• Book Reviews,  S,  Sebastian, Laura

    Ash Princess Book Review

    Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian One day, I will watch them all burn. Princess Theodosia will never forget the day the kingdom of Astrea was invaded, and her mother, the Queen of Flame and Fury, was murdered before her eyes. For ten years, she has survived, whipped for every futile rebellion and constantly humiliated by the Kaiser who conquered her beloved country. She is paraded around as the Ash Princess, a constant reminder to all of everything she’s lost. Meanwhile her people are enslaved, forced to work in the mines until there are no Astreans left alive. When the Kaiser forces Theo to execute her last hope of rescue, she vows…

  • Book Reviews,  D,  Dockrill, Laura

    Big Bones Book Review

    Big Bones by Laura Dockrill From Goodreads: A heart-warming teen story from the unique voice of Laura Dockrill, about Bluebelle, aka BB, aka Big Bones – a sixteen-year-old girl encouraged to tackle her weight even though she’s perfectly happy, thank you, and getting on with her life and in love with food. Then a tragedy in the family forces BB to find a new relationship with her body and herself. Moving, memorable and hilarious. Thank you to Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Please note that this review will contain spoilers, so if you haven’t read the book and plan to, you should…

  • A,  Ahdieh, Renee,  Book Reviews

    Smoke in the Sun Book Review

      Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh Following Okami’s capture, Mariko has no choice but to infiltrate the Imperial Palace in the desperate hopes of rescuing him. She tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was held against her will by the notorious Black Clan, playing the part she was always meant to play– the dutiful, naive bride-to-be. While they try and decide if Mariko is still loyal to the throne, she must also unravel their secrets. Most importantly, she must learn the truth behind the assassination attempt on her carriage that led her to the Black Clan. While pretending to be consumed with her upcoming nuptials,…

  • Book Reviews,  M,  Menon, Sandhya

    From Twinkle, With Love Book Review

      From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon From Goodreads: Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2. When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem…

  • Book Reviews,  F,  Foody, Amanda

    Ace of Shades Book Review

    Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody. From Goodreads: Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…and secrets hide in every shadow. Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted. Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up…

  • Book Reviews,  O,  Oseman, Alice

    I Was Born For This Book Review

      I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman From Goodreads: For Angel Rahimi, life is only about one thing: The Ark – a pop-rock trio of teenage boys who are currently taking the world by storm. Being part of The Ark’s fandom has given her everything – her friendships, her dreams, her place in the world. Jimmy Kaga-Ricci owes everything to The Ark too. He’s their frontman – and playing in a band is all he’s ever dreamed of doing. It’s just a shame that recently everything in his life seems to have turned into a bit of a nightmare. Because that’s the problem with dreaming – eventually, inevitably, real life…

  • Book Reviews,  D,  de Castell, Sebastien

    Charmcaster Book Review

      Charmcaster by Sebastien de Castell Please note: This review does not contain spoilers for Charmcaster. However, it will contain spoilers for the first two books in the Spellslinger series, so if you haven’t read them yet, don’t continue reading unless you want spoilers. From Goodreads: ‘I was getting almost as good at running away from enemies as I was at making them in the first place. Turns out, I wasn’t running nearly fast enough.’ Kellen has begun to master his spellslinging and the Argosi tricks for staying alive, and he and Reichis have found a career that suits them both: taking down mercenary mages who make people’s lives miserable. But Ferius is concerned…

  • Book Reviews,  C,  Coles, Chloe

    Bookshop Girl Book Review

    Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles From Goodreads: Bennett’s Bookshop has always been a haven for sixteen-year-old Paige Turner. It’s a place where she can escape from her sleepy hometown, hang out with her best friend, Holly, and also earn some money. But, like so many bookshops, Bennett’s has become a ‘casualty of the high street’ – it’s strapped for cash and going to be torn down. Paige is determined to save it but mobilising a small town like Greysworth is no mean feat. Time is ticking – but that’s not the only problem Paige has. How is she going to fend off the attractions of beautiful fellow artist, Blaine? And, more…

  • Book Reviews,  M,  Murphy, Julie

    Puddin’ Book Review

    Puddin’ by Julie Murphy From Goodreads: It is a companion novel to Dumplin’, which follows supporting characters from the first book in the months after Willowdean’s star turn in the Clover City pageant.  Millie Michalchuk has gone to fat camp every year since she was a girl. Not this year. This year she has new plans to chase her secret dream—and to kiss her crush. Callie Reyes is the pretty girl who is next in line for dance team captain and has the popular boyfriend. But when it comes to other girls, she’s more frenemy than friend. When circumstances bring the girls together over the course of a semester, they will…

  • Book Reviews,  P,  Penaflor, Lydia Day

    All of This is True Book Review

      All of This is True by Lygia Day Penaflor From Goodreads: Miri Tan loved the book Undertow like it was a living being. So when she and her friends went to a book signing to meet the author, Fatima Ro, they concocted a plan to get close to her, even if her friends won’t admit it now. As for Jonah, well—Miri knows none of that was Fatima’s fault. Soleil Johnston wanted to be a writer herself one day. When she and her friends started hanging out with her favorite author, Fatima Ro, she couldn’t believe their luck—especially when Jonah Nicholls started hanging out with them, too. Now, looking back, Soleil can’t…