Tag Archives: book blogger

2015, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] The Rest of Us Just Live Here — Patrick Ness

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Book Title                  The Rest of Us Just Live Here
Author:                        Patrick Ness
Number of pages:  352

Synopsis:

patrick ness - the rest of us just live here - book cover (US)What if you aren’t the Chosen One?

The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshipped by mountain lions.

(re: Goodreads @ The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness)

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

– Two overlapping narratives: 1) a story of your standard YA hero trying to save the world; 2) a story about the background noise simply living their lives (e.g. school/work)
– Nothing really special to note of the setting. There may be holes in the fantasy “world building” but it’s not of importance to the character-driven nature of the story
– Diversity in ensemble with character struggles that feel incredibly real (concerning LGBTQIA, mental illnesses, eating disorders, family issues, etc.)
– Highly quotable. If you enjoy Ness on Twitter, you’ll enjoy parts of the dialogue for sure

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Initial Thoughts

I will not let Nessochism take over this review…but oh my god it hurt to rate this book.

Disclaimer: The copy I read was an ARC given to me by Amanda @ Brains Books and Brawn that she received from an Indigo Teen giveaway.

Continue reading [Review] The Rest of Us Just Live Here — Patrick Ness →

2015, Book Review

[Review] Ruin and Rising — Leigh Bardugo

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Book Title                  Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #03)
Author:                        Leigh Bardugo
Number of pages:  422

Synopsis:

Ruin and Rising - Leigh Bardugo - Book Cover - GrishaThe capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

(re: Goodreads @ Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo)

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

– The opening fizzles the excitement, action and cliffhanger of Siege and Storm; pacing is askew
– The historical portion of world-building (as it relates to the twists) is a bit info-dumpy; some revelations are glossed over
– The closure in revelations is wrapped up too neatly and a bit safe; polygonal romance reaches finality
– Supporting characters continue to shine brighter than the main cast; often being told of a characters nuanced arcing instead of being shown it.
– Nikolai remains wonderful

Initial Thoughts

I am mad. There are probably spoilers. And incoherency.  

Continue reading [Review] Ruin and Rising — Leigh Bardugo →

2015, book blogger creativity project, discussion

[Hogwarts School of Blogcraft and Bookistry] — Divination

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Keeping up with your studies at Hogwarts School of Blogcraft and Bookistry? The fourth seminar is Divination and looks at prospective “bestsellers in 2016” as well as “rising stars in the book blogging community”

Come see the future with Professor Aentee!

aentee @ read at midnight's avatarRead at Midnight

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Hello class,

This is the third class in our BBCreativityProject’s Hogwarts School of Blogcraft and Bookistry series.

Although people like Miss Granger may try to dismiss my classes as hodge podge instead of real magic – I’ll prove disbelievers wrong with these set of predictions today.

As 2016 quickly approaches, one of the questions on everyone’s mind is ‘Which books should I preorder?’. In today’s class, we’ll look at forecasting the future bestsellers that you should add to your shopping cart promptly!

The new year also brings a new crop of bloggers. Our class will tell you the rising stars you should follow as soon as possible!

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