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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
BookFreakOut has commented on (103) products
The Marvellers
by
Dhonielle Clayton
BookFreakOut
, August 28, 2023
Whenever someone asks for a recommendation based on the fact that they loved Harry Potter, it's a loaded question. However, I think The Marvellers is a perfect solution to that all too common inquiry. It has enough similarities in the "magic school" setup to satisfy lovers of that genre, but many unique aspects so it feels like a fresh take, a new interpretation, rather than a rehash. The magic system is fun and unique, with guidelines that offer a familiar sense of categorization (joining one of five paragons largely based on the senses), yet a lot of flexibility within each group to allow for many imaginative showings of power. The fact that it addresses American slavery as part of the divide between Marvellers and Conjurors makes the story feel authentic; it uses real-life tension to add to the drama of the fantasy world. Also, it is much more internationally inclusive than the aforementioned Harry Potter without feeling forced. This was a delight to read, and I look forward to the next installment!
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Star Splitter
by
Matthew J Kirby
BookFreakOut
, July 25, 2023
In a time when it seems everything in sci-fi/fantasy is part of a series, Star Splitter makes its mark as an incredible standalone story. I loved the dual timelines and how they created an intense feeling of suspense. On the one hand, we see her aboard the spaceship DS Theseus, intensely angry at her parents for dragging her out to research an uninhabited planet. On the other, we see the end result of her time on the Theseus - a crashed lander, buried bodies, and no idea how it all happened, because this is a "new" Jessica, fresh from the body printer on the planet's surface with none of the "original" Jessica's memories of how everything went wrong on the Theseus. How important are those missing memories in determining which one is the "real" Jessica? This book reminded me of some of the eeriest (in my opinion) Doctor Who episodes - Midnight and The Waters of Mars. It's not exactly horror, but it has some chilling elements of suspense that will send a thrill up your spine.
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Stars and Smoke
by
Marie Lu
BookFreakOut
, June 21, 2023
Stars and Smoke is another solid addition to Marie Lu's written works. Fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed by this newest series, and newcomers will be drawn in by the polar opposite main characters, tense subterfuge, and slick gadgetry employed by the Panacea group and its agents. You don't have to be a k-pop fan to appreciate Winter Young's character, a global music superstar with a wholesome vibe, supportive team of backup dancers, and yearning to find a deeper meaning in his starstruck life. Contrasted with Sydney Cossette, an undercover agent who is intent on keeping her secrets and personal history under even deeper wraps, they make a wonderfully conflicting team. When they are whisked away to London, readers are launched into a high stakes adventure filled with glamorous parties, dangerous terrorists, and billionaires with dirty secrets tucked behind their philanthropic facades.
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Wrong Kind of Weird
by
James Ramos
BookFreakOut
, January 31, 2023
The Wrong Kind of Weird gives the right kind of vibes for all the drama of romance in a modern high school. Cameron is a self-proclaimed anime superfan that peppers references to both old and new shows in his dialogue and internal musings, particularly the various iterations of Dragon Ball. I liked that his friends and fellow GANU members had different nerd areas of expertise. Jocelyn's high level cosplay was a fun side storyline that I haven't seen reflected in many "nerdy" books; her passion accurately reflected that of my friends who are very involved in cosplay. I liked the "stumbled into" nature of Cameron and Karla's relationship, the chapters going back in time to how they became sort of friends/make-out buddies added a lot of depth to Karla in particular, taking her beyond the stereotypical queen bee character she is first perceived as.
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Frizzy
by
Claribel A Ortega, Rose Bousamra
BookFreakOut
, January 17, 2023
You can easily read Frizzy in a day, but you'll be thinking about it for longer than that. This fun, heartfelt graphic novel captures the spirit of a Black middle school girl trying to come to terms with social and familial expectations, which are embodied in her struggles with her hair. Marlene's "bad hair" is what we see in frequent articles about dress code controversies - it's naturally big, curly, and frizzy. The struggle between her inner vision of what she could look like versus the painful weekly trips to the salon to have it straightened are mixed in with school bullies and a mean cousin, creating scenes where you feel her powerlessness in your gut, and the unfairness of the longstanding family dynamics. I especially liked how Marlene points out the contrast in adults saying "be yourself" and "beauty is on the inside" while simultaneously making a huge deal about her appearance and asking her to tone herself down for the world.
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Princess of Souls
by
Alexandra Christo
BookFreakOut
, January 09, 2023
Coming in at right around the 400 page mark, Princess of Souls is a decently long book, but it doesn't feel like it, with every chapter and sequence bringing something compelling to the table. The Rapunzel influence is there, but it isn't overt; if someone picked up this title without knowing that it would be an equally enjoyable reading experience in my opinion. One of my favorite things about Princess of Souls is how slowly we are given information about the magic of the Somniatis family, and Selestra's magic in particular. It's a central tenet of the worldbuilding, but remains shrouded to a certain degree for much of the book, which makes each small revelation a tantalizing crumb on the trail to a larger payoff. In addition to Nox and Selestra as the main point of view characters, the best friend of each was a welcome addition to round out the ragtag team in this very enjoyable fantasy adventure.
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You Are My Sunshine: A Story of Love, Promises, and a Really Long Bike Ride
by
Sean Dietrich
BookFreakOut
, January 03, 2023
I would pitch this book as being Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods," but on wheels. That was my hope from reading the description and initial chapters, and it did not disappoint! The opening cancer scare and look back at how far Sean has come, in large part due to his (now sick) wife, set the stage for this couple going through life as a strong, practically inseparable team, which gives credence to the lunacy of how a loving husband could be dragged on this madcap adventure. Amidst all the pedaling, there are moments of introspection and reflection, such as the anniversary of Sean's father's suicide. These give weight and heart to the book without pulling too far away from the overall hopeful feeling the author has created. Readers will be left wondering if they could accomplish such a feat - on a bike, on a trike, sometimes even against the dire warnings of knowledgeable locals - and perhaps be inspired to air up their own set of tires.
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If You Could See the Sun
by
Ann Liang
BookFreakOut
, January 03, 2023
Whenever people speculate what kind of superpower they might like to have, invisibility is always brought up as a point of discussion. If You Could See the Sun would proffer that this is not a good choice, at least as it is depicted here. Fresh on the revelation that her parents can no longer afford her elite boarding school, she plunges into an unexpected bout of invisibility, prefaced only by an intense feeling of coldness. She can't predict it. She can't control it. But she can monetize it. With the help of her academic rival, with whom she bitterly shares the school's Top Achiever award, they create an app to uncover secrets and carry out clandestine tasks in exchange for huge sums of cash. But as the tasks become increasingly more complicated, ethically questionable, and legally fraught, Alice must decide whether her conscience is worth the price of tuition.
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Life Lessons from Hip Hop 50 Life Lessons from Hip Hop
by
Grant Brydon
BookFreakOut
, October 25, 2022
This book has a lot of potential entry points that will make it appeal to very different audiences. If you're a huge hip-hop fan but not a big reader, the compact, to-the-point, 2-page spreads will make it easy to bounce around to your favorite artists. If you're a huge reader but don't know much about hip-hop, this gives you a way to easily learn a little bit from a large number of artists, and maybe find a few that you want to dive deeper into their work. If you're a big reader and a fan of hip-hop, then say no more, this is the book for you. The artists represented here offer so many unique perspectives, and are wildly different from each other even under the larger "umbrella" of hip-hop, but the author has deftly distilled each section down into a key focus, which brings organization and intention to the book rather than simply being a chaotic collection of thoughts. The layout and artwork feel fresh and modern, and elevate the artists' words as well as the stories behind their music.
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Bladesmith 01 Blade of Secrets
by
Tricia Levenseller
BookFreakOut
, July 20, 2022
This book reminded me why Tricia Levenseller is one of my favorite current authors - I fell in love with Daughter of the Pirate King within the first few pages, and I could tell from its opening that Blade of Secrets was going to give me that same wonderful reading experience. I love how Ziva's magic was explored; the weapons detailed in this story had creative, unique abilities that were skillfully explained to make perfect sense based on whatever Ziva was doing or thinking at the time of forging. Her social anxiety was a poignant plot point without overwhelming the rest of her character. The way she was able to speak easily about her work, the way she tried to convey that she couldn't just "think" her way out of it, it felt authentic. The sister dynamic was great, how they pushed and pulled on each other's strengths and weaknesses, trying to keep their bond alive and central even though they have very different ideas of what an "ideal" life would be. I will definitely be picking up the second volume!
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Skyhunter 01
by
Marie Lu
BookFreakOut
, September 14, 2021
This is my favorite book of Marie Lu's since her original Legend trilogy! I feel like the book's description didn't do it justice, as I was uncertain how much I'd enjoy it going it, but it only took a few pages for me to wonder why I'd waited so long to read it. The Strikers reminded me of Attack on Titan a little bit. The heroine's inability to speak (not from birth, but since her home nation was invaded) was an interesting twist to her character development, especially as more about her backstory is revealed. The arrival of the "mysterious prisoner" is referenced only briefly in the description, but that's when the book really starts to take off. I don't want to spoil anything, but the evils and technologies developed by the Karensa Federation take center stage and provide an interesting exploration of what CAN be done with the science left behind by an ancient civilization, versus what SHOULD be done.
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Switch
by
AS King
BookFreakOut
, August 10, 2021
This book is unlike anything I've ever read. Is it a poem? A stream of consciousness? A YA novel? It's all of the above, all at once. Switch is not something that makes sense right off the bat, so jump in with the understanding that you'll need to give it about 50 pages to sync up with the flow of the storytelling style. But don't worry - those pages will fly by. The writing style uses brief sentences / unconventional punctuation / grabs the reader / heals the writer. (That's an example of how certain passages are written, if that wasn't implied clearly enough.) The whole novel isn't like that, and after the initial chapters, the seemingly sporadic train of thought backs off a little and the story begins to emerge more clearly. It's a perfect book for our time, written to help the author navigate a personal tragedy that somehow aligned with the world's need to step back as well. I highly recommend reading the author's Bookpage interview after finishing, as it helped me settle some lingering questions about her thematic intentions.
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Beast of Beswick
by
Amalie Howard
BookFreakOut
, November 29, 2019
I absolutely adored The Beast of Beswick, it was funny, sexy, smart, witty, and I couldn't fly through the pages fast enough! I pretty new to the romance genre, and even more new to historical romance, and I devoured this in two sittings. I like how the author was able to give her heroine, Astrid, plenty of gumption and agency while still recognizing the constraints of women's behavior for the time. The sister dynamic was also very nice to see, especially later in the book as we see how Astrid's example has served her younger sister, despite their different dispositions. The Duke's valet and butler were some of my favorite characters, their long-suffering yet incredibly loyal natures provided a lot of humor and gives you the first glimpse that the Beast's bark may be worse than his bite.
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Book Charmer
by
Karen Hawkins
BookFreakOut
, October 07, 2019
I enjoyed how The Book Charmer largely had two narratives, initially set in opposition to one another but gradually coming together in friendship - Sarah, Dove Pond native and fierce town advocate, and Grace, unwilling new resident who yearns for bigger things. The occasional chapters by Trav were some of my favorites, his perspective was a welcome change. Sarah's touch of magic - books speak to her, offering hints and asking to go home with certain people - was a fun addition, and it's not so overwhelming as to turn what is basically a contemporary story into a full-blown fantasy. The themes of grief, trauma, illness, found family, solitude and learning to depend on others were handled with appropriate weightiness while still leaving this a largely warmhearted book that will uplift readers.
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Wicked Fox
by
Kat Cho
BookFreakOut
, September 17, 2019
This was such a welcome break from faux-European fantasy that tends to dominate the market! I haven't watched K-dramas, so some of the applicable tropes may come across more obvious to other readers, but I thought this was a great unlikely allies/enemies to lovers story giving a contemporary twist to Korean folklore. The descriptions of food are so spot on, they had me craving things I've never even tried. I really enjoyed seeing how Miyoung's torn loyalties played out, and how she couldn't write off her mother as a monster. The distinction between being motivated by rage and revenge vs protection and love (even when not expressed overtly) was a powerful contrast. Junu was my surprise favorite character, I hope to see more of his roguish charm in future books.
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Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe
by
Heather Webber
BookFreakOut
, August 15, 2019
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe weaves a cozy, heartwarming story you'll want to wrap around yourself like a blanket. With themes of homecoming from both Natalie and Anna Kate's perspective, we see small-town Wicklow through the eyes of one who is returning to her childhood home, and one who has been kept away by her mother. They also both have to grapple in their own ways with grief, healing and the pain of secrets. But while their troubles are sincere, the tone of the book isn't going to drag you down - an undercurrent of hope, family and friendship runs throughout the story, even when that friendship is coupled with the small-town exasperation of everybody knowing everyone's personal business. The dash of magic from the blackbirds and the cafe's pie adds a fun twist to Wicklow's lore, and this fantasy element doesn't override or undermine the poignant story. Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a beautiful book about honoring family and heritage, healing from the past, and making a conscious decision to step into the future.
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Frankly in Love
by
David Yoon
BookFreakOut
, August 05, 2019
This book adeptly captures the teen voice, particularly how teens don't just have one maturity level, even within a single person. They can be making stupid jokes one second, but when the conversation shifts, drop all pretense and expose deep vulnerability to a trusted friend. Maybe they're blinded by early love, but their eyes are wide open to injustice and toxic viewpoints even within their own families. Frankly in Love is funny, heartfelt, honest and engaging. Offers openings to discuss race, heritage, class, sexuality, familial/cultural expectations, gun violence, racism from a variety of perspectives, and how different people have different ideas of what happiness and contentment look like. A love story, but not a romance.
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This Is How You Lose the Time War
by
Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
BookFreakOut
, July 05, 2019
This is How You Lose the Time War is poetry disguised as science fiction, a lyrical masterclass in how a story can successfully take a sweeping span of times, places and elements that only briefly appear once and link them into the larger braid that orbits around the nexus of two people. The alternating points of view work very well, and offer a balanced look into the psyche of both Blue and Red. We open with Red discovering a letter from Blue, then we see the letter, then we see Blue discovering the response, we read the response, and so on. The characters are all that link the many settings and time frames these exchanges take place in. Some historical, some fantastical, some lovely and some brutal, it really captures the feeling of the agents' roaming. Likewise, the letters are delivered in every fashion imaginable - in the embers of a dying planet, the rings of a tree, the movements of a bee, the taste of a berry. If you enjoy the diverse array of settings, the brief glimpses into a life, I'd also recommend Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore, and fans of Doctor Who will appreciate the time travel/cause-and-effect concepts. There are a lot of smart references packed into This is How You Lose the Time War, probably tons that I missed, but they're like a cherry on top - if you notice and understand them, it adds to it, but if not, it won't detract from what is one of the most unique concepts I've ever read.
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Dragonslayer
by
Duncan M. Hamilton
BookFreakOut
, July 02, 2019
If you're looking for a book that's just plain fun, then Dragonslayer is definitely right for you! Gill is the fantasy embodiment of dad bod Spiderman from "Into the Spiderverse" - he's been out of the game for a while after life struck him with personal tragedy and professional disgrace, but a newly awoken dragon isn't waiting around for him to get back in shape. The Prince Bishop, his formal rival, isn't exactly keen that Gill, the last surviving member of a once-legendary brotherhood of dragonslayers, is quite possibly Mirabaya's best chance at surviving the beast's inferno. The mutual disdain between the duo leads to many moments of dry wit and a pervasive undercurrent of humor. For his part, Gill devotes a highly entertaining amount of thought to spending as much of the Prince Bishop's money as possible. If he's going to be called back into action and possibly flambéed, he's going to eat a lot of good food and stay in some swanky inns before that happens. Add in Solène, whose possesses a potent amount of untested, untrained magic, and things are poised to either vault to a higher level of possibilities, or simply unleash chaos. Dragonslayer also adds in a unique twist I haven't seen before - a few chapters are delivered from the point of view of the dragon itself. We are led to develop a touch of sympathy for the beast, woken after many years asleep to find everything he's ever known destroyed by mankind. However, it's not so much sympathy that we don't still side with Gill on his quest to stop the dragon's unchecked revenge against innocents. Dragonslayer is in a good position to appeal to a wide age range of readers. It's an adult fantasy, but it would certainly be suitable for an advanced younger reader, as it does not contain mature content in terms of sex, gore or excessive language. Plus, if you like to read series book in quick succession, all three of the trilogy are poised to publish within twelve months!
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Haunted
by
Danielle Vega
BookFreakOut
, June 28, 2019
The Haunted will definitely appeal to horror fans, it progresses in intensity from rumors and hints of supernatural happenings to undeniable interference from otherworldly forces. I'm not a regular horror reader and the ending escalated to become a bit too intense and brutal for my tastes. I'll admit I started skimming through to the end, but that's not a detraction from the book or its quality of writing, I'm just not the primary audience for this genre. Before that, it was still very unnerving and unsettling throughout, on the edge of my comfort zone but not quite over the brink. I liked how two pieces that seemed disparate were brought together, it was a process of "okay, we understand THIS but are we going to address THAT?" It all came together very well, I just prefer adventure-style endings to horror endings.
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Wilder Girls
by
Rory Power
BookFreakOut
, June 26, 2019
I loved this book, it was unnerving and horrific and haunting in the best way. The isolated setting lends an extra layer of eeriness to it, the quarantined boarding school of girls who are all infected with the Tox are cut off not only by the fence that surrounds their school grounds but by the water surrounding the island. And the island isn't a haven either - the Tox has morphed the flora and fauna into a dark and dangerous woodland. I liked that we aren't coming into this at the outset of the Tox. By the book's opening, the girls are relatively resigned to the occasionally deadly mutations that predictably wrack their body. The key is holding onto just enough of a semblance of organized society to keep things from falling apart completely. I liked the idea of the ending but think another chapter or two would've been nice to flesh it out a little more. Not saying we need a nice clean bow tied on everything, but I felt there was room for a little more lingering expansion that wouldn't detract from the story's last-ditch desperation. This is definitely a book for fans of Annihilation, the Doctor Who "Waters of Mars" episodes if you're familiar with those. Not for fans of body horror.
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Chronicles of a Radical Hag with Recipes
by
Lorna Landvik
BookFreakOut
, June 14, 2019
This book soured from 4 stars to 3 due to what I thought were shoehorned elements at the end. The look into Haze's early columns was great, it had a poignant mix of nostalgia, bittersweetness, joy and sorrow, humor and depth. Seeing how her words brought the community together and inspired people to share and explore new things was comfortably heartwarming, nothing revolutionary. Once we hit the year 2000 in Haze's columns, her character voice, which I had enjoyed up until then, shifts to become what is clearly a direct reflection of the author's one political opinions. I know "everything is political," but I think it speaks volumes that the writer includes Haze's strong opinions on Bush's election, but nothing about 9/11, which I didn't realize until another reviewer pointed it out). That glaring omission (considering Haze reflected on war and death in many other columns), combined with the later hint of possible "redemption" for the curmudgeonly elderly Tea Party member when he speaks about gun control after the Las Vegas shooting, to me is a sign of getting too caught up in making a point and not allowing the character to include a column she definitely would've written, but perhaps did not fit the author's personal agenda. I don't think it's stretching the author's intentions to say that the very few non-Democrats are cast as the antagonists of this book, and it's an obvious, forced effect.
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The Paper Wasp
by
Lauren Acampora
BookFreakOut
, June 10, 2019
I imagine this will be a "love it or hate it" book, and I loved it. What starts out as a relatively minor obsession with a former-friend-turned-Hollywood-star (keeping magazine clippings while living halfway across the country isn't particularly noteworthy) quickly turns into something stranger, more possessive, more bizarre once Abby shows up in LA unannounced and becomes part of Elise's life again. There's a slow slide from excitement and eager friendship, to subtle manipulation and possessiveness, to a sense of supreme arrogance and condescension as Abby's proclaimed devotion to the craft of storytelling gives her a sense that she is more deserving of the industry's attention than Elise. The inside look at Abby's mind is unnerving and fascinating, a glimpse at what's almost megalomania and sheer entitlement that seems the most natural thing in the world for Abby. Will the mask come off? Will there be any consequences? This book had me dumbstruck and spellbound up to the last page.
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Nearly Normal Family
by
MT Edvardsson, Rachel Willson Broyles
BookFreakOut
, June 04, 2019
This book is the definition of a page-turner, a masterpiece of suspense. I loved the way the book is broken into three sections: The Father, The Daughter, The Mother. With each section, we get a distinctly different narrative voice, a little more background information and accompanying secrets, and a new perspective on the murder and how this "nearly normal family" started down a destructive spiral. Are any of them telling the whole truth? Who has all the information? It was fully engrossing, and even when I was caught up in the "current" storyline of the murder investigation, the flashbacks that fleshed out each character were always just as interesting. Each person's past informs how they choose to act during the investigation, and the lingering sense that the full story still hasn't been uncovered is wrapped up in an ultimately satisfying conclusion. A disturbing examination of how far people will go to protect a reputation, a friend, a daughter.
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Four Dead Queens
by
Astrid Scholte
BookFreakOut
, May 18, 2019
The story structure of “Four Dead Queens” pleasantly surprised me. Rather than solely seeing the aftermath of the murders, it follows two timelines in close proximity. In addition to Keralie and Varin’s hunt for the truth, readers meet the queens while they are still alive. Within pages of their introduction, the first queen is dead, kicking off a frantic palace investigation to forestall what readers already know is inevitable. We aren’t told how much time has passed between the final murder and Keralie’s discovery of the crime, which builds a layer of suspense - after all, how long could such a secret be kept? There were several times I thought I knew what was coming, only to be surprised when the story's twists did not take the predictable route. The second half in particular was wholly unexpected; saying anything more would be a serious spoiler. That said, I have very divided opinions about "Four Dead Queens" overall. The book's chapters are largely split 50/50, with half going to the Keralie/Varin duo and the remained from the perspective of a host of supporting characters, including the queens. The leading duo were my least favorite characters, but my high interest in the secondary perspectives kept Keralie and Varin from completely dragging the book down.
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The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe
by
Ally Condie
BookFreakOut
, March 07, 2019
The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe is a standout for its antiheroine. Poe, who has never had much to begin with, lets rage and anger steer her actions after raiders killed the boy she loved. But what she thinks is a straightforward path to vengeance turns into a twisting trail of self-examination and assessing everything she thought was true. Poe is a pull-no-punches type of girl, which readers will appreciate. She's blunt and emotionally detached, and not in the "brooding but charming" way other books portray similarly strong, haunted characters. I've seen it labeled as fantasy, but I don't know that I would call it that. It's presumably set in the future, but one that has regressed to more basic technologies after attempts to expand resulted in the withdrawal of central support when it became clear the Outpost was too difficult to maintain. There aren't any fantastical elements, just the notion that the old is gone, and this is society trying to rebuild itself.
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The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe
by
Ally Condie
BookFreakOut
, March 07, 2019
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Bloodwitch: A Witchlands Novel
by
Susan Dennard
BookFreakOut
, February 07, 2019
Bloodwitch is the book all Witchland fans have been waiting for, and author Susan Dennard does not disappoint! Everyone's favorite Bloodwitch Aeduan takes center stage, but each point of view we see offers plenty of excitement, pulse-pounding action, and heart-wrenching character growth. While this is the third full novel in the series, many elements introduced in the Sightwitch novella become very prevalent here, so be sure to have read that first in addition to the other two full novels (best reading order is Truthwitch, Windwitch, Sightwitch, Bloodwitch). There's something about the Witchlands books that continues to feel so fresh and immersive in Bloodwitch. The world is extremely well-developed - each nation/empire has its own agenda, history, strengths and weaknesses, and Dennard does an exceptional job of not drawing a stark line between "good guys" and "bad guys." The characters read like real people - they all have lovable quirks and defining flaws, they all make mistakes, some of them try to learn and be better, and some don't, but nobody is presented as inherently morally superior. Bloodwitch does an exemplary job of juggling plotlines and perspectives that span continents without the pacing dragging or one point of view overwhelming the others. While each character arc feels unique, the overarching theme of the book is agency, and how people react when theirs is taken away. If you want an action-packed high fantasy series with complex characters, amazing friendships, tenuous alliances, slow burn romance and incredible magic, you should definitely pick up the Witchlands books!
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The Gilded Wolves
by
Roshani Chokshi
BookFreakOut
, January 14, 2019
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did; ultimately I'd say if you're interested in reading it, then go for it, but it's not one that I'll be actively recommending to my friends/family. Jokingly described by the author as "National Treasure but with hot people," it certainly delivers in that regard, and I enjoyed the puzzle/clue aspects that were based in history and mathematics. However, the overall pacing felt slow, and by the end all the high-action points had muddled together in my mind to the point where I had forgotten about some of them. It was also difficult to keep track of what was happening overall during complicated action sequences. The "gang of misfits" cast will inevitably draw comparisons to Six of Crows, especially since there is a heist element to The Gilded Wolves. While the Wolves cast is diverse and fairly interesting, it fails to reach the heights achieved in Six of Crows - I didn't develop strong emotions of any kind toward any of the characters, and I would've liked to see more into the mindset of Séverin and Laila, who are positioned as the leading POVs. Enrique, Zofia, and Hypnos were most interesting to me, while Tristan seemed to exist solely to aid in Séverin's characterization. The Forging magic was initially intriguing, with details about how users had to understand the physical composition of the item they're trying to influence (like Tristan having an affinity for the water within plants). However, it quickly devolved into a catch-all for imbuing any and every item with magical properties. The twist ending (literally, last sentence) failed to excite me, though there are some interesting setups for book 2, including a faux romance and the chance to move the story out of France.
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Consumed
by
J R Ward
BookFreakOut
, December 07, 2018
Unfortunately, this book was more "sputtering embers" than "raging inferno" for me. After a high-stakes beginning the rest of the story felt slow and one-note, despite the fact that there is a decent amount of action, plus it takes around 100 more pages for our main characters to even be in the same room again. The romance between Danny and Anne, in the few instances something actually occurred, was one of the weaker parts of the story for me. I thought the relationships between Anne/her Mom, Anne/her brother and the firefighter community at large were much more interesting, as they each explored a variety of ways people move on from trauma. Healing physically but not emotionally, turning to alcohol or drugs, attempting suicide, and retreating into the shadows are all shown with more depth than the not-so-steamy romance. This story's major conflict wrapped up in a way that felt a little too quick, though the action sequence it was the only part of the book that grabbed me since the opening chapters. You can see the overarching conflict arcs set up for future installments, which seem interesting enough. I'd love to see a book between Anne's brother and the mayor, as well as one for SWAT Team Jack, and I imagine this series will improve as the world and characters are more fully fleshed out.
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The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
by
Stuart Turton
BookFreakOut
, November 29, 2018
This book delivers a brain-bending, mind-blowing, high-stakes story that blows all expectations of the murder mystery genre out of the water. The reader is intentionally left just as ignorant of the dark history surrounding Blackheath and its inhabitants as protagonist Aiden is, which builds an unshakeable layer of suspense that gets punctuated with shocking revelations as he attempts to uncover the truth about who killed Evelyn Hardcastle. As he moves from host to host, reliving a horror-filled day with just a little bit more knowledge each time, it brings to mind movies like "Groundhog Day," though Sandra Bullock's "Premonition" would more accurately capture the feel of the book. This is definitely one to read at a steady pace, there are a lot of moving pieces to keep track of, though the author is good about dropping small recaps and reminders in naturally, especially when the day "resets" for Aiden. If you like the looped time aspect of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban or the "meeting in the wrong order" timelines of Doctor Who/Riversong, this book will definitely have something for you, and mystery fans will love the unpredictability of the big reveals. Desperation eeks from every page as the clock counts down to Evelyn Hardcastle's death - again and again and again.
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Star Wars Landos Luck
by
Justina Ireland
BookFreakOut
, November 20, 2018
This is a cute MG Star Wars book, it's light and fun but still contains all the elements a young fan will expect - distant worlds, a ferocious crime lord alien, droids with personality, and of course a few crazy flight maneuvers in the Millennium Falcon. Lando is in fine form here, flippant and brash and bold, with more capes than any person should rightly possess and torn between the prospect of becoming a legend versus paying off a few hefty debts. The addition of a black space princess to the official canon should be celebrated; any young reader who loved Shuri in Black Panther will love Princess Rinetta and her commitment to follow through on her promise to save another world no matter the risk. This book also includes some very nice full-page illustrations.
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Anonymous Girl
by
Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen
BookFreakOut
, September 18, 2018
I was enthralled by this psychological suspense novel! The juxtaposition between the core idea of ethical behavior and the menacing actions they provoke will keep readers unsettled and uncertain of who to trust. As the lies stack up in an ever more precarious tower, the sense of dread just keeps building. The final few chapters weren't quite as strong as the rest of the story; I thought things wrapped up rather abruptly with a certain element of convenience, but it wasn't a detractor to the book, it just didn't enhance it. Overall, An Anonymous Girl is a dark exploration of morality, the danger of willful ignorance, and the facades we present to the world.
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Rise of the Superheroes: Greatest Silver Age Comic Books and Characters
by
David Tosh
BookFreakOut
, September 05, 2018
This book is a fun-filled look at the history of comics that will delight both casual and longtime fans of superheroes from all franchises. The mix of narrative types create an enjoyable reading experience that will leave you feeling informed without ever being overwhelmed or bored by the facts. The nonfiction sections are brief, succinctly distilling the convoluted history of companies and characters by decade and franchise. Personal recollections from the author's childhood create a sense of nostalgia, remembering the joy and excitement of discovering a favorite character or the anticipation of saving allowance money for the latest issue. Above all, the extensive photo spreads are what make this book a success. They will allow new fans to get a sense for where their modern favorites came from, and make for a fascinating contrast with the pages about modern movies and TV shows.
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All We Ever Wanted
by
Emily Giffin
BookFreakOut
, September 05, 2018
This is a fast read with good pacing and an interested second half, which makes up for the lackluster characters. The author sets up people of a wide variety of demographics (young/old, old money/married into money/low income) but when it came to their political viewpoints, which are a prominent feature of the plot, they fall into one of two categories with no nuance - crazy greedy Republicans vs reasonable Democrats with identical viewpoints. They became caricatures rather than well-rounded individuals. The dialogue often felt like a collection of 2018 buzzwords, particularly in the first half. Nina was a strong example of this - within the first few chapters we get a veritable checklist of things she supports, like inclusive holiday cards and transgender bathrooms, though those have nothing to do with the story and are only mentioned to contrast her against husband Kirk. Too much "tell," not enough "show." Finch was actually the most interesting character overall for me, though he isn't one of the three main narrators. Nobody else has a compelling character arc, but I was constantly questioning whether or not we'd finally seen the "real" Finch. A decent read, but nothing that blew me away.
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Darius the Great Is Not Okay
by
Adib Khorram
BookFreakOut
, July 24, 2018
WOW this book was a phenomenal one-day read for me. This book does a brilliant job of exploring issues of culture, heritage, family, discrimination, and clinical depression, with an excellent balance of heart and humor that will have you laughing one moment and dropping the floor out from under you the next. The alternation between the character's "American" name, Darius, and the original Persian version, Darioush, is an incredibly powerful choice on the author's part, it represents the core of the character's struggle of feeling caught between two worlds, and people's inconsistent expectations of what he should be. He was born in America, but his mother's entire family is in Iran. He loves Star Trek, but is also a tea aficionado. He doesn't speak Farsi, but his little sister does, though they both share an intense love for Persian desserts. His very white father shares his diagnosis of clinical depression, but has very specific ideas about how a "normal" boy should handle it and present himself. When he visits Iran and befriends Sohrab, I appreciated how that introduced another opportunity to discuss discrimination. Darius is struck by how in Portland, Persians of all kinds come together in harmony because there aren't many of them around, but in Iran, despite being a full Persian, Sohrab's family faces discrimination and brutality because of their Baha'i faith. This book is a bridge between cultures, because Darius himself is a bridge. His often-humorous internal musings address social cues, food, games, as well as language nuances (like how his mom never would confirm if Farsi borrowed a bunch of words from French). His humor is based largely in science fiction and fantasy culture (TONS of Star Trek and Lord of the Rings references) that will resonate with fans of those genres while introducing them to possibly new concepts that are firmly based in reality. The way this book presents depression has been hailed as accurate and powerful by readers who also have depression. Though I can't speak for that myself, I found it to be poignant - it's a daily part of his life, it can strike without warning, but Darius has come to terms with the fact that it doesn't define him. In fact, though he wishes people understood him better, Darius never demonstrates an inclination to change himself for people, which I thought was excellent. He doesn't fit squarely into one box, and is okay with that internally, he just wishes everyone else would be too. I highly recommend this book!
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The Art of Escaping
by
Erin Callahan
BookFreakOut
, July 12, 2018
This story is a delightful mix of old-school magic and contemporary heart. It brings to mind the all-encompassing passion for surviving danger and the thrill of the stage seen in the movie The Prestige, but swaps backstabbing revenge and cutthroat competition between two magicians for modern day high school drama and Mattie's internal competition against her own invisibility. Miyu is a fantastic rough around edges, tough love mentor, and I loved how she bestows "I secretly care but can't be bothered to show it" nicknames on the eclectic group of kids who end up at her house assisting with Mattie's escapalogy. I was pleased that this didn't turn into one of those stories where the main character shares her hidden talent with the whole world and opens everyone's eyes to the hidden person they'd been ignoring - Mattie pursues escapology for herself, and is very selective about who she lets in on the secret. It isn't a hunt for popularity or to prove everyone wrong; it's a personal journey for her, and it becomes deeply personal for the few people involved as well. This was an extremely enjoyable book full of complicated characters, life blunders, and breathtaking escapes that inject it with an old-school shot of adrenaline.
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Lifelike 01 LIFEL1K3
by
Jay Kristoff
BookFreakOut
, May 28, 2018
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How to Walk Away
by
Katherine Center
BookFreakOut
, May 21, 2018
Lovely story that balances humor and hope with life-altering tragedy and family drama. I really enjoyed how much we saw Margaret's emotional journey evolve through her recovery and healing process, both in the hospital and after as she learns what it means to live for yourself.
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All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries #1)
by
Martha Wells
BookFreakOut
, May 15, 2018
When it's not devoting about 5% of its attention to the job at hand (protecting an assortment of clients that are typically rather awful), a put-upon SecUnit just wants to be left alone to watch its shows. We've all been there. Loved this novella, the droll sense of humor perfectly portrays the SecUnit's apathy - not because it has non-organic parts, but because it just can't be bothered to care. It's delightfully frank about the difference between SecUnit bodies and human bodies, with musings on how the humans would probably be alarmed if its body parts just starting falling to the floor, but it's not a big deal for a SecUnit. An extremely delightful story woven through with threads of self-determination.
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Catching Stars
by
Cayla Keenan
BookFreakOut
, May 05, 2018
I was initially unsure of how much I'd enjoy this book, I think in part because the summary made me think Jayin and Maddix would meet earlier than they did, but after the first 80 pages it took off and I thoroughly enjoyed the remainder of the story! I much preferred Jayin's POV chapters, I didn't feel as invested in Maddix or sympathize with his quest for justice; from the outset it seemed a harebrained attempt to restore his good name that would never deliver the exoneration he assumes it will. Nice worldbuilding with an interesting hierarchy among the different types of witches. The fanatical witch hunters were excellent antagonists, but I didn't feel like we had enough background about the history of witches vs witch hunters to understand why certain names were derogatory. Overall, a solid fantasy, but beware of the cliffhanger.
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Smoke Thieves 01
by
Sally Green
BookFreakOut
, May 01, 2018
Extremely strong start to a new fantasy series, I enjoyed how several characters spent most of the book in their own storyline, allowing for each person and the world itself to be sufficiently established before things began to coalesce. Catherine's viewpoint was my favorite by far, the other POVs are certainly strong but nothing sucks me in quite like an arranged marriage storyline, and I much prefer the courtly intrigue of her life over the somewhat rustic nature that dominated a few other POVs. Some searingly brutal parts solidify the potent cruelty of Catherine's father; the horror of these spaced-out incidents sticks with you through the rest of the story and creates the appropriate level of tension for a world on the brink of all-out war.
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Tradition
by
Brendan Kiely
BookFreakOut
, May 01, 2018
Tradition does a masterful job of pointing out the dangers of privilege, most notably directed toward sexism, masculinity and rape culture. Jules' voice is strong and unwavering, but readers still feel the uphill nature of her battle against a deeply ingrained system that favors its wealthy, influential male students. She can speak out and fight every day, but will anyone listen? Jamie brings an element of classism to the table; they're eager to capitalize on his athletic prowess, but if this once in a lifetime chance comes at the cost of his scruples, is it worth it? It's extremely discomforting to see how intense pressure and skepticism cause Jules to begin to doubt herself at times, even though we as readers possess the full facts and know she's in the right. It's a harrowing depiction of victim silencing through both overt measures and mere indifference. Tradition cuts ruthlessly to the core of accepted inequality.
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Isle of Blood and Stone
by
Makiia Lucier
BookFreakOut
, April 23, 2018
If there’s one thing fantasy readers love, it’s a map in the front of the book. And while Isle of Blood and Stone absolutely has that, it takes things one step further by not only making the main character, Elias, a skilled mapmaker, but by making maps themselves an integral part of the story. The strong emphasis on cartography sets Isle of Blood and Stone apart from other fantasy/adventure books, and the subject matter was skillfully incorporated to permeate every part of the story. Small details like what plants make certain colors of pigment, or the significance of a cartouche are not just sprinkled in as trivia; they actively contribute to Elias’s quest to unravel the mystery of the missing princes.
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This Is Not the End
by
Chandler Baker
BookFreakOut
, April 23, 2018
This dark, powerful story is full of people clinging to the last vestiges of hope. It's As You Wish (Chelsea Sedotti) meets Me Before You (Jojo Moyes). The double-edged sword of resurrection science cuts main character Lake to the core - she has the power to save someone, but there are three groups vying for her choice, and whoever she doesn't pick will never forgive her. There is one scene that is quite disturbing (the death party), it reads like the opening of a Criminal Minds episode and may be something squeamish readers want to skim, though it plays a critical part in establishing how resurrections have been twisted by society. Are they a party trick? A means of obtaining some deep spiritual enlightenment? A mere medical procedure? A dangerous hope? Lake faces an impossible choice at her most vulnerable hour, and the people she'd go to for counsel are dead. Strong, moving depictions of depression, rage, grief and PTSD.
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Royals
by
Rachel Hawkins
BookFreakOut
, April 23, 2018
This book is pure fluff and so much fun! Don't bother getting your pants in a wad over the alternate history with Scottish independence author Rachel Hawkins has created, if that's your hill to die on then this book probably isn't for you. BUT! If you like Princess Diaries or My Fair Lady (and ok maybe even lovely garbage movies like A Christmas Prince) then this is definitely for you. It's so funny, literally made me laugh out loud, and is chock full of "next-level swoony material." Cute, roguish boys from the Scottish nobility, a sassy feminist from Florida, a surprisingly funny and well-written set of parents (especially Daisy's dad), plus a dose of culture clash makes this book a pure delight. It's a fully-loaded ice cream sundae except you have no regrets after consuming it all in one sitting.
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Lies You Never Told Me
by
Jennifer Donaldson
BookFreakOut
, April 23, 2018
This book is full of heart-pounding suspense and gut-wrenching twists that just keep coming. The double narrative style is perfection. In hindsight, I especially appreciate the fact that Elyse is cast as Juliet in her school's production of Romeo and Juliet. Another character says the play is full of dumb people making dumb decisions, and while I wouldn't say the book's characters are dumb, the author's choice of play is definitely a reflection of the story at large - naiveté and blissful hope incite a string of poor decisions and deceit that inevitably come coming crashing down in the face of reality.
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Way You Make Me Feel
by
Maurene Goo
BookFreakOut
, April 23, 2018
Really enjoyed this fun, contemporary YA. While the romance was cute, I think one of the best things about this book is how it includes a "friendship" breakup of sorts, as Clara realizes that just because not caring about anything is easier, doesn't make it a better way to live. I enjoyed how Clara's Korean-Brazilian heritage is effortlessly included as just another facet of the many groups represented in the US, rather than something "other." The descriptions of food throughout the book in particular sounded delicious, I'd order from the KoBra food truck for sure!
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All of This Is True A Novel
by
Lygia Day Penaflor
BookFreakOut
, April 23, 2018
WOW. A spectacular entry into the YA suspense world, All of This is True spins an enthralling tale of friendship, deception and betrayal. It's written in an epistolary style, we see the layered, complex story unfold through interview transcripts, texts, emails and excerpts from the fictional book-within-a-book that incited the whole thing. It's basically bookception. It took me a few chapters to see how the "excerpts" matched up with the "real" people, but once I wrapped my head around how the 10 main characters are actually 5 people it was extremely engaging and easy to connect the threads. That doesn't mean this was a predictable story, though - far from it. Friendship, or betrayal? Redemption, or damnation? A precious truth, or a vicious exploitation? Everything comes full circle in the end, in a brilliant examination of the difference between truth and fiction, and how the line distinguishing them is not as clear-cut as it may seem.
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Sky in the Deep
by
Adrienne Young
BookFreakOut
, April 23, 2018
Eelyn is an unflinching warrior raised on the viciousness of a never-ending war, and she takes the fierce YA heroine game to a whole new level. Her fury at her brother's betrayal is raw and pervasive, and you can palpably feel her anger toward him and everyone in the rival tribe he's abandoned his blood family for. Her inner conflict as she starts to realize the Riki aren't as "other" as she'd always believed created crackling tension, and she harbors deep fears about going against her tribe's god, which could cost her the afterlife. Loyalty was such a pervasive theme here - how we bestow it, who deserves it, and the incredible cost when it begins to shift.
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The Kiss Quotient
by
Helen Hoang
BookFreakOut
, April 23, 2018
This untraditional romance is super cute, sweet, and sensitive toward a variety of issues. The story framework of having a main character on the spectrum trying to navigate traditional expectations puts it in a similar vein to The Rose Project, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and The Seven Rules of Elvira Carr. However, it's important to note that this is a full romance book, i.e. it contains erotic, explicit descriptions of sex, while the others keep the romance elements more subtle. That being said, the romance stays very true to the characters, especially with how gentle and slowly Michael has to move with Stella initially, as he begins to understand her personality and emotional barriers. Toss in elements of economic disparity, family pressures, traditional Vietnamese culture, a single parent family and terminal illness and you've got a delightful romance that brilliantly mixes humor and heart.
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The Wedding Date
by
Jasmine Guillory
BookFreakOut
, March 29, 2018
This cute romance is an adorable, fly by the seat of your pants journey that perfectly balances a light-hearted, laughter-filled relationship with the demands of two high-powered professionals in intense job fields (politics and medicine). The dynamics of an inter-racial relationship were well-played without being heavy-handed, both Alexa and Drew come across very genuinely. I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of how different genders handle relationship discussions - we see Alexa seek out a few close friends about the budding romance, while Drew only talks to his one guy friend, and then only after he's had a few beers. Alexa's relationship with her sister is featured more than I was expecting, and I found the subplot about Alexa's plans for a teen arts rehabilitation program as well thought-out as the main romance storyline. A fun, light, fast read.
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Your One & Only
by
Adrianne Finlay
BookFreakOut
, March 23, 2018
This standalone YA sci-fi brings a few very ambitious elements to the table that help bolster its weaknesses and make this a pretty enjoyable read overall. While other books have been written about communities with genetic engineering and institutionalized segmentation (The Giver, Divergent), Your One & Only dives more into the actual science, which was one of my favorite aspects. Don't worry, it's not overly "sciency," but it does address things like the fact that you can't keep copying the same genetic sample without it degrading, and it speaks plainly about gene splicing, if in a simplistic and fantastical way (ex. integrating pineapple flavor into pork). I liked the setup of having nine archetypes of humanity; the fact that they all read as a little bit of a caricature (especially when there are multiples of the same type all together) was both a plus and minus. It made them feel flat, but that's also the point of the whole book - that individuality is not a weakness. Jack's anger was very believable, and his emotions are a nice contrast to the clones. The ending wasn't rushed, making this a satisfying read for those interested.
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I Have Lost My Way
by
Gayle Forman
BookFreakOut
, March 23, 2018
This beautiful story intertwines three disparate lives with the common thread of loss - loss of love, loss of purpose, loss of recognition, loss of family. While the main action all takes place within a day, there are sections for each of the three main characters that describe how they got to their unexpected meeting in a park. The styling reminded me of Nicola Yoon's "The Sun is Also a Star." It deals with a wide range of themes, including sexuality, fame, race, Islamaphobia, familial expectations, fractured families, and the facades we all wear to hide our innermost worries and fears. I thought each character was equally well-rounded, they all brought their unique troubles to the table in a way that their distress is on the same level; no one person's problems are treated as more serious than the others'. Beautiful story about determining if, and when, it's right to move on.
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Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna Dressed in Blood #1)
by
Kendare Blake
BookFreakOut
, March 11, 2018
Ghost stories aren't my usual jam, but I straight up loved this book! The witchcraft and paranormal elements will appeal to general fantasy fans, particularly urban fantasy along the lines of City of Bones. I liked how the second half of the book took an unexpected angle that isn't alluded to in the book's synopsis. Great action, awesome integration of paranormal elements to make it believable, this is a wonderfully eerie read.
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Going Places
by
Kathryn Berla
BookFreakOut
, March 05, 2018
Hudson Wheeler feels the weight of his mom's and teacher's expectation to "go somewhere" in life, and spends the majority of his senior year trying to gain traction. Unfortunately, this book wallowed almost as much as Hudson, with the first 2/3 spent delivering an aimless storyline with no indication of what the overarching plot was supposed to be (other than bewilderment, which it nailed, but in the wrong way). The last third pulled it up to three stars for me, as we finally see some of the story threads pull together, including his attempts at romance, new friendships, and half-business/half-mentorship interactions with an elderly veteran in the neighborhood. It's the final point that was particularly compelling for me, and if the whole book had been written with the poignant heart and emotion of Hudson's last chapters involving Mr. Pirkle I would have enjoyed it much more.
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806
by
Cynthia Weil
BookFreakOut
, March 05, 2018
This novel is completely tone-deaf toward the actual effects of sperm donation on the children and families affected by it. There is some attempt at conveying emotional distress, but it always disappears within the page before getting back to the three main characters' cross-country escapades. Everything skates easily into a happily ever after that is in no way reminiscent of real life, and puts forth dangerously misguided notions about the effects of sperm donation on the donors, children and families involved. This is a fantasy masquerading as contemporary YA fiction.
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Not If I Save You First
by
Ally Carter
BookFreakOut
, February 17, 2018
This sits wonderfully in the middle-grade/age 13-14 realm that can be hard to nail down. It has plenty of action and a sweet romance, but it's not too intense for a younger reader and is focused on that first crush, those first awkward kisses and uncertain feelings, rather than full on sexuality like older teen books. I love how Ally Carter has created a heroine who is fierce and fabulous, proving that femininity and strength are not mutually exclusive. After all, nail polish remover is a great fire starter, and pantyhose can be used to catch fish in a pinch. It's a great story about finding strength in yourself, but it also speaks strongly to the value of true friendship, and the pain of losing a close friend. While you can't go back to the way things were, with a little work you might be able to pick up a new trail.
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Rogue Queen
by
Emily R King
BookFreakOut
, February 15, 2018
This has been my favorite of the series so far, it breaks from the tournament-based plot that made the first two quite similar and expands into a sweeping worldview of Tarachand and the surrounding kingdoms. With the demon rajah planning to unleash himself on the world, everything is tinged with an appropriate level of desperation, and it's clear that our characters are grasping at straws for a solution. Tension is rife throughout the story, both in the external political/supernatural conflict and within Kalinda, as she wars between her soul-fire and the demon poison weakening her every day, as well as between her duty to the throne and her feelings for Deven. The love triangle between her and the two men was exceptionally done; her feelings for both are distinct and understandable, and it comes across as very believable scenario. The strongest of the series thus far, I'm looking forward to book 4!
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Queen of Blood Book One of the Queens of Renthia
by
Sarah Beth Durst
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This immersive fantasy features a heroine whose true power lies not in her magic, but in her determination. She knows her power isn't enough to get her through, but she's committed to learning to protect people from the world's malevolent nature spirits all the same. The setting is reminiscent of Lothlorien, with cities and villages set into giant trees, and bridges and ziplines running between them. There are lots of well-rounded characters outside the central two, though the author exhibits an alarming willingness to kill them off! Wraps up nicely, with plenty left to be explored in the remaining two books.
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Windfall
by
Diksha Basu
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was funny without being mocking, and provided an introspective look at the transition between traditional and modern values in India. It has strong Pride and Prejudice vibes as everyone gossips about who's married/widowed/single and what they think about the central family's sudden acquisition of wealth. The main father is lovably bumbling as he tries to fit into their new wealthy neighborhood, and his long-suffering wife tries to keep him from going overboard outfitting their new home things like a crystal-studded couch. Even amidst social gaffs and faux pas both in India and America, familial love shines through in the end.
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Wonder Woman: Warbringer
by
Leigh Bardugo
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This is a great take on teenage Diana rather than the adult Diana we usually see. Fans of the Wonder Woman movie will definitely love this, as the character maintains her strong sense of morality and loyalty, though we see the expected tension between her love for the Amazons/Themyscira and the humans she encounters once she leaves. Though it has some good twists and plenty of action, it lacks a central villain (or even morally ambiguous character) for most of the book. Strong overall, though, with excellent diverse representation and inclusion of modern-day racial tension without making it a political treatise.
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Heart and Brain: Body Language: An Awkward Yeti Collection Volume 3
by
The Awkward Yeti and Nick Seluk
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This collection of comics is so adorable, and spot-on with humor covering everything from Brain's emotional turmoil to Heart's unexplained amusement at Gut's flatulence. They're all pretty much standalone pages rather than having any longer arcs, but can still be funny or touching within very brief moments. The humor behind the Brain/Heart duo is completely accessible to anyone, but a few of the Awkward Yeti characters (Gall Bladder, Spleen, Kidney) will be more fully appreciated by those with a minimal knowledge of anatomy and at least the basic functions of each organ. Overall, very funny, cute and sweet!
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Future of Us
by
Jay Asher, Carolyn Mackler
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
An entertaining enough look at what it'd be like to see your Facebook from the future, before you even knew what it was. The butterfly/ripple effect was interesting to see play out as the characters try to change or maintain the future they see. A decently fun read, but in the end it doesn't tell us anything we don't already know: trying to change the future is bad and Facebook isn't an accurate representation of happiness.
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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
by
Gail Honeyman
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
If you can jive with the dry sense of humor, this offbeat protagonist will win your heart as much as the leads in A Man Called Ove or The Rosie Project. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of depth in this book. It's not just about her awkwardly navigating life; the second half delves deeper into her past as we uncover the truth behind her proclivity toward isolation and the painful, sometimes verbally abusive weekly phone calls with her mother. Eleanor makes a valiant, if hilariously misguided, attempt at dipping her toe a little bit into the pond of romance, but platonic rather than romantic relationships rule the day in this book. Thankfully, it's not about "fixing" Eleanor and her awkwardness. Her humorously logical, bluntly frank attitude pervades the entire story, as she learns to make friends, even if that means engaging in a few painfully useless (in her opinion) social niceties.
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Reincarnation Blues
by
Michael Poore
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
Thanks to a carefully crafted plot arc and well-defined characters, Michael Poore manages to bring the individually unique tales of 10,000 different lives together in a cohesive story arc. Milo goes through the world as a fantastically rich playboy, a disciple of Buddha, an elite scientist, a slave on one of Jupiter's moons, even a cricket, yet they all shine through as the same core character. Some of the stories were more intense than others, particularly toward the end as Milo's chances to reach Perfection come close to running out. They speak to justice, love, sacrifice, and finding contentment in all forms - even cricket - while always maintaining a pervasive sense of humor as Milo and his girlfriend, Death, reminisce about his previous lives. Reincarnation Blues is a surprisingly touching read about finding your own path, defining perfection, and defying the universe itself to seek out love.
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The Blinds
by
Adam Sternbergh
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
The Blinds builds steadily from a false utopia, murder mystery and psychological thriller, finally culminating in a no-holds-barred finale that unleashes the horrific underbelly of this town of memory-wiped criminals. It brilliantly keeps hold of several seemingly disparate storylines, and we get tantalizing hints of who's behind certain violent incidents without knowing why. Layers and layers of secrets make this a suspenseful read, especially as many characters don't even know they're hiding something. Some of the revelations toward the end are not for the faint of heart - after all, this is a town populated by criminals - but the level of atrocities described (never too garishly) lend potency to the need for secrecy in this experimental community.
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Inferno Squad Star Wars Battlefront II
by
Christie Golden
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
It can be hard to believably get behind the mindset of characters that have been cast as evil from the outset, as the Star Wars Imperials have been. However, I think this book pulls it off pretty well, by pitting the two most morally ambiguous factions against each other: Imperials who truly believe the Empire will bring peace, and extremist partisan rebels who have no qualms about utilizing torture and violence as long as a few stormtroopers go down with them. Iden Versio is an accomplished pilot and officer, but nothing she does is ever quite enough for her Admiral father. When the Admiral forms Inferno Squad to take down the remnants of Saw Gerrera’s partisans, she meets people on both sides of the fight who have heart, dreams and passions. Some are inclined toward peace, some toward violence, but these lines can't be clearly drawn between Imperials and Partisans. It speaks well to sacrifice, duty, family, and the struggle to not lose yourself in a larger ideological fight.
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Hundredth Queen
by
Emily R. King
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
An enjoyable fantasy read with Indian and Sumeria vibes, though it doesn't strongly read as being derived from any single culture. It can be forgiven the use of some tropes in exchange for its strong emphasis on the importance of female friendships/sisterhood and an interesting use of revisionist history by a character for personal gain that I did not see coming.
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Salt Line
by
Holly Goddard Jones
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
I disagree with the synopsis on calling the excursion participants "adrenaline junkies," since their decision to travel outside the safe zone is informed more by a plethora of personal secrets and hidden motivations than a true desire for adventure or thrill-seeking. However, I appreciated how the interpersonal tension was oftentimes more dangerous and unpredictable than the standard fear of ticks and diseases; it elevated this from a basic dystopia to have more of a thriller feel. The descriptions of ticks and their effects on the human body were grade-A disgusting, but thankfully they only came up a few times - strategically placed to keep the underlying fear alive, but not so overwhelming as to be gory. There's no hero in this book - a few characters may seem more innocent at first pass, but in time it's revealed that everyone has brought some fault to the table. It might not be a volatile or unlikeable personality, though there are certainly a few of those; some are at fault for refusing to see the dark underbelly of their choices, for convincing themselves of their deniability when the twinge comes that something is amiss. It hits along the lines of modern-day pharmaceutical scandals by examining how people can be driven by greed to ignore the greater good.
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Spill Zone
by
Scott Westerfeld, Alex Puvilland
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This graphic novel is stunningly bizarre, with eerie art and a haunting premise. Seeing the chemically? Magically? Who knows? altered landscape of the Spill Zone through the eyes of a photographer provides an artistic view to what is otherwise a fantasy horror realm. The abandoned city brings to mind the vibe of I Am Legend, while the strangeness of the Zone and its creatures are reminiscent of Stranger Things. Crazy, eerie, awesome!
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Last Magician
by
Lisa Maxwell
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This historical fiction/time travel/magic mashup was pretty good overall, it's long enough to allow adequate time to uncover all the different schemes at work. The start was a little disjointed for me, as characters from different time periods are brought together, but once things solidified into 1920s New York it was engaging, entertaining and suspenseful. One of my favorite things about this book is that there's not just one villain, one hero, one straightforward conflict. Manhattan is surrounded by a one-way barrier that allows people with magical talent in, but not out, creating close quarters that are rife with tension and power struggles. Between the rival gangs, friendships gone south, societal distrust and the Order seeking to wipe out all Mageus, everyone's working a different angle. All the threads pull together in an explosive finale that makes for a satisfying read while still leaving plenty of room for adventure in book 2.
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Berserker
by
Emmy Laybourne
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
Full of grit and heart, Berserker blends the Old West with Norse mythology in a harrowing tale of survival, family and self-acceptance. The four Hemstad siblings have fled Norway in the aftermath of a gruesome murder wrongly pinned on Hanne's brother, Knut - after all, who would believe that Hanne, a girl, would be capable is killing three grown men? Her Berserker powers are a gift and a curse - a gift in that she can sense impending danger toward herself and her loved ones, a curse in that she's unable to control the deadly rage triggered by such danger. She struggles with self-loathing as they traverse the wilds of Montana with the help of a rugged cowboy guide. Familial relationships are the dominant force, and the tones of a slowly budding romance don't overshadow that in any way. Berserker is a well-paced frontier adventure that will have you wanting to strike out into the wilderness.
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Little Fires Everywhere
by
Celeste Ng
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
So phenomenal. This stunning story probes at questions of motherhood, artistry, and what it means to live a good life. I appreciated how it raises issues, yet doesn't present one side as morally superior to the other, leaving it up to the reader to wrestle with the question of which argument they support. Chock full of modern issues like adoption, custody battles, surrogacy, racism and abortion, this is sure to become a book club favorite for discussion.
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River of Teeth Book 1
by
Sarah Gailey
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This character-driven adventure was a fun romp through a hippo-infested alternate history! Definitely interested in book 2. The characters aren't necessarily relatable, but they're very interesting and well-rounded despite this being a short read. The action is spaced out, but when it comes, it's pretty intense, giving the whole book a thrilling feel.
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Annihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy #1)
by
Jeff Vandermeer
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This eerie, unsettling story is a study in ambiguous contradictions - so much happens, but you're not sure what. You know the setting is fantastical, but can't really describe it. Something is wrong, lies are being told, but the origin of them and the truth are shrouded. This is either a love it or hate it book, if the first 50 pages seem boring to you rather than gripping (I found it to be gripping), I'd recommend jumping ship because the tone and style are consistent throughout.
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Walled City
by
Ryan Graudin
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
his was phenomenal - full of fast-paced action, adventure, secrets, danger, and the unbreakable bond between two sisters. The description makes it sound like a dystopia, but it's actually a contemporary story based on the real Kowloon Walled City that used to be Hong Kong. The horrific, gritty conditions of the intensely crammed, crime-ridden Walled City were portrayed very well - incredibly intense, but never too gratuitous for YA. Had strong themes of family, loyalty, and guilt. Will definitely be picking up more of Graudin's books!
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Tut The Story of My Immortal Life
by
P J Hoover
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This book is pure fun! This witty, modern day King Tut has had adventures for 3000 years since being given immortality, and is only the *slightest* bit consumed with his own sense of self-worth as a former Pharaoh. In his long-awaited showdown with his murderer uncle, Tut is teamed up with a snarky cat god, an overprotective older brother and a nerdy maybe-friend who can't get over Pluto's demotion. Oh, and a small army of warrior figurines devoted to catering to his every whim (and they are sooooo cute!). This is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, there is a second book but this one doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
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Empirium 01 Furyborn
by
Claire Legrand
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
It's a rare thing to find a single fantasy story that is original, exciting and full of powerful, intriguing characters, let alone two within one book. Rielle and Eliana's stories are connected, yes, but it's not in an in-your-face obvious way, which serves Furyborn very well. But for a few overlapping elements, they each read as fantastic, nearly standalone stories in their own right, and the way author Claire Legrand deftly weaves them together adds tremendously to the depth and magnitude of the plot. It's so interesting to see both sides of the coin in one story - Rielle's story provides the lead-up to an earthshaking event (which we get tantalizing hints of in the prologue), and Eliana's story is set in the devastatingly brutal Empire left in the aftermath of Rielle's time. In books with multiple POVs, I personally find it nearly impossible to not have a clear favorite, but in Furyborn, both Rielle and Eliana are strong, compelling, and fascinating in their own ways, and I truly did not have a favorite. Fabulous writing, action, character development, worldbuilding, magic...everything. Fabulous everything.
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Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1)
by
Tomi Adeyemi
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This African fantasy is really stunningly beautiful, full of action, and altogether quite a compelling read. The worldbuilding is thorough, with a magic system tied to faith. Although there are 10 gods and types of magi powers, this first book focuses on only a few, allowing readers to be immersed in the culture Tomi Adeyemi has created without feeling overwhelmed by information. The characters have strength, but their strengths also make them fallible - stubbornness can be brazenly dangerous, loyalty can be misguided, gentleness twisted to weakness. We see the principle characters struggle with this back-and-forth aspect in a very realistic fashion, bringing a large degree of relatability to a fantastical story. Plenty of action and wit contrasted with intense emotion and deep-seated pain from a variety of angles. Will undoubtedly be a strong contender for 2018's "best of" lists.
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Stepsisters Tale
by
Tracy Barrett
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
This reimagined Cinderella story was entertaining at the start and finish, but the middle dragged quite a bit. I liked how it wasn't just an alternate perspective, but a variant on the story, and the Cinderella character (Isabella) isn't the flawless heroine she is in the original - she is buried in grief after her father's death, and willfully portrays her stepsisters in a negative light, though behind the aloof pride she's just a girl trying to find a new family in a world that has cast her off. Reading about the long, famine-stricken winter and the daily grind of milking the cows and hunting for mushrooms dragged for me as much as it did for the characters, though.
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Project Nemesis 02 Genesis
by
Brendan Reichs
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
Like its predecessor, Nemesis, this book is mind-blowing. The sci-fi/high tech set-up of Genesis is fascinating, as a level of brutality akin to Lord of the Flies is converted into a video game style world where killing isn't the end. The fight for survival and the need to win are placed in stark contrast with the fear that the group is losing the core of their humanity, especially in Min's mind. We see a wide range of reactions to the most basic needs for survival here, from gleeful murder to pacifist isolation, defensive detachment to zealous militancy. Though it leaves the option for more books, Genesis wraps up the arc begun in Nemesis, and the two can be read together without things feeling unfinished.
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Project Nemesis 01 Nemesis
by
Brendan Reichs
BookFreakOut
, February 11, 2018
I couldn't rip through the 400+ pages fast enough, this was so wild and unexpected. Fans of The Maze Runner or the Gone series will love this explosive, action-packed story that muddles the lines of reality with many layers of secrecy and deception built up. Min is awesome, she's strong-willed without needing or wanting the spotlight, forged in the fire of her living nightmares. Noah is her counterpoint, and I thought his vulnerability and fear were entirely appropriate, yet we get to see the internal struggles within both of them. Blew my mind with how much I loved this.
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The Seven Rules of Elvira Carr
by
Frances Maynard
BookFreakOut
, February 06, 2018
Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or The Rosie Project. Seven Rules is more up front about Elvira's "Condition," as she refers to it, than some of those other three books, but it's still avoids putting a specific name to what can be inferred as a placement somewhere on the Asperger's or autism spectrum, which makes it more of a story about acceptance and thriving as an individual in general and less about her Condition. Her innocence is both touching and heartbreaking, especially when certain characters take advantage of it or ridicule her for it. One of the things I enjoyed most is that she makes another friend who is presumably on the spectrum, and reaches out to others online, creating a sense of innate community for her that similar titles can lack, as they tend to be focused on the main character learning to befriend other NormalTypicals, as Elvira would say.
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Throne of the Crescent Moon Moon Kingdoms 1
by
Saladin Ahmed
BookFreakOut
, February 06, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy! It has a delightfully eclectic cast of characters, including Doctor Adoulla, an irreverent old ghul-hunter, his righteously stolid and straitlaced assistant Raseed, the ferocious lion-shifter Zamia, and a pair of old friends with whom the Doctor has shared years of adventure, triumph and loss. The strong infusion of faith into Adoulla's powers was very intriguing; he uses various names of God to activate spells and charms, and the demonic ghuls are said to be instruments of the Traitorous Angel. The contrast between the cynicism and weariness exhibited by the older characters and the youthful zeal of Raseed and Zamia was interesting to see, and provokes questions about whether they're based of delusions about the glory of righteous battle.
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See All the Stars
by
Kit Frick
BookFreakOut
, February 06, 2018
The suspense and spot-on depiction of the inner workings of teenage friendships make this a tense, gripping read, perfect for fans of We Were Liars. As readers alternate between Ellory's two timelines (junior and senior year of high school), the story works toward revealing what happened *then* that left split her world and friendships apart *now.* This is definitely one that merits a second read to absorb everything; it perfectly, painfully captures how teen girls can get caught up in the love/hate web of relying on each other for validation of their identity.
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Tarnished City Dark Gifts Book 2
by
Vic James
BookFreakOut
, February 06, 2018
This is the harder, faster sequel I was hoping for, with more intensity, twists, jaw-dropping demonstrations of Skill, and gut-wrenching betrayal than you’ll know what to do with. Gilded Cage was a 3-star read for me, but I felt author Vic James had really hit her stride by the explosive ending and was hopeful that Tarnished City would continue in the same vein. It not only met, but surpassed my expectations. James has demonstrated the innovation of her world, her willingness to steer the story in unexpected directions, and her ability to convey morally ambiguous characters with complex motivations that sometimes shift and evolve, and sometimes sharpen in their original focus. This is a dark book with grit beneath the shiny veneer of the Equal nobility. While it isn't exorbitantly graphic, the violence and psychological torment are in keeping with a world where the government is dependent on institutionalized slavery, so I'd recommend for at least a mature teen. I am fully on board for book 3!
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X Men Magneto Testament New Printing
by
Greg Pak, Carmine Di Giandomenico
BookFreakOut
, January 15, 2018
This dark, wrenching story slants more toward historical fiction than a superhero story, but it's that very fact that makes it worth reading. Magneto's budding powers are downplayed to the point where if you removed "X-Men" from the title, someone unfamiliar with the X-Men universe would likely just take it as a brutally honest, unflinching look at the atrocities of the Holocaust and how ordinary people allowed the rise of the Nazis. The creative team paid extremely close attention to historical detail, the end notes of the collected volume reveal how true survivor stories and historical records influenced certain plot points and decisions, along with a few nods to how this volume ties into the overall X-Men universe. Magneto Testament is an incredibly powerful piece that just happens to also be a superhero origin story.
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Map for Wrecked Girls
by
Jessica Taylor
BookFreakOut
, January 15, 2018
The author's love of "unlikeable" girls shines through, but she unexpectedly brought me around to them all by the end! This story takes place 50% on a deserted island, 50% in contemporary LA, but dangerous pitfalls in both worlds make for a 100% survival story. And while there are two girls and one boy stranded together, the triangle doesn't play out like you might imagine. Rather than another basic love triangle, we see Emma stretched and pulled between the complexities of her formerly close, possibly unhealthy relationship with her Mean Girl older sister and the clean slate of her newfound friendship (and maybe more?) with Alex. History and secrets both unite and divide them all, compounded by their uncertain chances of survival. Full of characters you'll hate, then love, then want to smack some sense into, A Map for Wrecked Girls is a testament to the power of sisterhood and its potential to both uplift and destroy you.
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Vicious Villains Book 1
by
V E Schwab
BookFreakOut
, January 15, 2018
Phenomenal read! Dark, edgy and smart, with characters who are just twisted enough to make you shiver but with just enough hints of remaining humanity to make you sympathize and devour this book as fast as possible. I love how the story alternates between the terrible turn of events that led to the creation of our antihero and a self-appointed angel of death, to the aftermath of their falling out ten years later.
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Nyxia
by
Scott Reintgen
BookFreakOut
, January 15, 2018
As if discovering another habitable planet wasn't a big enough deal, it's also host to a potent, near-miraculous substance called nyxia that has the potential to launch Earth's infrastructure to the next level. Ten teens from around the world are selected as candidates to mine the nyxia and potentially earn an astronomical amount of money. I found this book to be a spiritual successor to Ender's Game in the best way possible. It features a culturally and emotionally diverse cast that is fully developed, and despite being united in their poverty, each character brings a unique perspective to the journey to the planet Eden. The competition between the recruits is believably complex, as is the ominous Babel Corporation that oversees the whole venture. There is still much left to uncover about each recruit as well as Babel's inner workings, but the first installment in the Nyxia Triad is an extremely satisfying, exciting read.
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Reign the Earth
by
AC Gaughen
BookFreakOut
, January 15, 2018
This is one of those books I knew I was going to love when I opened to somewhere around page 50, started reading, and had to force myself to go back to the beginning rather than just rocketing forward from there. I appreciated how Shalia chose to marry as part of the peace effort rather than being another distraught YA bride; her proactive attitude and willingness to embrace her husband's people continue throughout and make her a very admirable character. Calix was more well-rounded than many of the controlling king types in YA. We learn from his siblings that he really is a mixed bag of good and evil, the unfortunate product of someone pushed into a tumultuous leadership position with too few allies. He has moments of tenderness and goodness, mostly pulled out by Shalia's influence, and for this reason I appreciated how Shalia really tries to make the marriage work and doesn't jump headfirst into the "I'm in love with my husband's brother" bit that's described in the publisher's blurb. Loyalty isn't a cut and dry thing here, Shalia is often torn between her brothers' distrust of Calix and her desire to do everything possible to promote the peace her marriage was supposed to bring about. Comparable to Rae Carson's "Girl of Fire and Thorns" or Sabaa Tahir's "An Ember in the Ashes," Reign the Earth is a satisfying fantasy read!
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Reign of the Fallen
by
Sarah Glenn Marsh
BookFreakOut
, January 15, 2018
Reign of the Fallen is a fast-paced fantasy packed with ideas about magic, identity, moving on from loss and what defines a life well-lived. As an orphan, Odessa relies on her family of choice for support, mostly looking to her fellow necromancers along with a few other select individuals she has allowed past her heart's fortified walls. When tragedy strikes the necromancers, author Sarah Glenn Marsh makes a strong statement about how grief can blind even the closest of friends; it takes two comparative outsiders to realize when Odessa is slipping into the darkest time of her life, and take the forcefully blunt steps to pull her out. Marsh offers a powerful account of substance abuse, depicting with raw emotion the psychological isolation, desperation and physical effects of addiction. Reign of the Fallen has a very intriguing magic system. The type of magic a person can do is determined by eye color, however, not everyone chooses to be trained to utilize their magic, because each type has a cost that reflects its power. For example, necromancers cannot be raised from the dead themselves, which gives Odessa a clearer idea than most Karthians of the importance of living each moment to the fullest. Reign of the Fallen joins the likes of Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series in depicting necromancy as richly layered profession, an admirable calling that requires a high degree of selflessness and sacrifice. A lot of thought has to go into crafting such a world, which in turns offers many thought-provoking questions for readers on life, death and whether or not that boundary should be crossed, even out of love.
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Beneath the Sugar Sky Wayward Children Book 3
by
Seanan Mcguire
BookFreakOut
, January 07, 2018
The Wayward Children books are marked by how different they are from each other, and Beneath the Sugar Sky is no exception, though it retains the beautiful writing and harsh realities that characterize the series. While #2 (Down Among the Sticks and Bones) can largely be read independently, it's best if you're read #1 (Every Heart a Doorway) before picking up Beneath the Sugar Sky. It has a nice blend of old and new characters; former mermaid Cora is the leading voice, she provides a fresh look at the lives and stories we were introduced to in Every Heart. It opens at the school, so there's no surprise in seeing Kade and Christopher again, but the arrival of Sumi's impossible daughter leads them on an adventure that unexpectedly ties in some other familiar faces that I won't spoil here. This installment is the most action-driven of the Wayward Children books so far; we see adventures and long-teased otherworld locations such as Confection firsthand rather than hearing them longingly described secondhand in group therapy at the school. Nothing rivals Every Heart, in my opinion, but this nicely elaborates some secondary characters' histories and offers a continuation of the haunting, bittersweet conclusion of Every Heart.
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Down Among the Sticks & Bones Wayward Children Book 2
by
Seanan Mcguire
BookFreakOut
, January 07, 2018
This novella follow-up to Every Heart a Doorway is dark, deadly, and as equally stunning as its predecessor. Though it takes place chronologically before Every Heart and could easily be read independently, I think reading them in publication order adds a layer of harrowing suspense. Those who have read Every Heart know the general outline of Jack and Jill's story and their time in the world of the Moors, but the details are only vaguely sketched. Here, they are fully outlined in all their cold harshness. Down Among the Sticks and Bones is full of looming dread as the story heads inexorably toward its tragic ending, the sense of oncoming doom enhanced by readers' knowledge of the future rather than detracted. The introductory section detailing their early life, carefully regimented by parents who see their twin daughters as things to be molded and posed into perfect examples of family life rather than individuals, is heartbreaking and perfectly sets up how two innocents could be so perfectly suited for the brutal Moors. With the same lyrical prose, grueling truths and perfectly imperfect characters as Every Heart, Down Among the Sticks and Bones is a phenomenal entry to the Wayward Children series.
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Every Heart a Doorway
by
Seanan Mcguire
BookFreakOut
, January 04, 2018
Such a beautiful read! As a novella, you can get through it in 2-3 hours, but it packs the punch and has the world and character depth of a full-length novel. It tackles belonging, family of choice vs blood, gender issues, and the danger of longing for something you may not be able to get back. It is truly a stunning read.
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Rosemarked
by
Livia Blackburne
BookFreakOut
, December 27, 2017
I quite enjoyed Rosemarked, especially once the action rolled into the heart of the Empire. One of the most interesting aspects of Rosemarked is the memory-altering potion Dineas takes in order to be able to infiltrate the Amparan army as a blank slate untouched by his desire for vengeance. It creates a sort of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dichotomy that speaks strongly to the effects of PTSD and trauma. Zivah struggles to reconcile the two personas, wondering if any remnant of Dineas’ joyful side still lingers in his true self. I thought Zivah was an especially solid healer character; I appreciated how seriously she takes her vows and carefully weighs how they match up against her espionage activities. She’s not just a simple “put some aloe on the burn” healer – in her world, being a healer requires a staunch enough spirit to not only harvest venom from deadly animals, but to take injections of it to build up a resistance. I’d recommend Rosemarked to any fan of YA fantasy; it has the imaginative worldbuilding, well-rounded characters and multi-faceted relationships that readers have come to expect from a genre that seems to get better every year. It’s an immersive tale with strong themes of personal sacrifice, trauma, and how memory informs identity.
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Sweet Revenge Passive Aggressive Desserts for Your Exes & Enemies
by
Heather Kim
BookFreakOut
, December 27, 2017
This cookbook hits the perfect balance of being as entertaining to read as it is delicious to cook out of! With a snarky bent toward "kill 'em with kindness," it's chock full of decadent recipes that will either make your ex rue the day your relationship ended or allow you to eat your feelings in solitary deliciousness. I tested the "You're Such a Flake Butterfinger Bars," and the helpful/humorous recipe notes allowed me to successfully make a treat that required both scalding cream and caramelizing sugar, neither of which I'd ever done. After all, who could mistake "until it smokes and froths like a rabid dog" as the finishing point for caramelization? With a range of recipe difficulties, bold design elements, striking photography, and hilarious additions like dating profiles for different types of sugars/nuts/flours, "Sweet Revenge" will delight both seasoned bakers and casual cooks.
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Endurance: My Year in Space and Our Journey to Mars
by
Scott Kelly
BookFreakOut
, December 27, 2017
This stunning memoir is a must-read, and that's coming from someone who rarely reads nonfiction! Endurance is split between chapters detailing his year on the International Space Station and a broader view of his life journey up to the launch of that mission. I appreciated the focus on his "year in space" mission; having that take up half the book allowed him to share both the broad mission goals and their impact for the future of space exploration as well as the more lighthearted aspects of his time in space - pranks on crewmates, stories of family dinners with the cosmonauts, and the arrival of a gorilla suit in space. His early life history is equally fascinating and inspiring; the story of how he was a low-performing student even through his first year of college proves that it's never too late to chase a dream, even one as ambitious as going into space. There's enough technical detail in Endurance to satisfy space and tech nerds, but it's described in lay terms that will make this a winner for anyone. Full of heart and humor, Endurance will make you want to reach for the stars!
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The Girl in the Tower: Winternight 2
by
Katherine Arden
BookFreakOut
, December 04, 2017
This follow up to The Bear and the Nightingale is just as stunning as its predecessor. We met Vasya as a fierce "wild child," now her resolve is strengthening into that of ferociously independent, strong-willed young woman with a mind to carve her own path in the world. She faces the nuances and pitfalls of the Grand Prince's Moscow court in Muscovite Russia, most notably the gender roles that are even more firmly entrenched than those of her upbringing. The stark differences are clearly illustrated as we witness Vasya's adventures while disguised as a boy in contrast with her married sister Olga, confined to the gilded cage of her palace tower. The conflict between the old gods/household spirits and the expanding church is once again brought into play, creating heart-pounding action that slides effortlessly between the visible and invisible realms. Vasya's interactions with the frost-king were my favorite parts; their evolving relationship is fraught with unspoken history, undeclared emotion, and untapped potential. I look forward to seeing Vasya uncover even more of her personal and familial connection with the spirit realm in the next book. The Girl in the Tower is altogether a breathtaking read, with the same level of lush language and enthralling description as The Bear and the Nightingale. We get to learn more about characters who were present briefly in Bear, namely Vasya's siblings, Olga and Sasha, along with Moscow's Grand Prince Dmitrii Ivanovich. A certain priest also returns, though his reappearance will not be met with delight. An extremely satisfying book all around! Advance reading copy received from BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.
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As You Wish
by
Chelsea Sedoti
BookFreakOut
, November 21, 2017
This fast-paced story of a small town hiding a big secret had me blasting through all 400 pages in a single day! The tension of Eldon's struggle to decide what to wish for is increased not only by pressure from other characters, but by chapter headers that ominously count down to his Wish Day. I thought he was a believable protagonist, if not necessarily a lovable one. The small town lack of privacy, combined with seeing the results of his classmates' wishes, puts Eldon's temper in a pressure cooker. His family dynamics were heart-wrenching, as were the stories of other people's wishes, which are gradually revealed in small excerpt chapters. The drama of the town's proximity to Area 51 only adds to the electrifying vibes of mystery created in As You Wish. This book will have you puzzling over whether you agree with the characters' wishes, what you personally would wish for, or if you should risk wishing at all.
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Belles 01
by
Dhonielle Clayton
BookFreakOut
, November 19, 2017
Lush writing, exquisite detail, a fantastical setting and a gripping story make The Belles a standout YA fantasy. Camille's character has a strong attention to detail in accordance with her beauty work as a Belle, and her descriptions of Orleans will make you want to rush off to bakery and a fashion boutique, possibly at the same time (powdered skin like an overly frosted piece of caramel cake, buttercup yellow day dress, etc.). The physical pain and monetary cost of the Belle's beauty work are symbolic of the extreme methods people today use to try and conform to unrealistic beauty standards. I appreciated how Camille sees her work as helping people love themselves, rather than as a money-making opportunity like others in her industry. Despite being at the heart of the Orleans beauty industry, she believes that people's natural and inner beauty are more important than being supermodel gorgeous. The setting of Orleans is whimsical, playful, and full of delightful details like teacup animals, all of which combine to make The Belles compulsively readable.
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By the Book
by
Julia Sonneborn
BookFreakOut
, November 16, 2017
I haven't read Persuasion, which this is a modernization of, but I have read other Austen novels and think this is a perfectly fun read for fans of her work, whether they're familiar with Persuasion or not. It has many of the themes central to Austen's work, including family, social class/structure, wealth, and of course, love. I thought it was brilliant to update 1800's England to a modern small college setting. Academia has its own insular community, rules and rankings that play perfectly into Persuasion's original storyline. Anne working to achieving tenure is a nice twist on a traditional Austen character making a good marriage - they can both set you up for life. "Publish or perish" is a substitute for the "old maid" concept, though modern-day Anne is also seeking romantic happiness as a secondary goal to her career objectives. I can't remember the last book I read this fast, it was purely delightful. First look read through BookishFirst, full digital galley obtained through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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