Tag Archives: Young Adult

The Staff of Serapis by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Staff of Serapis
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover #2, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #7
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Mythology, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I thought that Carter and Percy teaming up in The Son of Sobek was a wonderful moment that I thoroughly enjoyed. But I didn’t account for how amazing the teamwork of Annabeth and Sadie would be. Particularly their dialogue and interactions with one another. I mean, both are fiercely intelligent and independent young women, so their sass, wit and awesomeness left me feeling ridiculously happy.

This was a fantastic novella (aren’t they all by Riordan?) that made me want to dive right back into my collection all over again. I have that many other books to read at the moment that I probably shouldn’t… but man it is tempting after reading yet another wonderful story by this master craftsman.

I love that both The Staff of Serapis and The Son of Sobek are about the two counterparts of the duos meeting and fighting together. But it is ultimately about the great battle that we are about to enjoy in The Crown of Ptolemy. This mixing of Egyptian and Greek mythology alone is wonderful, but the fact that it’s about to end in an epic battle? I’m very, very excited.

<- The Son of SobekThe Crown of Ptolemy ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

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The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Son of Sobek
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover #1, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #6
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Mythology, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This is a very quick and easy read – maybe 90 pages. Since I haven’t read anything by Rick Riordan in quite a while, it was a wonderful return to his world. One that makes me want to pick up all of his books and do a reread… which I don’t exactly have time for, because there are also thousands of books I’ve never read yet…

I love that this is a story about Percy Jackson, but from Carter’s POV. It’s intriguing to see a Greek demigod through the lens of an Egyptian wizard. Also, the lunacy of just how quickly Percy is able to throw himself into situations is beautifully highlighted. Actually, the lunacy of any of the demigod battles is kind of highlighted. And its pretty damn humorous. Like I said, enough to make me want to jump into this world all over again.

This is literally one little chapter, one battle. But, it’s got hints of more dramas and stories to unfold in the future. Ones that I’m seriously looking forward to reading.

<- The Last OlympianThe Staff of Serapis ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Girls of Paper and Fire
Author: Natasha Ngan
Series: Girls of Paper and Fire #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, LGBTQI, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This novel was extremely fucking brilliant. It took me a few chapters to truly want to know what was going to happen next, but then it felt like Girls of Paper and Fire was in my head constantly. Ngan did a fantastic job of world building from the first moment, and her attention to the character’s growth made this a completely irreplaceable book in my opinion. I get why people rave about this so much.

Lei’s journey is seriously heartbreaking. I love how she finds her strength. She is ripped from her home, placed into a horrifying world, and finds her first love. One that’s very existence could get her killed. I strongly suspect that her family has, in fact, been killed though. Which is just something I think will come up later in the series. But is heartbreaking, nonetheless. Part of the reason it took me quite a while to read this was because of how much my heart hurt with every challenge Lei faced.

Lei fits the fairly typical YA heroine mould in that she’s from a poor background, thrust into an unfortunate circumstance and finds a way to triumph when no one expects her to. Her very normalcy is highlighted, but then she’s also special. However, where she is different stands out the most for me. The use of a Chinese sounding (to me) cultural backdrop for starters was a nice departure. Actually, the entire world building was seriously unique and fun. But then there’s the love interest – Wren. Straight up, the fact that this is a F/F couple deviates. But also, the way they are able to create this relationship and how Lei is able to find her own strength in it.

I can’t wait to see how this phenomenal series evolves and where it goes. Likewise, if this is how Ngan wants to start her writing career, then I can’t wait to see what more I will get to sink my teeth into over the coming years. This was a completely unforgettable book that I will definitely read again in the future. And I can’t wait to get the rest of this series for my shelves!

<- More Natasha NganGirls of Storm and Shadow ->

Image source: Kobo

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Obsidio
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Holy wow. This is a FANTASTIC ending to a seriously amazing series. I’m honestly seriously disappointed that this is over and still kind of in shock. But it was totally worth it. Definitely one of those series that I’m going to read again and again and recommend to all my friends and family and total strangers on the street…

I really wasn’t expecting a few things in this – particularly the ending with AIDAN. I’m still really confused about my emotions towards him (it?) I mean, some seriously disgusting and horrible choices. But also some really good moments. I’m not used to feeling so conflicted about my emotions towards a character. And even if AIDAN is a machine, it’s (he’s) still a pretty phenomenal character throughout the series.

I love that throughout Obsidio it actually shows how the Illuminae Files came to be and how they were compiled. It’s a great way for you to look back (particularly at the video transcripts). And I like the idea of rereading this series with that context in mind. It also tied out the different romances in a way that made you smile with happiness. Not going to lie, there were a few of these moments that bought a tear to my eye.

Although Asha and Rhys aren’t necessarily my favourite couple from the series, they’re still pretty cute. I probably just didn’t connect as much to them because they get the least time on the page. But, they still work, particularly for the little surprising twists and turns that they take throughout.

At its heart the Illuminae Files are based around a mass genocide. I love that of all the books, it’s Obsidio that shows the casualties of war. Not those on either side of the conflict. But all of the innocent lives that are lost for no damn good reason. It was probably this that truly bought those tears to my eyes and a soaring to my heart. Truly an amazing finish to an amazing series.

<- GeminaMore Jay Kristoff ->

Image source: Goodreads

Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Gemina
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

Its been way too long since I read Illuminae. I know this because, from the very first moment of opening this book, I was completely hooked. Which makes me wonder why it took me so damn long to pick up this book now I can’t wait to get into Obsidio and see how this phenomenal trilogy will end.

Hanna is such an awesome female lead. I mean, a 17-year-old girl who is a master of war strategy? Heck yes! That, and the fact that she is a realistic teenager. She’s filled with angst and insecurities. That first blossom of love and the reliance on a parent. Don’t get me wrong, pretty much all of this is ripped away from her very quickly in this book. But she’s not a teenager who somehow has everything together – that’s a trope that just feels unrealistic.

Then there’s Nik. I have a bit of a thing for bad boys and the morally grey. He is just adorable and I’m honestly in love with him from pretty much the very beginning. Nik and his cousin are that perfect level of chaotic good, again, something that I tend to love in my characters. Ella in particular is just wonderful. I love how she is constantly ribbing Nik and there were many moments throughout that had me laughing out loud.

Not only is Gemina a fantastic story, one that was impossible to put down and forget about. But just also love how it is written. I love how you piece together the tale from dossiers. Different pieces of information, that, as with Illuminae tell a wonderful story for a space battle. But also have a few misleading moments in it that set up many conspiracies. Now I can’t wait to find out how the rest of the tale unfolds…

<- IlluminaeObsidio ->

Image source: Amie Kaufman

Memento by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Memento
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #0.5
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, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I read the first book in The Illuminae Files a while ago, and then I got distracted from continuing with the series. Which, as I’m figuring out now was a fair bit of a mistake. So, shortly after reading Gemina, I blitzed through Memento. And it was understandably fantastic, as all these books are.

Whilst Aidan is a little chilling in Illuminae, I didn’t quite feel that holy crap, evil being thing from him. Maybe because there is a lot of humour in all of the dossiers provided by this. That ambivalent feeling was completely removed by this novella.

I was kind of heartbroken by this to be honest, I really loved Ethan and Olivia. And their romance was just too damn cute for words. There is something great about how Kaufman and Kristoff are able to write in the romance to the main story. And the realism of HOW people gush over instant messaging… be still my beating heart.

<- More Amie KaufmanIlluminae ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mystery, Paranormal fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I’ve been trying to get through a few of the young adult books in my ever growing TBR pile at the moment. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer being one such novel. And, honestly, I was kind of expecting it to be fairly typical. Love triangle, hidden importance, overlooked girl that is actually beautiful and gorgeous. And it was that a little bit… but it also completely deviated from that form. By starting the tale with and then they were all dead…

I did take me a little longer to connect to Mara than some of the books I’ve been reading lately. Mostly because she wasn’t all that relatable for me. Normally if the lead isn’t super relatable, I don’t connect with her. But there was something about Mara’s love of family and determination to be a better person that made me genuinely like her. And now I want to find out what happens next in her story.

Where Mara managed to break the mould a little with her characterisation in young adult books, Noah was WSY too typical. Popular boy who notices the girl. Rich. Gorgeous. Knows the secret and isn’t as douche as he seems… I think I kind of want a male lead in a young adult book that ISN’T Mr. Popular… having said that, he’s not overbearingly stereotypical. Just not anything really unique…

The part that made me seriously love this novel was that final scene. The imagery that is so potent throughout just took my breathe away. It was well and truly terrifying. Dark. Twisted. And an amazing cliffhanger. I can’t wait to see where the character develops from here…

<- More Michelle HodkinThe Evolution of Mara Dyer ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster Australia

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: With the Fire on High
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I’ve had a book by Acevedo on my shelf for a while, and although I’ve heard positives, I’ve never actually sunk my teeth into it. And believe me, the hype for Acevedo’s writing is well worth it. This was just so, so, so damn good. Although this book wasn’t one that I would consider to be high drama, it was still impossible to out down. There was something about the flow and story that made you want to know what was going to happen next, even without any cliffhangers.

I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a teenage mum. It’s hard enough to be a mother as a fully (I think) grown adult, but being a teenage mum? I can’t even fathom. Acevedo dealt with this idea beautifully, she highlighted the intensity of love and protectiveness that is motherhood. But also the insecurities and difficulties that a teenager goes through all on her own. Even without the same experiences, there was so much relatable about motherhood that Acevedo imparts.

Alongside the focus on motherhood, I loved how Emoni grows and changes throughout this story. It was the most perfect coming of age tale that I’ve read in a very long time. There were no massive trials and horrors to overcome, but the normal, everyday occurrences of being a teenager. Those feelings of finding yourself, deciding what you want to do with your future and falling in love for the first time. Yet, there’s a great sense of maturity over the whole tale. I’m not sure of that’s the race discussion, the teenage mother, whatever it was. I’m definitely completely in love with Emoni.

To top off the amazing story, the loveable characters and the beauty of spirit, there was a whole heap of yummy, yummy food throughout. Aside from the few recipes scattered throughout (recipes which I really want to try), there are so many delicious mentions of food. Or combinations of flavours. It definitely got my creative culinary juices flowing.

<- The Poet XMore Elizabeth Acevedo ->

Image source: Goodreads

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Every Heart a Doorway
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fantasy, Mystery, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

This story was absolutely nothing like what I was expecting. It was kind of dark and twisty, without all of the feel good that I’ve been reading a bit much of in some of my young adult books. Plus, this was actually and truly about misfits. There are way too many YA stories which feature a “misfit” who is actually seriously cool. These kids aren’t. For that, I love them.

I’m always diving into tales of the fae. Tales that are a little bit uncomfortable and sweep you away to some incredibly unexpected places. What I loved about this is that a whole variety of alternate lands are featured. There’s not one doorway to go through, but a whole range. A different land for a different kind of person to fit in. It was nice that each of the characters in this story found their own lands to fit into. Their own places to experience a happily ever after.

This is a great reminder that we all fear death. And fear makes people do stupid things. Nancy may have come from a land of the Dead. But that doesn’t mean she causes death, or even desires it. I love how she is immediately looked upon with suspicion amongst people who know, themselves, what it is like to be a misfit. It’s a reminder that human nature tends to ostracise others, regardless of how we may have been ostracised ourselves. Particularly in instances when there is a whole heap of fear running rampant.

I was completely not expecting the ending of this story. It had such a wonderful Frankenstein, Dracula, Wuthering Heights feel. I might kind of hate Wuthering Heights, but I loved the other two, so it was a good feeling. A good feeling in a bad way…

<- More Seanan McGuireDown Among the Sticks and Bones ->

Image source: Kobo

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Wicked Saints
Author: Emily A. Duncan
Series: Something Dark and Holy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Gothic, Magic, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I started trying to read this book last year at some point. And I remember liking it, but not really getting into it. Picking it up again… I’m REALLY not sure why I couldn’t get into it. I mean, this book is fantastic. I honestly couldn’t put it down. Again, not entirely sure what it was that made me put this aside last year. Because WOW.

To start off with, I loved the twist at the end of this. It was horrifying, and you thought that there might be something horrible. And then the horrible thing happens and you were just… gobsmacked. I mean, what a damn betrayal! And what a way to make me thirst for the next book in the series… like seriously, and desperately thirst for it. I just can’t even believe the power that this book holds over you, long after you turn that final page. Even now, when I’m finally getting to sit down and write a review of it… I’m still completely enthralled and gobsmacked.

I’ve read a lot of stories which are based on historical Europe, but not Slavic Europe. It did take me a little to get my head around the character names. And I am 100% certain that the way I say them in my head is completely incorrect. Which is fine, because no one else is inside my head. Partner that with the holy war that is going on… and although there was a slight sense of familiarity due to the European aspect to it, this felt like a whole new world. One that I seriously can’t wait to get back to… I mean, it is dark and twisted. And, for someone who is a little freaked out by anything with religious connotations, impossible to not want to dive straight back into.

Duncan’s world building is insane and intense. She is able to construct a world that you can’t turn away from. And although a lot is revealed in this novel, there is a lot more to the world and the conspiracies than is imparted in one novel. Which, again, is what makes me want to dive into Ruthless Gods so badly. I mean, the world building and the politics are phenomenal. And even with the betrayal that I didn’t see coming, there is a whole slew of other aspects to this storyline that need answers. Relationships that may become more and more complex…

<- More Emily A. DuncanRuthless Gods ->

Image source: Goodreads