Review: The Poet X

The Poet X | Elizabeth Acevedo

Published by: HarperTeen, March 8th 2018

Genre: Poetry, Contemporary

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperTeen, via Edelweiss

A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.

So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.

Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

Fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds will fall hard for this astonishing own voices novel-in-verse by an award-winning slam poet, about an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth.

This was so different to what I expected, and I loved it. Beautiful form, stark and aching poetry, and pretty damn awesome characters. All the things I like. 

I loved Xiomara, and I felt for her so much with all the things she had to deal with. She's just a girl trying to muddle through being a teenager, discovering herself and her passion and boys. At its heart this book is about questions, and love - familial love, romantic love, and especially self love. 

I LOVE novels in verse but my usual problem is they don't end, they just stop - but this book has an actual ending, and it made me so happy to have that closure, to know there's hope for the characters and their lives. This book is honestly so well done. I'm very happy I read it, even if it hurt me towards the end. I want to read more from Elizabeth Acevedo.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★★

Review: The Last Namsara

Read if you like: secondary fantasy with interesting magic systems and beliefs, characters you can root for, and dragons.

The Last Namsara | Kristen Ciccarelli

Series: Iskari

Genre: YA High Fantasy
Released: October 3rd 2017
Pages: 432
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.

These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.

Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her. 

This was not what I expected at all. I really like how the main character journeys from villain to hero, from dragon hunter to dragon rider. I could have done without the romance and I didn't love the rebel camp but there were elements I really liked. Character development is amazing, and I like the main character, as well as her cousin. The dragons were pretty awesome, too, though I wish they were more characters than they actually were.

I enjoyed the action and suspense, and this was a really good fantasy book with some memorable moments. The world didn't stand out but I think it'll be expanded on in later books. I liked it.

4.5 stars

Review: The Dragon's Hunt

Read if you like: mythology, a new twist on paranormal, and characters with chemistry.

The Dragon's Hunt | Jane Kindred

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: December 1st
Pages: 304
Format: EBook
Source: Publisher, via Netgalley

By day, Leo Ström works as an assistant in a tattoo parlor. By night… Well, he isn't quite sure what happens at night. He just knows that it's best if he restrains himself. 

Ink is more than just superficial decoration to Rhea Carlisle. Her ability to read her clients' souls in their tattoos gives her work its special magic—and it allows her to see that there's more to Leo than his brilliant blue eyes. 

The passion that kindles between them might be Leo's salvation. Or it might be the end of the world…

Look for 2 new titles from Harlequin Nocturne every month!

Harlequin Nocturne: Delve into dark, sensuous and often dangerous territory, where the normal and paranormal collide

The first two thirds of this book? Awesome and interesting and seductive. The last half? I have NO IDEA what happened. I could not tell you.

But I did really enjoy most of this book, and I want to read the books with the side characters (especially Dev,  helloo Dev.) I really liked the main characters, Rhea and Leo, and I LOVE the tattoo sight, which was not what I expected of tattoo magic. The Viking element too is awesome, though I do wish it had hinted at it in the blurb. There are SO MANY old Norse words in this and I honestly can't remember one of them. At one point there were so many in a sentence, I just skipped ahead to a part I could understand. And like I said, I like Leo. He's fun and snarky and interesting but I couldn't for the life of me figure out why there were SIX versions of him. I feel the last few weren't explained well at all. So I got lost but I just sorta went with it and enjoyed the story.

What I liked was the magic, the vision parts, the characters and the romance. The Norse bits really confused me but I'd still recommend this book. I don't get why it's called The Dragon's Hunt though - there's a dragon in ONE scene. I kept waiting for dragons but nope. Vikings.

4 stars

Review: The Becoming of Noah Shaw

Read if you like: superheroes and slow burning mysteries with slight thriller elements

The Becoming of Noah Shaw | Michelle Hodkin

Series: The Shaw Confessions

Genre: Mystery
Release Date: November 7th
Pages: 384
Format: EBook
Source: Publisher, via Edelweiss

In the first book of the Shaw Confessions, the companion series to the New York Times bestselling Mara Dyer novels, old skeletons are laid bare and new promises prove deadly. This is what happens after happily ever after.

Everyone thinks seventeen-year-old Noah Shaw has the world on a string.

They’re wrong.

Mara Dyer is the only one he trusts with his secrets and his future.

He shouldn’t.

And both are scared that uncovering the truth about themselves will force them apart.

They’re right.

Did I seriously go through the whole Mara Dyer trilogy for my ship to sink so spectacularly? Are you KIDDING me? I was looking forward to them being strong, sorting shit out together. And I wish this was the only thing I'm disappointed about.

This is way more contemporary mystery than the creepy paranormal thriller Mara Dyer was, which I didn't expect. Not to say I don't like that genre because I do but... It's pretty slow paced too, despite the awesome beginning. I still love the characters, and Noah, and the history behind the origins of their powers. But the missing Gifted? I literally did not care what happened to them. I'm not sure how I feel about the new character Leo either, even if I like Goose (great name.) There are parts of this that are really good but overall I just did not love it. And for a book I've been dying to get my hands on for over a YEAR, a book I literally squealed to get approved for on Edelweiss ... the disappointment hit me hard.

3 stars

Review: Suicide Squad, Vol. 3

Suicide Squad: Burning Down The House | Rob Williams

Published by: DC Comics, September 12th 2017

Genre: Comics, Superheroes, Supervillains

Pages: 160

Format: Ebook

Source: DC, via Netgalley

Amanda Waller is used to getting what she wants—but this time, what Waller wants is something only Lex Luthor has. Striking a deal won’t be easy—or cheap! It’s a war on two fronts as Waller leads a smoldering charm offensive in Luthor’s penthouse while her Suicide Squad tries to open the most heavily guarded safe in all of LexCorp.

In SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 3, writer Rob Williams is joined by superstar, and new series artist, Tony S. Daniel (BATMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE)! Collects SUICIDE SQUAD #16-20.

This volume was basically Suicide Squad but with all my favourite bits removed. No cameraderie, barely any Killer Croc and June (why??), and they did something pretty awesome (killed someone off but I won't spoil) but then went back on it by bringing her back to life (meh.) It's not that I didn't like this, because I really enjoyed parts (mostly Harley and Flag) but ... it felt lacking for me. Didn't enjoy it half as much as I expected to.

Characters ★★☆☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★☆☆☆

Review: Bayou Born

The Foundling Series: Bayou Born | Hailey Edwards

Published by: Piatkus, October 17th 2017

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Pages: 336

Format: Ebook

Source: Piatkus, via Netgalley

Her beginning may be our end...

Deep in the humid swamps of the Mississippi bayou, a mysterious, half-wild child is dragged just in time from the murky waters. She has no memories, no family and is covered in strange markings, the meaning of which no one is able to decipher. Adopted by the policeman who rescued her, Lucy Boudrou follows him into the force, determined to prove herself in the eyes of those who are still suspicious. 

However, there's more of a battle ahead than Luce could possibly imagine. She may be an orphan without a past, but no one - including Luce herself - could ever be prepared for the truth of her dark, powerful destiny...

Brand new urban fantasy series by Hailey Edwards, bestselling author of the Gemini and Black Dog series. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Estep, Darynda Jones and Ilona Andrews.

Oh my God this was SO GOOD. This is by all means not my first Hailey Edwards book but this blew me away. Every little thing, from character, to dialogue, to relationships, to plot twists had me holding my breath and flying through the pages. This is my favourite book of Hailey's since the Black Dog series, and I'd say it ties for favourite with Dog With A Bone, which is really saying something.

Everything about Bayou Born is epic and mysterious and dark, and I LOVE IT. So many secrets surrounding the swamp, a group of characters masquerading as a security firm, and around the main character herself, whose own history is shrouded in secret. Her actual secret, her history, BLEW MY MIND. I didn't predict anything anywhere near that immense Freaking Plot Twist, and I'm still reeling from it. This book hurt me so badly near the end and my heart still hurts when I think about it. But that ending has me so excited for the next book, which I need ASAP. I want to find out who Ezra is, where he ties into all this, and see where the story goes. I can't wait for book two!

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: Daughter Of The Burning City

Daughter of The Burning City | Amanda Foody

Published by: HQ, September 7th 2017

Genre: Fantasy, LGBT+

Pages: 416

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Sixteen-year-old Sorina has spent most of her life within the smoldering borders of the Gomorrah Festival. Yet even among the many unusual members of the traveling circus-city, Sorina stands apart as the only illusion-worker born in hundreds of years. This rare talent allows her to create illusions that others can see, feel and touch, with personalities all their own. Her creations are her family, and together they make up the cast of the Festival’s Freak Show.

But no matter how lifelike they may seem, her illusions are still just that—illusions, and not truly real. Or so she always believed…until one of them is murdered.

Desperate to protect her family, Sorina must track down the culprit and determine how they killed a person who doesn’t actually exist. Her search for answers leads her to the self-proclaimed gossip-worker Luca, and their investigation sends them through a haze of political turmoil and forbidden romance, and into the most sinister corners of the Festival. But as the killer continues murdering Sorina’s illusions one by one, she must unravel the horrifying truth before all of her loved ones disappear.

Illusions that can be killed? Heck yes.

This book's concept is awesome. I love the plot, the illusions themselves, and I especially love Gomorrah. What a cool, unique circus (a travelling CITY that's ON FIRE.) While sharing many traits with other circus books, this manages to stand out too. It's dramatic and dangerous and so magical, and even has political elements which I always like. I just didn't fall for the characters at all, even if I found them interesting. What I really liked about this book was the illustrations and character profiles throughout; they are so creepy. And I only predicted the killer towards the end, so I consider that a plot twist well done. Speaking of ... there's a pretty shocking plot twist about one of the characters I did NOT see coming at all, and it's so cool (and tragic, really.)

There's nothing to not like about this book.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Titans, Volume Two

Titans: Volume Two | Dan Abnett, Brett Booth

Published by: DC Comics, September 26th 2017

Genre: Comics, Superheroes

Pages: 152

Format: Ebook

Source: DC, via Netgalley

The classic team of former superhero sidekicks continue their adventures in TITANS VOL. 2, as a part of DC Rebirth!

As Kid Flash Wally West and the Titans adjust to their new lives in New York City and investigate a new threat, a mysterious company called Meta Solutions comes to the forefront. Who are they? And what stunning discovery will the Titans make about their new foe?

Writer Dan Abnett (AQUAMAN) and artist Brett Booth (NIGHTWING) continue their critically acclaimed run with TITANS VOL. 2! Collects issues #7-10, TITANS ANNUAL #1 and stories from DC REBIRTH HOLIDAY SPECIAL.

This was even better than volume one!! And that plot twist at the end?? Holy crap!! I need to read the next volume for sure.

Action and friendship and snark and angsty romantic longing, AKA everything I love. I enjoyed the threats, the villains, the appearance of some bigger superheroes, and I especially loved the characterisation of Lilith in this.  I came to appreciate her a whole lot, but to be fair, I love everything in this gang.

I can't recommend this series enough.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: The Changer's Key

A Riddle in Ruby: The Changer's Key | Kent Davis

Published by: Greenwillow Books, September 27th 2016

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy

Pages: 384

Format: Ebook

Source: Greenwillow Books, via Edelweiss

The second book in the fantasy-adventure trilogy. In an alternate colonial America, young thief Ruby Teach trains to become the greatest weapon in the coming war.

To save her friends and family, apprentice thief Ruby Teach bargained with the man who chased her across the sea and through an alternate version of colonial Philadelphia. Now she’s training to become a soldier in the war he foresees and being experimented on by the army’s scientists. Ruby’s blood holds a secret, if only someone can unlock it.

Meanwhile, Captain Teach and Ruby’s friends—a motley crew made up of a young aristocrat, a servant, an alchemist, and mysterious woodswoman—are racing against time to find and liberate Ruby.

Kent Davis’s imagining of a colonial America powered by alchemy is fascinating and wholly original. The heroes are swept through cities and unsettled territories with imagination, humor, and magic.

I remember really liking the first book, but I just did connect with this at all. The Ruby plot, I liked but I didn't really care about it, and the other plot didn't interest me at all. But I still like Athena a whole lot, and kinda wish the book was all from her POV. By the end of this, I was just reading so I could finish it, and I'm not sure why because I really loved the first book.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

#FreeReads - Hex Appeal

Read if you like: steamy urban fantasy, paranormal dangers, and snarky female characters

Hex Appeal | Tricia Owens

Series: Moonlight Dragon

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Ebook
Source: Free on Instafreebie

BLURB FROM DESCENDED FROM DRAGONS:

To save Sin City, she must battle Hell. Too bad the odds are against her.

Beneath the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas lies another city. A secret city in plain sight, full of warlocks and demons, shapeshifters and golems. A city that feeds off the chance magick that is generated by gamblers and which is ruled by mysterious beings called the Oddsmakers.

It is in this strange underbelly of the occult that Anne Moody runs a cursed pawn shop for the desperate, the curious, and the magickally inclined. Though the job is boring, it keeps her under the radar. None of her customers have any inkling that she is a dragon sorceress with a power that's been feared throughout history. One day, a visitor to her shop pawns a stone statue that is more than it appears. The statue is a gargoyle named Vale, who is shrouded in mystery and secrets. When she learns that Vale is possessed, and that the person responsible for cursing him plans to take over Las Vegas with a horde of demons from Hell, Anne realizes it is up to her to defy the Oddsmakers and save the city, and possibly the world.

I love this series and this short was awesome. I got a bit annoyed by a few comments but I was able to ignore them in order of enjoying the story, the paranormal trouble, and the totally epic characters. I love Anne, and Melly, and Vale, and I would read any story with them to be honest. This one was awesome, and really creative.

Review: The Fifth Doll

The Fifth Doll | Charlie N. Holmberg

Published by: 47North, July 25th 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 322

Format: Ebook

Source: 47North, via Netgalley

The bestselling author of The Paper Magician Series transports readers to a darkly whimsical world where strange magic threatens a quiet village that only a courageous woman can save.

Matrona lives in an isolated village, where her life is centered on pleasing her parents. She’s diligent in her chores and has agreed to marry a man of their choosing. But a visit to Slava, the local tradesman, threatens to upend her entire life.

Entering his empty house, Matrona discovers a strange collection of painted nesting dolls—one for every villager. Fascinated, she can’t resist the urge to open the doll with her father’s face. But when her father begins acting strangely, she realizes Slava’s dolls are much more than they seem.

When he learns what she’s done, Slava seizes the opportunity to give Matrona stewardship over the dolls—whether she wants it or not. Forced to open one of her own dolls every three days, she falls deeper into the grim power of Slava’s creations. But nothing can prepare her for the profound secret hiding inside the fifth doll. 

This book has many secrets inside it. There's always a wistful, fairy-tale feel to Charlie N. Holmberg's books, and that was definitely present in the Fifth Doll. The setting is eerie and feels true to traditional Russian life, and sets it apart from other books, and I enjoyed the story. What I really liked was the characters - Matrona and Jaska were my favourites - and the dolls themselves, which somehow managed to be magical and terrifying. I would not want one of those things painted for me. One of the best things about this is the reason for the dolls existing, and for the village Matrona lives in. Without spoiling anything, there's a reason there are dolls of every single person living there, and it's actually really interesting. Even if the dollmaker is pretty unsettling and scary.

I enjoyed this book. Not my favourite ever, but still special in its own way.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆