Tag: Book

Review: A Reaper at the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes #3) by Sabaa Tahir

GoodeyReads2 Comments

A Reaper at the Gates

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Audience: YA+, little language, violence, one love-adjacent scene, a few kiss scenes
Length: 464 pages
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: June 12th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

MY HEART HURTS.

I’m pretty sure Tahir sat at her computer laughing nefariously over the horrors she brought upon this cast of characters. And I am DEVASTATED because of it. This might be the most appropriate title for a book I’ve seen in awhile.

Yet, I found the story intoxicating. I’m sad for everyone. Though now I am soooooo excited for the next book. She fixes things right? Not sure at this point, but I want to know what happens regardless.

Each character had a moment when my heart broke for them and when, under duress, they broke my heart. Such despair for Elias, Laia, and the Shrike.

Where does the Empire go now?! What will the Nightbringer do?! DOES ANYONE GET A HAPPY ENDING!?!

THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME.

Side note: While I hate cover changes because I usually can’t afford to get the updated version in its entirety, this cover change was definitely for the better. I love the strength and personas brought out by each new cover and look forward to seeing what the last one looks like!

Young adult book definitely. Only a little bit of language. One scene I will refer to as “love-adjacent,” and a few kiss scenes round out this book. Very good, quick read. Short chapters (my fav) with cliff hangers keep you turning the page for more.

Review: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

GoodeyReads1 Comment

The GA

 

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA+, some language, domestic violence and abuse, one love scene, a few kiss scenes
Length: 435 pages
Author: Kristin Hannah
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: February 6th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

THE LAST FRONTIER.

Ooooo, this book had me the entire time. It’s generally a hit or miss for me when it comes to novels that aren’t YA. I’m so happy that I’ve had a good streak of solid reads because I needed a break from all of the fantasy haha.

This book deals with post-traumatic stress disorder that manifests as severe domestic abuse and violence. It was heavy-handed on my heart to watch Leni and Cora struggle just as much as Ernt.

The book keeps a great pace. You’re enjoying two love birds growing up, then wolves show up. Everyone is enjoying a gathering, to have guns waving around next. I loved that I never knew what was quite coming next.

Leni and Matthew’s love story is bounded by years. The way the author told the story truly over time, allowed a flourishing of need to watch these two come together.

Appropriate for YA world, even though it is written as an adult book (as long as you’re comfortable reading about domestic abuse). Some language, and definitely a lot of violence and abuse. One love scene, not heavily scripted. A few kissing scenes.

 

Review: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

GoodeyReads2 Comments

When Breath Becomes Air

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Teen+, a tiny bit of language, no violence, but does discuss death throughout
Length: 208 pages
Author: Paul Kalanithi
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: January 12th, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

READ THIS BOOK.

This is one of those books where I truly believe, everyone needs to read it. For what this book translated in 200 pages, I can’t even begin. I definitely shed a few tears upon finishing it.

The way Paul discusses his own life, and his thoughts/opinions on death really make you contemplate how you’re leading your own life. He never got to fully finish his novel, isn’t that how life feels sometimes?

I don’t have a lot to say because my heart is just bursting with how this book made me feel. Sometimes, that’s more important than a lengthy review.

Appropriate for all ages comfortable with the discussion of death and what makes life worth living. A tiny [tiny] bit of language. Touchy subjects, but needed subjects.

Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Isla

 

Rating: ☆☆☆.75
Audience: YA, language, a few love scenes (including intense make-outs), no violence
Length: 339 pages
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: August 14th, 2014
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

 

NOT AS CHARMED THIS TIME AROUND.

I picked this up to re-read on a Sunday because I have book mail coming Tuesday that I will be reading immediately and I thought this was a cute book!

I like the idea of the “series” not being a “series”. The characters from one book, appear in another, but the main characters get their own story line for each book. It’s creative and fun.

What I realized the second time is that oh my goodness, so many hormones. That’s mostly what Isla and Josh are really dealing with. Not the other external factors, the fact that they are madly in love after less than a month and plot to go have sex. This unfortunately stood out a lot more this time around.

I still think it’s a cute book and I enjoy the way it reads. It’s fast and precise without a lot of extra hoopla that bogs it down. Isla especially would make me laugh with her inner thoughts. She’s a love-struck hormonal teenager just like the rest of us once were.

Definitely some language (including f-words). Love scenes are a little descriptive, but also don’t go over the edge like you’d see in New Adult+.