Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A captivating novel about two sisters fighting for survival in male-dominated Dark Ages Britain that weaves a thrilling spell of magic and myth—from a bestselling author and historian.

In Dark Ages Britain, sisters Isla and Blue live in the shadows of the Ghost City, the abandoned ruins of the once-glorious, mile-wide Roman settlement Londinium on the north bank of the Thames. The native Britons and the new migrants from the East who scratch out a living in small wooden camps in its hinterland fear that the crumbling stone ruins are haunted by vengeful spirits.

But the small island they call home is also a place of exile for Isla, Blue, and their father, a legendary blacksmith accused of using dark magic to make his firetongue swords. The local warlord, Osric, has put the Great Smith under close guard and ruled that he make his magnificent swords only for him so that he can use them to build alliances and extend his kingdom.

For years, the sisters have been running wild, Blue communing with animals and plants and Isla secretly learning her father’s trade, which is forbidden to women. But when their father suddenly dies, they find themselves facing enslavement by Osric and his cruel, power-hungry son Vort. Their only option is to escape to the Ghost City, where they discover an underworld of rebel women living secretly amid the ruins. As Blue and Isla settle into their new life, they find both refuge and community with the women around them. But it is all too fragile. With the ruins collapsing all around them, Blue and Isla realize they can’t elude the men who hunt them forever. If they are to survive, they will need to use all their skill and ingenuity—as well as the magic of their foremothers—to fight back.

Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received Dark Earth, by Rebecca Stott, from NetGalley.  I honestly thought this was going to be a YA fantasy novel.  Instead, this was an historical fiction about two sisters trying to survive in a brutal society where women were either not noticed, or were treated as property.  They had no one to rely on but each other.  

I really liked this book for its portrayal of the two sisters, the feudal society where rumors could kill, and (against all odds) the way women found ways to thrive.  This was a book about survival, but also about claiming one's worth.  Considering the history books have scant accounts of what women's lives were like, the author fleshes out their lives to bring this time period to life.  This was a powerful historical fiction that I really enjoyed.

What I Liked:

Setting/Historical Details:

Although most historical accounts skip over women, the author found ways to bring the time period to life for the reader.  The details of food, clothing, and customs showed how women were always one step away from disaster.  This was the time of the Vikings, where raids were common.  Your village could be a peaceful haven one day, and be razed to the ground the next.  Most inhabitants would be killed.  The "lucky" ones were sold of as slaves.  

There were also rigid roles for men and women.  Isla and Blue's father was a blacksmith who specialized in making magnificent swords.  Women were never allowed to even set foot in the workrooms, as people felt it brought bad luck.  But Isla's father having no sons, secretly allowed his daughter to help him make the swords.  If anyone were to find out, the all would have been immediately outcasts.  This may not seem like a problem, but given the viking raids, there were safety in numbers.

Characters:

Both Isla and Blue have hidden talents.  Isla has learn the skills of her father and can make the special swords that the King and his son covet.  And Blue, has learned how to use herbs for healing.  She also has "The Sight", and can see some of the future.  Both Isla and Blue are smart enough to know that if anyone knew of their skills they might be called witches and killed.  

I loved the relationship between the two sisters.  Although they did support each other, they were not completely honest with each other.  They each had their secrets.  This created tension and mistrust between the two.  Figuring out how they can have an equal relationship, each allowing the other to shine, is what this book was really about.

Story:

The story was revealed in pieces.  There were flashbacks where small details were revealed and had relevance to what was happening.  The mystery of what happened to the girls mother after a Viking raid was a central piece of the story.  But the actual story of survival was riveting.  They constantly had to appear stupid, yet outsmart various men in the story.

I loved that they find other women who are creating a meritocracy, rather than a  patriarchal society.  This was not a story where men swooped in to save the women.  These women saved themselves!  

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  July 19th, 2022

Author:  Rebecca Stott

Publisher:  Random House

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Page Length:  336 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Besides being a compelling account of being a female during the Dark Ages this was an adventure story of survival.  I really enjoyed this book.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

On a bitter cold day, in the December of his Junior Year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn't heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. They borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo a game where players can escape the confines of a body and the betrayals of a heart, and where death means nothing more than a chance to restart and play again. This is the story of the perfect worlds Sam and Sadie build, the imperfect world they live in, and of everything that comes after success: Money. Fame. Duplicity. Tragedy.

Spanning over thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, games as artform, technology and the human experience, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.

Review:

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin, follows the highs and lows of a deep friendship.  Over decades, Sam and Sadie connect and disconnect.  First as children, and then back and forth as adults.  I loved that this story touched on so many themes, from love and friendships, to becoming adults, to what it means to be a woman in the gaming industry.  It all fits elegantly together to form a tapestry of an unforgettable story.  

What I Liked:

Story Structure:

The story is structured as interviews that Sam and Sophie give to media outlets, and as flashbacks.  I loved the style.  It gave the reader clues to future events in the story, putting together different puzzle pieces.  When the pieces fell into place, it was extremely satisfying.

Characters:

Sam and Sadie are very much alike.  Both are genius-level intelligent, and awkward with others.  When they find each other as children, they feel an immediate connection.  But one of the problems that each of them has is that they often read social signals incorrectly.  This often creates friction between them, and leads to them "breaking up" for years on end.  They have a pattern of connecting and then having terrible misunderstandings that leaves both of them exhausted with each other.  Deep down, each of them know they bring out the best, and worst, in each other.  

I also enjoyed many other characters in this book, especially Sam's grandparents, who raised him, and Sam's roommate, Marx.  At first, Marx seems insignificant to the story.  He is Sam's long-suffering roommate and protector.  But Marx becomes an important bridge between Sam and Sadie, as well as their business partner.  I loved how Marx sort of snuck up on the reader and became a pivotal character for both Sam and Sadie.

Themes:

Friendship is the major theme of the book.  Do you have a friend that you haven't talked to in years, but then you call them and it like no time has passed?  It's a comforting feeling, but also one that involves loss.  Why did you lose touch with them in the first place?  What deeper friendship could you have had if you kept them closer?  Sam and Sadie have these moments of deep closeness, and even deeper betrayal.  

I dearly loved the author exploring what it means to be a woman in a field that is dominated by men.  The gaming industry is notorious for treating women poorly.  It has been deeply misogynistic and hostile towards women, discounting their contributions and questioning how they even became part of the gaming world.  Sadie is constantly having to consider how it will look if she make certain decisions.  Will using her former professor's game engine seem like she is incapable of doing great work?  Will it look like a man helped her out?  Will people take her seriously?  Sam never has to face such scrutiny. 

What I Was Mixed About:

Perhaps it was intentional, but Sadie deals with a lot of internal guilt, while the men in the story never do.  Both Sadie and Sam do some pretty awful things, yet Sadie seems to be the only one who feels bad about them.  Her guilt also leads her into destructive behavior that was had to read about.  But, Sam is also no angel.  You never see him even realizing he has something to be sorry about.  Okay, I suppose he does have some guilty feelings, but they are buried DEEP inside. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  July 5th, 2022

Author:  Gabrielle Zevin

Publisher:  Viking Press

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Page Length:  416 Pages

Source: NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This is a story about the video game industry, but also of a friendship that ebbs and flows over decades.  I was entertained, and really moved by this book.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Three weddings. Three funerals. Alessa’s gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, not kill every suitor she touches.

Now, with only weeks left until a hungry swarm of demons devours everything on her island home, Alessa is running out of time to find a partner and stop the invasion. When a powerful priest convinces the faithful that killing Alessa is the island’s only hope, her own soldiers try to assassinate her.

Desperate to survive, Alessa hires Dante, a cynical outcast marked as a killer, to become her personal bodyguard. But as rebellion explodes outside the gates, Dante’s dark secrets may be the biggest betrayal. He holds the key to her survival and her heart, but is he the one person who can help her master her gift or destroy her once and for all?

Emily Thiede's exciting fantasy debut, This Vicious Grace, will keep readers turning the pages until the devastating conclusion and leave them primed for more! 

Review:

When I first read the description of This Vicious Grace, by Emily Thiede, I thought,"Oh no, not another Chosen One saga".  But the beauty of this YA Fantasy novel is that there is so much more going on in it.  For one thing, the main character is one of several Chosen Ones.  Alessa may be the chosen savior of her island, but she is starting to think a mistake has been made.  She is desperately lonely, keeps killing the people she gets partnered with, and others are actively trying to assassinate her.  But, even with a lethal touch, she does finds ways to connect with others.

This story had wonderful world-building with a rich society (somewhat modeled after Italian culture), scary monsters, and an impending apocalypse.  There is also a fun, romance that brings two traumatizes characters together.  With themes of friendship and teamwork, this was an exciting beginning to a new YA fantasy series.  

What I liked:

World-Building:

This story is set in a world where the apocalypse happens on a regular basis.  Every five years, demons descend on the world, and it's up to the Finestra and her partner, the Fonte to destroy them.  Each Island has their own Finestra (basically, there are several "chosen " ones at the same time).  Once a Finestra saves her Island, she can retire, and perhaps train another Finestra some time in the future.  It seems pretty simple.  But, there are all kinds of rules and rituals that Alessa must follow in order to become the savior.

I loved all of the rituals, social customs, and class structures that the author created to make this world come to life.  She also created creatures that are the stuff of nightmares to really give the heroine a strong incentive to keep going.  

Characters:

Alessa is a strong, yet vulnerable heroine.  She has been deliberately isolated from her family in order to hone her gifts.  Of course, they also do this to protect everyone, as one touch from the Finestra can kill.  Since she has accidentally killed her three previous Fontes, she is petrified of failing her country.  

But, nevertheless, Alessa persists.  With people losing faith in her (and others trying to kill her), she could easily give up, but she does not.  She knows that, somehow, she needs to find a new way to become the savior she is meant to be.

Dante is similar to Alessa.  He is an outcast who also has the gift of strength. But with many childhood traumas, he doesn't think he is worth much.  Alessa hires him as her bodyguard, and he begins to see that he is more than what others tell him he is.  I found his story full of hope as he has to reconcile his past with his present.  

Alessa and Dante have a wonderful chemistry, and I loved how they helped each other to reach their full potential.

Friendships & Teamwork:

Much like the messages of friendship that are found in Harry Potter, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Vicious Grace stresses the power of connecting with people and nurturing friendships in order to grow stronger.  I can't say too much more without spoilers, but I love that message.  

Trigger Warning for child abuse.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  June 28th, 2022

Author:  Emily Thiede

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  448 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format: E-Book

Recommendation:  With wonderful world-building and themes of teamwork and friendship, this is a promising start to this series.  If you enjoy fantasy, you will love this book.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

One quiet afternoon in 2037, Joyce Denzell hears a thud in her family’s home library and finds a book lying in the middle of the room, seemingly waiting for her―a book whose copyright page says it was published in the year 2200. Over the next twenty-four hours, each of the Denzell family members discovers and reads from this mystical history book from the future, nudged along by their cat, Plato.

As the various family members take turns reading, they gradually uncover the story of Gabe, Mia, and Ruth—a saga of adventure, endurance, romance, mystery, and hope that touches them all deeply. Along the way, the Denzells all begin to believe that this book that has seemingly fallen out of time and space and into their midst might actually be from the future—and that it might have something vitally important to teach them.

Engaging, playful, and thought-provoking, Hope is a seven-generation-spanning vision of the future as it could be—based on scientific projections, as well as historical and legal precedence—that will leave readers grappling with questions of destiny, responsibility, and the possibility for hope in a future world.

Review:

This is going to be a tough review for me to write.  I think the author of this book, G. G. Kellner, has the best of intentions when writing, Hope: a History of The Future.  Her warnings about the devastating consequences of Global Warming are sincere and heartfelt.  She is presenting a possible future where the world is in chaos.  With rising sea-levels comes flooding of low laying lands.  Higher temperatures mean food shortages, and instability.  And society has completely broken down.

However, there is no actual story in this book.  

What I Didn't Like:

There are two families presented.  In the near future there is Joyce and her blended family.  Joyce finds a book that purports to be a history of the world and that it is written in the year 2200.  The future.  Joyce, and eventually her whole family, read about what happens in the future, and seriously believe this is a magical book that is telling them about what will happen.  It would have been an eerie twist if there had been references to any of the family in the magical book.  If that happened, it would have at least been plausible for the characters to believe this was a real document about the future.  However, this doesn't happen.  All they can talk about is global warming.  You barely get a chance to know who these people are or anything.  They have no other purpose in the story than to react to the book.

In the book Joyce is reading, there is a history of what happens through a diary of someone's great-grandmother.  Again, there is very little character development.  All the characters talk about is climate change.  The main characters in this part of the story go on a long journey on a boat to escape what they fear is happening.  While their tale of survival is compelling, there was very little character development during what would be a life-altering experience.  In their two (or three) year trip, there was zero friction between the characters.  No one got on each other's nerves.  There was no self-doubt about if they were doing the right thing.  I found that to be wildly unrealistic.

Plus, the society that eventually forms out of this is a ridiculous utopia.  There is no money, everyone adheres to a Universal Bill of Rights, and (again) there is absolutely no conflict.  Overall, I found this novel to be preach and heavy-handed.  In a story, the characters have to change over time.  This never happened.  There are other books where climate change is a major theme, but there is an actual story.  Check out Gravity is Heartless by Sarah Lahey.  These books are character driven and are really wonderful.

Rating:  ⭐⭐

Release Date:  April 19th, 2022

Author:  G.G. Kellner

Publisher:  Spark Press

Genre:  Speculative Fiction

Page Length: 336 Pages

Format:  E-Book

Source:  NetGalley

Recommendation:  While it was sincere, this story was too preachy about climate change. I can't recommend it.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Twins imbued with incredible magic and near-immortality will do anything to keep their family safe—even if it tears the siblings apart—in the first book of a mythic epic fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls.

Rhea and her twin brother, Lexos, have spent an eternity helping their father rule their small, unstable country, using their control over the seasons, tides, and stars to keep the people in line. For a hundred years, they've been each other's only ally, defending each other and their younger siblings against their father's increasingly unpredictable anger.

Now, with an independence movement gaining ground and their father's rule weakening, the twins must take matters into their own hands to keep their family—and their entire world—from crashing down around them. But other nations are jockeying for power, ready to cross and double cross, and if Rhea and Lexos aren't careful, they'll end up facing each other across the battlefield.

Review:

It's hard to be original when it comes to fantasy novels.  There are a plethora of books with magical kingdoms, and political intrigues.  But In A Garden Burning Gold, by Rory Power, I found a truly unique plot.  What if powerful families had magic that was needed to maintain life on earth?  The members of the central family in this book, literally make the stars come out at night, and change the seasons.  They hold the ultimate power, and yet they are all too human.  

This novel had complex characters and plots within plots that kept this a page-turner for me.  I really enjoyed the world-building, family relationships, and the story.  The many twists kept this an entertaining book.  This is the first of a trilogy, and I can't wait to read the next installment.  

What I Liked:

World-building:

This is a world filled with magic.  Rhea and her family have magical powers that they used to be stewards of the land.  And also to keep their subject in line.   Rhea's father, Vasilis, is a Stratagiozi, a man with god-like powers.  He has the ability to pass some of his powers onto his children.  Each of his children have certain powers. Lexos, is the caretaker of the stars and tides, Rhea can change the seasons, Chysanthi brings color to the world, and Nitsos creates and maintains the world's creatures.  Vasilis has the strongest powers; he has the power to determine when people die.  They are a formidable family, so it's no wonder everyone wants to keep clear of them.   They also seem to be immortal.

Family Relationships:

Vasilis is a cruel man who likes to belittle his children and pit them against each other.  As Lexos and Rhea are twins, they are closest to each other.  But Rhea knows that Lexos, just like her father, expects Rhea to do as she is told.  Chrysanthi, is their younger sister, and is always cheerful.  She doesn't seem to have any motive other than to keep the peace.  This is hard to do as Nitsos, the youngest sibling, is bitter that his father doesn't see his value.  This causes many arguments and tense moments between the siblings.  

I found the family dynamics to be surprisingly realistic, in a toxic sort of way.  All the siblings want to curry their father's favor.  And their dad, as abusive as he is, just wants to be left alone.  He doesn't really see his children as anything more than puppets. 

Story:

The story is filled with sibling rivalry, plots and sub-plots, and lots of betrayals, as many players compete for power in this universe.  Rhea, who must choose a husband (and later kill him to change the seasons) for the winter.  It's kind of like the Hunger Games. Wherever her next consort comes from, that region will have a prosperous season.  The just have to sacrifice someone to Rhea.  Her father has told her who to choose.  But, for the first time ever, Lexos, wants her to make a different choice.

All of this centers around Vasilis attempt to maintain his hold on power.  The only way other families can take his kingdom, is by killing Vasilis...and his entire family.  So, it's in all the siblings best interest to support their dad, even if he's a jerk.  And there are many factions that would love to see him fall, including Rhea's new consort.  Can she find a way to stop him, and avoid falling in love with him?  

What I Was Mixed About:

Characters:

As much as I enjoyed the relationships between the siblings, I didn't really connect with the characters.  With the exception of Rea's sister Chrysanthi, none of the characters are good people.  Rhea, Lexos, and others betray each other, and kill with no remorse.  Nearly everyone has an ulterior motive, so that no one can be trusted.  This made it very hard to root for anyone.  I did see a lot of growth with Rhea, and loved that she developed a conscience...eventually.  I think in the next book, these characters will have many opportunities to grow. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  April 5th, 2022

Author:  Rory Power

Publisher:  Del Rey

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  432 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A great premise with wonderful world-building, this is a solid beginning to a new fantasy series.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A delight for readers of Where'd You Go, Bernadette and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this blockbuster debut set in 1960s California features the singular voice of Elizabeth Zott, a scientist whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show.


Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with--of all things--her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's unusual approach to cooking ("combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride") proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn't just teaching women to cook. She's daring them to change the status quo.

Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.

Review:

Although I loved Lessons In Chemistry, by Bonnie Gamus, don't expect it to be  a light-hearted romp, like the novel,  Where'd You Go Bernadette,  that is referenced in the description on Goodreads.  This is a novel about a stubborn, woman who persists in her passion for science, in spite of the crushing misogyny of the 1950's & 60's.  There are very funny moments in the book, especially when she takes command of a silly cooking show meant for housewives.  She actually turns it into a show about empowerment and self-worth for women doing the thankless job of taking care of children and home.  But there are also moments of sexual violence, and degradation that are difficult to read.  This is especially true because I just love the character of Elizabeth.  Overall, this was a very worthwhile read, and I highly recommend it.

What I Liked:

Characters:

This is a highly character driven book.  What I mean by that is that the author created these wonderful (and sometimes infuriating) characters and then put them in situations to see what would happen.   

Elizabeth, having no family to speak of, makes her way in the world without the judgement, or guidance, of anyone.  So she sees no reason why she shouldn't be able to do things like be a chemistry major in college, or become a scientist.  She doesn't have the awareness to understand that what she wants is going to be nearly impossible during the 1950's, when the book begins.  Calvin, is similarly clueless.  He has grown up in a boys home for orphans, and also doesn't have a family.  Both Elizabeth and Calvin are genius-level smart, and look at problems without any social context.  But, because Calvin is a man, he is praised for his quirkiness and allowed to do whatever he wants.  But when Elizabeth acts the same way, she is told she's a troublemaker, and immediately shut down.  I was glad they found each other and had a chance at happiness.

The supporting characters fall into one of two groups:  those who perpetuate the status quo, and those who's views are changing.  Every boss in this book definitely is a chauvinist, and sees Elizabeth only in terms of her beauty and what she can do for them.  But, there are also characters who are showing the beginnings of awareness that what is happening to Elizabeth is wrong.  As they get to know her, they rally to support her, creating a kind of alternate family.  I loved this.

Themes:

The book is all about facing injustice head on, even when there is a price to pay.  Elizabeth doesn't seem aware, at first, that there are virtually no opportunities for intelligent women in the workforce, in 1952.  She has a very modern outlook on how things should be.  If she is smart enough to do the work, she should be given the opportunity to do so.  But society has put women firmly in the role of wife and/or mother.  People look at her as unnatural (or even immoral) for not wanting marriage and children.  Some of the people who give her the most trouble, are actually women.  I think these women feel like, if they had to give up on their dreams, all other women should have to as well.  As my mother was in this generation (and also majored in chemistry in college), it gave me a great appreciation for what women faced in this period.  

Story:

I can't go into the story much without giving too much away.  I will say that I loved that there were several little mysteries that we hear about that are resolved by the end of the book.  The story also shows how unpredictable life can be.  Even when we find a safe harbor, it may not last.  Sometimes life changes on a dime, and then we have to pick up the pieces.   

The Dog:

I loved, loved, loved the character of Elizabeth's dog, Six-Thirty.  He has thoughts, dreams, and an immense love of Elizabeth and those around her.  Whenever Six-Thirty was in a scene, I immediately wanted to know what he was thinking.  This is just a wonderful aspect of this book.

Trigger Warning:

This book does include scenes of sexual violence that may be triggering to some readers.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  April 5th, 2022

Author:  Bonnie Gamus

Publisher:  Doubleday

Genre: Historical Fiction

Page Length:  400 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Once you get to know the characters you won't want to put this down.  I highly recommend it.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

You have 24 hours to win. If you break my rules, she dies. If you call the police, she dies. If you tell your parents or anyone else, she dies.

Are you ready?

When Crystal Donavan gets a message on a mysterious app with a video of her little sister gagged and bound, she agrees to play the kidnapper’s game. At first, they make her complete bizarre tasks: steal a test and stuff it in a locker, bake brownies, make a prank call.

But then Crystal realizes each task is meant to hurt—and kill—her friends, one by one. But if she refuses to play, the kidnapper will kill her sister. Is someone trying to take her team out of the running for a gaming tournament? Or have they uncovered a secret from their past, and wants them to pay for what they did…

As Crystal makes the impossible choices between her friends and her sister, she must uncover the truth and find a way to outplay the kidnapper… before it’s too late.

Author of All Your Twisted Secrets, Diana Urban’s explosive sophomore novel, These Deadly Games, will keep you riveted until the final twist is revealed.

Review:

When I read the synopsis of These Deadly Games, by Diana Urban, I was intrigued.  Who doesn't like a good teen thriller?  With subtle hints towards the movie, I Know What You Did Last Summer, I was looking forward to reading this book.  However, I found the plot of this novel to be over the top ridiculous.  Perhaps if there was more awareness from the other characters about why they were being targeted, it would have worked better.  But, as the "game" really only involves one person, Chrystal, it seems strange that she is asked to do so many tasks to ruin her friends' lives.  I didn't buy that she would be that compliant, never questioning what is happening, for a moment.

I certainly can't fault the writing of the book.  The author does know how to move a scene along, creating tension and suspense.  I just thought that the game was ridiculous.  There is even a moment at the beginning of the story where Chrystal says that, while is is terrified for her sister's safety, she is intrigued by whoever is behind the game.  What???  She says that they must be a genius to be able to pull this off.  Really?  If I thought my sister were in imminent danger, I wouldn't be silently congratulating the person who might hurt her.  I found that to be extremely weird. 

Although there were a few moments at the end of the book that did surprise me, I could tell who was behind the game almost immediately.  This was super violent, and had enough plot holes to drive a truck through.  It pains me to say this, but I can't recommend this book.

What I Liked:

via GIPHY

What I Didn't Like:

Plot Holes:

There are so many obvious dead ends and plot wholes to this book.  The whole "game hinges on Chrystal checking her phone during class.  If she hadn't done that, there would have been no way for the plot to move forward.  And since I did believe that the main character, Chrystal was super smart, it made no sense that she didn't realize obvious things from the start.

Finally, there was a whole subplot about domestic violence that added nothing to the plot.  It was not integral to the story or added anything to the backstory of the characters.  All it will do to readers is possibly trigger any teen who has had to witness this kind of violence.

Plot:

The plot of this book is centered around what should be the key question of the main character, Chrystal: who is directing this "game"?  But she doesn't really start to look into this until after she has completed several of the game's tasks.  Wouldn't that be question number one?  The novel does suggest a number of possible suspects.  But no one that she seriously considers has a strong enough motive to physically harm the main character, her sister, or her friends.  Would teens really be that motivated to possibly kill other teens over a video game tournament?  It's not likely.

While I think the author thought themselves to be pretty clever with various tricks about the game, I had serious doubts that Chrystal would be so stumped.  Why is it that she never took a screenshot?  Or didn't think that the phone she was using would be hacked?  I mean, I'm an older person, but even I knew that was happening.  

Also, why wouldn't Chrystal, who was very intelligent, not also immediately try to determine what the end game of the kidnapper was?  As she starts to see what the game is really about, wouldn't she start to see that it was not simply about ruining Chrystal's life, but was about killing her and her friends?  And if that was the case, her sister's life would already be over.  A kidnapper in that situation would not be releasing her sister, ever.  

TRIGGER WARNING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Rating:  ⭐⭐

Release Date: February 1st, 2022

Author:  Diana Urban

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Mystery

Page Length:  416 pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Although this book is aimed at teens, that is no excuse to have a plot that is contrived and filled with situations that were so outlandish as to be unbelievable.  I do not recommend this book.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Hired by families as a last resort, he requires only a single object to find the person who has vanished. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—he’s led to a place many believed to be only a legend.

Called Pastoral, this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it… he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James.

Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot—into Pastoral. Unraveling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.

Hauntingly beautiful, hypnotic, and bewitching, A History of Wild Places is a story about fairy tales, our fear of the dark, and losing yourself within the wilderness of your mind.

Review:

Shea Ernshaw is known for writing complex  characters in unusual settings.  I really enjoyed The Wicked Deep with it's supernatural elements, peopled with characters who had many dimensions.   I mostly enjoyed A History of Wild Places, the author's newest offering.  There were a few supernatural aspects to the story, but it wasn't strictly needed.  This is, at its heart, a novel about how people in power use fear to control others.  No matter how you feel about politics, it's obvious that leaders use this tactic effectively in real life.  This book just presents an extreme example.

What I Liked:

Characters:

I really liked the portrayal of Theo and Calla, and Calla's sister Bee.  These are three characters who love living in Pastoral, but keep secrets from each other that put strains on their relationships.

Although he loves Calla, Theo is restless and wishes he could leave Pastoral.  He starts has some risky behavior that could mean brutal punishment, if he is caught.  Plus he worries that Calla will think he doesn't want to be with her, anymore.

Calla loves the security of Pastoral, but also senses that something is wrong.  She knows that Theo is keeping secrets from her, and wonders:  can we ever really know our spouses?

Bee, Calla's sister, is blind, but freer than most of the people in the community,  People often forget she's there and they speak more freely around her. She then gives the leader, Levi, lots of juicy information that he uses as part of his control of the community.  Why would she do this?  Because Bee is in love with Levi.

Themes:

While the leader, Levi,  preaches that the community is based on creating a strong community, with everyone helping each other, he also peddles a healthy dose of fear to keep his flock in line.  He's even gone so far as to convince everyone that there is a terrible illness just beyond the perimeter of the settlement, and if you leave, even for a moment, you will catch it and die.  He has men monitoring the boundaries with guns.  But are they to keep people with the illness out of Pastoral, or to keep the residents in?

Levi uses fear of the outside, and community guilt, to control everyone.  How can you think of leaving Pastoral and put all your loved ones at risk?  When there is severe discipline for some who push back, Levi makes sure that the community feels that it's necessary, in order to keep everyone safe.  These are obvious parallels to issues we face today, with America's boarders, and even with the COVID pandemic.  

What I Didn't Like:

Use of the Supernatural:

One of the characters can touch an object and know things that happened to the people who touched it.  I've seen this device used well in books like The Diviners, by Libba Bray.  But in this story, the character's ability is rarely used.  It could just have easily been dropped from the story with no difference to the outcome of the plot.

Plot Twist:

While I will not give any spoilers away, I was not impressed with the plot twist in the last part of the book.  It didn't make sense to me.  At.  All.  There could have been many other explanations for the cult leader's hold on his flock.  But the reason given is ridiculous.  I was disappointed, because (again), this was an unnecessary stretch.  Given how strong the psychological manipulation was in the cult, several other, more realistic, reasons should have been given.  

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  December 7th, 2021

Author:  Shea Ernshaw

Publisher:  Atria Books

Genre:  Mystery/Fantasy

Page Length: 368 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Although some of the plot devices may try your reasonable suspension of disbelief, this is a solid thriller about fear among a isolated community.  

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a deeply moving novel about the resilience of the human spirit in a moment of crisis.

Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. The whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.

Review:

Jodi Picoult has written many books, but this is only the second of her novels that I have picked up.  Wish You Were Here, her latest novel, is about how the COVID Pandamic has affected everyone.  Her story centers around a couple, Diana and her boyfriend, Finn as they are about to leave on a dream vacation to the Galápagos Islands.  But, Finn is a doctor and he is told he needs to stay behind to deal with a new illness, CVOID-19.  Diana goes without him.  Neither of them realize that this will change their relationship forever.  As Finn battles to save patients in the hospital, Diana is stuck in paradise.  One would think that Diana got the better deal.  However, would you really want to be far away while your loved ones could be getting sick and dying?  

This was a really entertaining book that addresses the pandemic, head-on.  With wonderful characters and a huge plot twist, I could not stop reading this book.

What I Liked:

Addressing COVID Pandemic:

This is the first novel that really utilizes the COVID pandemic as a major part of the plot.  And, even though this began less than two years ago, it's a good reminder of how wild things were at the beginning.  Suddenly thousands of people in New York and Boston come down with COVID-19, but doctors don't know how to treat it. Hospitals are overrun, people are scrambling to find PPE, and everything is shut down.

In the novel, Diana's boyfriend, Finn, is a surgeon in New York, and needs to spend all his time at the hospital.  Diana, not realizing how this will affect the entire planet, goes on their dream vacation to the Galápagos Islands without Finn.  She is soon stranded on the Island, with no way to get a hold of Finn, and no way to get back to New York.

But, aside from all the inconveniences of the pandemic, the book really focuses on what it was like in the hospital for Doctors, Nurses, and Patients.  One of the characters in the story gets COVID and following their journey, from the brink of death to the recovery, is a stark reminder in just how terrible this illness it.

Characters:

After dealing with a childhood where her mother was unreliable, Diana wants to have a safe, predictable future.  So she passes on opportunities that are creative but not steady.  And although she loves her doctor boyfriend, he really only offer predictability, not excitement.  With her experiences during lockdown in the Galápagos Islands, Diana starts to rethink her life.  

She also must come to terms with her relationship with her often absent mother, a world famous war photographer.  Now that her mother has dementia, Diana tries to look past her childhood hurt, and see her mom as an adult, who had to make difficult choices.

I really liked that Diana used her experiences during the pandemic to take stock of her life.

Finn, Diana's boyfriend, is a doctor on the front lines of the pandemic.  The author does not make Finn out to be some kind of hero, but rather a man experiencing trauma.  No one goes into a career in medicine with the thought that they will treat hundreds of patients who won't make it.   We see Finn's frustration, exhaustion, and (not always positive) coping skills.  While his actions are understandable, he is also selfish in believing he's the only one having a tough time.

Plot Twist:

I will not give the plot twist away.  But I will say there is something that happens in the novel that was completely unexpected, and changes the narrative of the book completely.  Parts of the event were a little hard to buy into.  But, it certainly made me gasp!

Themes:

This book is really about how the Pandemic has forced each of us to assess what their priorities should be.  Are we willing to work at a job that doesn't fulfill us?  Are we willing to settle for predictable (and safe) relationships, or do we want to take more risks?  But most of all, this book make the reader think about keeping connections with our loved ones.  We just don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  November 30th, 2021

Author:  Jodi Picoult

Publisher:  Ballantine Books

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Page Length:  336 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This is a highly thought-provoking, and entertaining novel.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

TESTING DAY IS COMING.

The Genetic Wars that turned most of the planet into a wasteland are over. The so-called “dregs” (DNA regulars) and superpowered Supergenics now live separately from each other—the Supergenics in the shiny towers of Jupitar City; the dregs across the river in the squat concrete buildings of the boroughs. But some dreg parents bear Supergenic children; under repressive laws, they must be sent to live with their own kind.

THEY ARE GEN M.

To find these special few, every teen faces Testing Day. When her turn comes, socially isolated Caitlin Feral is determined to Manifest powers like the heroes in the comic book propaganda she loves. If she fails, she faces a lifetime of loneliness and drudgery in the boroughs.

How much is Caitlin willing to sacrifice to be a supergirl?

When she uncovers dark secrets, does she dare start another war to reveal the truth?

And…who will pay the price?

Find out in Generation Manifestation

Review:

It's been a while since I've read a dystopian YA novel.  And the dystopian world of Generation Manifestation is pretty bleak!  Several books have explored the idea of what it would be like if super-heroes were real.  But, most don't go down such a dark road.  Would people with superpowers be selfless and work to protect others?  Or, would they simply pull a Loki and take over?

via GIPHY

This book encompasses many elements of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and the X-Men.  What ties it all together is the main character, Caitlin, and her two friends, Bradie and Normand.  I enjoyed the world-building, characters, and the story.  There were a lot of twisty surprises in the story that kept me guessing, and made this a page-turner. 

What I Liked:

World-Building:

Generation Manifestation is set in a world where there are Supergenic people with various supernatural powers, and Dregs who do not.  It's a bleak world where the supergenics, who should be heroes, are more like the oppressors.  While they do protect the Dregs from mutated animals, the price they set is too high.  Supergenics get to live in a utopian city, while the Dregs get, well, the dregs.  They live a life of subsistence and dream of one day manifesting into a supergenic.  The Dregs' society is organized by the Protectorate.  This is a police force made up of Dregs who are talented athletes.  They are superhuman, but without the superpowers.   They also seem to have a power trip and are feared among the Dregs.

The author put much thought into how the society of this world would function.  Once a child manifests, they are whisked away to Jupiter City to (presumably) have a wonderful life as a Supergenic.  If you don't manifest be age sixteen, you are considered a Dreg.  Dregs are then put on a career track for menial jobs such as farm worker, garbage collector, techie, etc.  Some Dregs who are very fit, are recruited into the Protectorate.  This is the only path where regular people get a  chance at a better life.

Characters:

Caitlin, the main character has desperately wanted to be a Supergenic all her life.  Kids are tested once a year, and if by the time they're sixteen, if they don't "manifest", they are considered dregs.  When she starts trying out vocational jobs, like farmer, and protector, she realizes just how much privilege the protectors have, and is instantly seduced.  This is so understandable, since she has lived in poverty and near starvation for most of her life.  And being a protector is as close to being a Supergenic as she'll ever get.  But there's also a big price to pay when you have to enforce brutal laws...

Bradie is another proctor recruit, and he and Caitilin  are instantly attracted to each other.  Bradie's older brother is already a protector, so it's natural for Bradie to walk in his brother's footsteps.  But Bradie also has a deep resentment for the Protectorate.  Can he start a revolution and still keep the love of his brother?

Normand is a boy at Caitlin's school how seems rather strange.  He mutters to himself, and is obsessed with technology.  Caitlin starts to hang out with him when he shows her a massive (and illegal) comic book collection. He understands Caitlins obsession with becoming a supergenic.  And he encourages her to use her artistic skills to help him write a comic book.  Normand is a very complicated character, with lots of secrets.  It was fun to find out there is so much more to his character beyond nerdy tech bro.

Story:

While the world-building reminded me a lot of the Hunger Games, I could also so influences of Divergent and the X-Men in the story.  I think the story is about finding your own way to be a super human.  Whether that is by being lucky enough to have superpowers, or just embracing each opportunity, the characters are living fast.  With such an authoritarian regime, it's no wonder.

The story itself is obviously the start of a multi-book series.  We get a lot of backstory about how the Protectorate came to be, and how their society is set up.  I liked that Caitlin is a morally complicated character.  She is not perfect, and has to own up to the fact that while Bradie is incredibly handsome, it Normand who actually gets her.  She fluctuated between using Normand, and actually becoming his friend.

I do wish that some of Caitlin's other relationships, such as with her mother and brother, could have been addressed.  Near the beginning of the story, the mom kicks Caitlin out.  And then we never hear from her family again.  Maybe this is something that will be part of the next book in the series?  I hope so.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  September 14th, 2021

Author:  Steven Bereznai

Publisher:  Jambor

Genre:  YA Dystopian Novel

Page Length:  248 Pages

Source:  Edelweiss

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun, YA dystopian novel.  The twists and turns of the story made this a highly entertaining book.