don't think I'll be back for the rest of the series. By the way, this book made me want to rewatch the dystopian Brazilian tv series called 3% which I highly recommend checking out on Netflix if you haven't already....more
Okay, Skyward (Skyward #1) by Brandon Sanderson was great! Why was I sitting on this for so long? I can't wait to get caught up on the rest of the serOkay, Skyward (Skyward #1) by Brandon Sanderson was great! Why was I sitting on this for so long? I can't wait to get caught up on the rest of the series. If you're looking for one of the best YA sci-fi series openers, you can't skip this!...more
It took me a minute to get into this but by the end I'd say I've been hooked. I'll have to continue the series.It took me a minute to get into this but by the end I'd say I've been hooked. I'll have to continue the series....more
Not bad but it's a little too similar to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder for me to really get into it on its own terms.Not bad but it's a little too similar to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder for me to really get into it on its own terms....more
Is it weird that I was convinced it was Sarah Wheeler for the longest time and was genuinely surprised when I realized wasn't? That the title was actuIs it weird that I was convinced it was Sarah Wheeler for the longest time and was genuinely surprised when I realized wasn't? That the title was actually I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston. While this was a solid read for me, I'd still say this is my least favorite book by this author. My favorite was easily One Last Stop....more
I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I loved I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee. I don't follow K-Pop very much although I do enjoy watching K-dramas I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I loved I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee. I don't follow K-Pop very much although I do enjoy watching K-dramas and movies. I don't know much about the Korean music industry, but either way this is still feels quite accessible. The characters really make this YA Contemporary work, especially Skye Shin herself. She's a real breath of fresh air. I'm glad I decided to listen to this on audiobook - Greta Jung is a great narrator. I can't recommend this story enough. I'll have to read more from Lyla Lee in the future....more
Romcoms aren't really my thing, but I thought I'd give this a chance. It was a bit hit or miss for me and a little too long as well. It does have a goRomcoms aren't really my thing, but I thought I'd give this a chance. It was a bit hit or miss for me and a little too long as well. It does have a good sense of humor though and the audiobook narrators did a good job. It's a solid YA series opener, but I don't think I'm interested enough to come back for book 2. That said, I would like more of Sharlot's mom's story....more
Mary Rostad's story is an absolute must read. I don't know how I'd missed it up until now.Mary Rostad's story is an absolute must read. I don't know how I'd missed it up until now....more
I'm lucky I just happened to find Icebreaker (The Hidden #1) by Lian Tanner at a thrift shop. I loved just how much this series opener reminded me of I'm lucky I just happened to find Icebreaker (The Hidden #1) by Lian Tanner at a thrift shop. I loved just how much this series opener reminded me of Snowpiecer. I don't know if I'll continue with the series, but if you're looking for a fascinating dystopian set on a ship, you'll have to try it....more
Code of Honor by Alan Gratz is certainly a fast-paced YA thriller alright. I've really enjoyed everything I've read from this author so far, and althoCode of Honor by Alan Gratz is certainly a fast-paced YA thriller alright. I've really enjoyed everything I've read from this author so far, and although this one may be my least favorite of the group so far. I wouldn't exactly say it's realistic but it had me definitely had me hooked and invested in Kamran's story. For me, that's the aspect that really makes it work for me - and that it feels like it's ripped from the headlines....more
This was an awesome work of narrative nonfiction. If you don't know about this heist, it's such an interesting story. Plus, I love that it gives you tThis was an awesome work of narrative nonfiction. If you don't know about this heist, it's such an interesting story. Plus, I love that it gives you the context of the history of the artist and the artwork itself. Brett Helquist's illustrations really set it all off as well....more
So Let Them Burn (Divine Traitors #1) by Kamilah Cole is an amazing YA LGBT+ Fantasy debut! This fantasy is Jamaican inspired and the atmosphere and wSo Let Them Burn (Divine Traitors #1) by Kamilah Cole is an amazing YA LGBT+ Fantasy debut! This fantasy is Jamaican inspired and the atmosphere and world-building are outstanding, the characters are feel like they could walk right off the page (especially Faron), and the magic system is pretty cool. Plus, there are dragons! The story does deal with some heavier topics, but the author handles them well. I highly recommend this and I can't wait to read the future sequel....more
For Lamb by Lesa Cline-Ransome is absolutely outstanding, but I do wish it wasn't quite as slowly paced and I wish there weren't quite as many POV chaFor Lamb by Lesa Cline-Ransome is absolutely outstanding, but I do wish it wasn't quite as slowly paced and I wish there weren't quite as many POV characters. Otherwise, this is a must read piece of YA historical fiction. It deserves much more attention than it has gotten so far....more
This was so much a fun! Everyone really fits their original characterizations. I enjoyed all of the stories, but Mission 2 with Yuri and Anya's day ouThis was so much a fun! Everyone really fits their original characterizations. I enjoyed all of the stories, but Mission 2 with Yuri and Anya's day out ended up being my favorite. It was also cool that we got to see a very short perspective on Loid, Yor, and Anya from the employees at a restaurant they frequent. I hope they do more of these Spy x Family novels in the future....more
Before the Devil Knows You're Here by Autumn Krause was everything I never knew I needed. Let's just say I wasn't expecting this folk horror featuringBefore the Devil Knows You're Here by Autumn Krause was everything I never knew I needed. Let's just say I wasn't expecting this folk horror featuring Johnny Appleseed would work quite so well, but this was such a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend it!...more
I'm so glad I just happened to stumble on The Black Veins (Dead Magic #1) by Ashia Monet was just the kind of YA urban fantasy I was looking for. As mI'm so glad I just happened to stumble on The Black Veins (Dead Magic #1) by Ashia Monet was just the kind of YA urban fantasy I was looking for. As much as I liked the magic system and the world-building, the characters really make the story. I hope we can still look forward to the sequel since this was released going on five years ago....more
I'm so glad I decided to try this on audiobook. The narrators did a fantastic job of bringing this YA thriller to life.I'm so glad I decided to try this on audiobook. The narrators did a fantastic job of bringing this YA thriller to life....more
A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel is absolutely awesome. I can't wait to read more from her in the future.A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel is absolutely awesome. I can't wait to read more from her in the future....more
Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker is a solid YA mystery thriller. The set up is really intriguing and hooked me, but the first thing that really caught my Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker is a solid YA mystery thriller. The set up is really intriguing and hooked me, but the first thing that really caught my eye is the cover. Just look at that! It looks so cool even if the story itself didn't always work for me. The big cast of characters is the trickiest part for me. I didn't care for any of them and it was tough to keep track of who's who. Plus, the novel is a little too long. If you're looking for an ultimate locked room style story (given as they're on an airplane) and are a fan of And Then There Were None, you might want to give this a try. I'll have to try more from this author in the future....more
