Category Archives: Book Review

2019, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] The Wicked King – Holly Black

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Book Title: The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #02)
Author:     Holly Black
Number of pages:  336

Synopsis:

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

(re: Goodreads @ The Cruel Prince by Holly Black)

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

– The stakes in court drama and political intrigue are higher and further developed; shifting powers and old/new players make their move
– Setting showcases new environments but often lacks nuance to support the change in scenery, the magic involved, and vivid imagery
– Romance feels more slow burn now (but the previous love square is now a love triangle.)
– Some continuity issues in the writing from info. established in the first book that may just have not been explored rather than being a discrepancy (e.g. Jude’s lying, use of mithridatism, use of magic)

Initial Thoughts

This review has been a long time coming, and I do apologize because a lot of it is going to be based on my notes I wrote months ago. Spoiler level is low-moderate.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of The Wicked King from Hachette at Book Expo.

Continue reading [Review] The Wicked King – Holly Black →

2018, arc august, Book Review

[Review] All of This Is True – Lygia Day Peñaflor

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Book Title: All of This is True (Standalone)
Author:     Lygia Day Peñaflor
Number of pages:  432

Synopsis:

Miri Tan loved the book Undertow like it was a living being. So when she and her friends went to a book signing to meet the author, Fatima Ro, they concocted a plan to get close to her, even if her friends won’t admit it now. As for Jonah, well—Miri knows none of that was Fatima’s fault.

Soleil Johnston wanted to be a writer herself one day. When she and her friends started hanging out with her favorite author, Fatima Ro, she couldn’t believe their luck—especially when Jonah Nicholls started hanging out with them, too. Now, looking back, Soleil can’t believe she let Fatima manipulate her and Jonah like that. She can’t believe that she got used for a book.

Penny Panzarella was more than the materialistic party girl everyone at the Graham School thought she was. She desperately wanted Fatima Ro to see that, and she saw her chance when Fatima asked the girls to be transparent with her. If only she’d known what would happen when Fatima learned Jonah’s secret. If only she’d known that the line between fiction and truth was more complicated than any of them imagine…

(re: Goodreads @ All of This is True by Lygia Day Peñaflor)

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

– Honestly a YA book for YA readers (because it’s about us omg)
– Character driven story with each character having their own motives for what they do
– The “shocking twist” isn’t very shocking if you’re mildly skeptical, but the resolution to it can be somewhat fulfilling
– Multi-POV and mixed/varied media narrative format (e.g. book excerpts, interviews, texts, e-mails), journal entries
– STAN CULTURE IS WILD
– I’m curious: what kinds of things/people do you stan (or see yourself part of a fandom of?)

Initial Thoughts

Stan culture is w i l d.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of All Of This Is True from the Frenzy team at Harper Collins Canada.

Continue reading [Review] All of This Is True – Lygia Day Peñaflor →

2017, 2018, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Warcross – Marie Lu (8 Criticisms To Warcross as a Game)

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Book Title: Warcross (Duology)
Author:     Marie Lu
Number of pages:  368

Synopsis:

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

(re: Goodreads @ Warcross by Marie Lu)

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

– Vibrant settings with augmented reality and video gaming at the forefront
– Warcross as a game, although flashy, has so many moving parts that do not make sense in the grand scheme of the competition
– The pro-gaming community is diversely represented
– Plot is predictable; romance is rather bland

Initial Thoughts

I am transferring this review from Goodreads to my blog. I have many thoughts to share. Please be advised I write this from my own gaming experience.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Warcross from PenguinTeen at an author breakfast 

Continue reading [Review] Warcross – Marie Lu (8 Criticisms To Warcross as a Game) →