This feels like one of those “I support women‘s wrongs.” While I don‘t like how June took her life, the writing of Kuang is so fluid it‘s hard to dislike their story. No, I don‘t like June. She did a not good thing, though I don‘t think she was treated a fair way either. The fascinating part of this book is how Kuang writes the book into this exploration of the publishing industry. How unfair it is to those seen as revolutionary writers.

This final book of the Giver Quartet really brings the previous books disjointed plot lines together. The story kept with the general theme of the others. With a focus more on how to separate a need from a want. Obviously this was written for younger people than myself, so the writing felt simplified to me. But that‘s just part of the magic of these books. Anybody can - and should - read this series. I got so much nostalgia from reading it.

Coming down from reading the Hunger Games, I feel let down. It felt flat, learning of Snow when he was a teen. There were tidbits to connect the Hunger Games trilogy, though not enough to keep me engaged. I wish there was more of a connection of Snow of them and Snow of the trilogy. Felt like a totally different person, on a way that I don‘t see how he changed so much. Let alone everything with Lucy Gray. Who wass so much more interesting.

That was incredible. I‘m shook at the ending. I loved this story for its prose.
Just to get it off my chest, this is not history; yet the retelling of the legend of Xishi.
The way this story is told… it‘s just *chefs kiss* beautiful. So romantically tragic, all the way through. I cried when the mission came to an end. I don‘t have the words to express how much I loved this story.

I had been really hyped for this book, so I feel really let down. Especially considering this was likened to throne of glass. For reading of a woman who argues to be allowed to be a warrior, in a world where woman are forbidden from doing so - or risk bringing the end of the world. Everything felt glossed over, to the point I couldn‘t care about when they got together or other characters got hurt.

Audio. Being audio may be what‘s affecting my grading. Struggled staying focused. Incredible autobiography of a black free man being taken into slavery. Solomon Northup learns ways to survive being a “dumb slave” while actually being an educated free man. Just this point, and how it brought up, was a lot to take it. Which was the same for a lot of the story. The story is slow going, and it matches with its publishing year (1841).

Oh. My. Stars. I can‘t even. This book was stressing me the hell out so much. Yet enjoyed it soooooo much.
The first half of the book was really just hopping along various islands looking for some answers. So much happens there. Then the second half has a different plot going for it. But it flowed decently. Loved how much more open Violet and Xaden are around each other. TAIRN AND ANDARNA MY LOVLEYS!! My hearts 🖤💛 RIDOC 💙
That ending, man.

This is a simple book for anybody to understand. It takes 20 points, that felt significant, from the time of Nazi Germany and related them to today. The points are clear and concise, with just enough detail and historical context to understand. It‘s small, and pocket sized, for your connivence. For being originally written in 2016 (with updated points of 2020), there are incredible points that are comparable between Germany then and America today.

I loved the Giver in HS. Only recently did I find out there were more books to this quartet. This book is not a sequel, but a continuation of a theme. In this world, the people of this place do not care for others. They steal and argue. This notion of taking other‘s creativity as their own, under their control, was a hard hitting theme. I do wish there was more describing the village, though, as this story was more character based.

Audio. Very well composed historical work on the ship The Wager. Which I did not know a lot about prior to. Just knew this was toted as an amazing book. Which I wholeheartedly concur with. These men went through incredible odds of life and death. The story was dark some point, filled with hope in others.
What I found entertaining was the story of the Pearl with the movie Pirates of the Caribbean.

Conflicted. I like the originality of the story, yet it still felt flat to me. I wanted to learn more about the world around Teia. Teia went back and forth in desire, which, sure, is morally gray, though I didn‘t feel it from her. I would‘ve like to get more of her inner thoughts about where she was going. Same with the element bending. That ending twist was really well placed. This is still a fun book to read, especially as a debut

This final book felt both rushed and confusing. There‘s so much going on; honestly could‘ve been spread out a bit more to make another book. There‘s so many plot lines connecting here. This book brings the horrors of war more up to the front. More violence and death. More grief and trauma. Katniss is still a child, used by both governments. She is not a reliable pov, but that‘s what makes her so compelling
The Hunger Games is easily its own genre

This was a difficult book to read, for many reasons. The writing style was so difficult for me to keep up with. Really struggled with understanding what was happening. All the changing terms and multiple peoples names. First half was slow then it got so fast. Premise of a lower Red literally becoming a higher Gold to take down the system was so compelling.
I don‘t know if I‘ll read more. I‘m intrigued, but not invested.

I never read through book 2 and 3, but I‘ve watched the movies. Rare of me to say that. In this case, I was surprised by how in depth the touring of the Capitol was explained. Katniss is still a child, so those moments of PTSD are well funded. Same with how she is being used by the rebellion. I find that interesting; she‘s not really siding with them. She‘s just trying to survive her world.

Audio. This is an incredible cast of characters and setting. This sequel is about the fallout of the previous books fall from their style of the hunger games-esqu trials to be the best.
I love Nya so much. Still a favorite. My heart goes out to Xio after everything in the first book. All of this series has my heart.
Almost five stars, except for the closure. Great LGBTQ representation and romances.

"Men are not created equal; we all know this. There are averages. There are outliers. There are the ugly. There are the beautiful. This would not be if we were all equal. A Red can no more command a starship than a Green can serve as a doctor!"

Interesting graphic novel. This is a story about a girl trying to fit in to her prep school where she doesn‘t think she does belong. I was impressed with how in depth it went through that theme. Especially with a ghost who wants to stay with Anya to be sure she gets the life the ghost never did. End resolution felt like it was over too fast for something of this magnitude. Then again, maybe that works better for those struggling with fitting in.

I am SO conflicted over how I feel about this book. Maybe partly due to be so excited for this sequel after the incredible first one. I miss enraged Zetian.
I liked how it was handled that this 18 year old peasant girl does not understand how to run a government. Let alone in tandem emperor style with someone who knows practically everything. Now if only that guy wasn‘t a power hungry misogynist jerk

I just couldn‘t. Made it to about 60% through. Did get better the further in, just didn‘t get interesting enough to stay with it. It was all over the place. Liked the political atmosphere more, and wished it went that way more than this odd form of attraction.
Movie was better. (What an odd thing to say)

This is a short little handbook compiling what is know about the white shark in modern times. Specially the white shark, not like Skokal‘s other handbook. A lot of the information is basic, some of which is a bit newer. This was written with simple terms so anybody could understand a shark. Nice end appendix has references. Some more diagrams explaining the data he was talking about would‘ve been a nice addition.

Oh My Gosh I can‘t believe this was a book I wasn‘t into as a teen. I tried and didn‘t finish it - though I watched the movies - when it first came out. I‘m throughly impressed and can totally see how Collins practically invented this new dystopian genre. No notes besides - maybe this is because I know what‘s coming - that it would‘ve been nice to see more behind the reasoning why Pres. Snow doesn‘t like Katniss. We barely see him.

Loved the plot and all its crazy plot twists come the end. Pretty sure this romantasy had things backwards - not sure if good or bad. There was so much hidden throughout the story, where the ending revelations were so good. Romance was so much yelling at each other and lying. Did not like at all. This is a dark feminine rage of “how dare they think they can control what‘s mine”. She‘s just as violent as they are; it doesn‘t bother her.

4/5⭐️ This was a fun story about an indigenous woman lying about herself to land a job. Then continuing to lie to keep said job. I could understand the fake it till you make it. What I had trouble with, as my usual, is the falling in love at first sight and pinning afterwards for so long. I also don‘t like workplace romance most of the time. I felt so bad for Dan with how much Ember lied to him; again and again. Some reasoning made sense, most no.

4/5 ⭐️ Audio. So that might be why the story was hard to follow at times. Otherwise, this was an adorable little fun book to follow along these ragamuffins. Sweet, no high stakes, story where a misunderstanding is really just that which changes the perspective. This is a found family trope for those of an aunts and uncles level. I wish there was more of those little parts to get their each 1v1 connections.

For children‘s book of the year (Barnes and noble), I expected more. It just fell flat for me. The themes of the story (power, greed, love) borderline older understanding. Surprised by the amount of death in this book. Though I guess that‘s part of the overall theme; that even through all these hardships and evil, life is still worth living for in joy. That was nice. The fantastical creatures came by overwhelmingly. Story felt over stimulating.

I adore this series so much. This final book followed up with the same writing style and prose. Of which, now being older myself reading these, it‘s interesting that the story never seems to evolve. Which helps a lot with all these twists, but not with getting deep into it. In tune to this final one, I liked how the questions of morality came up, wanting a simply life, though felt a missed opportunity for taking it in depth.

Audio. The writing style took a bit to get used to, yet once it got there the theme really stuck. Slow narrative, but it works with this theme. Short stories to bring one back to nature. The books points basically take Native American gratitude teachings and reapply them to today‘s desire for buying stuff. What impacted me was the chapter on rain. How water connects us all. How rain is different for every item it falls upon.

Debut local author novel. I really tried. DNF around 40%. The story plot line itself is amazing - what if bugs, specifically the honey bees - were the guardians of the earth and they were just done with humans destroying the earth? The writing style is all over the place, seemingly written without edits.

Debut novel. This was so addictive I have no words. Could NOT put this down. Incredible political twists for romantasy. The fmc fell a bit flat at times for personality, though the mmc was just *chefs kiss*; asking Vassa what she needs in order to be okay. Grumpy/sunshine where he is sunshine who falls first. Slow burn romance. Reid fighting Vassa over that blanket scene is stuck in my head. Almost Kaan level snark given right back to his woman.

This book definitely deserved book of the year from Barnes and noble - hopefully more places think similarity. This story had my attention from page 1. The story felt familiar, yet so different. Read like a short book, yet the story felt fleshed out. I loved this story, with Jim‘s varying views on the world around him as a slave. He was a very compelling character. My only complaint is that the ending like 10 pages closed things down too fast imo

Asar is incredible (such a dog dad), might like him over Raihn. I adore Mische so much. Guess happiness does hide darkness. Kinda repetitive. In sense that each level of the Underworld was pretty much the same; slight differences causing these two to know each other more. Would‘ve loved a bit more distinct pieces for each section visited. Nothing too exciting till the final location. Slowwww burn. Despise the sun god. Again; THAT ENDING.

Audio. This second book feels like it was more written for kids than the first was. This was written halfway as the author speaking to the reader, which I‘m not a fan of. The story of Roz going home from the factory to the island was well rounded, enough worry to have deeper concepts. Though it felt too quick for something happening to have a full impact.

All the books in this series are top tier, this definitely became more grim with the curse turning all unicorns wild. Kept expecting something to go well, but it didn‘t. This really brought that these kids aren‘t really kids anymore. The stakes have been raised substantially. Love how a defining point of this story is how the Eyrie has students separate into only being with their allied elements and nobody agrees.

4🌟 I did enjoy this adult romance, though didn‘t stand out among my other reads. These two are adorable, with a lot going on between them. Mainly due to side characters. Love their careers being in books, though I admit the romance felt odd. He hid, so much of his side, that it just dragged on. Slow burn, yet longer; as I started having trouble starting committed the more it dragged on. Wish Nick got more screen time with his family trauma.

4🌟 This is a nice debut novel. About a sister who is grieving her older sister. The way her grief was shown was very well not just explained, but shown. The slow progression of how the characters interacted and found similarities was interesting. The dialogue was rough to get used to, though pretty creative for having grief as its main theme. Overall, I liked it, just not much stood out as amazing; sweet and a great way to showcase grief.

Chefs kiss, this was an incredible read. This is a story about second chances, ones that come at the end of the line. I was stressing for Joe getting his second chance with bad things happening all the time. Same with Norma. Because you know practically immediately, it drags out. (In a good way) The story timeline took a bit to get used to, being all over the place, though it fit well with the theme. The ending made me cry, after all that occurred

Audio. Again, King has a way for telling a story. No argument there. It‘s just not the way I enjoy my stories. Was recommended this due to my enjoyment of fantasy. There‘s so much going on. All over the place. I just don‘t have much to say. The characters felt unengaging, the narrator helped. Setting was fun, in a castle, though it was easy to forget this was following a boy grow into a king. Would have been nice to see more of how he ruled.

I love these characters with all my heart. All of them. Especially Sal and Chauncey, whom have both grown immensely from the first book. This book, unlike the first, was in Arthur‘s POV. Interesting choice, yet it worked as the focus was his past trauma affecting today‘s actions. Same as how it took a bit to get around Arthur‘s anger. Didn‘t like the ending- felt all over the place. Love the kids being kids; even on the mainland now.

Audio. I am not the target audience. Felt so real yet distant (due to age gap). This about two teens who have been dating for 2 years and want to go further with each other. Yet that‘s not THE focus. This was an original way to showcase a love story, going backwards. It didn‘t get too deep, as this is for nervous teens. Though I loved the supportive parents and sibling. Had the vibe of, if you‘re going to do it do it safe.

This was an adorable read about a librarian who ran from their burning city back to the country island she was born on. Caz has my entire heart and attention. Keila‘s growth back into an island girl didn‘t feel as smooth as I thought it would, that and the varying pacing are probably my only “problem”. This was just so cute. I laughed out loud more as the book went along. Larran is an incredible person; choosing kindness over everything else. 🪴

Cute addition to this group. Added Starfire -and Cyborg. Hoped for more about Star‘s back story, specifically about HER, like how Raven and Beast Boys were. It was Half that and half getting the group all together. Which wasn‘t bad, it flowed nicely, just not what I expected. The tension between Kira and her sister was really well put in this version. Funny Vic being Kira‘s best friend and joking about how Dick is going goo goo eyes on her.

Audio. Wow. This book went hard. I enjoyed this more than the second one. Felt a bit repetitive; hoping Amari would learn to work as a team. It‘s slow going growth, but still growth. This book really showed the war between magicians and magical world took on a new level. Many times I felt my jaw drop from being surprised at what I just heard. Mainly for how insanely dark it got during the second half.

May actually enjoy this more that the first. A slow start. The ending was so politically twisty it was amazing. Left some good loose ends, though, which was annoying. My biggest thing was that Saorisa never grew out of her lying and manipulating. And she gets mad with Hayes for lying to her. That I couldn‘t stand - she should have grown somewhat from that. Otherwise, this book was borderline fun from each political side trying to trick the other.

Thank you to Harper Collins for this ARC. This is my sort of book: a human and dragon world where the people try to decipher dragon language. What is unique about this book is that what you think of in languages becomes second to the real discovery. This extra layer, as well as the way it was “discovered”, was so satisfying. You can tell someone who loves language wrote this book. The war in the background comes forward HARD.

Audio. Difficult to listen to, with technical verbiage. This was a very educational experience either way. As such, I think I learned more about the downfall of the USSR after the meltdown. What I did not know was focused upon how the government handled it afterwards. Like how the families were prosecuted. How the meltdown indirectly could be said to have caused the down fall of the Soviet Union due to the payout to the families.

Audio and I have watched the movie. I love the movie; honestly more so than the book still. The audiobook, read by the author, was really well done overall. The added sound effects was fun, though his voice was monotonous a lot. I‘m trying not to compare to the movie. I can see how the second half gets spookier for the age group it‘s for. Otherwise, as an adult reading a middle aged story, it was well paced and justified in about all Coraline did

I did enjoy the characters, just not so much on the plot. Can see now what others mean about Ali‘s writing; the plots all share a skeleton backbone. I did like Eli and Rue‘s growth toward each other. Wish there was more science facts in this science romance. Same with how it was just too much spice going on for a book about people who aren‘t sure they want to officially date. That‘s just not my forte.

Book club choice. I don‘t know how I feel about this story. It had the potential to be spooky; mother in law who killed herself haunting her son and wife-in-law. Barely got that, instead this odd obsession of said wife with pregnancy and whatever that was about making the old lady her baby. I know it was supposed to be about mother issues, but it just didn‘t click for me, at all. Just kept dragging on to me, not making sense.

Audio. First chapter had me hooked and didn‘t let go as revelations were given. I enjoyed this more than I thought. This is my first real horror and it was really good. With increasing stakes and gore levels… What stuck out was the point on horror; it‘s a safe way to show that life has horrors. Let alone that this whole story is about burying your gays as a trope and why it‘s important to fight against gay tragedy and instead hope.