Tag Archives: romance

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Tell Me Three Things — Julie Buxbaum

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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

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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 →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] The Last Boy and Girl in the World — Siobhan Vivian

36 Comments

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Book Title:  The Last Boy and Girl in the World
Author:      Siobhan Vivian
Number of pages:  432

Synopsis:

the-last-boy-and-girl-in-the-world-siobhan-vivian-book-coverWhat if your town was sliding underwater and everyone was ordered to pack up and leave? How would you and your friends spend your last days together?

While the adults plan for the future, box up their possessions, and find new places to live, Keeley Hewitt and her friends decide to go out with a bang. There are parties in abandoned houses. Canoe races down Main Street. The goal is to make the most of every minute they still have together.

And for Keeley, that means taking one last shot at the boy she’s loved forever.

(re: Goodreads @ The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian)

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

– The cover lust is real. Synopsis feels plot-heavy while the story is largely character driven with a protagonist you’ll either love/hate.
– Thematically relevant; sparking discussions per government influence as they relate to the identity of small groups/minorities
– The setting could have been further supported as the sinking town of Aberdeen still had so many fully functioning amenities
– Narrative unfolds in flashbacks; prologue opens with a scene near the end–a stylistic choice that you may enjoy/dislike

Initial Thoughts

This is, without fail, one of those “I tried to understand and sympathize with the characters but it just didn’t happen” kind of books. You’ll either enjoy it or hate it — I’m sure of this.

Full disclosure: I received an ARC of The Last Boy and Girl in the World from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] The Last Boy and Girl in the World — Siobhan Vivian →