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Brooke Reviews: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

June 25, 2015 by brooke Leave a Comment

Brooke Reviews: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee AhdiehThe Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Published by Penguin Publishing Group on May 12th 2015
Genres: Love & Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 416
Goodreads
four-stars
A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights. Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi’s wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend. She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

This is an incredibly emotional and beautiful book. Warning: do not begin reading until you’ve cleared your schedule. Must read uninterrupted.

First of all, this book is beautifully written. Seriously, Renee Ahdieh has a way with words – her prose is so, so beautiful. So even if the plot had not been as great as it was, I would have continued reading anyway for the sake of each breathtaking sentence.

Second of all, it’s a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights. If you’re familiar with my reviews, you might know that I’m a huge fan of retellings (when they’re done right). Ahdieh does a spectacular job of bringing the story world to life and giving the story a fresh twist. Her version provides an explanation for the seemingly unnecessary murders of the Caliph’s innocent brides.

Shahrzad is a strong female protagonist. She’s brave and selfless and sharp. Basically, she’s volunteered to sacrifice her life. Shazi believes she’ll be the first to survive. (And she’s right, of course.) She struts around the palace and wields her new title like a weapon and it’s awesome. But she’s also cautious and clever, and so her attempts to extract information from characters like Captain al-Khoury, Jalal, and Despina make the book infinitely more interesting.

Shazi hates her new husband, Khalid, and plots to kill him – that is, until she begins to fall for him. And then she realizes the better course of action would be to discover the reason behind the deaths so she can put a stop to the murders. Through the alternate perspectives and Shazi’s own discoveries, it’s fairly easy to piece together the mystery behind the murders of the innocent brides.

Shazi and Khalid’s romance is slow and sweet. It’s intense. It’s steamy. And there’s built-in tension, because Shazi fears for her life each dawn. Every time she made a witty or biting remark, I applauded but also cringed. Would Khalid be angered or amused by her disrespect? Their mutual stubbornness presented challenges, and also their unwillingness to share their vulnerabilities.

The ending is especially interesting. The cliffhanger (I probably shouldn’t have expected anything less) made me especially anxious for book 2. Can I have it now? Pretty-please?

HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Brooke Reviews: The Heir by Kiera Cass

June 18, 2015 by brooke Leave a Comment

Brooke Reviews: The Heir by Kiera CassThe Heir by Kiera Cass
Published by HarperCollins on May 5th 2015
Genres: Love & Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Goodreads
three-stars
Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series has enchanted readers from the very first page. In this fourth romantic novel, follow Illéa's royal family into a whole new Selection—and find out what happens after happily ever after.Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon's heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn't expect her Selection to be anything like her parents' fairy-tale love story...but as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought. A new generation of swoonworthy characters and captivating romance awaits in the fourth book of the Selection series!

The Heir is the continuation of The Selection series, but from the perspective of the next generation. Princess Eadlyn is the only daughter of King Maxon and Queen America, and she’s also the first female heir to the throne of Illea. She’s spoiled and conceited and sometimes selfish, and she’s fiercely independent. That’s why she’s completely uncomfortable with her parents’ idea of a Selection, even when it’s for the good of her country. Her parents hope the princess’ search for a husband will distract the kingdom from it’s displeasure over the elimination of the caste system.

I liked Eadyn. She could be especially annoying (like her mother! ugh, America!), but I appreciated her acknowledgement of her own flaws and shortcomings. I empathized with her, because she has enormous responsibility and pressure placed upon her as the first female heir. Her struggle with the Selection stems from her fierce independence, and that’s understandable. I understood that Eadlyn only wished to prove she could be a competent ruler without a male partner. She seems to think that dependence on another is a sign of weakness, and that she should only ever be strong and confident and fierce. (She has definite feminist leanings!)

Of course, because Eadlyn thinks she has everything under control, nothing goes according to plan. She undergoes a lot of growth throughout the novel, especially when it comes to accepting her vulnerabilities and learning to open up to both friends and family. She’s so guarded, and she’s scared of letting others in. She’s scared of possibly developing feelings for any of the boys. But she recognizes this, and she wants to change.

I also enjoyed the heavy dose of familial love – Eadlyn has loving, supportive parents, and three sweet, protective brothers. (She’s a twin!) I loved her relationship with her siblings. As for the boys of the Selection, they’re quirky and endearing. It was interesting to read from the perspective of the selector rather than the selected. So far the plot isn’t predictable – the cliffhanger ending took me by surprise. Above all, the book is incredibly entertaining. Very quick read!

 

HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? HAVE YOU READ THE SELECTION? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

 

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Brooke Reviews: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

June 4, 2015 by brooke 1 Comment

Brooke Reviews: Saint Anything by Sarah DessenSaint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Published by Penguin on May 5th 2015
Genres: Friendship, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 432
Goodreads
three-half-stars
Sydney has always felt invisible. She's grown accustomed to her brother, Peyton, being the focus of the family’s attention and, lately, concern. Peyton is handsome and charismatic, but seems bent on self-destruction. Now, after a drunk-driving accident that crippled a boy, Peyton’s serving some serious jail time, and Sydney is on her own, questioning her place in the family and the world. Then she meets the Chatham family. Drawn into their warm, chaotic circle, Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance for the first time. There’s effervescent Layla, who constantly falls for the wrong guy, Rosie, who’s had her own fall from grace, and Mrs. Chatham, who even though ailing is the heart of the family. But it’s with older brother Mac — quiet, watchful, and protective — that Sydney finally feels seen, really seen, at last. Saint Anything is Sarah Dessen’s deepest and most psychologically probing novel yet, telling an engrossing story of a girl discovering friendship, love, and herself.

Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors. She has this incredible talent for writing stories that never fail to move me. I really enjoyed Saint Anything, as it featured all of Dessen’s trademark elements (“Hate Spinnerbait!”). 🙂 Maybe not my absolute #1 of Dessen’s books, but definitely a great read.

I felt like there was a lot going on in this book, and maybe that’s why it didn’t quite capture me the way several of Dessen’s other books have (Just Listen, for example). Sydney is your average teenage girl, except her brother is in jail and she seems to be shouldering the guilt of what he’s done. Her parents are so preoccupied with her brother’s situation that Sydney feels invisible.

So there’s the whole brother-in-jail thing overshadowing everything in Sydney’s life, but she’s also dealing with the unwanted attentions of a much older (and creepy!) boy, a new school, and new friends. She doesn’t feel invisible around the Chatham family. And for the first time, she feels somewhat understood. The Chatham family is by no means perfect, but they’re super close and they truly care for each other. They teach Sydney about what it means to face her challenges and move on. Layla Chatham is hilarious. She brightens this book with all her quirks, including her OCD with french fries. And, of course, there’s Mac, who’s incredibly sweet and knows how to treat a girl.

I thought the romance really took a backseat in this book, but that was okay with me. A romantic relationship was not going to fix what Sydney was going through. Dessen always deals with very real issues in an incredibly insightful and sensitive way, and I really appreciate that.

Again, extremely enjoyable read. Glad to have this on my bookshelf.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Brooke Reviews: Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

May 21, 2015 by brooke Leave a Comment

Brooke Reviews: Stitching Snow by R.C. LewisStitching Snow by R. C. Lewis
Published by Disney Electronic Content on October 14th 2014
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Goodreads
three-stars
Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back—but that’s assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane’s arrival was far from accidental, and she’s pulled into the heart of a war she’s risked everything to avoid. With the galaxy’s future—and her own—in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

So I know we shouldn’t judge books by their covers, but I really think the awesome cover of this book is what grabbed me. And, of course, that it’s a Snow White retelling, because I’m a huge fan of retellings.

I enjoyed many aspects of this book – the futuristic story world, feisty protagonist (princess in hiding!), reluctant romance, similarities to the original fairy tale. The story takes place in space, and Essie is the only girl on the mining planet Thanda because she’s a mechanic. Her seven dwarfs are seven drones, the mining drones she programmed herself and who keep her company. The reader doesn’t know much in the beginning about why Essie is in hiding, but you know it has to be a good reason because Thanda isn’t particularly safe or comfortable.

When Dane crashes onto her planet, I thought the plot would be pretty predictable from then on out. But I give author R.C. Lewis major points for adding interesting twists that made the plot quite the opposite! Both Essie and Dane have interesting backstories. The romance is slow and sweet, and it’s rewarding in the end.

Essie’s lingo was a bit overwhelming – she has this entire vocabulary that takes a while to get used to. Believe me when I say I appreciate good world building, but this was a bit distracting.

I really liked this retelling of the classic Snow White. I think it accomplished what all good retellings should: capture the overall tone/essence of the fairy tale, while giving the original a unique spin.

HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Brooke Reviews: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

May 14, 2015 by brooke 2 Comments

Brooke Reviews: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury USA on May 5th 2015
Genres: Action & Adventure, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 432
Format: eBook
five-stars
A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore. When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin — one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin — and his world — forever. Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

Sarah J. Maas has done it again – completely swept me off my feet. ACOTAR is a beautiful, compelling, and steamy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I absolutely loved it.

If you’ve also read Throne of Glass, I’d be willing to bet that you opened this book with high expectations. I certainly did. I thought it was great that ACOTAR features Maas’ distinct storytelling style, but has a completely different tone/feel than Throne of Glass. The book delves deeper into the realm of the Fae, and Maas has carefully crafted a unique story world and plot.

First of all, I’m a sucker for fairy tale retellings. And I’m quite fond of Beauty and the Beast, simply because Belle is an avid reader. And also because it’s all about focusing on what’s on the inside rather than on outward appearance. I enjoyed following along with Feyre’s story and comparing it to Belle’s. Of course, while there are many similarities, Maas has given the beloved fairy tale a new twist and incredible depth.

And can we talk about Feyre’s absolutely steamy and swoon-y (is that a word?) romance?? There were several scenes (if you’ve read it, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT) that made my heart pound and my cheeks flush. And THAT is a testament to Maas’ skills with pacing and character development.

I care so deeply for each and every character (even Rhysand!), and so when terrible things happened to them it felt like my heart was being ripped to shreds. (Because unfortunately terrible things happen to them. And it’s painful.) What I’m saying is, this book gives you ALL the feels.

The first half of the book is definitely slower-paced than the second half, but I never found myself to be disinterested or bored. I couldn’t put it down. The ending ties things up quite nicely, but there are a few loose ends that raise interesting questions for book 2. Excellent, excellent read. I enjoyed every minute of it (when I wasn’t having an emotional breakdown, that is).

Read the book. And I’ll give a quick shout-out to Throne of Glass, too. 😉

HAVE YOU READ THE BOOK? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS! LET’S CHAT!

 

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Brooke Reviews: Wild Hearts by Jessica Burkhart

May 7, 2015 by brooke Leave a Comment

Brooke Reviews: Wild Hearts by Jessica BurkhartWild Hearts by Jessica Burkhart
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA on May 5th 2015
Genres: Equestrian, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Goodreads
two-half-stars
Brie Carter's father's land development business has taken her family all over the world, but as soon as they arrive at their new home in Lost Spring, Wyoming, the town turns out to protest. They don't want a new hotel if the resident mustang population will be displaced or hurt as part of the deal. Then Brie meets Logan, a gorgeous local who has a special connection to the mustangs, and she is immediately drawn to him . . . and the horses. However, with Logan's father leading the protests and Brie's father refusing to budge, it's clear that their parents are heading towards an all-out war. Can Brie and Logan find a way to save the mustangs and be together? Or is their love doomed from the start? This new title in the If Only line is the perfect summer read and proves that love flourishes in the wildest places!

This e-galley was provided by Netgalley and Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the premise of this book – it had a sort of Romeo and Juliet vibe (feuding fathers!) as well as the horses thing, which sounded promising. But the book didn’t meet expectations, and that’s always disappointing.

Brie and Logan fall for each other pretty quickly. I definitely would have preferred a “slow burn” rather than insta-love. And their relationship is so perfect. I originally thought this was because author Jessica Burkhart was leading up to some dramatic fallout between the two, or some sort of climactic moment involving their fathers’ disagreement, but no such luck. As a result, it didn’t capture my attention like I hoped it would.

Also, I felt like the horses weren’t a huge part of the plot until the second half of the book. And by then, much of the conflict had been resolved.

I did appreciate Burkhart’s exploration of Brie’s character, especially Brie’s evolving perspective on moving so often for her father’s job. Brie also searches for her own “thing,” and it was interesting to see her rally behind a project.

In the vain of the other “If Only” books, Wild Hearts is light and fun – unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Brooke Reviews: The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall

April 9, 2015 by brooke 2 Comments

Brooke Reviews: The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie HallThe Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall
Published by Penguin on January 13th 2015
Genres: Love & Romance, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Young Adult
Goodreads
three-stars
Avery West's newfound family can shut down Prada when they want to shop in peace, and can just as easily order a bombing when they want to start a war. Part of a powerful and dangerous secret society called the Circle, they believe Avery is the key to an ancient prophecy. Some want to use her as a pawn. Some want her dead.

To unravel the mystery putting her life in danger, Avery must follow a trail of clues from the monuments of Paris to the back alleys of Istanbul with two boys who work for the Circle—beautiful, volatile Stellan and mysterious, magnetic Jack. But as the clues expose a stunning conspiracy that might plunge the world into World War 3, she discovers that both boys are hiding secrets of their own. Now she will have to choose not only between freedom and family--but between the boy who might help her save the world, and the one she's falling in love with.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I am a huge fan of mystery, conspiracy, and romance (probably in that order), and this book promised all three. I think it definitely delivered, and yet I just couldn’t get super excited about it.

I liked the characters, but I felt as though I didn’t have enough time to get to know Avery in order to really root for her before she took off to Paris with a stranger. I know it’s fiction, and I know how much Avery wanted to meet her family, but I couldn’t help thinking, girl, he just pulled a knife on you! It was moments like these that made me question Avery’s judgement.

I will say that I really appreciated the travel aspect of this book. Paris and Istanbul sound incredible and I loved the historical details the author weaves into the story along the way. The Circle’s ties to Alexander the Great were particularly interesting.

And whatever Avery was lacking, Jack totally made up for it. I have a huge crush on Jack (maybe it’s his adorable British accent). The romance was adorable, and while there was insta-attraction, there was no insta-love. (Thank you thank you, Maggie Hall!)

The plot moved pretty quickly. I’ll most likely read Book 2. I liked this book, I just didn’t love it.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

I'm Brooke Harrison - I'm a 20-yr-old writer and voracious reader. Welcome to my YA book blog!
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