2019 "Haul" Part I

4/5

The must-read sequel to the must-read Strange the Dreamer. Laini Taylor closes her duology with beautiful writing. I highly recommend fans of fantasy, political metaphors, romance, and lovely prose to read this pair of books.

4.5/5

I loved the double perspectives of To Kill a Kingdom because it allowed me to love Lira's sheer skill and cruelty while also sympathizing with Elian. I was rooting for both. The similarities to the classic Little Mermaid story are so slight I barely felt them, and when I started to piece together the common threads, it was a delight. I would definitely recommend To Kill a Kingdom to fans of love interests in competition, like Winner's Curse.

0/5

I had high hopes for Girls of Paper and Fire, but I found the entire novel very sexist and very boring. It might as well be written from the third person, the main character is utterly useless and does nothing. Even her badass same-sex love interest couldn't save the novel, and that's saying a lot. Definitely do not bother reading. 

4/5

I finally got around to reading the sequel to The Diabolic. It took me a while because I loved the ending of The Diabolic and how it required a leap of faith, and when I finally heard there was a sequel I was worried it would ruin the first. I did not have to be worried. The Empress continues and further develops the complicated relationship between Nemesis and Tyrus, and I loved the plot twist that is revealed. I highly recommend picking up the series if you haven't already. I know I'll be reading the next.

4/5

An intriguing concept, well-developed characters, a high-stakes plot, and strong writing. I loved Kell; Lila, not so much. She's definitely more of an annoying character, but the strength of Kell's chapters and the interactions with Rhy and Holland had me fully invested. I also loved the idea of different version of the same city, and though it seems confusing, V.E. Schwab articulates it beautifully. I enjoyed the plot and the ending, and can't wait to read the sequel, mainly to spend more with Rhy and Holland. 

5/5

I loved Warcross, and Wildcard is a strong close to the series. I don't think it's as fun as Warcross, but that makes sense considering this is the part where Emiko dives deeper into the darker side of the game and confronts many more moral questions. Marie Lu delivers with strong, interesting characters, and an exciting plot. Recommend.

5/5

Overall, a well-written realistic fiction novel. I appreciate the representation it provides and that none of the characters were cliches. I recommend it for those looking for a lighter read (in the sense that it's not like fantasy/scifi with heavy politics and assassination) that isn't afraid of heavier topics that do not usually receive as much attention in YA. Samira Ahmed also did a good job with Maya's relationship with a certain boy, and avoided any overly dramatic cliches. I really appreciated that.

The Queen's Rising / Rebecca Ross

5/5

I couldn't put The Queen's Rising down. I've always enjoyed the YA concepts that include training, so the concept of the five passions in this novel is what drew me in initially. After I started reading, what kept me hooked is the delicate relationship between Brienna and Cartier. Anyone who knows me knows I hate age differences, but the relationship between Brienna and Cartier was so carefully written and delicately designed that I couldn't get enough. It felt precious and it was full of admiration. Their romance was never the center of the plot, which I appreciate, though it was often the center of my attention.

Though the concept of training and mastering an art or skill is not particular original in YA novels, what was different in The Queen's Rising is that the protagonist isn't the special, most powerful trainee to ever exist, nor does some hidden power show up half-way through the novel that, surprise surprise, reveals her to be the most powerful all along. Instead, The Queen's Rising is full of other plot twists and reveals that kept me hooked. 

The Queen's Rising is similar to Grave Mercy in that it begins with a group of girls training for a purpose, but a unique trait of The Queen's Rising is that our protagonist is able to form healthy relationships with men that aren't based on sex and there also weren't any assault scenes, which are common in novels set in historical periods that involve kingdoms. 

I thoroughly enjoyed The Queen's Rising from beginning to end; it wrapped up nicely, which is rare as oftentimes YA novels can begin to feel forced toward the end. There is a sequel, but I'm not sure I will be reading it for fear of it tainting the delicate relationship I love between Brienna and Cartier! I recommend this to fans of Grave Mercy and other novels of overthrowing kingdoms.