Category Archives: Young Adult

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green Book Review

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After the Fault in Our Stars, I become an immediate fan of John Green’s work. I even enjoyed Looking for Alaska. So, when I learned about his new book Turtles All the Way Down was coming out I was stoked. And now that I have to be marked on my calendar. And now I just finished reading it and in this review, I will be talking about my thoughts on Turtles All the Way Down.

  • Title: Turtles All The Way Down
  • Author: John Green
  • Year Published: 2017
  • Page Count: 286
  • Author Site: Here
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

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BOOK SYNOPSIS:

In Turtles ALl the Way Down, the book focuses on a teenage girl named Aza who goes on a mystery hunt along with her friend Dasy and try to find out what happened to the disappearance of a Billionaire. The Billionaire let say was supposed to go to trial and disappeared out of now one. But, he did leave two clues he left his sons behind to pick up the pieces. Aza and Daisy use that opportunity to dig up clues in hopes find out what happened and hope to get the reward in return.At the same time, the story also focuses on the friendship between Aza and Davis the billionaire’s son. As well, the story focuses on the struggles Aza has to go through when dealing with her mental illness.

BOOK REVIEW:

The book was actually better than what I thought. I really enjoyed the book. Maybe not as much as The Fault in Our Stars, which by the is one of my all-favorite books but its up there. I really enjoyed that fact that the book focuses on many subplots throughout the book and how they somehow connect in a way. For one the main focuses were on the mysterious disappearance of the billionaire and trying to see how it would unfold can’t me feeling suspenseful. I like the fact that the book mostly just made us the readers ask “what happened to him?”, “Why did he leave?” and “What’s happens next?”.

Another part of the story was two main characters Aza and Davis. I like how throughout the book seeing how the relationship between them develop. I like how they are some much alike and can relate. I also like the way they communicate and how they accept each other. I think one of my favorite things about Green’s characters is how they are so real and just really smart characters in their own way. But at the same time, they have their own flaws.

Lastly, the book lets you step inside the world of Aza who throughout the book deals her own mental illness. I also like how much it makes you think and how the book shows us on how the rest of the worlds reacts to that person.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Turtles All the Way Down and how easy, relatable it is. If you interesting in checking out this book I will have the links below and also near the picture above. And until my next post keep on reading.

Links:

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Caraval by Stephanie Garber Book Review

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When I saw the cover for Caraval I knew I had to read this. I also been wanting to read a book with a Carnival type of story and thought why not? Caraval is a book by Stephanie Garber and this is the first in the duology. This book has a combination of magic, and puzzles with an element of mystery to solve.

  • Title: Caraval
  • Author: Stephanie Garber
  • Year Published: 2017
  • Page Count: 407
  • Author Site: Here
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Caraval focuses on the character Scarlet who lives with sister on an island. Scarlet and her sister Tella must grow up living with her very abusive father who just sees them as property. Scarlet dreams of one day going to the magical world of Caraval which is a fantastic show where people go and play a game in order to win a major price. So, Scarlet wants its so badly so she spends most of her life writing letters to the mysterious Legend who owns the Caraval.

Years later when Scarlet is seventeen her father wants to marry the mysterious Count who she hasn’t met. At the same time, Scarlet finally receives a letter from Legend. So, despite her father…Scarlet, Tella and with the help of a sailor named Julian to run off to the world of Caraval.

There at Caraval, Scarlet’s sister goes missing and in order to get her sister back, Scarlet must play the game that this world holds. Thinking it would be a simple task turns out to be more than just a game of risk, secrets, and consequences. Will Scarlet get her sister back?

REVIEW:

This book was really enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed the concept of Caraval and the combination of magic and puzzles. I also enjoyed seeing the world come alive. If you like books with magic, and whimsical elements than this is a book to check out. In fact, most of the book describes Caraval as magical, and colorful. It’s actually somewhat dreamlike.

I also enjoyed some of the mysterious elements throughout the book with all the clues. The clues that lead you closer to winning the major the prize. I also like the idea of being careful with your choices or you may face the consequences.That said, I would’ve liked to have seen more Carnival elements within the book. The fact that the book made it seem like some big show, the book lacked any Carnival elements. I would’ve liked to see more characters that would feel like you are at a Carnival. Maybe jugglers, clowns, or acrobat? I also have seen much of the actual competition. It felt like this game was more a passive MMORPG game that people just show up and have fun.

As for the characters, I am left with mixed feelings. On the one handle, I like seeing the main character go through a transformation in the book. At the beginning of the book, we meet a scary, shy, and broken Scarlet and see how she learns to find her strength in the book. I also like how she would do anything for the sister and would make the hard choices to get her back.

But even though I do like Scarlet, as a character she does have some flaws in the book. At times Scarlet can be naive and can be overly trusting at times in situations where she should have asked questions. I also didn’t really like the love interest in the book. I feel like Julian could’ve used more of a backstory and be developed more. I feel like Julian was half developed and just gave us more questions about who he was.

Overall, I did really enjoyed this story and loved all the magical element and the dark mystery throughout the book. Despite that, I hope some of the supporting characters and some of the questions that were present in the story could be answered in the next book. Well, if you interested in checking out the book I do have the link below. And until my next post keep on reading.

Link:

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A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas Book Review

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If you are in the mood for fae than I got a book for you. I recently finished reading A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. This is the third book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses. If you haven’t read the first book, I have a book review for you to check out. This third and final book kept me at my seat every step of the way.

  • Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin
  • Author: Sarah J. Maas
  • Year Published: 2017
  • Page Count: 720
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

A Court of Wings and Ruin brings us back to the world of Pythian and continues the events from A Court of Mist and Fury. In this book, Feyre returns to the Spring Court and has to pretend she is in love with Tamlin. While pretending to be in love with Tamlin, Feyre must collect information in order to bring down King Hybern and Tamlin’s Spring Court in order to win the war against evil and save those she loves the most. But, will playing this dangerous game of deception go well? How much Feyre has to go before losing herself?

BOOK REVIEW:

This book was a roller coaster of emotions. I couldn’t stop reading it and in fact, when I finished it a few days ago I noticed that my clock read 2’o clock in the morning. Even though Sarah J. Maas already built the whole fairy world in ACOMAF, she wasn’t done and had more to add. I appreciated seeing new characters and the other part of the world I didn’t get to see.

As for the characters, I enjoyed seeing how much Feyre change throughout the whole trilogy. I enjoyed seeing how Feyre moved from her traumas and become stronger. She actually is now a force to be reckoned with. Watch out Tamlin.

Another part of the book that I enjoyed is the action and war scenes. I liked most of the fight action sequences between the characters. Just the let you know that the book mostly focuses on going to war and being in the war. I enjoyed that the war wasn’t glorified but the book should it’s ugly side and show how much it affects the characters.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and Sarah J. Maas didn’t disappoint me in any way. And I am also looking for to reading more from her and might even give Throne of Glass a try. Well, that is my review. If you are interested in picking it up I have the links below and until next time keep on reading.

Links:

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The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

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If you are someone looking for something that has a combination of time travel, magic, and characters that team up to take on a heist than continue listening. I recently finished reading The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell. Lisa Maxwell is well-known books like Unhooked and Sweet Unrest.

  • Title: The Last Magician
  • Author: Lisa Maxwell
  • Year Published: 2017
  • Page Count: 512
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

The Last Magician takes place in modern New York and where magic is slowly coming to extinction at the same time the city is surrounded by an invisible force field called the Brink.The Brink keeps anyone with magician inside and keeps it from leaving. And if someone with magic gets near this leads to a painful consequence. And this Brink was created by a dark secret society called The Order who hates anything with magic and wants to use the Brink to destroy magic forever.

While this is going on, we focus the story on Esta who is a talented thief. Esta has the power to time travel and to slow down time which helps her with taken dangerous jobs. So, int he stories she ends up taking a job that takes her to the year of 1908 where she must still an ancient text that could help destroy the Brink and take down the Order forever. Things go well until she gets stuck in the past and she must team up with a gang lead by Dolph Saunders(our other main character) and steal the text. At the same, Esta must keep it away from the mysterious man known as The Last Magician from getting it. Can’t Esta handle this one job? Well, check out the book to find out.

Book Review:

I had so much fun reading this book. Ever since I saw the cover months ago I knew that this would be a book that I would totally enjoy. And the cover didn’t fail me. The book was fast pace, held my interest and was just a burst of surprises. I loved the combination of magic, time travel, and groups of characters that go on a heist. If you like movies like Now You See Movie, The Prestige or The Illusionist along with books like Six of Crows than this is a book to check out. This book has magical illusions like the movies but the darkness of Six of Crows. Along with the fact that the book takes places in a grime city.

The book also had awesome characters two. I especially enjoyed the leading female protagonist who was both talented and funny at the same time. I also liked the fact that even if she has special abilities that she isn’t super dependent on them. Esta is pure smart and actually is good with just her smarts, and talents. Alongside that, she also adds comic relief throughout the book.

Lastly, the book also gives your a magical world alongside time travel which both has its own rules and limitations. I like that the author did that and added the element of alchemy and made this world feel realistic if it was in 1908.

Overall I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see another installment. I really enjoyed the magic and the heist. As well as the characters that kept my interest going. And if you are totally interested in checking it out yourself the links will be below. Until next time keep on reading.

Links:

Buy Book:On Amazon

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare Book Review

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I am back with another book review. I was happy to finally to get my hands on Lord of Shadows. For those don’t know this already I am a hardcore fan of Cassandra Clare’s books and I love anything Shadowhunter related. After reading Lady Midnight I was sucked into the world of Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn and now with the follow-up Lord of Shadows, I grew to love The Dark Artifices even more. If you haven’t read Lady Midnight I do have a book review on that book here for you to check it out.

  • Title: Lord of Shadows
  • Author: Cassandra Clare
  • Series: The Dark Artifices
  • Year Published: 2017
  • Page Count: 720
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

In the Lord of Shadows, we pick where we left off from the events of Lady Midnight. First Emma is deeply in love with Julian but because it’s forbidden for Parabatai to be together in that, Emma must pretend to be in a relationship with Mark. But, this is the least of their troubles when everyone finds out about the Black Volume of the Dead. In the process, Julian makes a dangerous bargain with the sneaky Seelie Queen which may have its out consequences. On top of this, a group of Shadowhunters called the Cohort who hates Downworlders wants to take over the Los Angeles Institute and spread their harsh laws. Lastly, to top the icing on the cake another threat arises when the Unseelie King wants the Black Volume of the Dead and will stop at nothing have himself.

Review:

I thought that most dangerous thing in the Shadowhunter world was Valentine, Sebastian, and just demons. But I was wrong, in fact, I think demons was the easiest thing to deal with for the Shadowhunters. There so much happening in this book, that I wonder how anyone goes to sleep at night knowing you have to watch your backs.

The book is a roller coaster ride of emotions, action, and thrills. Everywhere I turn there is something that keeps my attention and made it hard for me to put it down. I also enjoyed the world building in this book. I actually the fact that in this book we got to learn more about fairies and see more of their world because in the other series she has written we don’t get a lot of fairies scenes as much. Another thing that enjoyed about the book is the fighting combat scenes that add another punch.

I love the characters. I like the interaction between Emma and Julian and how they always have each other’s back no matter what. Even when they are having a fight or what not they are still Parabatai I also like Julian who will do anything to protect his family and to keep everyone together. Another character that caught my attention was Kit who was introduced in Lady Midnight who was also known as The Last Herondale. I like how he starts out as an outcast but then slowly finds his way. I hope in the next book he overcomes he struggles and gets a spin-off.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and had so much fun. And in fact, I wait so long to read it and now I have I know I have great hopes for what’s to come in the next book. Cassandra Clare’s books keep getting better and I hope the world of Shadowhunters don’t end.

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Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo Book Review

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I was excited to get my hands on the book right after reading Six of Crows. I just wanted more from the world and wanted to find out how things will be tied. Later did I realize that the book left me wanting more.

  • Title: Crooked Kingdom
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Series/Trilogy: Six of Crows Duology
  • Year Published: 2016
  • Page Count: 546
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

In the Crooked Kingdom, we continue where we left off in the last book. Kaz and the rest of the team must find a way to deal with the fact that they were doubled crossed by Jan Van Eck. And top off the problem, Inej was taken prisoner as well. In order to rescue Inej and get the money they were promised, Kaz must come up with a plan to make it happen. To make things worse the word got out about the Parem Jurda and about Kuwei and now every country wants it for themselves. Now in this book Kaz and the characters must fight their enemies, get their money and find a way to survive.

Review:

I had so much fun reading Crooked Kingdom. In fact, the duology stepped up from the last book. I actually liked how the action built up and the fact that all countries were in the same city made it even more intense. I also liked the fact that I got to see more of the city of Ketterdam and how dark and grim it is. It made me think of the show Gotham or even Starlight city from Arrow combined. I also liked how Leigh also had more Grisha elements in the book as well. I have a feeling that I should read the Grisha Trilogy after this.

Starting off Kaz who I pretty much think is the most interesting character has developed so much in the book. I also like despite being a cruel, and smart person he has many sides of him. I also like seeing a part of him that actually cares for his team. I mean when someone is in trouble or down he will actually give a look. But at the same, I also like how Leigh didn’t make a 180 change for Kaz. It was more realistic and gradual which help keep the character we know.

For Inej, I think she is one of the strongest characters. I like how regardless of her past and the situations she knows how to take care of herself. She is tough and very smart. I also like the fact she and Kaz share this bond where they work well with each other. I hope another book comes out so I can see if they actually get together.

On to Wylan and Jesper. In the book, you get to know more about the characters and their backstory. I also liked Wylan, especially because in the first book I thought he was a whiny kid who just wanted to rebel. But throughout the book, I got a new respect for him. And Jesper he is just funny.

Lastly, I think the way it ended was perfect and it gave more open possibilities of more books. Like maybe spin-offs for the characters and maybe another series featuring the characters because I think it would totally fun to explore. I also would’ve liked to see how the characters who evolve as well. So if you are interested in checking out the book I have links and until my next post keep on reading.

Links:

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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It’s no secret that Six of Crows is one of those over hyped books. But after hearing so much about it I decided to give into the hype and read it. Plus, if you saw the book itself you know it looks cool. From the black painted edges to the awesome map that is in the book. It was just so cool.

  • Title: Six of Crows
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Series/Trilogy: Duology
  • Year Published: 2015
  • Page Count: 518
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

Six of the Crows you in for a treat. It’s like a mix of Gotham meets Leverage meets magical realm. The story starts out in the city of Ketterdam. Ketterdam is a fictional city of course. And the story centers around a group of characters that come from a different world that have to come together in order to steal something important. The main something important is a powerful drug that has the ability to amplify the abilities of Grisha which is like people with special abilities. This drug however also can lead to destruction and even worse. So the group of character lead by the smart thief Kaz must find a way to steal this drug which is held in The Ice Court. Did I mention The Ice Court is heavily guarded?

Review:

This is like one of the best books I read this year. If I was honest I was worried that this hype would fail me but it didn’t. It actually went beyond what I expected. Six of Crows from the cover to the entire story blew me away. Starting with the cover and packaging of the book it’s just cool. From the book cover with mysteriously creepy crows to the black painted edges, it is awesome. I never read a book with that kind of design.

Now onto the story itself, it had a plot that just pulls you in. I liked the concept of a heist taking place in this fantasy world that seems to be either Eastern European or Russian vibe. I also like the way Leigh built the world that makes you fill like you are walking into the streets of Ketterdam. I also like the fact that the story itself has its own history, rules, and magic. Sadly, I missed out on the Grisha Trilogy because of the few references but luckily it wasn’t too much that confused me.

Onto the characters that really shine. The book actually focuses on six characters and Leigh lets you dive into each character. I liked getting to know each of them and learning about their backstory. I also like the way the actors talk, act and interact. I especially love Kaz. He is dark, cruel but also smart. Regardless of the situation, Kaz knows how to get out of trouble. I also enjoyed the character Jesper who I wished had more of his backstory but I guess that was saved for the next book.

Overall I had so much fun reading this book. Plus, picking up a book with blacked painted edges is like the icing on the cake. I also enjoyed meeting the characters and watching them grow throughout the story. So if you are interested in checking out the book I have links on the bottom. Until my next book review keep on reading.

Links:

Buy On Amazon