The Hazel Wood / Melissa Albert

3/5

The Hazel Wood is beautifully written. Without being overdone, Melissa Albert creates simple, creative metaphors that pinpoint the exact emotion or image she is trying to convey. Because of that, reading The Hazel Wood feels like a treat. Albert also excellently captures the mood of the dark fairytales the book is about. The entire novel has the quiet, cold, dreadful tone, the kind that gives you chills. 

The reasons I didn't enjoy The Hazel Wood as much as I could have is because of the slow pace and the characters. I understand that the slow pace works with the tone, but there wasn't enough plot to drive the novel. I also didn't appreciate the main character, Alice. The one other character we really get to meet and interact with is Finch, and we don't get to know him. There is little dialogue in the novel and most of it is aggressive and short, due to Alice's character. Her aggressive personality made me dislike her, and though it was explained at the end, that doesn't make the first eighty percent of the novel more enjoyable. And the biggest reason of all is that my interest steadily decreased as the novel continued. The Hazel Wood lost purpose and structure, and by the last twenty percent, it felt almost like a bumbling mess.

Melissa Albert's writing is absolutely beautiful, so I would recommend lovers of poetic prose or lovers of creepy and dark fairytales to pick up The Hazel Wood; even if you aren't a fan of those, I would still recommend cracking it open to experience her writing. But plot-wise, The Hazel Wood didn't do it for me. Cinder and Beastly are much better fairytale-based YA novels.

The Forbidden Wish / Jessica Khoury

5/5

After trying to read a few books that just weren't doing it for me, I found exactly what I was looking for: a fantasy novel with themes of freedom and loyalty, friendship and responsibility, led by an amazing cast of characters.

The Forbidden Wish is sold as an Aladdin retelling, but it is much more than that. Khoury has loaded it with history and intricacies so that the story is completely new. Zahra, our lead jinni, is direct, strong, and vulnerable. I love how Khoury made sure we never forget that Zahra isn't human, but at the same time incited sympathy. The mystery of piecing together the sins of the past and exactly what crimes were committed kept me eagerly reading. Following Zahra's fight for freedom and watching her scheme to achieve her own goals all while staying within the limitations set on her made me a loyal fan of hers.

I also adored Aladdin and Caspida, and I wish they had gotten even more of the spotlight. Our eyes were always focused on Zahra, but in our peripheral vision Khoury allowed us to see how Aladdin and Caspida were each strong and complete characters. We got glimpses of how much was on each of their plates and could decipher the reasoning behind their actions-- a sign of good writing that Khoury was able to show us what Aladdin and Caspida felt and thought, even if Zahra didn't specifically acknowledge it. The Forbidden Wish could definitely be re-written from either Aladdin's or Caspida's point of view, and it would tell a different story that I would 100% want to read.

The ending may be a little bit of a stretch, but is overall a small imperfection. The Forbidden Wish mixes the complicated navigation of courts and lies, duty and freedom, and love and loyalty. I would highly recommend it, particularly to fans of The Winner's Curse and Strange the Dreamer. Plus, who can ever say no more Aladdin? 

All Rights Reserved / Gregory Scott Katsoulis

3.5/5

I couldn't wait to read All Rights Reserved because the premise intrigued me so much. A world where all words and gestures are copyrighted, trademarked, or patented, and people must pay to communicate? I was eager to see how Katsoulis was going to implement that and how he would weave a story under those conditions.

I was surprised by how many restrictions there were-- mouthing words, nodding, shrugging are all deemed forms of communication and therefore off-limits to Speth, our protagonist who chooses to go silent. I was impressed that even with these restrictions, I never felt trapped or bored reading Speth's story. There isn't one clear direct line of plot throughout the novel, it's more a tale of what happens once she chooses to go silent. When the product-placers are introduced, the plot picks up speed. I appreciated Speth's initiative and her dedication to her goals and to her family. I enjoyed hearing what she had to say and that this novel never became some cheesy, romance-filled mush. Nothing was ever perfect.

The reason my rating isn't higher is because the ending left me feeling a little unsatisfied. The novel closed too quickly and felt a little too easy, a little anti-climactic. Yes, their community now needs a lot of rebuilding, but the takedown of our villain, Silas Rog, didn't feel meaningful enough. I also felt like more could have been done with the premise of the novel. Katsoulis had this great idea, but didn't say enough with it. This was an opportunity to tie the novel into human rights, into current events, into revolution, but I felt that that unity never gathered in the novel.

Overall, All Rights Reserved has a unique plot, and Speth has interesting perspectives on everything she encounters. Though I felt that the novel could have been more, it is already interesting and intriguing enough to be worth the read. 

Forget Tomorrow / Pintip Dunn

4/5

In the world of Forget Tomorrow, everyone is sent a memory from their future self when they turn seventeen. The memory Callie receives is of her killing her beloved younger sister. The rest of the novel is of Callie going on the run, trying to avoid her fate, and unravel the mystery and science behind sending memories. 

Forget Tomorrow has a quick pace, an urgent tone, and high stakes. I enjoyed Callie's character development and her strength. A nice touch Dunn adds into the novel is the opportunity to learn about Callie through what others think of her. Callie doesn't see herself as "defiant" or "aggressive," but seeing how others interpret her actions shed some light on why she might be called such.

Forget Tomorrow has a thought-provoking premise and executes it with suspense and intensity. I was engaged throughout the entire novel and am curious to what will happen in the next. I'd recommend it to fans of dystopian novels like The Giver or a less-violent Hunger Games, or fans of All Our Yesterdays, a similar novel by Cristin Terrill that I would also recommend. 

Flame in the Mist / Renee Ahdieh

3/5

Flame in the Mist delivers the strong female lead promised, although in a different way than I expected. I was hoping she would be more of an aggressive lead, rapidly improving her skills and smarts, winning against her opponents. But like most firsts in a series, this novel is more setup for those showdowns to happen in the future. There definitely were moments where Mariko impressed, and I admired her determination and growth, but ideally I would have preferred to see more of those moments. 

Unfortunately Flame in the Mist has a slightly similar vibe to Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses in that the female lead can be useless at times and there are some slightly sexist interactions occurring, but Flame also shares similarities with stronger novels such as Under the Never Sky and The Reader. Flame also brings up the interesting dilemma of independence and freedom versus loyalty, and pushes one to think about how far one would go to protect oneself. If you enjoy novels that pit smarts against strength, I would recommend giving Flame in the Mist a try.

Summer is Over But That's OK

3.5/5

I enjoyed reading each of the characters, especially watching the relationships develop between them, and I loved watching their secrets slowly be exposed. The ending felt a little like a cop out, but overall the mystery and the characters were enough to drive the entire plot forward and keep me engaged.

2.5/5

The characters weren't the best; Jemmie has flaws but overall is strong enough that I could follow her. Crowe is by far the worst. Why are we romanticizing abusive behavior? The plot is interesting and fast-paced enough that it kept me engaged, and it continued to build until the very end. I couldn't quite buy Jemmie's whole ordeal with her power/lack thereof because it was a little predictable, but Rush turned it into a good puzzle piece that fit at the end. Overall, not the most enjoyable because of the characters, but the plot is engaging enough for Devils and Thieves to provide entertainment.

2.5/5

I feel like this novel's writing style and level of character maturity is more suited toward younger teens, but it also included implications of very dark, gory themes such as torture, which made for a mismatched tone. I appreciated Reagan's independence and Orlando's depiction of her paranoia, but disliked the dialogue, particularly in Reagan's argument with her mother-- I found the language to be very unrealistic and cliche. As the novel continues, the events grow darker and become more extreme and almost outlandish. The great change of tone is a little off-putting. I'm not sure to whom I would recommend You Don't Know My Name, because I couldn't figure out the target audience.

3.5/5

I enjoyed This Mortal Coil. It starts a little slow, but as the novel progresses, the stakes rise and Suvada begins to call into question many ethical concerns. I loved deliberating over the questions she raised regarding science, humanity, and identity. This Mortal Coil is similar to Warcross and The Darkest Minds, and I would recommend it to fans of those novels who are willing to put time into this lengthier book, aren't afraid of grit, and love moral ambiguity.

Love & Gelato / Jenna Evans Welch

3/5

Love & Gelato is another cute chick lit novel about finding romance in a romantic country and follows the basic chick lit format: a girl who recently went through tragedy, such as the loss of a parent, moves to a European country and rather than being excited like "most girls," she is sad due to prevously mentioned tragedy. She then meets a cute boy, or possibly two, who draws her out of her shell and shows her how to live again after said tragedy.

Honestly, I'm surprised Love & Gelato was successfully published considering how similar it is to Anna and the French Kiss. I'm surprised Jenna Evans Welch hasn't been sued. But similarities and lack of originality aside, Love & Gelato is cute and decently enjoyable. Lina, our main character, can be a little annoying with her constant jumping to conclusions, but without that trait the plot would be considerably less active. Love & Gelato gets a strong three out of five stars for delivering what it promises: a light, feel-good read about cute teenage problems.

If you're an Anna and the French Kiss fan, Love & Gelato is definitely for you. If you need a break from the stress of life and are looking for a quick, free, and fun vacation to Italy, pick up Love & Gelato. But if you like a little more action and intensity, and a little more brains to your main lead, then maybe skip this one.

Not If I See You First / Eric Lindstrom

3/5

Parker Grant is blind, not helpless, and she has rules to make sure things stay that way. She doesn't tolerate any mistreatment, and her inability to see people's faces and reactions makes it easy for her to cut anyone she doesn't like out of her life. But what if things aren't as black and white as they seem, and her harsh demeanor and strict rules become more harmful than helpful?

Not If I See You First allowed me to experience the perspective and life of someone I probably wouldn't otherwise. I learned about how Parker lives her life without sight, and how that has not only shaped her actions but her personality and her outlook. She's headstrong and carefree, traits that make for a fun lead, but as I read on I began to see how these traits were hurting her. It was wonderful to watch her discover that for herself. One thing I didn't like was how towards the end, the romance storyline really took over the plot. The ultimate focus of the novel, though, was on Parker's growth and her development with other characters (pay special attention to her sister, it is one of the most interesting relationships in the novel) and the romance doesn't cause Parker to lose sight of herself. 

Eric Lindstrom does a wonderful job in Parker's growth and development, and I would recommend Not If I See You First to fans of teen romance, realistic fiction, and coming-of-age novels.

Children of Blood and Bone / Toni Adeyemi

1.5/5

Children of Blood and Bone is a West African- inspired fantasy novel filled with magic. Magic in the land of Orisha is suppressed by the king, and Zelie has lived her whole training to stay safe as a maji. When she gets tangled up in a mission to save magic and in a run-in with a conflicted princess, she also finds herself messily tied to the prince.

Blood and Bone is ambitious in its goals of representing West-African culture. I'm not familiar with West-African culture so I can't say how accurate the novel is, but I greatly enjoyed hearing about different beliefs and traditions, and I admire Toni Adeyemi for her efforts toward representation and the beautiful world she created. But other than representation efforts, there aren't many compliments I can give Blood and Bone. 

The set up for the novel is full of high stakes action and life-or-death intensity, but the writing simply doesn't deliver. Blood and Bone switches perspectives between Zelie, Amari, and Inan, and though their voices were written differently, the difference was not as great as it should have been between characters that are so different. I didn't have a problem differentiating because what they said and the context of the narration made it clear, but I think the chapters would have benefited from more distinct writing styles. The writing often felt cliche in terms of dialogue and plot (such as in the opening scene, or whenever someone got jealous). My biggest problem with the novel, though, are the characters. I like Zelie's brother, although his overreaction towards the end of the book felt very much like a plot device to add more drama and fills the book with too much testosterone. Amari has the best character development, I enjoy her but her role isn't large enough. She feels like a flimsy character that Adeyemi brushes past in favor of Zelie and Inan, the worse half of the four main characters. Zelie isn't the worst lead but she is definitely not strong or smart enough to be a favorite. And Inan is by far, the weakest, most painfully difficult character to read. He is spineless throughout the entire novel, he does disgusting and immoral actions to those he claims he loves, and to make things even worse, Zelie, our supposedly "strong" female lead, accepts it!

If you are looking for fantasy and magic, I would recommend Strange the Dreamer or the Grisha trilogy. 

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

4/5

I read Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda in one sitting at the airport. I actually wished that my flight would be delayed because that's how desperately I wanted to be able to sit there and finish the last chapter without interruption.

Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda is a well-written coming-of-age novel that I would recommend to John Green fans and really all fans of YA realistic fiction. Becky Albertalli writes Simon as an honest teenage boy. I loved hearing his point of view and the challenges he faced that are so different from most, or at least not so often acknowledged, in mainstream media. The narration is humorous and the changes in format helped to keep the novel lighthearted and interesting. One thing in particular that I loved, other than Simon's character and voice, was piecing together who Simon is and how he is perceived by others by reading his friends' descriptions of him and his friends' actions. It was a really fun puzzle to solve and very thought-provoking to hear Simon's perspective, and be Simon, while at the same time seeing how other people's perception of him is different from what he and I both thought of him. 

I also enjoyed Love, Simon, the film adaptation, and as always I recommend reading the book before watching the movie! Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda is the new TFIOS, at least in terms of popularity; this is recognition that's well-deserved and I would recommend not only YA fans but anyone who wants to stay in touch with this generation to pick it up immediately.

Renegades / Marissa Meyer

3.5/5

In the world of Renegades, people with powers exist and they're called prodigies. Prodigies were persecuted until Ace Anarchy rose up and established the Age of Anarchy, where prodigies refused to hide any longer and embraced their powers, calling themselves Villains. In response to the Villains running rampant, other prodigies arose, calling themselves the Renegades, and destroyed the Villains. As the Renegades rebuild the city and their influence grows, Villain prodigies find themselves in hiding again; how can the cycle end? Nova Artino, a prodigy with Villain connections, is sent to infiltrate the Renegades, and becomes caught between the two sides. 

Renegades blurs the lines between the good guys and the bad guys, and questions the meaning of the word "hero." Marissa Meyer takes a hard look at the role of government and law enforcement, and how having power changes the way people view one another, the way they view themselves, and the way they interact with one another. I love books with moral ambiguity and shades of gray, so I enjoyed those themes in Renegades; but there are many moments that are just paragraphs of introspection, and while I really enjoy philosophical thinking, many of these passages repeat themselves. One other thing that kept Renegades from being truly stellar to me is that I felt like Meyer could have fit a lot more plot and action into a novel of this length. It's not so much that the novel was slow, just that it didn't hit a certain level of intensity. There were a few high-stakes moments that had my heart racing, but overall the novel didn't have the drive I would have liked. Adding to that, both Nova and Adrian are a little slow. Each of their hidden identities are incredibly obvious, and I found it ridiculously unbelievable that by the end of a book of that length, both of their secret identities were still intact. 

I'm a fan of Marissa Meyer, and though Renegades can't compare to the Lunar Chronicles, it holds up strong against many other YA fantasy novels. Nova is smart and quick, Adrian is conflicted and compassionate, and the variety of characters are all exciting to meet. The surprise at the end of the novel is not much of a surprise, but definitely enough of a twist to make me want to read the sequel (the fact that this is a duology doesn't hurt either). I would recommend Renegades to Marissa Meyer fans, Strange the Dreamer fans, and fans of moral ambiguity.

Boys Don't Knit (In Public) / T.S. Easton

3.5/5

Boys Don't Knit is well-written story from the point of view of high school underclassman Ben Fletcher. After an incident that wasn't completely his fault, Ben is essentially on probation and must take knitting classes as a way to give back to his community. The novel is not only about Ben finding out that he loves knitting, but also coming to terms with who he is and where exactly he stands in his relationships to those around him.

T.S. Easton does an excellent job in Boys Don't Knit of capturing the stubbornness and immaturity of adolescence but also the natural depth and compassion in Ben. Ben is what most would call a nerd; he likes to keep his head down, stick to the rules, and loves cleanliness. Easton takes what most would find annoying traits and makes Ben relatable and human, and I loved that. The novel is also unfailingly funny; I found myself laughing at Ben's sense of humor, conveyed through various forms, such as his emails. Ben also experiences a huge amount of growth in all of his relationships, from the ones with his mom and dad to the ones with his friends, and with many other people that he probably never expected anything from. The development was natural, and watching Ben slowly grow made me proud.

Overall, Boys Don't Knit is skillfully written and a delight to read. The voice and tone is suitable for a younger audience (it would be middle school appropriate); it is definitely enjoyable for all ages, but just know that going in. I would definitely recommend Boys Don't Knit as a sweet, funny fiction read.  

Jane, Unlimited / Kristin Cashore

2.5/5

In Jane, Unlimited, Kristin Cashore writes five possible courses of events that all vary depending on a decision Jane makes in an instant. The novel is set in a fantastical world written in a sleepy sort of magical narration.

The reviews for Jane, Unlimited had me pumped up for an experience of a novel unlike any other, and while Jane is different from most other novels I've read in terms of style, I did not enjoy it. I like Cashore's idea of having completely different events happen to Jane depending on what decision she makes. I love how it shows that perhaps it is only possible to know a certain amount of information, because a certain choice can only lead you down a certain path. It also reinforces the possibility of multiple universes, which is discussed in the novel. But in splitting the novel into five different stories, eventually I lost interest. My loss of interest was also due to how the level of ridiculousness and extreme magic increased; the novel started off bordering on the bizarre, which is part of its charm, but the last two stories in particular were far too much for me to buy. If you read it, you'll understand what I mean. If not, let me try to explain without spoiling by saying that the new worlds Cashore introduces in these storylines are not hinted at enough earlier in the book to avoid feeling like ridiculous, childish stretches. I was relieved to finish the novel because reading the last two stories felt like a waste of time-- I stuck through it I expected Cashore to wrap up all of the storylines in some way at the end. The wrap-up didn't happen, but I think that suits the novel's theme of multiple possibilities and stories with no ending.

Jane, Unlimited offers a different style of storytelling than is usually seen in YA literature. Cashore also creates some excellently developed characters, and the relationships between them are also of the kind not usually seen. Jane's relationship with Kiran isn't the typical best friends 'til death type. Her feelings toward Ivy are well-captured and a consistent highlight throughout the entire novel. Her descriptions and changing opinions of Aunt Magnolia are different in every story, a testimony to Cashore's writing, and I enjoyed meeting Ravi. 

But overall, Jane, Unlimited is long and dragged out, and the stories do not feel worth the time at all. If you're curious to experience this type of storytelling, then I'd recommend picking it up, but first quickly flipping through the entire book to see if it's something you truly want to invest your time in. Don't worry, this type of book won't be spoiled by flipping to the end. 

Warcross / Marie Lu

4.5/5

Warcross is exciting and new and has me anxiously anticipating the sequel. Marie Lu, you've got me again.

Set in futuristic world where everyone is connected into a virtual reality game called Warcross, Marie Lu weaves the story of Emika Chen after Emika hacks her way through Warcross security and earns the notice of Warcross founder Hideo Tanaka. Hoping to use Emika's hacking talent to his advantage, Hideo invites her to participate in the Warcross championship games while helping him address a bigger threat: an anonymous hacker trying with an unknown endgame. 

First, I want to recognize the diversity Lu included in her novel. Warcross takes participants from all  over the world, and Lu makes sure that her characters reflect that. I loved the ethnic names and various languages, the LGBT representation, the characters with disabilities. And she included all of this without making a big deal out of it; their "differences" never had to be outrightly acknowledged because they're not differences at all-- they're normal. Walk around in the real world and you'll encounter plenty of ethnic names and non-straight people and people with disabilities-- it's normal. Other than diversity, Lu also included culture. I loved that she chose to place her novel against Tokyo, and that her main characters were Asian. As an Asian-American, I am painfully aware of how little representation Asian culture gets, and so this was very meaningful to me. Yes, Tokyo may have been the most sensible location for such a technology heavy plot, but I think Lu chose this location for more than that reason. Her writing shows her appreciation for Japanese culture, and I love that she was brave enough and proud enough to share that with the world, especially with how important it is to have this representation.

In case you couldn't already tell, I love Warcross-- I only write reviews this long when I feel very passionately! It has everything I need in a novel: strong characters and a plot that hooks me in. Emika is definitely strong, and reading her felt natural. Though at first the world may not seem extremely original, as there are plenty of novels that have similar futuristic technology, what Lu chooses to do with the technology is still exciting. Players face off in a virtual world, and I loved being thrown into all of these wild settings that defy physics and always have new obstacles. Throughout the novel I was always eagerly awaiting the next battle, the next twist, the next challenge. The speed grows and grows, and ending left me reeling in the best way.

I could go on about all of the well-developed characters, the intricate world, the fun action, but I think it's best if YA fantasy and science fictions lovers like me read Warcross and experience it themselves. I'm not saying the novel was flawless-- Emika's initial treatment of her teammates was understandable but frustrating, I would have liked to see more development between Emika and Hideo earlier on, and there were some technicalities that made me frown-- but Warcross was so fun that these details are almost trivial. Warcross has reminded me why I am such a steadfast fan of YA science fiction: it's a fun, exciting, wild ride that lets me live lives I couldn't otherwise. 

There's Someone Inside Your House / Stephanie Perkins

2.5/5

There's Someone Inside Your House is a suspenseful murder mystery novel. I usually don't read novels in the horror vein, so I was excited to try something different and had heard good things. There's Someone Inside Your House is set in middle-of-nowhere Osborne, Nebraska and follows Hawaii-native Makani Young when a serial killer starts targeting students at her high school. 

True to its promises, the novel delivers on suspense and intensity, but it failed to truly draw me in. Makani's third person narrative is interrupted with snapshots that allow the reader to experience the death of the victims, which I found exciting. The opening scene of the novel is surely one of its highlights. There was plenty of gore, which I appreciated, but its effect was lessened because I never felt attached to any of the characters. I eagerly anticipated their deaths; they excited me rather than frightened me, even though I think Perkins was trying to evoke feelings of fear and loss. 

One secret that kept me invested in the novel was Makani's past, but I felt like learning her history was a bit of a letdown. There were very strong hints toward some dark past, when in reality the events that occurred did not nearly deserve the amount of build up it got. I was also disappointed that Perkins did not explore or explain Makani's relationship with her parents. But I liked Makani's spirit, her vulnerability and strength, and I didn't tire of hearing her story.

Overall, There's Someone Inside Your House is entertaining and I enjoyed reading such a suspenseful novel. It is definitely a good beginner's introduction to the genre. But while fun, it didn't have the depth or originality that would have made it truly stand out for me. I recommend it to those who are looking for a quick read that has bloodier stakes and a gorier level of intensity.

Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies / Lindsay Ribar

3/5

Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies tells the story of a family that has the ability to take things from other people, such as physical traits like freckles or personality quirks like one's love for ice cream. The novel follows Aspen Quick as he learns more about his ability and what role he wants it to play in his life. 

Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies is a suspenseful mystery, but has similar vibes to Patrick Ness's The Rest of Us Just Live Here, with a conflicted male lead and his growth being a focus of the novel. Aspen is a pretty horrible person who does many unethical things, but Lindsay Ribar captures what motivates him and I was able to understand him. I enjoyed following his internal conflict, his intellect, and his actions, however immoral. 

I didn't realize how supernatural this novel was going to be so I was a little surprised at where the plot was going as the novel progressed, but Ribar's idea is very creative and interesting so I went with the flow. I appreciated how well Ribar explains the workings of the Quick family's ability and how it affects each of their relationships. I would recommend Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies as a quick read for those who like mystery, supernatural abilities, or internal conflict in the veins of morality and identity. 

The Forgetting / Sharon Cameron

3/5

The Forgetting is set in a world where people lose all of their memories every twelve years, but Nadia never has. Everyone lives in a small enclosed community, and power is messily distributed. Nadia scrambles to keep her family safe and her memories protected, while trying to find the root of the Forgetting.

Nadia is tough, brave, and vulnerable. I didn't tire of her voice or her actions and was invested in her coming-of-age story. The Forgetting has strong themes of identity and asks the question, who are you without your memories? Sharon Cameron builds three-dimensional characters, each with their own stories, and I enjoyed learning more about each of them. I especially loved the end of novel and how the plot was resolved. 

The story Cameron tells is a big one, arguably too big to fit in one novel, but I enjoy standalones and I appreciate that there is no sequel. The plot has strong reminders of Across the Universe, and I would recommend this to fans of Beth Revis, strong female leads and exploration, and the relationship between memories and identity.

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue / Mackenzi Lee

3.5/5

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is a fun and light coming-of-age novel following Monty on his Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend Percy and sister Felicity.

Mackenzi Lee's writing is the highlight of the novel. Gentleman's Guide is written in dialect, which took me a moment to adjust but allows Lee to stretch her writing in interesting and fun ways, and to create beautiful lines. Lee is able to capture Monty's own flaws which is hard to do from first person. She reveals Monty's selfishness and his privilege through his interactions with other characters and subtleties in the narration. It's so much fun to watch meaningful exchanges occur between other characters while the depth of the interaction flies over Monty's head, leaving him with a feeling that he has missed something. Lee also captures Monty's vulnerability, his fear, and the depth of his emotions, even if those emotions aren't the ones he should be feeling. She made me sympathize with selfish, arrogant Monty, and she had me rooting for him to get what he wanted even though he already has everything a person could want right at his fingertips.

The events of the novel are wild and lighthearted. They're not the most realistic but they're fun. Gentleman's Guide is an adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a character-driven book, and the characters are complete and well-developed. They complement one another, and I was invested in all three of them.

Overall, Gentleman's Guide was sweet, charming, and fun. It's lighthearted, and also has three-dimensional characters and beautiful lines. I would highly recommend fans of coming-of-age stories or those looking for a not-so-serious book to pick it up. 

Roar / Cora Carmack

2.5/5

Roar follows the journey of Aurora, in line for the Stormling throne. The Stormlings promise security from storms to its citizens through their ability to control storms, but Aurora is powerless. In order to maintain her powerful position and the safety of her kingdom, she decides to marry a powerful Stormling prince of another kingdom. But when she discovers that it is possible to earn the power to control storms, she runs away in pursuit of this power, hoping to truly earn her position and independence.

The blurb suggests a strong female lead determined to establish her own independence and earn power for herself. I think Aurora does deliver on the strong independent female lead part, but Cora Carmack seems to want to twist the events of the novel to continually place Aurora in the role of the damsel in distress. She was often placed in a position of helplessness where Locke, the love interest, had the upper hand. I would compare these swoon-y, "I need you to carry me" sort of moments to fan fiction. Because of this, the novel leans more strongly in the romance genre than I would prefer my fantasy novels to.

I was a little disappointed with the "discovery" about Aurora and her lack of power. I am a little tired of novels that have a lead who struggles with being powerless, only to find that they are more powerful than everyone else. I want to hear about someone who isn't gifted, makes do, and succeeds using the resources they have. That was what the summary promised, and not what the book delivered. I was also a little disappointed with the discovery that wasn't made: Locke doesn't find out Aurora's true identity, at least not in this book. I was really looking forward to that moment!

Despite the aforementioned shortcomings, I found Roar decently enjoyable. It is a good time killer or between-reads book. It has inspirations of Throne of Glass and Under the Never Sky, so if you're looking for a filler book to cure withdrawal symptoms or fill the wait for a sequel, give Roar a try.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase / Cynthia Hand

4/5

The Afterlife of Holly Chase is a modern take on the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. There is a company that chooses one "scrooge" a year to focus on, and then they run a huge con on the scrooge by dressing up as spirits and recreating what happened to the original Ebenezer Scrooge in hopes of scaring the new scrooge straight. But of course, not all scrooges are successfully scared, such as in the case of Holly Chase. So what happens to the failed scrooges?

I adored and related to Holly Chase. She is brutally honest and direct, she's cold but at the same time vulnerable and a little sweet. Holly is a very well-developed character and Cynthia Hand has no problem writing a range of emotions in Holly's voice. At times when the action slowed, her humor didn't, and so I enjoyed every moment.

The plot twist wasn't a surprise; I'm pretty sure nearly all readers will be able to spot it a mile off. But that doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the novel, especially when I finally pieced together why a certain character kept stuttering on another character's name (it isn't what you think it is!). Cynthia Hand creates an interesting and unique take on a Christmas classic and executes it well. I would recommend this for fans of holiday novels, retellings of classics, and chick lit with substance.

All the Crooked Saints / Maggie Stiefvater

3.5/5

All the Crooked Saints is set in the 1960s in Bicho Raro, Colorado and follows the Soria family, who have the ability to perform miracles. 

The moment I opened Crooked Saints I remembered why I am such a huge fan of Stiefvater. Her writing is so distinct. I haven't read one of her books in a while, and I'd forgotten how beautifully she wields language. She creates beautiful imagery and interesting metaphors in ways I never would have imagined on my own, and does so effortlessly. Her writing, for me, is the highlight of the novel.

The next aspect of Stiefvater's handiwork that I enjoyed are her characters. She creates multi-dimensional characters and well-developed relationships, and then she uses her beautiful and precise writing to captured it all in personal, honest portraits.

Reading All the Crooked Saints is a real treat, similar to watching a flower bloom slowly or letting sugar dissolve on your tongue. I loved the writing and execution, and watching all the story lines intertwine and discovering more about each character's past, present, and future. I recommend Crooked Saints for Stiefvater fans, fans of dreamy and introspective writing, and believers of anything magical.