Does anyone know where I can buy the new US covers for the Graceling series, illustrated by Kari Huang? They are GORGEOUS. I’m in the UK but I need them.
I don’t trust bookdepository because they just send whatever cover they have on hand, despite showing a different one on the site. So even if I think I’m buying the new US covers, I’ll probably get something else. :/
Advice welcome!
So I started the group chat, it’ll be an online only bookclub, no physical meets. Now I’m waiting for y'all..
Chimera’s Fire (Project Chimera #1)
BY S.H. STEELE
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
It’s difficult to put this book into words.
At times I was totally immersed – it was fast-paced and entertaining – then, a spelling error, or a grammar error would knock me out of the hypnosis. It was a shame, because otherwise the book flowed well. There wasn’t a sentence that felt out of place – save for the odd sleezy…
“Power does not transform you, he’d said. It only reveals you.” (Lore, Alexandra Bracken)
Yes, I am nonbinary, yes I project on Marcus, yes I exist.
Well to be fair with me, I didn’t read a lot of (typical) YA novels when I was YA. Well… if I had to count them I wouldn’t do it in numbers.
….Twilight. That’s it. 2 when Harry Potter counts but I stopped after book 5 because of reasons
“Although as adults, we lose access to Neverland, it is a place that we know all too well. We cannot land, but we hear the sound of the surf because we have been there, and our journeys have shaped the waking world that we know. Yet as we have seen throughout The Dark Fantastic, Neverland can be problematic when not all children, youth, and young adults can land on its shore.”
-Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, The Dark Fantastic
Page Count: 320
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Release Date: February 9th 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Marty arrives in London with nothing but his oboe and some savings from his summer job, but he’s excited to start his new life–where he’s no longer the closeted, shy kid who slips under the radar and is free to explore his sexuality without his parents’ disapproval.
From the outside, Marty’s life looks like a perfect fantasy: in the span of a few weeks, he’s made new friends, he’s getting closer with his first ever boyfriend, and he’s even traveling around Europe. But Marty knows he can’t keep up the facade. He hasn’t spoken to his parents since he arrived, he’s tearing through his meager savings, his homesickness and anxiety are getting worse and worse, and he hasn’t even come close to landing the job of his dreams. Will Marty be able to find a place that feels like home?
As Far as You’ll Take Me pairs a heartfelt coming-of-age story with a sweet summertime romance. The novel follows Marty, a teen oboe player who travels to London to escape the confines of his disapproving parents and conservative town who have kept him in the closet. Phil Stamper has a way of transporting you right into the story. As Marty journeyed across Europe with his newfound friends, I felt like I was right alongside him. The cast of characters that Stamper illustrates is so endearing while still feeling real and authentic. Stamper writes about growing up as a young gay teen in a town where your sexuality is not validated through a thoughtful, authentic tone. He weaves important narratives about sexuality, friendship, and first-time romance in one thoroughly entertaining book. A relatable, inspiring, and charming symphony of a story!
-Elyse B.
I absolutely loved Phil Stamper’s As Far As You’ll Take Me. The dialogue was crisp, the characters were complex and I felt as though I was on Marty’s raw and vulnerable coming-of-age journey with him. While the book has the set-up of a classic cheesy rom-com, Stamper manages to twist it into something unique, hilarious and ultimately, real. Set against the beautiful backdrop of England, this story is both sweet and meaningful. I would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys books like Simon vs the Homo-Sapiens Agenda.
-Christina P.
I’m thinking of starting a book club focused on african literature…
So if the idea sounds good to you, then dm
my March TBR I’m going to read the Shadow and Bone Trilogy and the Six of Crows Duology! why? Because Shadow and Bone is going to be a show on Netflix, dropping in April! so I thought it read the books beforeseeing the show! I’m also going to dedicate all of April as Grisha April where I will be doing Grisha themed videos!
Review of Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare
Lady Midnight has to unexpectedly be one of the most wholesome stories I’ve come to read in a while. Still, the mystery and drama and angst were without the shadow of a doubt *insert chef’s kiss*. The characters were such an incredible surprise! I found them to be so real and interesting. I loved to notice how far Cassandra Clare’s writing style has come, letting us understand each character and their deepnesses better. I think it’s necessary that I state how much I loved Emma Carstairs, she was beautiful! I loved how she was like the best fighter and the warrior and like a fantastic badass girl who still had a heart of gold for all those she loved. I loved her! Then, there was Julian, who earned my heart and respect. My poor baby, he deserved so much better, but at the same time I was so happy to see that he wasn’t anyone’s fool, and how clever and cunning he was when it was needed. The Blackthorns deserve happiness as a whole, I just wanna protect them; all the time I read I could feel the love they had for each other. For me, it’s pretty obvious that the main theme of TDA is the importance of family. The representation and diversity made me so happy. I smiled when I read the nods and references to the other sagas, like when Emma said that parabatais should be ready to throw their hands into the fire for each other, aka my pure Will! And Jem & Tessa! Everytime I read their names I just smiled. The plot was simple but still allowed space to whimsical stories, fun moments packed with action, cool locations and a surprisingly strong villain, which I did not see coming. Political speaking, it was what our generation needed. The Clave isn’t fair, its politics aren’t fair, it is corrupt and most of the time to do the right thing you have to go against it and I loved how the characters in this book didn’t even blink and were aware of this all the damn time! Like “Lex malla, lex nulla”. Lady Midnight somehow managed to be funny, cute, wholesome, full of mystery and everything I didn’t know I wanted, all at once.
Mini review time! Check out my thoughts on two recent YA books from Penguin: Lock the Doors by Vincent Ralph and The Sad Ghost Club by Lize Meddings #bookreviews
It’s time for some more mini reviews! Both of these young adult titles were sent to me by Penguin in exchange for an honest review, and they’re both a little different from what I usually read. I read these both last month and wanted to share my thoughts!
Lock the Doors by Vincent Ralph
Publication date: 04 February 2021
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Tom’s family have moved into their dream…
“Maybe we’ll meet in the next life,” Junu said softly.
“I don’t want to wait that long.”
“I’ll make it worth the wait. I promise.” Junu smiled. “In the next life, I’ll work my hardest to be a person worthy of you.”
Somin shook her head, but she didn’t say anything; instead, she held onto him. “Just being yourself makes you worthy.”
Now Junu felt the burn of tears behind his eyes, but he held them back.
“If I’d known it would make you say such nice things, I’d have gladly sacrificed my soul earlier.”
That made Somin choke out a laugh. “Of course you would say something absolutely ridiculous at a time like this.”
Kat Cho, Vicious Spirits