I absolutely devoured Tokyo Dreaming - I love this series so very much. Izumi is just a big hearted and down to earth protagonist and I really appreciI absolutely devoured Tokyo Dreaming - I love this series so very much. Izumi is just a big hearted and down to earth protagonist and I really appreciate how Emiko has made her world grow right along with her as a character. I am still enamored with her friends and was so excited to see more of her relationship with her mom. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough!...more
I absolutely loved I Must Betray You and am so glad that Ruta continues to write about young people dealing with tremendously terrifying, yet real, liI absolutely loved I Must Betray You and am so glad that Ruta continues to write about young people dealing with tremendously terrifying, yet real, life circumstances. In I Must Betray You, she sheds light on Romania at the end of the 80s under a regime that has only one comparison in 2021 - North Korea. Cristian is a remarkable new hero to add to her pantheon of amazing characters....more
I don’t read a lot of young adult books anymore, and I don’t read a lot of contemporary YA period. Unless royals are involved. Then I must have it. I I don’t read a lot of young adult books anymore, and I don’t read a lot of contemporary YA period. Unless royals are involved. Then I must have it. I don’t know what, exactly, it is that has always driven my royalty obsession – maybe the fact that Prince Harry and I almost share a birthday and I fancied him when I was a kid? I always did think he’d marry an American, but had hoped it’d be me! But I think my husband is better than a prince.
Anyway, back to the book! Izumi, Izzy, is a fun and spunky heroine with a big heart. As a Japanese-American teenager, she has never really felt like she was fully accepted as an American and so she searches out her father and she and her best friend discover that he’s the crown prince of Japan. Izzy, wants nothing more than to find her home, the place that fits, the place where she’s accepted into society. When her father, thrilled to discover she exists, invites her to visit, she jumps at the chance to go to Japan.
In typical YA narrative structure, Izzy goes to Japan, makes a few friends, struggles to fit in, meets a cute boy, is betrayed by someone close to her, discovers her real family is at home, runs away, and then prince charming (her dad), comes back to show her he cares. It’s trope-y, it’s predictable, it’s written in first person, it checks more boxes on my list of dislikes than likes. But it is smart. It’s funny. It’s witty. It’s got a fun set of secondary characters that often steal the show.
I read Tokyo Ever After in one setting in a couple hours on a weekday night, something I haven’t done in who knows how long. Read a book in one sitting on a Sunday? Absolutely. On a Wednesday night? Maybe not since I was in middle school. It pulled me in and kept me hooked – I adore all of the characters and it’s clear how near and dear Izumi is to Emiko’s heart....more
I’ve been on a World War I kick since re-watching Wonder Woman, which led to watching The Red Baron, which lead to countless wartime aviation documentI’ve been on a World War I kick since re-watching Wonder Woman, which led to watching The Red Baron, which lead to countless wartime aviation documentaries, which led to finally wanting to finish The Enigma Game (now out in November), and finally that brought me to Lovely War, coincidentally the June YA for All book club pick for the store!
I had always intended to read it, and to join in the book club, but given my reading habits for the last two months I didn’t think I’d actually be able to. However, I was immediately sucked in – the story starts with Hephaestus catching his wife, Aphrodite, cheating on him with Ares, the god of war (and Wonder Woman connection so we’ve come full circle) and I honestly hadn’t even remembered what the synopsis, so long ago did I bring the book home and actually read the back.
Never before have a read a love story so immersive, so immediate, so completely overwhelming. I kept thinking how I couldn’t really believe it was a young adult book – I kept envisioning it sitting on a display on par with The Nightingale. I thought I knew a great deal about both World Wars as I’ve been fascinated by them for most of my life, but not only did I enjoy the plot, I learned a great deal about the front in France and how all the different groups of people who came there for many reasons from all over the world interacted with each other.
Julie Berry includes an in depth historical note at the end of the book and goes into great detail about her own learning experience while writing and as a nonfiction lover, I was so excited to be given a reading list of her sources. I have a feeling I’ve found my first true self-isolation staff pick, after making up titles for the past eight weeks for the store! And stay tuned for this week’s Diary of a Bookseller on Thursday where I’ll go into detail about what it’s like to go back to work!...more
This is my favorite of each of Marie Lu’s books and I almost didn’t read it. First, it was pitched to us by the publisher as being a middle grades novThis is my favorite of each of Marie Lu’s books and I almost didn’t read it. First, it was pitched to us by the publisher as being a middle grades novel (definitely not the case), and second, as my husband often says, I didn’t have a “real childhood” because I never once played a video game. The gaming aspect didn’t appeal to me. For those who might hesitate to pick this up because you think it’s a gaming novel, let me put your mind at ease. Virtual reality is a closer description of Warcross and it is part of the plot, but most of the book does not take place in the world of Warcross, most of it takes place in the “real world,” in Tokyo.
For the number of books I read each year, I’m always amazed a, that I remember any of them, and b, I can still be wholeheartedly surprised to love a book that I didn’t expect to. Don’t get me wrong, I knew I would certainly like Warcross, but I didn’t expect to love it on a level close to that which I love the works of my favorite author, Sarah J. Maas. Emika is now one of my all-time favorite leading ladies, and she is, like her creator, quite the magnificent lady. She is brave, she is compassionate, she is driven to do what is right. And unfortunately, there are those in the story who would like to take advantage of those qualities. Well, not quite unfortunate because without other character’s motivations, there would be no story!
I don’t want to go into too much detail because I feel like just about anything I might say would lead into spoiler territory, suffice to say that if you have read Legend or The Young Elites, you will recognize Warcross as another book in Marie Lu’s catalog that is witty and enjoyable with just the right mix of adventure and a little romance. But it’s way better than Legend and The Young Elites and I enjoyed both of those very much....more
If Wonder Woman: Warbringer was a disappointment to me, Six of Crows is a redemption. I have now read three Leigh Bardugo books, Shadow and Bone, her If Wonder Woman: Warbringer was a disappointment to me, Six of Crows is a redemption. I have now read three Leigh Bardugo books, Shadow and Bone, her first (review to come in a few weeks) novel and the first in the Grishaverse, Wonder Woman: Warbringer, and now Six of Crows, also set in the Grishaverse established in Shadow and Bone. And I know I read the second two a bit backwards (Wonder Woman isn’t even available to the general public yet), so it was incredibly refreshing to return to a world of Leigh’s own creation.
Leigh Bardugo’s writing is funny, insightful and full of surprising little twists that make every page fly by. Her characters are rich and well developed with enough backstory and interesting plot lines to make any of them seem like the main character. Told in 5 alternating perspectives – I can’t wait to find out her reasoning for excluding on of the 6 from having POV chapters – each chapter leaves you wanting more. Additionally, each of the characters’ motivations for participating in the heist are clear and they make a very dynamic group of players.
The plot is complicated, but not to the point that it becomes difficult to follow. It is easy to track and remember what is going on, even if you have to step away from the world of Leigh has created for a few hours. It ends with a mix of conclusion and cliffhanger – I cannot wait to start reading Crooked Kingdom!...more
I love Leigh Bardugo’s books and I love Wonder Woman. So this should have been the perfect combination of the two, right? Well, mostly right. Wonder WI love Leigh Bardugo’s books and I love Wonder Woman. So this should have been the perfect combination of the two, right? Well, mostly right. Wonder Woman: Warbringer is the first of four books in the new DC: Icons series, and also the first book Leigh Bardugo has written that has not been published by the same publisher who did her last 5 books, all set her self-created Grisha-verse. These two facts lead me to wonder, is Wonder Woman: Warbringer truly all Leigh? Anytime one is adapting an already existing character and world, it never feels truly like it is fully the author’s own creation and having read all of Leigh’s previous books, Warbringer left me disappointed.
Comic book stories and superhero adaptations are infamous for having multiple timelines – i.e. Wonder Woman is originally set during WWII, the movie is set during WWI, and in Warbringer, Diana doesn’t leave her home, Themyscira, for the outside world until the 21st century. While many comic book and superhero fans accept multiple timelines, it does get confusing and a little frustrating to accept time and time again. I’m a fan of continuity and linear time lines, it can be difficult to accept three different timelines for the start of Diana’s story.
However, from the start of the publicity push for Warbringer, it has been made clear that this is a different, stand alone book that can be read both by existing and new Wonder Woman fans and I fully support that approach to promoting the book – it is absolutely true – if you know nothing about Wonder Woman, you will love it, and if you already love Wonder Woman, you will at least mostly enjoy it like myself.
The characters are textbook Leigh Bardugo – funny, beautifully diverse, and thick and well-rounded with details and unique qualities. Alia’s friends Theo and Nim are great supporting characters, her brother Jason has his own unique destiny to fulfill and Diana, well, she is a fully realized Wonder Woman. Despite the sense of feeling like we are going back to the beginning, there is nothing lacking in Diana’s character development. Her confidence and charisma are evident, as is her desire to protect human life, despite risks to her own self. The plot is fun and well paced, I flew through Warbringer in 2 days, it definitely kept my attention, despite my occasional frustration....more
Firstly, YAY GIRL POWER! Reading a new book by Renee Ahdieh reminds me just how much I really do love her first duology, The Wrath and the Dawn and ThFirstly, YAY GIRL POWER! Reading a new book by Renee Ahdieh reminds me just how much I really do love her first duology, The Wrath and the Dawn and The Rose and the Dagger. I had been holding off on reading Flame in the Mist until I was going on vacation because I knew once I got to the really good and juicy parts about halfway in, I wouldn’t be able to put it down – and I certainly did not want anything to interfere with my ability to read it straight through!
As with my review of Wrath and Dawn last week, I marvel over Renee Ahdieh’s storytelling. She creates such compelling characters and intricate plot lines that I love to sink my teeth into. She also has been some of the wittiest protagonists I have ever read to date. Her female protagonists are feminists – proud and fierce but still have their weaknesses and flaws. Her love interests for said feminist protagonists remind me of a certain male in A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy in the sense that they are loyal to their women and encouraging them be themselves 100%.
But back to Flame in the Mist specifically – I love the take on Japanese mythology (it is not at all based on Mulan, whatever rumors you may hear) and how Renee Ahdieh twists in a bit of Robin Hood lore as well (whether it is purposeful or coincidence I’m not sure, but I love it!). Mariko is a protagonist to be admired as well, and Ahdieh’s now trademark style of romance is still swoon-worthy, even for the most callused and cold-hearted of readers. I recommend it thoroughly and I cannot wait for the second book in the duology next May!...more
Traveler has an interesting premise which is not entirely conveyed accurately by the publisher marketing summary I included above. Jessa is a TravelerTraveler has an interesting premise which is not entirely conveyed accurately by the publisher marketing summary I included above. Jessa is a Traveler, and so is Finn. He is not a character she writes about, he is someone she has seen over and over in alternate realities and dreamed of him in her “original” state.
L. E. DeLano plays with the time/space continuum, a la The Doctor, in a wonderful way. By looking through a reflective surface, Jessa and Finn have the ability to trade places with versions of themselves in alternate realities. There are many questions that this raises, logistically and plot-wise, but as Traveler is the first in a duology, I can only hope that they are answered in the second book. But logistics aside, DeLano crafts an engaging and enjoyable story, but her characters are your stereotypical high schoolers, don’t expect anything too original on the love story/witty banter front, through there is certainly plenty of it to go around!...more
Totally awesome - it broke my Sarah J Maas-induced reading slump!
First things first – Freya is a debut novel by a cool dude about a badass woman. I alTotally awesome - it broke my Sarah J Maas-induced reading slump!
First things first – Freya is a debut novel by a cool dude about a badass woman. I always check out reviews of books before reading them, but this time, I was the first to post a “review” of sorts on Goodreads and in going back to read the new reviews since the book was released in March (I read it in November), I have to say, I understand the complaints, but the pros outweigh the cons and the promise of more outweighs what the first book may have lacked.
Freya is the perfect book for young adults who spent their childhood reading Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series and are looking for a mythology book that is a touch more grown up. The pacing is quick, the plot moves along at a steady pace, and the supporting cast of characters is richly described. While they may not yet be full realized, there is a lot of opportunity for them to grow and for the readers to get to know the various deities and mythologies better.
Sara/Freya is a fabulous narrator – in a debut, first in a series, YA fantasy, the most essential part of ensuring readership is to have a fully realized main character and Sara/Freya is such a character. And while some may complain about a pretty big structural point, that Freya is in first person, and there are certain things about Freya, what she is thinking, her background, and such that we as readers are not privy to, I personally enjoy the suspense and delight in the “not-knowing” aspect of the final plan to take down the big bad corporation. Freya marries the best parts of first and third person narration spectacularly.
I have only two complaints, and one is a silly one at that. The first, if Nate is going to be our main supporting actor, he needs a bit more of a role than simply “worshipper of Freya.” And the second, the silly one, the name Sarah, my own name, should always have an “H” at the end....more
What a rollicking fun adventure! Empire of Storms picks up right where Queen of Shadows, the fourth in t**VAGUE SPOILERS AHEAD**
4 1/2 stars rounded up
What a rollicking fun adventure! Empire of Storms picks up right where Queen of Shadows, the fourth in the series left off, and with the exception of Chaol, all out favorite characters are back (Chaol will get his own separate novel next year).
Empire of Storms is a travel novel, in the sense that Aelin & Co. are on the move for pretty much the entire novel, trying to secure alliances to help her reclaim her throne and stand against the dark forces that are trying to conquer her world now that magic has been re-released into it. Elide and Lorcan are forced to co-habitate which is wonderful, Manon meets up with Aelin & Co. and gets to know Dorian better, and Lysandra and Aedion continue to attempt to understand each other.
The only reason I fall short of giving Empire of Storms the same 5 star rating I bestowed on just about every other book she has written is that the general feel of the book is that of placeholder, a necessary stepping stone before the last book. Each book up until this point, always had an end goal - something had to happen by the end of the book to ensure survival, or that the company could continue on it's way, but not so in Empire of Storms. Action is rising, but nothing is resolved, only more problems are created at the end which makes me wonder if it is really only the first half of what Maas wanted to be an even longer conclusion to the series. Regardless, I cannot wait for the sixth book!
As usual, Maas walks the gray line between what is young adult and what is adult fantasy, so I would recommend this novel for 17+, and at the book store I usually market it more towards college students than high school students. ...more
Red Queen is part of a long line of YA fantasy books that have been written in the last five years or so to feature varying takes on power and povertyRed Queen is part of a long line of YA fantasy books that have been written in the last five years or so to feature varying takes on power and poverty, haves and have-nots, and each primarily female author’s take on a strong, feminist, protagonist. The books that stand out are those that are spectacularly good or spectacularly bad. Red Queen is neither.
It is an enjoyable book with a serviceable plot and intriguing characters. Were it published at a different time, I would call it unique and original. However, it came out halfway through the present YA fantasy boom and the influence of previous works is evident in Aveyard’s storytelling. Similarities to Graceling, The Hunger Games, Throne of Glass and Shadow and Bone are easy to pick out if you are as well versed in the world of YA fantasy as most of Aveyard’s target readers.
The writing is decent, the twists and turns of the plot and the effort into world building that Aveyard puts forth are not missed, this review would be much more scathing if Red Queen lacked in any of these areas, but it doesn’t have the ineffable “stand-out quality” that makes me remember years down the road, makes me anxiously await the next book in the series. Red Queen is at it’s best, another decent YA fantasy debut, and at it’s worst, another YA fantasy....more
Loading...
