Category Archives: 2016

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Scythe – Neal Shusterman

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scythe-neal-shusterman-review

Book Title: Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #01)
Author:     Neal Shusterman
Number of pages:  448

Synopsis:

scythe - neal schusterman - book coverIn a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed (“gleaned”) by professional reapers (“scythes”). Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythe’s apprentices, and—despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation—they must learn the art of killing and come to understand the necessity of what they do.

Only one of them will be chosen as a scythe’s apprentice. And when it becomes clear that the winning apprentice’s first task will be to glean the loser, Citra and Rowan are pitted against one another in a fight for their lives.

(re: Goodreads @ Scythe by Neal Shusterman)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Citra and Rowan are cinnamon rolls; the romance is a bit too spoon-fed for my tastes (e.g. lacks chemistry over and beyond friendship)
– World building is a bit on the thin side; remains thematically relevant to young readers re: philosophical/morality
– Third person alternating POVs separated by journal entries of Scythes; stylistic storytelling choice to encourage world-building
– Twists and turns are a hit/miss depending on reader’s skepticism

Initial Thoughts

Holy shit.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of SCYTHE from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] Scythe – Neal Shusterman →

2016, blogiversary, Miscellaneous

[Blogiversary] – Reflecting On 3 Years and Thankful Thanks

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the-thanks-u-give

I will not bullshit you:

This past [third] year of book blogging was a steaming pile of shit. It was.

Continue reading [Blogiversary] – Reflecting On 3 Years and Thankful Thanks →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Last Seen Leaving – Caleb Roehrig

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last-seen-leaving-caleb-roehrig

Book Title: Last Seen Leaving (Standalone)
Author:     Caleb Roehrig
Number of pages:  272

Synopsis:

last seen leaving - caleb roehrig - book coverFlynn’s girlfriend has disappeared. How can he uncover her secrets without revealing his own?

Flynn’s girlfriend, January, is missing. The cops are asking questions he can’t answer, and her friends are telling stories that don’t add up. All eyes are on Flynn—as January’s boyfriend, he must know something.

But Flynn has a secret of his own. And as he struggles to uncover the truth about January’s disappearance, he must also face the truth about himself.

(re: Goodreads @ Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Premise feels like YA Gone Girl
– Character driven novel mainly as it concerns the protagonist; can be considered more of a contemporary LGBTQIA+ centric story
– Secondary characters and their development doesn’t really exist (re: best friend), also the police are completely useless
– Even if you read with skepticism, the expectation versus reality of the resolution may not be one every reader will enjoy

Initial Thoughts

I forgot to review this in a timely matter.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of LAST SEEN LEAVING from Raincoast Books.

Continue reading [Review] Last Seen Leaving – Caleb Roehrig →