Category Archives: Book Review

2017, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Under Rose-Tainted Skies – Louise Gornall

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Book Title: Under Rose-Tainted Skies (Standalone)
Author:     Louise Gornall
Number of pages:  320

Synopsis:

under-a-rose-tainted-skies-louise-gornallNorah has agoraphobia and OCD. When groceries are left on the porch, she can’t step out to get them. Struggling to snag the bags with a stick, she meets Luke. He’s sweet and funny, and he just caught her fishing for groceries. Because of course he did.

Norah can’t leave the house, but can she let someone in? As their friendship grows deeper, Norah realizes Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can lie on the front lawn and look up at the stars. One who isn’t so screwed up.

(re: Goodreads @ Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall)

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

– Own voices; female MC with agoraphobia and OCD
– Setting is claustrophobic and is well-written to detail bland things to actually be scary and daunting
– Narration is an easy ead and oozes with candor and snark; quick page turner of a read
– Romance is shippable but the relationship with the love interest is underwhelming
– The conflict sparking the third act of the story and its resolutions are not justified, lack development, and encourage a sense of trauma for betterment

Initial Thoughts

I may get flack for the opinions expressed below…so all I hope is that I have worded things right.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Under Rose-Tainted Skies from Raincoast Books.

Continue reading [Review] Under Rose-Tainted Skies – Louise Gornall →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Ever the Hunted – Erin Summerill (including Q&A)

8 Comments

ever-the-hunted-erin-summerill

Book Title: Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms, #01)
Author:     Erin Summerill
Number of pages:  400

Synopsis:

ever the hunted - erin summerill - book coverSeventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

(re: Goodreads @ Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill)

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

– This book will look pretty on your shelves
– The conflicted listed in the blurb is resolved early on
– Prose is uncomplicated yet vivid; the fantasy elements could have been developed. Fantasy-lite with minimal political intrigue
– Heavy dose of romance in this story between best friends
– Skepticism does allow for a predictable read (including cliffhanger) but it may beg to be read regardless

Initial Thoughts

There is a lot of romance in this book. Full stop.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Ever the Hunted from Indigo and signed up to be part of this blog tour.

Continue reading [Review] Ever the Hunted – Erin Summerill (including Q&A) →

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 →