#book reviews by aiden

[aidenssadagain]

book reviews by aiden

title: Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe

author: Benjamin Alire Sanez

year: 2012

type: YA / coming of age / LGBTQ

2 sentence summary: starting in the summer of 1987, 15 year old aristotle mendoza meets interesting and outspoken dante quintana at the local pool. the story follows the two boys as they grow over the next few summers, their friendship, and their love.

my vibe: hands down one of the best books ive ever read. a huge shout out to the mexican american and lgbtq community, teenagers, and anyone wanting a dreamy adventure. it’s warm and moody, putting you directly in this small texan town. this book haunts you in the best possible way. life changing.

tws: mentions of death, homophobia, transphobia, and mentions of violence

stars: ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9.5/10

i- i really love this book. the representation, the atmosphere… everything. it’s very intelligently written but it has this dreamlike quality that absolutely enamoured me. you come to know and understand ari so much throughout the course of this book, as if youre there living in his life. that level of character development is something i rarely see in books.

keywords: race, etnicity, sexuality, lgbtq, mexican american, coming of age, YA

#book reviews by aiden #aristotle and dante #aristotle and dante discover the universe #aadditwotw #aaddtsofu #ari and dante #queer history #queer books #lgbtq books #lgbtq representation #mexican american #mecican american representation #books and literature #book reviews #writers on tumblr #writing #gay books #bookshelf #readblr

[spellsword177]

Thoughts on Fence: Redemption Part IV

With this conclusion we are now at a very different spot from where we were after Fence: Disarmed. Some things were done better and others not so well. While there was no live fencing this time, we did see some major character development for the King's Row fencing team.

Starting with most intriguing change, it was great to finally see Coach Williams fencing even if it was an incomplete clip of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. There is clearly more to this story, and I'm very interested to see how it all plays out.

Seiji had a decision to make, and Nicholas's meteoric rise in the fencing world inspired him to stick with King's Row. I loved how he's finally starting to see the potential Nicholas represents and what he could do if he just wants it enough. It's amusing his casual wardrobe seems to match the rut he finds himself in. Perfectly put together, but very uncreative and predictable. Some spontaneity wouldn't kill him and might actually give him an edge.

I loved the greater insight into Nicholas's world and the little peek into his friend group before King's Row. It was great seeing Coach Joe again and a good reminder to Seiji that fencing can just be for fun. Love the subtle touch of Seiji wearing his jacket at the park. They are becoming a couple whether they admit it or not. As for Kyle, I don't believe he'll represent as much of a challenge to Nicholas the next time they face off. His reaction is the one I'm most looking forward to when the truth about Nicholas is inevitably revealed.

If there was one thing done better in the novels it was Harvard and Aiden's relationship; I was not so fond of seeing the will they or wont they strung out again between these two. Still, it was great to see Harvard work on himself for once instead of constantly giving his best to other people. Likewise, I did enjoy seeing Aiden help out Seiji for his date.

Bobby and Eugene unfortunately did not get as much development this time around and I would like to see more growth from both of them. I still enjoyed seeing Bobby turning into a bit of the resident detective in uncovering the clip of Coach Williams. Will it lead to Detective Rodriguez uncovering Nicholas's secret? Time will tell.

Overall, this story arch has been great. Nicholas is starting to come into his true potential as a fencer, and Seiji is coming realize Nicholas is the only one who can get him where he needs to be. Harvard might actually start to improve his own weaknesses, and Aiden might have to start picking up the slack by helping the rest of the team. I look forward to the next step in our favorite fencing team's journey to the state championship and victory.

#Fence Comic #Fence Redemption #Part IV #Book Review #Nicholas Cox #Seiji Katayama #Harvard Lee #Aiden Kane #Bobby Rodriguez

[ohnoimonfire]

so i just finished reading Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas and holy shit. i'm in tears. this book literally owns my whole heart.

apart from the incredible trans and queer rep, beautifully written characters, and perfectly detailed storyline, this book is just. amazing. i love it so much.

yadriel's character is written with so much depth and it's just so realistically perfect. i want to write an entire essay about how well written all of the characters are and how much i love julian and maritza but im too lazy

#cemetery boys #cemetary boys #julian diaz #yadriel vélez flores #yadriel x julian #aiden thomas #maritza #books #book review #bookblr

[givemeanexcuseblog]

Reviewing The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

The Sunbearer Trials has been described as Percy Jackson meets Hunger Games. While this is true, the plot can be compared to the two, that description does not do Aiden Thomas' writing justice. As the first book in a duology, The Sunbearer Trials is expected to introduce us to a brand new world; we do not yet know its characters, its civilizations, its myths. There's a lot of pressure on a first book to make us feel things; if it fails, there will be no second book, and the story will go untold. In one page I was captivated by Teo, a Jade semidiós. In a chapter I was transported to his world. And when I closed the book on the final chapter, I was truly annoyed to be returned to my own.

One of the marks of a great writer is the suspension of disbelief; a reader should wholeheartedly believe that, in the context of the story, what they are reading is possible. Thomas' success in this regard is nothing short of awe inspiring. Reading this book, I felt as though I could take one step in our world and the next into Reino del Sol. The story takes you from one side of their nation to the other, describing each city the semidioses visit in such exquisite detail. Everything about their culture, from the natural and manmade landscapes, to the people themselves are a technicolor masterpiece in my mind's eye!

Thomas brings light to underrepresented communities, drawing the reader into a beautiful, vibrant world. Their characters are complex; even those who have been preparing for the trials their whole lives are still children. They're fighting for their lives when they should be home in their parents arms, and they know it too. The world building is solid, the mythology is captivating and believable, and I am left aching for the sequel.

Go to https://www.aiden-thomas.com/the-sunbearer-trials to meet the competitors! Those trading cards are stunning!

#the sunbearer trials #sunbearer trials #aiden thomas #book review #book reviews #young adult #fiction #Mexican fantasy #fantasy #novels #fantasy novels #duology #where's my damn sequel???

[travelingviabooks]

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: fiction, fantasy, lgbtqia+, romance, young adult

Country: USA

Review:

I liked this book. All of the characters were loveable and well written. I liked the story overall. But for some reason, I didn’t fall in love with this book the way that I wanted to. Maybe because I found myself predicting everything that was happening. I’m really not sure because this is honestly a great book. I liked everything about it and I will be reading the sequel.

Would I recommend this book?: Yes

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #cemetery boys #Aiden Thomas

[ninsiana0]

Read THE SUNBEARER TRIALS by Aiden Thomas if you like mythology, tournaments, children bearing the brunt of their parents' sins, trans narratives, superpowers, birds, generational wounds, the power of friendship, obstacle courses, tender queer dynamics, candy, gods walking among us, and questioning power.

#THE SUNBEARER TRIALS #Aiden Thomas #the sunbearer duology #book #books #bookreview #book review #bookish #bookworm #booknerd #book recommendation #book recommendations #bibliophile #read #reads #reader #readers #reading #readmore #readingismagic #booklover #booksoftumblr #readersoftumblr #trans books #trans representation #trans author #queer books

[thatpunkmaximoff]

Story: 4 out of 5 Smut: 4 out of 5

Who told me to read this book? Lol. I thought I was just in for an ex con railing a widow. I was not expecting a paranormal romance. There was so much heartbreak, and when the ghost came to the realization that they were the ghost.. oh my god.

I… I don’t have much to say. It was a damn good book, but I just… I don’t know.

Enjoy my ramblings, but head's up.. they're super spoiler-y..

* Mysterious mail showing up..? No thanks.

* “I’ll wait forever if I have to.” — umm, wtf?! Who in prison is being creepy af?

* Why would you reply?! 😂

* Okay so her house is spooky af 👀

* “I can still taste your skin.” — who the fuck is this Dante guy?!

* Purple splotches encircling her neck? One looks like a thumb? Is she being haunted?!

* Why do I get a feeling Aiden isn’t.. Aiden?

* Oh damn. Aiden is bold lol. He wants to bone Kayla and flat out told her.

* The words coming out of Aiden’s mouth rn.. holy shit 😏

* So she runs to Aiden when she thinks someone broke into her house. She totally wants to bone.

* Goddamn. Aiden can fuck 👀

* Now there’s a creepy man down by the tree watching Kayla? I thought I was in for straight up smut.. not some thriller/horror shenanigans.

* So the house is haunted. Cool. 👀

* She wasn’t smiling in her wedding photo to Michael and it appears as if her arm was bruised in the pic? Was Michael abusive and the wreck she mentioned earlier (the reasoning the gave for the bruises on her neck before) do something to her memory?

* GHOSTS?! Wtf is going on 😂

* Aiden and Kayla are some kinky fuckers 😏

* “If you decide this isn’t what you want, promise me you’ll end it before I fall in love with you.” // “I promise.” // “Good. But so you know, you don’t have much time.” — Jesus.. this man..

* is Aiden Dante?! I’m so fucking confused lmao. These ghosts are throwing me off.

* Oh damn. Aiden told her to get clarity and until she found it, he was gonna give her space 😬

* Well that tarot was ominous as fuck. Wtf happened in her past?! What is she blocking out?

* So little ghost boy sees Kayla and freaks? I’m gonna fucking riot if it turns out Kayla is dead and just doesn’t know it. Like her housekeeper said, some ghosts are confused. Especially if they died a tragic death. Like her husband. But what if it wasn’t her husband who died or was the only one who died..? 🥺

* SO DANTE’S THE GHOST?!

* I love Claire. Very chismosa lol

* Omg. This ghost wants revenge. What if it’s Aiden it wants revenge on? What is Dante is Aiden’s dad that he apparently killed?! Wtf is going on?!?!?!

* What… her detective friend is dead? Does that mean he’s the ghost..?

* No… no, no, no. Kayla’s not the ghost. She can’t be. No.

* Holy. Shit. What the fucking fuck.

* “Hey, bunny, did you miss me?” — 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

* Well at least they got to torture Michael in prison 🤷🏻���♀️

#pen pal #j.t geissinger #jt geissinger #book review #kayla reece #aiden leighrite #dante #bookworm #paranormal romance

[scorbleeo]

Book Chat: Twisted Kingdom

Royal Elite (Book 3) by Rina Kent

Source: Google Images

The kingdom isn’t supposed to fall.

The truth screws you over before it sets you free. Masks drop. Secrets unravel. Elsa’s race after the past blinds her from the present. I’ll fight for her. I’ll bring her back. I’ll protect her even if it’s the last thing I do. We made a promise. She’s mine. Are you ready for one final game, sweetheart?

Source: Goodreads (2020)

At Least I Did Not Hate This One

You might not know this but my reading experience for Deviant King and Steel Princess were absolutely horrible, I went from speed reading to hate reading them. I think I've said it and I will continue to say this, Aiden and Elsa's story did not need 3 books. It was absolutely unnecessarily dragged on into a trilogy and that really pissed me off.

It really confused me too, not in terms of context but more of how Kent writing made me feel. At times, I thought her writing was acceptable and then I read her smut or the way she wrote Elsa (specifically when she's with Aiden or Aiden related) and... I really could not enjoy it. It was tough to get into the story because of that, but other times, I found myself being pulled into the story so easily. There's just something about the way Kent wrote Aiden and Elsa's love story that I simply could not enjoy and I repeat, it was not how the story played out but how it was written.

Why? Because I thoroughly enjoyed reading when Elsa reunited with her family. Or that dinner scene with Aiden, Levi and Jonathan. Like I mentioned in a previous review, I don't hate Aiden and Elsa, but when you put them together under Kent's writing, I hate which is ironic because she created them.

At the end of the day, I am just glad I did not finish their story hating it. I am quite pleasantly surprised I enjoyed most of Twisted Kingdom as well. This is definitely, a 100%, the best book in Aiden and Elsa's trilogy.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

More on the Royal Elite series here: Cruel King (#0) | Deviant King (#1) | Steel Princess (#2)

#book review #twisted kingdom #royal elite #rina kent #aiden king #elsa steel #rina kent universe

[mistwraiths]

5 stars

Aiden Thomas is becoming one of my favorite authors releasing another gem! If you love magical competition or just amazing LGBTQ+ representation, or love Mexican-inspired mythology, this is THE book for you.

I also loved how modern this book was but kept itself being too overloaded with references. The magical competition was great in every aspect along with finding the rankings and such. The weird going-ons were hinted among the story and paced really well.

The characters, the friendships, is what makes his books so special. Niya, she's such a loyal good friend, a golden retriever character if you will. Teo and Niya taking Xio under their wing is so heartwarming. Aurelio is a more quiet character, one you want to be like DO MORE!!! but also you understand he does what he can. He isn't responsible for some people's words or actions. He's only ever responsible for his own actions and he's amazing. Also, his closeness with his sister!

The true gem is Teo. I LOVE him and I so rarely love a main character these days so fully. Huemac's words to Teo perfectly summed up exactly why I love him. Although I'll admit he sometimes is a little hot under the hood quickly, it's never for bad reasons.

The ending did go a little too long imo. I think the whole gift giving part could have waited until book 2 because now when I read it I'm going to completely forget what they were given. It should have stopped after the big reveal and the prior contestants save for Aurelio, Teo, and Niya falling into darkness.

The sacrifice of the loser never QUITE sat right with me. Sol never chose to sacrifice anyone else. It should be voluntary or at least it should be the winner. That feels more aligned with Sol then the winner killing the loser. We also didn't learn much about Paloma so I hope we learn more.

Can't WAIT for the second book!

#the sunbearer trials #aiden thomas #steph's book review #steph reads #book review #2023 reads

[aidenssadagain]

book reviews by aiden

title: Lord of the Flies

author: William Golding

year: 1954

type: classic / "childrens book" (apparently)

2 sentence summary: A group of young boys explore and try to survive after their plane crash-lands on a wild island. Here they are pushed to their limits, and unwillingly learn just how capable they are of violence.

my vibe: boys go batshit insane on an island. thats all you gotta know. the idea and symbolism behind it is pretty good but the whole setup is mediocre at best. honestly i hated reading it, but hey! another classic down.

tws: violence, death of people and animals, plane crash

stars: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

i didnt really like it at all, and the ending seemed cheap

keywords: classic, death, shipwreck, plane crash, survival, violence, jungle

(let me know if theres a book i should read and review)

#book reviews by aiden #lord of the pies #classical literature #classics #books #book reviews #bookblr #readers on tumblr #reader reviews #reviewers on tumblr #reading

[bookishlyvintage]

The Sunbearer Trials, Aiden Thomas [thoughts]

#book review #book look #the sunbearer trials #aiden thomas #queer lit #trans rep #lgbtq #pride month #mini review #bookstagram #bookblr #booklr #fantasy #ya fantasy #hunger games #mythology #ootd #vintage #cozy read

[certainbookopinions]

My Top 4 YA Fantasy/Science Fiction Novels

Everyone just wants to escape sometimes. Whether that be to a world where everyone has superpowers, to a mystical retelling of their childhood fairytales, we all just want to get away. The following are a list of the 4 Best Young Adult Fantasy Novels that suck you into their vibrant world at the turn of a page! 

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

    Fairies are a staple in one's childhood. Stories of Tinkerbell and her friends, The Fairy Godmother from Cinderella, Puck from a Midsummer Night's Dream, and even the Sugar Plum Fairy all assisted in illuminating my childhood.    However, the Fae in Holly Black's The Cruel Prince turned my perception of a typical "fairy" on its head. Instead of sparkles, glitter and shiny, glowing wings, we are thrown into the world of Fae: Brutal beings with god complexes, all ruled by a corrupt monarchy.     Jude Duarte, a mortal girl has been whisked off to live in the land of the Fae along with her twin sister Taryn and her half-sister Vivienne. Not a single day goes by that the Fae let her forget that she is merely mortal. That she is not a Faerie and will never be one, constantly inferior to the immortal, all powerful Faeries, and Jude despises this.     Jude's one and only goal is to be better than the Fae, not equal. And she will do whatever she can to make this happen. Including being right at the centre of the crowning of the new Fae king.  

Truly, this is a story that keeps you on your toes. All the characters in this novel are morally grey people, therefore allowing for dark twists and turns throughout the story. Adventure, self-discovery, drama, heart-break and even enemies to lovers! A high recommendation!

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

elitist Silvers in her country, the people that created the wide gap between them and the poverty stricken and harnesses elitist Silver type of powers, she knows that this may change the trajectory of her whole society. 

Though Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen seems like a typical story, be assured that it is absolutely not. Rather than a linear plot line, this book goes from high to low within a few pages. And all of it is a plot. A plot in attempt to save a precariously stacked hierarchy. Marriages to create political ties, alliances to sever what is the "norm". 

And a plan to topple the hierarchy entirely?

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan, and how he whisked Wendy, John, and Michael Darling to a the wonderful island of Neverland, where no kid ever has to grow up!    However in this retelling, Wendy and her brothers go missing. Six months later, Wendy reappears. Only Wendy. Not a hint of Michael or John since they went missing with Wendy five years prior. Th

e town, the police, even Wendy's parents accepts her amnesia, and the thought of finding John and Michael alive is a distant hope; everyone is moving on with their lives. 

Until kids in the town start going missing again. And Wendy almost runs over a young man with her car. 

She quickly realizes that this young man, Peter, may be the key to finding out what is happening to the children of her town, as well as what happened to John and Michael. 

    Though, maybe, the reality of events is much more dark than Wendy had ever originally guessed...

s someone who adores the story of Peter Pan, this is a phenomenally dark retelling of a childhood story, as well as a much more realistic one. Aidan Thomas illustrates realistic effects of the trauma that Wendy has endured, as well as the internal battles with her own subconscious amazingly, whilst exploring the unique dynamic between Wendy and Peter. 

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Humanity has done it: Finally conquered death. 

No one dies of natural causes anymore. The only people that can take life are Scythes, and they do this to keep the population under control.     Citra and Rowan are two kids, forced to learn how to be Scythes, and compete for the role of one at the end of the following year.     Neither of them wants this. But the one who doesn't win, dies.     However, both Citra and Rowan quickly realize that the Scythe world is full of corruption. Scythes that Glean (kill) in mass amounts, Scythes that kill in 

unbelievably cruel ways, Scythes that enjoy killing.

Both Citra and Rowan are terrified of becoming them. 

The character development of each character in this novel was absolutely amazing. 

Rowan was less typical of a main character than Citra in the way that you could feel him second-guessing himself, his pangs of guilt and his internal conflict throughout the novel, whilst with Citra, it was explicitly stated. His journey and character arc throughout the novel was extremely satisfying. 

#book reviews #book recommendations #fantasy #science fiction #YA fantasy #YA science fiction #neal shusterman #scythe #trilogy #the cruel prince #books #holly black #lost in the never woods #lost in the neverwoods #Peter pan #Aiden thomas #red queen #Victoria aveyard #red queen series #novels

[kitsuneheartreviews]

YA Fantasy: “The Sunbearer Trials” by Aiden Thomas

Second novels are notoriously tricky, but Aiden Thomas has given us something EVEN BETTER than "Cemetery Boys."

For eons, semidioses have competed in various trials to prove their worth and be proclaimed the Sunbearer. They will bring the recharged energy of the sun, created through human sacrifice, to all the cities of the world. And the sacrifice? That's the semidios that loses the competition. Competitors are mostly children of Gold gods, but occasionally children of the minor Jade gods are selected. Our narrator, Teo, is a Jade goddess's son, and the best he can hope for is to just place second-to-last and survive. Until...he starts to win. And he begins to wonder if he might be the first Jade semidios to become the Sunbearer.

One worldbuilding thing that keeps sticking in my head: how non-human characteristics might play a role in someone's gender identity and gender dysphoria. Teo, our narrator, is a trans man. He wears a binder, but not how you'd expect. Teo has already had top surgery, but his WINGS did not transition as he did. They're plain brown, not the vibrant green and blues of a quetzal bird. But, as you can see form the book cover, that doesn't stay through the whole book.

I also love the inclusion of sign language, and while I'm just a student and not actually Deaf or a CODA, it seems like it was portrayed respectfully. Sign language seems to actually be quite common in the world Aiden built, as many high-status characters are able to sign with the Deaf semidios without a translator. Teo cannot, but there's almost always a translator nearby. And Desi isn't generally held back in the trials by his deafness, remaining a strong, sometimes even dangerous, opponent through the whole book.

The romance in the book is small, tentative, worthy of a first book in a series. Nothing overwrought, and there's childhood memories together to make it more believable. I'm way behind this ship, and I hope that fandom churns out some good fanfic to keep me sated until book 2 is released!

Pan Dulce is a delight. Best goddess.

I anticipate this being a runaway hit!

Advanced copy provided by the publisher.

#book #book review #ya #fantasy #the sunbearer trials #aiden thomas #transgender #queer #lgbt #mary downing hahn #review

[ghost-town-story]

It feels a little bit like giving up, but it’s been 3 years and several important plot/voice changes, so.....

*moves “full of unwarranted confidence” from Currently In Date folder to Out Of Date folder*

*opens a new word doc*

Wish me luck, and rip to unwarranted confidence. Truly, you were full of unwarranted confidence for a full draft lol

#writing #shitposting #the astral chronicles #i KNOW i said i was gonna write fanfic and i still probably will #but also #watching/reading reviews for *ahem* certain books brings out the petty spite in me #so i'm back on my astral bullshit at least for a few hours #i've just been wanting to rewrite the first arc since i changed aiden's voice and..... might as well just do it

[the-thimble-reader]

#bookish #lost in the never woods #peter pan #peter and wendy #aiden thomas #ya fantasy #summer books #summer reads #book blog #booklr #bookblr #book review

[tcplnyteens]

Cemetery Boys By Aiden Thomas

This captivating page-turner, filled with magic and murder, is told from the perspective of a transgender teen who longs to be accepted by his magical family. In Yadriel’s family most people have magic, but the magic is segregated by sex. Men communicate with and raise the dead, women heal. Instead of allowing Yadriel to perform men’s magic, they expect him to do women's magic.  But Yadriel knows that he can communicate with the dead, and if he is allowed to do this “men’s” magic, to him that feels the same as his family accepting his gender. 

To prove that he has this ability and to become a Brujo himself, he attempts the final act of initiation… (drum roll please) to summon a ghost. Trouble is, he summons the wrong ghost, a murdered boy who then refuses to leave. Yadriel then finds himself caught up in a complicated scheme of multiple murders that he has to solve.

Cemetery Boys is set in Los Angeles with a wonderful twist of dark magic without creating an overall gloomy feel. I would describe the book as a fantasy set in the real world, without quite crossing over into magical realism. It has interesting characters, an engaging plot, and well rounded lgbtqia+ representation. I could not put it down, was racing to finish it, but was sad when it was over.  One of my favorite things from this book was seeing the diversity of personalities and backgrounds in the different characters. I was laughing out loud reading their dialogue and felt like I was in the story with them. I would re-read this, something I don't often consider. I would recommend it for ages 13+.

-Ayu

#ya fantasy #book review #library #tcpl #aiden thomas #lgbtq romance #murder mystery