Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman My rating: 4 of 5 stars I feel an enormous amount of pressure writing this review, but probably not for the reason that you might think. “Noughts and Crosses” tackles very difficult subjects in a multidimensional, emotional way. It features a relationship that has deeper implications than one may … Continue reading »
Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer My rating: 4 of 5 stars Initial reaction: Huh, I actually enjoyed this way more than the first book. Greater stakes, competing interests and the return of a villain. I think I will see this series out until its end, but I really enjoyed both the story and audio … Continue reading »
Killing Rachel by Anne Cassidy My rating: 1 of 5 stars Initial reaction: Argh, this hurts to write. You know, despite my criticisms of it in some modes, I actually did like Anne Cassidy’s first book in this series, “Dead Time”. Rose was a flawed protagonist in that, but at least she owned up to … Continue reading »
The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington My rating: 4 of 5 stars Initial reaction: Solid YA mystery with paranormal elements. I’m usually fond of ghost stories and I found something to like not only in Jade’s respective journey, but also in the unfolding murder mystery that kept the ball rolling right up to the … Continue reading »
Lost Summer by Alex McAulay My rating: 1 of 5 stars There’s only so much suspension of disbelief you can have in a single story. I think in Alex McAulay’s “Lost Summer”, that suspension was used up well before the book hit the 10% mark, at least for me. Even in the most far-fetched of … Continue reading »
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell My rating: 3 of 5 stars Initial reaction: I think this book was as good as it was in terms of my reading experience because of the audiobook. I liked that part of it, but I’m a little torn on my experience of the story. Parts of it I … Continue reading »
The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan My rating: 5 of 5 stars Initial reaction: Review to come when I can find words to describe how much this book swallowed me into the journey, characters and respective conflict. I really enjoyed this and it rather surprised me. Full review: And I’m yet again impressed reading … Continue reading »
The Stone Demon by Karen Mahoney My rating: 3 of 5 stars Karen Mahoney’s “The Stone Demon” is the third and final book to “The Iron Witch” trilogy, and I think its content is more on the level with the first, though with a few caveats to consider. I appreciated the journey with the familiar … Continue reading »
Deadly Drive by Justine Korman Fontes My rating: 1 of 5 stars Justine Korman Fontes’ “Deadly Drive” is a part of a series of novels called “Surviving South Side”. I definitely appreciate that this story is directed toward reluctant teen readers and tackling such a tough subject. But there were a lot of things in … Continue reading »
Identity Theft by Anna Davies My rating: 4 of 5 stars Initial reaction: I’m really glad I had the opportunity to read “Identity Theft”, considering it’s among the kind of stories I usually enjoy. It took a while to find its stride and I think I was put off a little by the info-dumpish, pop … Continue reading »
Past Darkness by Laurel Woiwode My rating: 1 of 5 stars This is likely to be an awkward review for more reasons than one. How many people can say they’ve read a book beginning to end and felt absolutely nothing for any of the characters within a story, down to the point that many of … Continue reading »
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sherri L. Smith’s “Flygirl” is a gem of a novel, taking place during the middle of World War II where a young woman enlists as a pilot in the army. However, in doing so, she not only faces the dangers that await her in … Continue reading »
Courtney Crumrin, Volume 2: The Coven of Mystics Special Edition Hardcover by Ted Naifeh My rating: 5 of 5 stars I certainly loved “Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics”, the second installation in the Courtney Crumrin series. In this volume, Courtney’s still adjusting to school life as well as studying under the wing of … Continue reading »
Hey guys, Rose here with another post for Fit Friday. I came across this fitness guide for teen girls on NetGalley that I found to be an invaluable resource. I really enjoyed reading it and wanted to take the time to share it as a recommendation. Considering childhood obesity is such an epidemic in our … Continue reading »
Stung by Bethany Wiggins My rating: 1 of 5 stars Initial reaction: I definitely have a number of constructive things to say about “Stung”, but in the string of YA dystopian novels I’ve read, this proved disappointing on many levels. The thematics, the cliches, the structuring and characterizations. And that hurts considering the premise is … Continue reading »
