Tag Archives: Young Adult

The Magic in the Weaving ReRead by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Magic in the Weaving ReRead
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Emelan #1, Circle of Magic #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1997

Thoughts

I could read this book a thousand times over, and still enjoy it each and every time. There is just something about Pierce’s writing and world building that is just like a big hug. I absolutely adore her stories, and The Circle of Magic, for whatever reason, is a series that I particularly love. Probably because it is about four young individuals who have always felt like they don’t quite belong, for whatever reason. And then they find their Found Family, and discover their inner powers. As a young girl, this was a potent message (I never quite felt like I fit), and even as an adult, it’s a reminder that somewhere, somehow there is a tribe out there for you.

I love that the Circle of Magic series starts off with Sandry. Not only is she the one to weave their magics together, but she is also integral to weaving their relationships together. I loved reading about her story, her growing into her powers and discovering what she can do. Plus, it was so much fun reading about Sandry’s growth and powers, with the lens and understanding of what is to come. It’s always fun rereading a story with an understanding of some of the hints and nuances to come, but it’s even better when the author has crafted a book which gives you something a little different with each reread.

As much as I know and love this story, I always kind of forget how late in the tale their intertwining comes. Most of this story is actually about the four coming into their powers and bonding. It’s not until right at the end that this complication is added. And it’s not until later books in the series that you really start to realise how big of a moment this is. It’s a beautiful way to set up a series – starting with the four becoming a bit more comfortable in their own skins, and discovering who they are. Then, throwing in an extra little dash of chaos at the very end which will fuel the rest of the series.

Although I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read and reread this book, and entire series. And yet, even though I know exactly what is going to happen, I still can’t manage to put this down. There is something about the story and the words that still has me feeling excited, tense and looking forward to what is to come. I don’t know what it is, but I won’t question it, there’s not many times I can go back and revisit a childhood favourite so frequently and with so much love.

<- More Tamora PierceThe Power in the Storm ReRead ->

Image source: Goodreads

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fantasy, Mystery, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Jack and Jill absolutely intrigued me in Every Heart a Doorway, they were not quite evil, but not quite good. And both were able to surprise me again and again throughout their story – they were responsible for so many twists and turns throughout Every Heart a Doorway, so it was really fun to go back in time to their story. Their door. And their origin. And, as always with McGuire, it was everything that I absolutely wanted – dark, twisted and intense.

Everything about Down Among the Sticks and Bones was dark and unsettling. From the very conception of the story (and the girls) to the final moments, all of this wasn’t quite what I expected, but everything that I needed. It was dark, it was horrifying and it led perfectly back to the first book in this series and the darkness that follows.

Jill was always a creepy and sinister character, from the moment she showed up. But, her entitlement and decision making made her go from creepy to seriously sinister. Something about her just triggered all of my hell no flight instincts. Which is pretty impressive as all of her existed in my mind’s eye – McGuire is such a phenomenal writer to introduce that level of darkness in an otherwise entirely literary endeavor. I mean, I still shiver at the horrifying decisions Jill makes again and again…

Although I actually liked Jack, she definitely wasn’t a sane character either. She is just a little less vindictive and entitled. And a whole lot more relatable. Probably mostly because she is a whole lot more relatable than her twin. Being self aware and able to cope with the world helped to ground me a little more in this otherwise seriously uncomfortable (in all the best ways) story.

<- Every Heart a DoorwayBeneath the Sugar Sky ->

Image source: Goodreads

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Aurora Rising
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: Aurora Cycle #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I just can’t even with this story, in the best way possible. I forget just how much I love Kaufman and Kristoff as a writing duo, and reading this was just a great reminder of why that is the case. They are the most amazing writing duo and I can never put their books down. Aurora Rising was no different – but, unlike the Illuminae Files, I had the most trashed heart after this book ended. In fact, I kept repeating that “this book ruined me” and drove my partner a little bit nuts. Without giving spoilers, there was a fair amount of heartbreaking activity in this.

I really enjoy well-written stories with an ensemble cast, and Kaufman and Kristoff manage to pull this off seamlessly. I love that each character has a really distinct voice, so that even if the chapters didn’t start with the name of the character you are currently following, you’d probably be able to guess within a few paragraphs. The diversity and strength of their characters made me fall in love even more with this story, and also made that point of heartbreak even more potent and harmful. Because I fell in love with each and every member of this unlikely band of heroes.

Opening this, I was expecting a bit more of the style of the Illuminae Files, I thought that there would be a multitude of moments throughout which had the graphic appeal of the first Kaufman / Kristoff series that I read. Instead, it was pretty much entirely prose, with very little of the structure of the previous books. Although I loved that in the past, I really wasn’t disappointed. Again, the language, the style, and the journey were represented perfectly within this structure and made me smile again and again and again throughout. So much love for not just the story and the voices, but the style of writing in this.

Aurora Rising is a story about outcasts, Found Family, heists and so many damn conspiracies. There was nothing predictable about any of the storyline, and this is part of what made it completely impossible to put down. I loved every moment of this story, and I can’t wait to read Aurora Burning. There are so many loose threads just flapping in the wind. Aurora Rising was about discovering the battle ahead, and bonding as a team in their outcast bunch. But now I can’t wait to see where the universe will take them next.

<- More Amie KaufmanAurora Burning ->

Image source: Pages of Julia

The Ruins of Gorlan ReRead by John Flanagan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Ruins of Gorlan ReRead
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Medieval fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2004

Thoughts

I absolutely adored The Ranger’s Apprentice series as a young adult, and I seem to be on a bit of a revisit with well-loved series lately. So I was interested to see how this would hit now that I’m that bit older. Luckily (because it’s always dangerous revisiting well-loved things from your adolescence), I loved The Ruins of Gorlan every bit as much on this reread. It was just as fantastic, fun and hard to put down as I remembered, but with a whole lot more nuances that I thoroughly enjoyed picking up on as an adult.

Will, for me, is still that quintessential misfit / coming of age type story. He just doesn’t quite fit the mold with anyone else, and is always on the outskirts. Even amongst his year-mates who are in a very similar boat, Willl still just doesn’t quite fit. Honestly, it’s probably why I related to him so damn strongly as a preteen – I’ve never quite fit in either. And then, he finds his home amongst all of the others who don’t quite fit either – a fantastic way to remind everyone that we all have our tribe, it can just take us a whole lot longer to find them sometimes.

Alongside all of Will’s training and the absolutely brilliant description of archery (I’m an archer, most books get it wrong), I love that this is a story about finding your place in the world. Although, as much as, as an adult, I focus a lot on characterisation and character development, this is also entirely about the battle and the weaponry. I mean, knife throwing and archery were already going to pull me in. But conspiracies and that last, final, epic battle? These are all moments that I loved as an adolescent, and just adore as an adult.

As much as I loved Will finding his place and beginning to grow into himself as a man, I also adored Horace’s redemption arc. Horace starts out as a kind of horrible bully. He was completely set up to be the typical antagonist in the story, and he did work as that for a fair portion of it. But, as in real life, he realised that a lot of his actions weren’t okay. I loved his redemption arc, and that he ultimately ends up being a true friend to Will. It just melts my heart every time, and is so wonderfully heart melting.

<- More John FlanaganThe Burning Bridge ReRead ->

Image source: Pinterest

In the Hand of the Goddess ReRead by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: In the Hand of the Goddess ReRead
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Tortall #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1984

Thoughts

Something about Pierce’s writing is always a fantastic comfort read. It is always a return to a well-loved world, kind of like wrapping myself up in my weighted blanket with a hot chocolate in hand. The perfect way to relax and destress after an intense day. And a series that I tend to reread every year or two. This time, rereading this series as a mother and with the eye towards being able to one day share this with my daughter made it all that much more special. If anything, reading through this lens gave me even more comfort as I got to travel along with Alanna in her second set of adventures.

In the Hand of the Goddess is all about Alanna’s adventures as a squire. It’s about first loves and the fact that she ultimately has to choose to embrace the fact that she is a woman. Where The First Adventure was all about Alanna taking a dive into a foreign world and hiding as a man. In the Hand of the Goddess is all about Alanna living with herself as she is. This is such a brilliant coming of age story – I love that to begin with, Alanna is all about denying her femininity and trying to be something she’s not. Then, as she grows up, she realises that there’s a whole aspect of herself that she has to embrace. It’s only the beginning, but, as someone who was never sure how her femininity fit in with the things she loved, it’s something I absolutely adored reading about.

I remember Alanna’s time in war being much longer and more intense than it actually is. Mostly, her time in war and her first forays as a full-blooded warrior are rather quick. Only a few chapters for a part of the story I remember incredibly well. What I most liked about all of this though, is that in a world that is very much built on class, Alanna doesn’t feel that she is above anyone else. Rather, she spends the entirety of her time with those without a speck of noble blood in their veins. She doesn’t assume that an accident of birth makes her special, and I love how immediately connected that makes you feel to her.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter how many times I reread this story and this series, I love it each and every time. Not only is there comfort in the familiar words, there is also some great messages within Alanna’s coming of age story. There’s a reason I can’t wait to share this series with my daughter. And there’s a reason I keep coming back to this stories again and again and again.

<- Alanna: The First Adventure ReReadThe Woman Who Rides Like a Man ReRead ->

Image source: Goodreads

Alanna: The First Adventure ReRead by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Alanna: The First Adventure ReRead
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Song of the Lioness Quartet #1, Tortall #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1983

Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how many times I step into the world of Tortall, I am stupidly happy and it feels like visiting an old friend. Honestly, this was the author and series that played a huge part in diving into the reading obsession I now have as an adult. And, with each new reading, different facets come to light for me. Different points in my life reflect within the story that I’m reading and I find new parts to love about it. I really can’t wait to share this series with my children, particularly my daughter.

I love that throughout this story, Alanna begins with rejecting the fact that she’s female. Indeed, every moment and development that highlights it makes her frustrated and upset. Yet, by the end of it, having proven herself alongside Jonathan, she finally realises that her gender doesn’t define her. Rather, it’s just something that she is, like being small and a red head. It’s a great reminder to all girls out there that we can be female and feminine, but also a warrior and enjoy arts that aren’t traditionally (stodgily) called “feminine”. As someone who practices Martial Arts, I can absolutely appreciate this duology.

The friendships Alanna makes at this point shape the rest of her life. And I love that at the beginning she feels like she has to be like everyone else to fit into her friendship circle. The moment when Raoul points out that they like her because she’s different has so much meaning for me. Even as an adult, it’s nice to be reminded that we are all loved for our differences as well as our similarities. And in Alanna’s case, she can be entirely who she wants to be (with the whole still hiding that she’s a girl thing), without giving up her friends. Even when the few who find out her hidden identity choose to still love her as she is. Honestly, Jon, Raoul, Gary and George are exactly the kind of friends I hope all people find at some point in their lives. They’re sweet, supportive and accepting of all of Alanna’s little nuances.

Whilst Alanna: The First Adventure doesn’t have a strict beginning, middle and end like some stories that I read, it is still impossible to put down. It jumps from moment to moment in Alanna’s first few years as a page and shows the different challenges she overcomes. There is also so much character driven growth throughout that by the end I was cheering and smiling to know that she ultimately won the day in accepting herself for everything that she is, small, short-tempered, red-headed and female.

<- More Tamora PierceIn the Hand of the Goddess ReRead ->

Image source: HarperReach

The Queen’s Wing by Jessica Thorne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Queen’s Wing
Author: Jessica Thorne
Series: The Queen’s Wing #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This was yet another one of those books that I just added to my eBook because it showed up somewhere as a suggestion. So, of course, I had absolutely no idea what to expect, but I was a little intrigued by the blurb. And the cover was really damn pretty. I mean, it had major steampunk / fantasy vibes. And then there was a love triangle (which sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t) and a forced marriage. It turns out that this novel was completely, totally and utterly awesome! And now I’m more than a little bit obsessed with it… and annoyed that Thorne’s novels are no longer on kobo…

Although I actually enjoyed the love triangle and all of the angst in this story, I found the conclusion of it to feel a little… unfinished. I mean, rather than Bel actively choosing someone, fate stepped in and made a decision. And, even if there are mentions of the difference in her regard for both men, I felt like it would’ve been good for her to at least start choosing one before fate stepped in. It did make the angst associated with finally having a pick a whole lot more potent though, and redirected it into a different direction.

I love how Bel is a warrior from a family / planet of warriors. And that, even if she is placed in an arranged marriage, she makes a choice to fight for her husband and his people. Even if she is given an out, that morality and strength of character is beautiful. Plus, it was fun to read a story that features a woman who is the warrior and saviour. Instead of a man swooping in, it’s a woman. But, of course, she’s got to deal with all the useless nonsense of mansplaining and stupidity that all of us women must deal with.

Everything about this book was seriously enjoyable and left me feeling really happy and content. It was a fantasy novel with steampunk vibes. One that makes me hope that The Stone’s Heart will eventually be back on kobo. I don’t want to have to wait to read the next wonderful Thorne book on my wishlist!

<- More Jessica ThorneThe Stone’s Heart ->

Image source: Booktopia

Wish by Jenni Balch

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Wish
Author: Jenni Balch
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Space, Young adult
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This short story is a bit of a twist on the whole “genie in the lamp” kind of story. It has a lot of the same principals, but there is a bit more flexibility and variety to it. That, and the guy in the lamp somehow ends up in space trying to grant a wish that I just wasn’t expecting.

I loved the nature of Adriadne’s wish. I mean, I was expecting something that was either going to be catastrophic for the space ship, seriously selfish or typically immature. Instead, it was something that I could completely understand and get on board with. Plus, it is not something that impacts anyone else. Plus, the way that Balch reveals her wish and also manages to world build at the same time… freaking brilliant.

At the end of this story, instead of going back into the lamp and waiting for the next wish, the ‘genie’ decides to stick around. My romantic heart likes to think that they manage to make a great relationship (friendship or otherwise) out of this arrangement. One that helps them stand the travels through space… but that could just be my own wishful thinking and romantic nature. Regardless, that’s how I’m imagining the ending of this story…after the current ending that is.

<- Dream and DareThe Weight ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Weight by Dhonielle Clayton

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: The Weight
Author: Dhonielle Clayton
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Science fiction, Young adult
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

For a short story that didn’t have a lot of action, I loved this to a ridiculous level. It was just… thought provoking. And kind of sweet. It made me wonder, if I could find out more about my lover’s “heart”, then would I do it? Would I risk our happiness to get some concrete answers? I don’t know that I would… but then the temptation of knowledge shouldn’t be underestimated…

Although there are comments about what Grace and Marcus’ hearts contain, there is no way to know which heart belongs to whom. And, what kind of love is being discussed. You get the feeling at the end that they’ve realised they want happiness together, but it’s still really open ended. Which, is how it should be. Love and relationships are not a happily ever after and finished kind of story – they are open ended in real life.

As someone who has been with their significant other since they were quite young (almost half of my life), I get how difficult it is to grow together. It’s interesting that some of these challenges are highlighted. How love might not ever be lost, but does growth, change and curiosity alter the stakes? How do you know when it’s worth continuing with the known and when you should strike out to a new future? For me, these questions might not have been that difficult, but I also completely understand why both Grace and Marcus find themselves asking them…

<- WishUnmoor ->

Image source: Goodreads

Habibi by Tochi Onyebuchi

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Habibi
Author: Tochi Onyebuchi
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Race, Young adult
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This was one of those shorts stories with a very open-to-interpretation endings. Or at least, because I kind of want to envision a bit of a happy ending, I chose to take it that way. However, realistically, it feels like the final words of this story were just the final words of the person in general. It definitely had me thinking and hurting through every moment of this tale.

I loved that this is a slightly unconventional tale in that it was letters between two young, teenage boys. Both of whom are incarcerated and both of whom are facing some pretty overwhelming challenges. The letters might have been received in a less than conventional manner, one which hints at magic. But, honestly, I never really questioned the why of this. I just spent the whole time I was reading having all of the feelings.

The two boys from this help to highlight the contrasts between Palestinians and African Americans – the differences and the similarities. It talks about some pretty hefty issues such as hunger strikes and racism. But also has a whole lot of hope, in the way that only the young can generally feel.

<- Longer Than the Threads of TimeA Universe of Wishes Collection ->

Image source: Goodreads