Kendare Blake is one of my go to authors in YA. When I see a new book by her, I just have to try it... because here stories are always twisted and surKendare Blake is one of my go to authors in YA. When I see a new book by her, I just have to try it... because here stories are always twisted and surprisingly original. I liked this story thus far. It's intriguing with the whole triplet queen, one has to kill the others. The division is also pretty cool, with Poisoners, Naturalists, and Elementals being the 3 major magical groups. I also liked that they are cut off from the rest of the world, their own little magical bubble.
This was a such a good look into life of addicts' families. Many times we focus on the addict, and that's great, but sometimes we forget the people afThis was a such a good look into life of addicts' families. Many times we focus on the addict, and that's great, but sometimes we forget the people affected by the addiction of their loved one. Not only that but as a society we don't see the impact that mental illness and drugs have on homelessness and runaways. Molly is dealing with the loss of her brother, after he came back from the war changed. One day she sees this girl, homeless, but dancing in the rain, and from that point on Molly decides she's going to help Red out. What Molly does is project her fears and wishes for her brother onto Red.
I really loved the evolution of the story and the ending... it was worth it.
What can I say, the author is a very good ambiance writer and world builder... but at the end of the day this is fiction. I need to care about the chaWhat can I say, the author is a very good ambiance writer and world builder... but at the end of the day this is fiction. I need to care about the characters, and I just don't. If you can overlook that part of the story, then this book is enriching and full of new splendors.
Well that was quite disappointing. The main character was not likeable at all... obviously I should have realized that. She is narrow minded and basicWell that was quite disappointing. The main character was not likeable at all... obviously I should have realized that. She is narrow minded and basically did the one thing I hate... try to expose secrets by getting closer to someone and then falling for that someone. 1. it's drivel- I hate these story lines. 2. Doesn't really give the MC a good record. 3. Everything was pretty superficial.
A good ending to a fun series. I forget how much I love Greek Mythology until I read a book or series like this one. It's engaging and frankly all theA good ending to a fun series. I forget how much I love Greek Mythology until I read a book or series like this one. It's engaging and frankly all the prior knowledge kicks in and makes the story that much more enjoyable. I loved seeing the growth of the characters, especially Daphne. Tell me you didn't love Shady? And then at the end what happens... whoa.
This book is definitely brush stroked with fairy dust. There are aspects of this book that don't make sense, are suspended by magic, and take to much This book is definitely brush stroked with fairy dust. There are aspects of this book that don't make sense, are suspended by magic, and take to much faith to exist. There are also aspects that are real, excruciating, and healing for the main character. Even though there is a character that makes the story a bit unrealistic, this story isn't about magic, it's about growing up and trying to understand your place in your own world after a big trauma. It's about a boy who lost his father and hasn't been able to verbally communicate (let alone communicate at all), a mother who lost her husband and can't seem to move on (her explanation as to why she never took down the pictures made so much sense and it was so sad), and a chance encounter that helped both mother and son wake up and begin healing.
I wanted to love this book, because it had a promising dystopian premise. It just was too convoluted of a story, with no clear reasons to why the sociI wanted to love this book, because it had a promising dystopian premise. It just was too convoluted of a story, with no clear reasons to why the society was they way it was, there were no rules to things and frankly I couldn't come up with an idea as to why this story mattered in the made up world. I did like the graphic novel snippets woven in between, but much like the prose it didn't make sense sometimes as a cut away.
I only gave this book a 3 because really I just didn't like the main character as much as I really liked Kate in the Shakespeare version. It's a fun rI only gave this book a 3 because really I just didn't like the main character as much as I really liked Kate in the Shakespeare version. It's a fun read but honestly I only liked Drew.
Okay, I am going to go and give this book 4 stars. How amazing was that?! But really this book has great elements that promises for a great series.
LeOkay, I am going to go and give this book 4 stars. How amazing was that?! But really this book has great elements that promises for a great series.
Let talk about world building, because that's Allen's biggest feat in this first novel of the series. In Jae's world there is a caste system, primarily of the Avowed (the bureaucratic and noble type) and the Closest (pretty much just slaves). The Avowed run the world and everyone in it, and the Closest are indentured slaves that are paying for the sins of their ancestors' crimes. At the center of this dynamic is the Well, which gives life and water to all the surrounding estates, protected by the Highest (I thought this was like God, but I feel it's more of a regal title.) Since Jae lives in Arddan, let's focus on that part of the world: it is dry, cracked and desolate; which is why the Highest's son is coming to see if this estate is worth keep, if it's worth sending water from the Well to this estate... wasting what little is left. This world is hot, dry and oppressive. You can taste the sand in your mouth and it helps one understand why Jae is so prickly (she's a Closest). As the story progresses another part of this world is revealed, and makes stark contrasts to life in Arddan.
The Closest:
Jae is the main character. Her twin brother, Tal, and she were born into servitude for some betrayal a great ancestor committed during the last war. Basically after this war, the Mages were taken away, but not before a binding was put on the Well, and the Closest. The Closest are interesting. They are all born with this Curse that makes them not allowed to lie, or even keep things to themselves. If an Avowed asks a Closest a question, the Closest must answer, with only truth. They are never given the ability to freely speak, or even just keep their opinions to themselves, when they wish not to speak. Not only do they answer on demand but they obey all orders on demand, due to the Curse.
The Avowed:
I don't know much of this group yet, as the first book was mostly in Jae's perspective. What I do know is that they are elite, and they rule over everyone... including each other. What I do know is that they have a superiority complex, they are the only ones that can be trusted to rule over everyone- not just the Closest. What I don't know is how they have remained in power for so long, or how long their reign will last- but the next book might answer that.
Characters: Jae is not the main character you instantly like, her brother is... but I think that's the point. Her twin Tal makes Jae human; he's the reason for her sanity and for her mercy. I really enjoyed their relationship. Lord Elan is the Highest's son, who comes to shut down the estate, but when he meets Jae and finds out she has secret magic (yeah she's magical, but just found out) he sees an opportunity to finally make things better for everyone. There are other characters but I wanted to just think about these three. An Avowed and two Closest figure out how to work together for the greater good, and in their journey they figure out that history was built on lies.
I have the second book as an ARC, and am trying very hard not to just read it (I have others to read first.) I want to know what happens to Jae. I want to know if maybe one day she might see Elan as something else... romance was pretty much avoided in this first book, but there were signs of an impending relationship. I liked that the author didn't create an insta-love scenario, because by the end I found I really respected Jae (even if I didn't always agree with her) and I noticed the growth Elan made in the book.
I am not going to rate this book... because I just wasn't aware until too late that it was part of a series, and while I enjoyed some things about theI am not going to rate this book... because I just wasn't aware until too late that it was part of a series, and while I enjoyed some things about the story; I feel I cannot fully rate the experience.
Alex is a young bruja (witch) from a big family of brujas and brujos. Her biggest secret is that she already has her powers, and she doesn't want themAlex is a young bruja (witch) from a big family of brujas and brujos. Her biggest secret is that she already has her powers, and she doesn't want them, but with her Deathday looming around the corner, she might not have a choice. Then enters a cute young brujo, that looks like danger, and is full of promising information that can get Alex from becoming a full on bruja and dealing with the evil she assumes she carries inside her. Nova is definitely trouble, but Alex wants out, and following his advice has now landed her family in another realm. Alex can't just leave them there, so she embarks on a quest to save her family, with the help of Nova... but not everything is as it seems.
I really enjoyed the journey through the realm, with every step more information was leaked about Nova, and about Alex. There was also a lot of growing for these two characters... better late then never for some. I honestly need more of this story. As a Latina American, I can rarely relate to books that have Latin American influences, because it just doesn't speak to my life and experiences. This story is different, because even though I don't have powers and my family doesn't have powers, we still believe in altars, offerings, and chants that help with love, fortune, and wisdom. I can understand Alex having reservations of letting her friend inside of her home, because of the "weird" alters and saints lining the rooms. I didn't feel comfortable explaining it because, well we live in the U.S. and not everyone is open minded. SO thank you Cordova for giving this Latina a story that makes her remember the weird nuances of growing up.
Confession: I have only read The Program series by this author, and while it's not a terrible series it's too melodramatic for me. This story is mConfession: I have only read The Program series by this author, and while it's not a terrible series it's too melodramatic for me. This story is melodramatic too, but it isn't a dystopian, it's the story of two lost teenagers that need to figure out what they want out of life and how to get it. It's okay for this story to be melodramatic, it's real life, drama happens. That being said, I liked this story way more than I liked The Program series.
This is the book that has the lonely teen, who connects with the only family he really knows and is losing, and the "cool" complicated girl with astroThis is the book that has the lonely teen, who connects with the only family he really knows and is losing, and the "cool" complicated girl with astronomical issues. I love John Green, and he's done a phenomenal job in creating books that have these things sprinkled in them... this one just fell short. Not every author is going to do a bang up job and not every author can have the luxury of having readers without preconceived favorites.
Ughhhh... I have to give this book a 2 star rating. PLEASE DON'T LET YOUR TEENS READ THIS BOOK. This should be an adult novel, not a young adult novelUghhhh... I have to give this book a 2 star rating. PLEASE DON'T LET YOUR TEENS READ THIS BOOK. This should be an adult novel, not a young adult novel. Not because there's rape and murder. Not even because the 15-18 year olds didn't deal with these issues accordingly- they are kids after all, but because the adults in this book went from uninterested adults (which is a common device in YA) to perpetuating rape-culture (more so than being silent bystanders).
"Sometimes even yes means no. So how can you tell? Well here's what you do guys. If she says yes- and don't fuckin' count on it-if she says yes, you reach up her skirt and feel around. If she's nice and lubricated...then you go ahead and seal the deal. If she's not, then sorry buddy, yes means no, and you better seek other accommodations."
Like what in the literal FUCK. I don't normally swear, but at this point in the book, someone has been accused of some form of sexual assault, and the school decides to have the faculty meet with groups of students to discuss recent events. That little snippet is what the guys got from the football coach. LIKE WTF!!!!
This book is not WOKE. SO please don't let minors read this, don't put them in your YA sections, but don't feel guilty that you read it and found yourself laughing at parts. It had it's moments, and if I wasn't a 29 year old woke person, I probably would have been highly offended or misguided by this book. Thank God I am old enough and experienced enough that I can read things with triggers.
Don't read this if rape is a trigger for you, because the author does not give that topic the justice it deserves.
Hmmm, I normally only know Kade for her great and humorous works of fiction, but this was a bit more serious. Jace and Eli are twins and in one momentHmmm, I normally only know Kade for her great and humorous works of fiction, but this was a bit more serious. Jace and Eli are twins and in one moment, Jace loses his other half. Now Jace is living with survivor's guilt, building his life back up, making sense of his loss, and also making sense of that dark place he was in for the 3 minutes he died. He worries that Eli is not in heaven, like their father preaches, but stuck in some dark void forever lost.
During all this he connects with the one person in town he shouldn't, Thera. Her mother is the local psychic and Jace's father wants nothing more than to rid the town of their evil ways (this is not sci-fi or fantasy, just Christians being Christians). While Jace and Thera know they shouldn't be spending time together, there is an instant connection, and also a hidden connection Jace would have never guessed.
I really liked the characters, and Jace was relatable, reliable, and messy. Eli had a big presence, even though he was barely in the novel. The grief, and honesty in this novel was so thick you could cut it with a knife, but it's not a sappy crying story, well not until the very last goodbye from one twin to the other.
I wasn't into this book in the beginning, but determined to finish it, I found interest during the end of the first half of the book. I wanted to knowI wasn't into this book in the beginning, but determined to finish it, I found interest during the end of the first half of the book. I wanted to know the deeper meaning behind the convoluted story. This isn't an easy beach read, this has depth to it, and most importantly self-awareness.
Life Before is a story about domestic violence and how it can seep into every aspect of the victims' lives and cause everything to turn black. XanLife Before is a story about domestic violence and how it can seep into every aspect of the victims' lives and cause everything to turn black. Xander has had to live with the memories of living with his father, and he cannot wait to leave town, go to college and finally get on with his "real life" after ditching his "life before". What ends up happening is that the violence makes Xander run away, away from his tormentor and away from the mess left behind. While Xander is gone he discovers many truths about himself, life, his family, and his future.
Obviously I loved this story; I just love Clare's Shadowhunter world. This collection of stories, was like going on her tumblr and reading all the fanObviously I loved this story; I just love Clare's Shadowhunter world. This collection of stories, was like going on her tumblr and reading all the fan-fiction, how awesome is that. There was a nod to Malec, and all the other things fans talk about. I even liked Beatrice and Julie, their ridiculous questions about Jace, Alec, and even Simon, reminded me of the comments you read between fans of this series.
I think I should mention that I read Lolita, a book that gives you the perspective of a pedophile. Let that sink in, in case you have never read tI think I should mention that I read Lolita, a book that gives you the perspective of a pedophile. Let that sink in, in case you have never read that story... it's about child molestation and rape, told by the pedophile. Sure there were moments I despised the content, but overall the author wasn't trying to humanize the main character, but mostly letting the rest of the world into the mind of a pedophile. And yes, I know that rapists, murderers, etc are human too and they are complex, but this story doesn't do justice in that respect. Instead you have a criminal, who cannot take responsibility for their actions and blames everyone else, and those that do support him enable him to continue to perceive that he has done nothing wrong. Really? He found redemption and was able to finally make a grand gesture, like writing a letter to the girl he raped and telling her she was right all along and that she can bring him to jail. You know what would have showed that he actually understood the error of his actions... HIM TAKING HIMSELF TO JAIL. But no... Brock Turner #2 gets to go to college and maybe rape someone else, if they are not too careful, because in this day and age of course it's all on the victims/potential victims to not fall prey (this is said sarcastically.)
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