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: Girl Against The Universe

Girl Against The Universe | Paula Stokes

Published by: HarperTeen, May 17th 2016

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mental Illness

Pages: 400

Format: Ebook

Source: Publisher, via Edelweiss

From the author of The Art of Lainey and Liars, Inc. comes a fresh, contemporary story about a girl coping with PTSD and the boy who wants to help her move on from the past.

Sixteen-year-old Maguire knows the universe is against her. No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when she's around. Like that time the roller coaster jumped off its tracks. Or the time the house next door caught on fire. Or the time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash--and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch. 

Despite what her therapist tells her, Maguire thinks it's best to hide out in her room, far away from anyone she might accidentally hurt. But then she meets Jordy, an aspiring tennis star who wants to help her break her unlucky streak. Maguire knows that the best thing she can do for him is to stay away, but it turns out staying away might be harder than she thought.

I knew I was going to love this but I didn't guess HOW MUCH I'd love it. This book was pretty much made for me - tennis, romance, and anxiety? Yes to all this in one book. I waited way too long read it though and I wish I'd read it last year because I love it so much. Honestly this whole book is perfect, from the tennis to the characters and family life (I loved her step-dad) and the friendships in this. My favourite bits were of Jordy, the love interest who is so real and messed up and lovely that I fell for him so hard. And I really loved the main character and her recovery, how messy and raw it was for her to face her fears and move past them. This is just written so well, especially the therapy. I'm so glad I read it. I wish it was longer though - I wasn't ready to say goodbye to this book.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: You Were Here

You Were Here | Cori McCarthy

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire, March 1st 2016

Genre: YA, Contemporary (but with a horror tone in parts), Comics

Pages: 400

Format: Ebook

Source: Sourcebooks Fire,, via Edelweiss

Grief turned Jaycee into a daredevil, but can she dare to deal with her past?

On the anniversary of her daredevil brother's death, Jaycee attempts to break into Jake's favorite hideout—the petrifying ruins of an insane asylum. Joined by four classmates, each with their own brand of dysfunction, Jaycee discovers a map detailing her brother's exploration and the unfinished dares he left behind.

As a tribute to Jake, Jaycee vows to complete the dares, no matter how terrifying or dangerous. What she doesn't bargain on is her eccentric band of friends who challenge her to do the unthinkable: reveal the parts of herself that she buried with her brother.

Stunning and strange and nothing like I expected. I treasured every page of this, and to be honest I wasn't sure I'd even like it in the beginning. I LOVED it, from tortured, grieving Jaycee, to serious Bishop, sad Zach, and seriously messed up Natalie. And my absolute favourite, precious Mik with his dramatic trench coat and his full-of-words silences.

The format of this book really made it stand out - there's prose, art, and comic pages (which were my favourite.) It did such a good job of telling the story that when I finished it, I immediately wanted to reread it. I fell in love with their idiotic daredevil stunts, their shared grief, and their messy friendships, and I loved every creepy setting from the crumbling mall to the abandoned theme park. This book is perfect. I miss it already.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: Eliza & Her Monsters

Eliza & Her Monsters | Francesca Zappia

Published by: Greenwillow Books, May 30th 2017

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Comics

Pages: 400

Format: Ebook

Source: Greenwillow, via Edelweiss

Eighteen-year-old Eliza Mirk is the anonymous creator of Monstrous Sea, a wildly popular webcomic, but when a new boy at school tempts her to live a life offline, everything she’s worked for begins to crumble.

In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, smart, and friendless. Online, Eliza is LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of a popular webcomic called Monstrous Sea. With millions of followers and fans throughout the world, Eliza’s persona is popular. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves her digital community. Then Wallace Warland transfers to her school, and Eliza begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile. But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart. With pages from Eliza’s webcomic, as well as screenshots from Eliza’s online forums, this uniquely formatted book will appeal to fans of Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona and Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl.

My favourite contemporary ever. And to think I never used to like the genre. This dumb book stole my heart.

I can't even begin to explain how hard I connected with this, with the characters and the story, as both a member of many fandoms and  as a creator. Everything, from the characterisation, to the online friendships, to the fandoms, to the romance, to the family life just meant SO MUCH. And the art was PERFECT, I badly want to read Monstrous Sea. I have nothing but emotions for this book - no comments or issues or whatever I usually say in reviews. I just honestly loved this so much, and it HURT me so much, but I love it more for it. That ending was unfair for a long while and, not gonna lie, I cried for the whole last 30% non-stop, at first because it broke my heart and then because it mended it. I want to read this all over again.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★★

Review: Young Avengers, Volume Two

Young Avengers: Volume Two: Alternative Culture | Kieron Gillen, Kate Brown, Jamie McKelvie

Published by: Marvel, January 2nnd 2014

Genre: YA, Comics, Science Fiction, Superheroes

Pages: 112

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Collects Young Avengers (2013) #6-10. Ever wonder what the super hero equivalent of a terrible soul-sucking, talent-wasting temp job is? Wonder what Tommy (aka Speed) has been up to? Wonder why mutant David Alleyne (aka Prodigy) hasn't been even in the background in any one of the eight thousand X-books? Discover answers herein! Then: existential horror turns cosmic horror as something emerges from the shadows of the past...and it seems that the Young Avengers have one more thing to worry about. The team races desperately across the multi verse in pursuit of their missing friend, but their road trip goes crazy as it reaches its desti nati on. Because its desti nati on is mainly excitement and heartbreak. Several Young Avengers decide what to do next. The question is, whether they stay Young Avengers! Plus: Are you ready for Mother's Day?

I swear I blinked and it was over. This is too good and too easy to read - I want more in each volume!!!! The characters, the storylines, the snark and bickering, EVERYTHING is perfect but these volumes are never anywhere near long enough. I love this whole gang and I want 1000x the amount of adventures we get.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

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 ★★★★★

Review: Now I Rise

Conquerors Saga: Now I Rise  | Kiersten White

Published by: Corgi Childrens, July 6th 2017

Genre: YA, Historical

Pages: 480

Format: Ebook

Source: Corgi, via Netgalley

Lada Dracul has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself. After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada is out to punish anyone who dares to cross her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder whether he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her.

What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople—and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned an unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence—but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, to the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself—but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him?

As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won . . . and souls will be lost. 

I did not think this book would ever surpass And I Darken, but boy was I wrong. I'm gonna lay out my thoughts:

-Lada is my fave ever. I love her viciousness, her drive to get what she wants, and how she fights for abused women. Hell yes.

- I freaking loved Radu???!!! So confused. I went into this not really fussed, but now I respect him so much and I love him. I think it's because we get to really see him as himself, away from Mehmed in this.

-Radu/Nazira are friendship goals and also marriage goals tbh

-I want to keep Cyprian forever and ever. He's (mostly) new to this book but I know everyone's gonna love him. Precious, kind, smol gay son.

-Daciana is my new fave (really hope I remembered her name right, because I almost called her Daniela) I love everything about her, and she and Stefan are super cute.

-Oh, and the brutality of the plot is awesome, this book is written INSANELY WELL and paced even better, and the war is so vivid and cunning and everything I wanted it to be. But mostly the characters! I love the characters, they're everything!

-My one complaint? I wish Hunyadi had lived!

-I finished Now I Rise and immediately missed it. I wish book 3 wasn't so far away!

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: The Star-Touched Queen

The Star-Touched Queen  | Roshani Chokshi

Published by: St Martin's Griffin, April 26th 2016

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mythology, Diverse

Pages: 342

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you’re only seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire…

But Akaran has its own secrets—thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most…including herself.

A beautiful story of love, self-discovery, and magic. This book is so good at showing the beauty and wonder in even the darkest hells and monsters, and I just fell in love with it for that - and for the main chararcters. The Star-Touched Queen is everything I wanted it to be - romantic, detailed, immersive - and full of so much more mythology, legends, and creatures. I was ensnared from page one.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: Doom Patrol, Volume One

Doom Patrol: Volume One: Brick By Brick | Gerard Way, Nick Derington, Tamra Bonvillain, 

Published by: DC Comics, June 6th 2017

Genre: Comics, Superheroes

Pages: 168

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics, via Netgalley

The spirit of Grant Morrison's groundbreaking Doom Patrol is captured in this debut series starring the cult-favorite misfits as a part of Gerard Way's new Young Animal imprint.

Flex Mentallo, Robotman, Rebis, Crazy Jane, and more are back to twist minds and take control. This new take on a classic embraces and reimagines the Morrison run's signature surrealism and irreverence. Incorporating bold, experimental art and a brash tone to match a new generation of readers, Gerard Way's Doom Patrol establishes radical new beginnings, breaks new ground, and honors the warped team dynamic of the world's strangest heroes.

This abstract and unexpected ensemble series nods at the Doom Patrol's roots by continuing to break the barriers of the traditional superhero genre.

Collecting Doom Patrol 1-6

More now immediately please thank you.

This is the craziest comic I have ever read. It doesn't make any kind of sense, but also it makes perfect sense. The characters are weirdos, and they don't really make sense either, and I love them for it. And the art is perfect and colourful and echoes how hopeful the story is despite the impending apocalypse. Doom Patrol is the kind of weird I have been waiting for without knowing I've been waiting for it.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: The Gauntlet

The Cage: The Gauntlet | Megan Shepherd

Published by: HarperCollins, May 23rd 2017

Genre: Science Fiction, Space, Aliens

Pages: 352

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperCollins, via Edelweiss

The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in the final novel in the gripping and romantic Cage series, about teens abducted from Earth by an otherworldly race.

Cora and her friends have escaped the Kindred station and landed at Armstrong—a supposed safe haven on a small moon—where they plan to regroup and figure out how to win the Gauntlet, the challenging competition to prove humanity’s intelligence and set them free. But Armstrong is no paradise; ruled by a power-hungry sheriff, it’s a violent world where the teens are enslaved and put to work in mines. As Nok’s due date grows closer, and Mali and Leon journey across space to rescue Cassian, the former inhabitants of the cage are up against impossible odds.

With the whole universe at stake, Cora will do whatever it takes, including pushing her body and mind to the breaking point, to escape Armstrong and run the Gauntlet. But it isn’t just a deranged sheriff she has to overcome: the other intelligent species—the Axion, Kindred, Gatherers, and Mosca—all have their own reasons to stop her. Not knowing who to trust, Cora must rely on her own instincts to win the competition, which could change the world—though it might destroy her in the process.

That ending was SAD!!!! :(

One of the best damn YA sci-fi series I've ever read - strong from the first page of The Cage to the last of The Gauntlet. I don't know what I can say about this book other than it surpassed my every hope and expectation, and the shocks never let up from the beginning. It's hopeful and miserable and full of guts and determination. I love Cora, I love Cassian, I love the world, the story, the cleverness of the Gauntlet. We even got a sneaky A.I. which I adored. Thank you for this gift of a series. I'm really sad to see it go.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★