ARC Review: A Room Away from the Wolves by Nova Ren Suma

Title: A Room Away from the Wolves Written by: Nova Ren Suma Published: September 4, 2018 by Algonquin Books for Young Readers (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Bina has never forgotten the time she and her mother ran away from home. Her mother promised they would hitchhike to the city to escape Bina’s cruel father and start over. But before they could even leave town, Bina had a new stepfather and two new stepsisters, and a humming sense of betrayal pulling apart the bond with her mother—a bond Bina thought was unbreakable.  Eight years later, after too many lies and with trouble on her heels, Bina finds herself on the side of the road again, the city of her dreams calling for her. She has an old suitcase, a fresh black eye, and a room waiting for her at Catherine House, a young women’s residence in Greenwich Village with a tragic history, a vow of confidentiality, and dark, magical secrets. There, Bina is drawn to her enigmatic downstairs neighbor Monet, a girl who is equal parts intriguing and dangerous. As Bina’s lease begins to run out, and nightmare and memory get tangled, she will be forced to face the terrible truth of why she’s come to Catherine House and what it will take for her to leave...

I love Nova Ren Suma books and I was so excited to hear that she was coming out with a new one. The Walls Around Us is one of my favorite mysteries and that book is the perfect example on how an author can totally shock the reader at the very end of the book. I was really pumped to get a copy of this book at ALA and read this one. Unfortunately it was not as good as I was hoping.

One thing I will say about this book is how brilliant Nova's prose is. I'm constantly amazed at how beautiful and atmospheric Nova's writing books are and this one was no exception. It had this ethereal quality to it that was gorgeous and visual in a way that I completely loved. She has this great way of creating unique and engaging atmosphere that really draws the reader into the world. It's not over the top either, it just pulls you in with beautiful descriptions and writing that has been the the hallmark of here career.

However, that being said, I think this book relies too heavily on atmosphere. In terms of the world building, there isn't really any and there was a lot of opportunity for it. The setting of this book is very cool and interesting. Catherine House was truly fascinating. I love weird old houses with hidden passageways and secrets for the characters to uncover. Some of the best parts of this book were when they were finding things within the house. But we never got any information about it. And that was only the tip of the iceberg. I feel like sometimes when it comes to settings and worlds with magical realism, which is maybe what I would call this book, you have to remember that less is less. I get wanting to leave things open for interpretation but you need a world that is grounded in something.

But the plot of this book was also open for interpretation and that was even more confusing than the plot. I don't mind when mysteries have a crazy twist at the end of the book, but this felt different for some reason. I also don't mind when a book is left open for interpretation. Usually when that happens I'm left wondering what really happened and I desperately want to know. But here for some reason it felt like the book was being purposefully obstinate. I met Nova at ALA, when I picked up a copy of this book, and she said that this one leaves things totally up for interpretation which makes me thing she did all of this on purpose. Like she didn't want there to be an answer and I kind of realize I need an answer.

The one thing however I did like was the characters. Bina in particular was a really good main character. It was easy to root for her as the kind of character who has been through a lot of hardship and you want her to end up in a better place than she started with. I do think that she could have had better character development though. There were also some interesting secondary characters too. The people at Catherine House were really mysterious and intriguing. I wanted to know more about them and kind of wish we had gotten some answers about them, particularly Catherine herself.

On the whole, I think this showed a lot of promise that it never delivered on. I was totally excited to read it because I love Nova's writing but this one just felt purposefully obtuse and like it relied way too heavily on atmosphere. The mystery could have been much better and the world more grounded and engaging if there were some actual answers.

I give A Room Away from the Wolves 7.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. Not my favorite from this author. If you are a fan of Nova check this book out but it has some of the worst qualities of her previous books. If you are looking for a atmosphere heavy mystery that leaves you wondering what is going on them maybe pick this one up at the library.

Have you read A Room Away from the Wolves? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: City of Ghost by Victoria Schwab

Title: City of Ghosts Series: Cassidy Blake #1 Written by: Victoria Schwab Published: July 28, 2018 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.  When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.

This was a really good and fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Victoria is an auto-buy author for me. Every book from her I have read I have lived and this one was no exception.

Just like every book from Victoria, this did a great job in terms of its world-building and setting. Most of this book take places in Edinburgh, Scotland and it is very clearly a love letter to the city. It’s such an interesting place and that really comes across here. Throughout the book you get to explore the history and mystery of the city and it really comes alive in Victoria expert writing. I could definitely picture the city and it made me want to visit it so badly.

The their interesting this about the setting in this book was the supernatural elements. I’m not a big fan of books about ghosts and haunting but when it’s middle grade and it comes with a slice of history I am all for it. What I liked about this book in particular is that there were clear rules and structure to the ghosts and the shots hunting. It’s something that I have come to expect in a Schwab book, the magic has rules. Plus it had a fun Casper vibe to it which I honestly really enjoyed.

I also like the characters here. Because this is a middle grade novel, I feel like there was less of the character development I expect in YA but I did still think the characters were complex and easy to connect with. My favorite character was Jacob, who is basically the sidekick but super lovable. He’s sassy and sarcastic often being the comic relief but that was fine with me. I loved the irony of a ghost being afraid of everything. And Cass was a good heroine. She’s reckless and headstrong, but that’s kind of the girl you want in your middle grade adventure.

As far as the plot, it was really engaging and full of action but definitely on the simpler side of things. It’s the kind of book that you could easily breeze through and finish in a day if you are the kind of reader who does that thing. There were lots of thrills and plenty of adventure to keep you reading from beginning to end. I did however wish there was more of a mystery to it though. Things were very focused on one antagonist, which was a good antagonist for sure, but I think there were some missed opportunities here. I wish it had used some of the other characters a little bit more but maybe it will get there in future books.

All in all, I think this was a really good and fast middle grade novel that is perfect for fall. It has a spooky setting rooted in history, an engaging plot, and likable characters.

I give City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think fans of Victoria's work will find it enjoyable as well. But this is also the perfect book for fall. Teens and middle grade fans of all ages should check it out.

Have you read City of Ghosts? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The Boneless Mercies Written by: April Genevieve Tucholke Published: October 2, 2018 by Farrar, Straus,and Giroux (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: A dark and gorgeously drawn standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory. Won in a major six-house auction! Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere. Full of fierce girls, bloodlust, tenuous alliances, and unapologetic quests for glory, this elegantly spun tale challenges the power of storytelling—and who gets to be the storyteller. Perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater, V.E. Schwab, and Heidi Heilig.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

First of all, any book that is pitched for both fans of V.E. Schwab and Maggie Steifvater is a book that I want to read. Those are two of my auto-buy authors so anything that is similar to their work I am all for. I have also heard good things about Tucholke. I have been wanting to read her books for years now and I am excited to make this my first one.

There are very few YA standalone fantasies in the world and I think we need more of them. Sure, series are great, but sometimes it is nice to just escape into a world for a book without having to worry about cliffhangers or world-building taking up too much of the plot.

Speaking of the plot, how amazing does that sound? I am so excited for a book about a group of female mercenaries who take matters into their own hands and fight monsters. Plus fierce girls, blood, quests, and alliances Yeah, this sounds like my find of thrilling read.

I got an advanced copy of this at ALA and I was really excited. I can't wait to read this book and I am so glad to be able to snag a copy so I can read it.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Boneless Mercies along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday: Shows I've Bingewatched Recently

A weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

1.) The Bold Type
If you are not watching The Bold Type you are missing out. It's an amazing show with great characters, female friendship, and it really goes there by being political without being over the top. Plus the fashion is just beautiful.

2.) Younger
This show is similar to The Bold Type but for a slightly older audience. I started watching it because I love Sutton Foster but then I totally fell in love with it. It's a sweet and fun show about friendships and love.

3.) Brooklyn Nine-Nine
I hate when people say "stick with it and you'll end up loving it" about TV shows. But this is that kind of show. I didn't really love it at first and then before I realized I was obsessed and watching like six episodes a day.

4.) Queer Eye
Everyone has watched the new Queer Eye, right? You cried like every episode, right? No but seriously, the new Queer Eye is amazing. The Fab Five are, well, fabulous, and the people they help are so heartwarming.

5.) The Marvelous Ms. Maisel
I didn't marathon this recently but I did marathon it and it's really amazing and I need to recommend it to everyone. It's Amy Sherman-Palladino so how could it not be amazing. It's like Mad Men but for women and about comedy.

6.) American Gods
Please don't hate me if I said I never read the book. But I did watch the show and it was really good. Super interestring and really intense in the best possible way. Plus it's really a visual masterpiece,

7.) The Magicians
I'm a huge fan of The Magicians books and I was really excited when they were making it into a TV show. And while they changed a lot of things I still really enjoyed the show. If you like fantasy then definitely watch this show.

8.) Rick and Morty
I had heard really good things about this cartoon and so I decided to watch it. I'm glad I did because it's a really dark and complex science fiction cartoon. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did but I was flying through episodes.

8.) Gravity Falls
After Rick and Morty I ended up watching Gravity Falls which is similar but for a younger audience. It's very over the top silly but I still really liked it and finished the entire series in a few weeks.

10.) Everything Sucks
I feel bad about recommending a TV show that was cancelled but this show is really good and I think everyone should still watch it. It's strong with the 90's nostalgia. I also recommend The Get Down for being an awesome cancelled Netflix show.

There you have it, all the TV shows I marathoned recently. I recommend all of them. They are great shows and if you are looking for a new show to marathon check these out. What shows made your list? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: Replica by Lauren Oliver

Title: Replica Series: Replica #1 Written by: Lauren Oliver Published: October 4, 2016 by HarperCollins (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Two girls, two stories, one epic novel  From Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy, comes an epic, masterful novel that explores issues of individuality, identity, and humanity. Replica is a “flip book" that contains two narratives in one, and it is the first in a duology. Turn the book one way and read Lyra's story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma's story. The stories can be read separately, one after the other, or in alternating chapters. The two distinct parts of this astonishing novel combine to produce an unforgettable journey. Even the innovative book jacket mirrors and extends the reading experience.  Lyra's story begins in the Haven Institute, a building tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida that from a distance looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, Haven is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape.  Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. A lonely teen, her life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April. But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family's past and discovers her father's mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions.  While the stories of Lyra and Gemma mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. Replica is an ambitious, thought-provoking masterwork.

I have been putting off reading this book for a very long time and I don’t entirely know why because it is definitely an interesting and engaging read. Lauren Oliver’s books tend to be hit or miss for me and this one was a hit.

One of the things I liked most about this book was the concept. And I mean that in multiple ways. For one things, this is a very uniquely written book. Multiple perspectives in YA books is nothing new, but it’s not very often that you read one person’s story and then the other. And that’s how this book was set up. I’ve heard you can read it one of two ways. You can read one perspective then the other, or you can alternate. I experienced it the first way because I listened to the audiobook and that’s how they had it. But honestly I think that’s what I would recommend. You are able to connect with one person, then they interact and you are able to seamlessly switch. And the audiobook was really good and helped the whole thing work together.

But the other cool thing about the concept here was the world that Oliver has created. I don’t want to give too much away because I enjoyed not knowing much about it before going into the book. What I will say is it was like a near-future, science fiction, dystopian kind of vibe. Oliver did a great job with unfolding things in a slow and steady way so that it pulled you into the book and into the world. Even with switching perspectives there was still a lot to learn and explore which I liked.

As far as the characters, multiple perspectives is hard for me sometimes because I typically connect with the one I meet first and then am not very interested in the next person. But here because you got more time in the head of each person it worked. Lyra was definitely a good character. She’s curious and inquisitive which works well with her storyline. She definitely doesn’t have an easy life which always makes it easy to root for her. Gemma too was easy to root for. She’s more relatable and kind of feels like the audience stand-in at first. But she’s also really complex. Both characters have amazing development and there are really cool surprises when it comes to their characters which I am curious to explore in the second book in the series.

The only thing I didn’t totally love about this book was the plot development. If you take each perspective as their own story I think the plot was fine. It was interesting and kept me wondering from beginning to end with surprises and some thrills along the way. But as a cohesive story it wasn’t perfect. There was some overlap and storylines that felt like they weren’t connected to the larger story. I liked the way it unfolded and I definitely think it was interesting but it could have been tighter for me as a plot driven reader.

This was definitely an cool and unique story. The concept is very interesting, the world is engaging, the characters are likable, and the plot is full of surprises if a little muddled.

I give Replica by Lauren Oliver 8.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. I really liked this one and would recommend it if you are a fan of near future dystopias with subtle sci-fi elements then I would definitely check this out. If you have a copy you've been holding onto, read it.

Have you read Replica? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

August Wrap Up and September TBR

Read in August:

I had another good month of reading in August. It started off really slow thanks to a work trip I had to make but I finished super strong and I am really glad that I did. I have been trying t get back to consistently reading in the double digits and two months in a row feels good. Oh, I should probably tell you how many books I read. I read a total of 12 books this month. Managing to read this many books in a month when I had so much going on is a pretty big accomplishment and puts me back on track for my Goodreads goals.

For challenges, this year I'm low key doing challenges. I set a Goodreads goal of reading 120 books in a year. I am back on track for that goal having read 83 books total for the year and if I can maintain 10 a month then I will meet this. For the rest of the challenges I only low key set them. I want to read 20 debuts this year. I read 2 this month so I'm at 10 total for the year which is behind schedule but I guess it's possible that I make that up in the fall. I want to read 36 books from Netgalley and Edelweiss and I read 3 this month which brings my total up to 16 for the year. I haven't really been reading e-books lately so I am very behind on this one so I'll probably need to lower it to 24 and still probably make this one. I mean I haven't even requested anything in months. Most of the ones I did read were fr blog tours. I also want to read 20 backlist books. This month I read 2 which brings my total to 16 for the year so I'm doing well on that.

The Books

1.) Cheerleaders: The Second Evil by R.L. Stine 
Rating: 7 out of 10 [Podcast Website]

2.) Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
3.)  These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]
4.) The Magicians by Lev Grossman Rating: 9 out of 10 [Reread]
5.) #Murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil Rating: 8 out of 10 stars [My Review]
6.) Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
7.) Mirage by Julie Murphy  Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]
8.) Girl at the Grace by Teri Bailey Black Rating: 7.5 out of 10  [My Review
9.) DC's Bombshells Vol. 2: Allies by Marguerite Bennett, Marguerite Sauvage, 
and Laura Braga Rating: 8.5 out of 10
10.) Seafire by Nathalie C. Parker Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [My Review]
11.) Replica by Lauren Oliver Rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars [Review to Come]
 12.) Saga Vol 2 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 9.5 out of 10

To Be Read in September: 

And we are getting into fall book season which means a crazy amount of books are about to come out. That means I have a crazy list of books I am hoping to read this month. There is no way I can read all of these but let's see how many I can actually get through.

Books for Review

Campfire by Shawn Serles - Add to Goodreads
I keep putting this book off but I really need to read it this month because we will be recording our podcast episode so I need to get to it.

A Room Away from the Wolves by Nova Ren Suma - Add to Goodreads
I wanted to read this book last month but I didn't get to it. But I love Nova's books and I am super excited to read her newest one. I got a copy at ALA and I am excited to read it.

Sadie by Courtney Summers - Add to Goodreads

My friend Michelle is super excited about this book, which makes me excited. I mean also it's a mystery and the main character is a podcaster so I'm pretty pumped.

Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer - Add to Goodreads
I learned about this book at ALA and it sounds completely awesome. I don't know exactgly what it is about but there is a mystery, serial killers, and apparently a superatural spin. Count me in

Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton - Add to Goodreads
This book sounds really cool and interesting. I haven't read anything from Tess Gratton but she's been on my list for awhile so I figure this is a good place to start.

The Agony House by Cherie Priest - Add to Goodreads
I really enjoyed I Am Princess X and when I saw this one I thought it was a sequel. It is not but it sounds like a cool MG/YA horror and it has the same format as I Am Princess X so I am down.

Give the Dark My Love by Beth Revis - Add to Goodreads
Beth Revis is another author I have not read but have wanted to for awhile. SO when I saw there were copies of her dark fantasy at ALA you know I had to get one.

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White - Add to Goodreads
I am a sucker for Frankenstein retellings and for books by Kiersten White. This book combines them both so I obviously need to read it immediately.

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzie Lee - Add to Goodreads
I loved Gentleman's Guide so much and I am super pumped for the companion novel about Felicity. I have the ARC from ALA that I need to read finally.

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor - Add to Goodreads
I cannot wait for the sequel to Strange the Dreamer. I loved that book so much and I know this one will be just as amazing. I'll probably listen to the audiobook because Steve West.

New Releases

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab - Add to Goodreads
I was hoping to read this one last month but because it only came out on Tuesday I didn't really have time but I started it yesterday and I will probably breeze through it because I love Victoria.

Vengeful by V.E Schwab - Add to Goodreads
That's right friends, another Victoria Schwab book. But the sequel to Vicious comes out this month and I am super excited to read it.

Backlist Books

Not sure yet. I'll see what I can get on audiobook from the library.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in July. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

Title: Seafire Series: Seafire #1 Written by: Nathalie C. Parker Published: August 28, 2018 by Razorbill (Penguin Group) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, whose lives have been turned upside down by Aric and his men. The crew has one misson: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet.  But when Caledonia's best friend and second-in-command just barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether or not to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all...or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?

Finally! The book I have been wanting to read all summer. I picked this book up at ALA and I am so glad that I did because it was everything I hoped it would be and more. It was an amazing story about kickass female pirates with a thrilling plot.

Seriously, this book had a completely amazing plot. I'm a plot driven reader and in order for me to love a book I need a plot full of action and adventure and this was absolutely what I found here. There were so many daring escapes and epic battle scenes that all good pirate stories have. There was this great undercurrent of survival amid a story of revenge and friendship. And Parker did a really great job in writing a non-stop narrative that didn't feel too over the top. The book really built to an exciting conclusion with a lot of fun along the way. A lot of the books I have been reading lately fall apart in the plot department and that is where Seafire really thrived.

The other best thing about this book was the characters. Caledonia for one was a great character. It's pretty easy to root for the female captain of a pirate ship. I mean seriously, how could you not love a swashbuckling female who is leading a crew of amazing young women. But what I liked most about her is that she's not perfect. She's vulnerable and makes mistakes that have real consequences. I like the fact that she didn't do everything right and she had to learn from her screw ups and live with the consequences. It made her all the more likable and complex.

But the real heart of this book was the relationships. It's very much a book about family and found family. The crew of the Mors Navis really has built something so great. They care about one another and do anything for their fellow sister. It really is a sisterhood built on teamwork and mutual respect. And they are there for each other no matter if the other person screws up. The best example of this is with Caledonia and Pisces. The two are best friends and have been through so much together. They both make some decisions that the other person doesn't agree with throughout the book but they forgive and come together when it is needed. But not all the relationships here were good. And yes, I am talking about the romance. At first I was so happy that there wasn't going to be a romance in this book and then it got shoehorned in there unexpectedly with the weirdest pairing. There were much better places to take a romance in this book and the decisions the author made felt very forced. But I'm hard on romances in general so take that for what it's worth.

I also don't know how I feel about the world of this book. I was expecting it to be a fantasy but it wasn't really. It wasn't sci-fi wither to be honest. I don't know what this was. It kind of read like a low-key dystopia. There were elements of technology and what felt like modern times but it definitely wasn't. And then there is this whole thing with the villain Aric Athair and his Fivesons who were interesting villains but didn't get the attention they deserved. I think on the whole this world was kind of a less is less situation. It was definitely cool and interesting but I feel like there could have been more attention placed on the world building. Maybe it will be explored more in future books. Honestly, I'm hoping that it is because there is a lot there left unsaid.

But all in all this was a really great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a thrilling plot full of action and adventure, great characters I became very attached to, and a lot of promise for future books in the series. It wasn't perfect but I really loved it.

I give Seafire by Natalie C. Parker 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a thrilling an exciting read. If you like books about pirates or are looking for a feminist story about sisterhood and found family definitely check it out.

Have you read Seafire? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!