Review: Iron Cast

Iron Cast | Destiny Soria

Published by: Amulet Books, October 11th 2016

Genre: YA, Historical, Fantasy

Pages: 384

Format: Ebook

Source: Amulet, via Edelweiss

In 1919, Ada Navarra—the intrepid daughter of immigrants—and Corinne Wells—a spunky, devil-may-care heiress—make an unlikely pair. But at the Cast Iron nightclub in Boston, anything and everything is possible. At night, on stage together, the two best friends, whose “afflicted” blood gives them the ability to create illusions through art, weave magic under the employ of Johnny Dervish, the club’s owner and a notorious gangster. By day, Ada and Corinne use these same skills to con the city’s elite in an attempt to keep the club afloat.

When a “job” goes awry and Ada is imprisoned, she realizes they’re on the precipice of danger. Only Corinne—her partner in crime—can break her out of Haversham Asylum. But once Ada is out, they face betrayal at every turn.

Why did I wait so long to read this??? It was AWESOME. Girls being besties, the most unique, fascinating magic, 1920s (ish) setting that ISN'T New York for a change, gang drama, and a side of romance. Not to mention it deals with racism and attitudes towards immigrants, is pretty darn feminist, has a black main character, and has gay side characters. Is there anything NOT to love?

Honestly, I can't find a single fault. It's action packed, full of mystery and wonder and friendships that make my heart so full, and it's written faultlessly. I want another book in this world! (Saint POV please??)

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

ARC Review: The Steep & Thorny Way

The Steep and Thorny Way | Cat Winters

Published by: Amulet Books, March 8th 2016

Genre: YA, Historical, Retellings, Paranormal

Pages: 352

Format: Ebook

Source: Amulet Books, via Netgalley

A thrilling reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Steep and Thorny Way tells the story of a murder most foul and the mighty power of love and acceptance in a state gone terribly rotten.

1920s Oregon is not a welcoming place for Hanalee Denney, the daughter of a white woman and an African-American man. She has almost no rights by law, and the Ku Klux Klan breeds fear and hatred in even Hanalee’s oldest friendships. Plus, her father, Hank Denney, died a year ago, hit by a drunk-driving teenager. Now her father’s killer is out of jail and back in town, and he claims that Hanalee’s father wasn’t killed by the accident at all but, instead, was poisoned by the doctor who looked after him—who happens to be Hanalee’s new stepfather.

The only way for Hanalee to get the answers she needs is to ask Hank himself, a “haint” wandering the roads at night.

Not at all what I expected, but every bit as good as I knew it'd be.

For some reason I expected this to be heavier on the paranormal. It definitely has a very important ghost, but I thought there'd be more of that. Turns out it's mostly historical, which isn't bad at all because it's very well written and researched.

This is another one of those books that you don't enjoy reading because of the subject matter (racism, homophobia, KKK) but that's important to have read (especially as a white person - although I am on the lookout for a YA #ownvoices historical in the same era so I can read an authentic POV!!) So I didn't like it and I didn't enjoy it but I'm glad I read it.

The Steep & Thorny Way is emotional, compelling, and powerful. The characters are realistic and read as real people, the setting is tangible, and the story is horrific. You should read it.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★★

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