Category Archives: Book Review

2016, Book Review

[Review] The False Prince — Jennifer A. Nielsen

13 Comments

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Book Title:  The False Prince (Ascendence Trilogy #01)
Author:      Jennifer A. Nielsen
Number of pages:  342

Synopsis:

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point—he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.

(re: Goodreads @ The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen)

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

– Competitive premise; tautly written page-turning narrative and palatable action sequences
– Low fantasy featuring historical/medieval undertones (no magic or anything as of now) and a politically driven conflict
– World building may not be descriptively vibrant if you’re used to intricate magic systems etc.
– The protagonist walks around with a a witty “better than you” swagger. Likability factor depends on the readers opinion on grey characters that aren’t “good” for the sake of being a hero
– Romance is a bit of instalust and/or love triangle but is not the focus at all.

Initial Thoughts

Good ol’ MG Fantasy pick-me-up.

Continue reading [Review] The False Prince — Jennifer A. Nielsen →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Tell Me Three Things — Julie Buxbaum

18 Comments

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Book Title:  Tell Me Three Things (Standalone)
Author:      Julie Buxbaum
Number of pages:  336

Synopsis:

Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

(re: Goodreads @ Tell Me Three Things  by Julie Buxbaum)

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

– Story is narrated via prose, email, and texts; there’s more witty banter in the early parts of the book than later
– The backdrop to this story features a grab bag of standard archetypes (e.g. popular jock, the broodster, the mean girl) under the veil of a privileged school setting. Academics are not passed off as unimportant
– Love polygon is warranted due to the anonymity of the true ship. However, the romance is self-fulfilling as most suitors never feel “right” for the protagonist

Initial Thoughts

I’ll tell you more than three things…

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Tell Me Three Things from Chapters Indigo at their Teen Summer Preview Event.

Continue reading [Review] Tell Me Three Things — Julie Buxbaum →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] The Crowns Game — Evelyn Skye

33 Comments 
Book Title:  The Crown's Game (The Crown's Game #01)
Author:      Evelyn Skye
Number of pages:  399

Synopsis:

the-crowns-game-evelyn-skye-book-coverVika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

(re: Goodreads @ The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye)

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

– The concept of the duel is interesting but there are holes in the magic system that could have been better explained
– The writing pairs a vividly imagined Russia with exciting action sequences
– Most of the characters in this multi-POV narration feel like do-gooders and are rarely “grey”
– Romance takes a lot of precedence over plot and features love squares via instalus; including a lot of wandering gazes and lingering thoughts

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Initial Thoughts

Well…shit.

Full disclosure: I received an ARC of The Crowns Game from Chapters Indigo.

Continue reading [Review] The Crowns Game — Evelyn Skye →