Please Note: I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher's "First In Line" program. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Alice doesn’t believe in
luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for
some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his
eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of
something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their
astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything
changes.
At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially
since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice
won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a
year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not
long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts.
Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as
they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf
opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a
curse than a windfall.
As they try to find their way back to
each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have
imagined . . . and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love
sometimes intersect.
Review:
With books such as This Is What Happy Looks Like, and The Statistical Probability Of Love at First Sight, Jennifer E. Smith is the queen of YA romcom. Her reign continues with Windfall, a story of how we meet the challenge of life constantly changing. I found most of her book to be charming and fun.
What I Liked:
Plot:
What would happen to you or your best friend if they won the lottery? Would they go crazy and party, or find ways to spread the wealth?
via GIPHY
This is such a fun part of the book because I think winning the lottery is something most people daydream about.
But, of course, there are downsides to suddenly having tons of money, and the book show that, as well.
Characters:
Al (short for Alice) has lived in Chicago with her cousin, Leo, ever since her parents died in California when she was small. Even though she claims she doesn't believe in luck, she feels a bit cursed. She longs to get accepted into Stanford so she can go back to California, where she thinks she will finally feel complete.
I liked Al's character. She struggles with her competing emotions about college and possibly moving far away from Leo, and her crush, Teddy. This is a book about figuring out what is most important to you: friendships and family, or chasing a memory. I liked that she didn't have it all figured out. I mean, what eighteen-year old does?
Teddy is the luck winner of the lottery. At first, he seems like the dim-witted jock everyone thinks he is. He makes mistakes with his money right and left. But, as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Teddy must become a mature adult, quickly.
Leo is Al's cousin, and Teddy's best friend. At first, I was annoyed because he seemed like a token gay character. There wasn't much to him other than being the gay friend. But that changes as Leo's character develops. He also must decide if he should go to his boyfriend's college or the school he really wants to attend. Many teen couples wrestle with this dilemma. I loved that the author gave Leo a real set of problems to figure out, and didn't just leave him on the sidelines.
What I was mixed about:
Okay, I will say, upfront, that I have a California bias here. But one of the big issues in the book is whether Al should go to Stanford or Northwestern University. I was taken aback that Al would have any doubts about going to Stanford, even with her worries about leaving her family and friends behind (that's what Skpye's for).
In many instances the two schools are quite similar. They both have a medium-sized population of around 8500 students, and cost about the same (around $50,000). However, according to U.S. News & World Report, Stanford is the #5 school in the country, while Northwestern is ranked #12. The acceptance rate for Stanford is just 5% (12% for Northwestern). It is a school that is practically miraculous to get in to! If one gets accepted to Stanford, they ARE going to Stanford.
If I have offended any Midwesterners who are are Northwestern Alumni, please forgive my passion.
via GIPHY
I think one's decision would really depend on which school had the better program for their major, but I don't think that was ever mentioned in the book (or if it was, it was in passing).
Tired Trope:
I also am a little tired of the girl being in love with her best guy friend, device:
Oh, if only she had the guts to tell him, he would realize he loved her all along.
While it was an essential part of the story, I wish there had been a twist to it.
For all my whining, these complaints were actually only mildly annoying. This was overwhelmingly a joyously fun book. Who wouldn't mind daydreaming about winning millions while still in high school!
Rating:
Release Date: May 2nd, 2017
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Random House "First In Line" program
Format: Paperback book
Recommendation: A fun, daydream of a YA book.
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Please Note: I received an advance reader's copy of this book from the Random House "First In Line" program in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From GoodReads):
Sixteen-year-old Anna
Arden is barred from society by a defect of blood. Though her family is
part of the Luminate, powerful users of magic, she is Barren, unable to
perform the simplest spells. Anna would do anything to belong. But her
fate takes another course when, after inadvertently breaking her
sister’s debutante spell—an important chance for a highborn young woman
to show her prowess with magic—Anna finds herself exiled to her family’s
once powerful but now crumbling native Hungary.
Her life might well be over.
In
Hungary, Anna discovers that nothing is quite as it seems. Not the
people around her, from her aloof cousin Noémi to the fierce and
handsome Romani Gábor. Not the society she’s known all her life, for
discontent with the Luminate is sweeping the land. And not her lack of
magic. Isolated from the only world she cares about, Anna still can’t
seem to stop herself from breaking spells.
As rebellion spreads
across the region, Anna’s unique ability becomes the catalyst everyone
is seeking. In the company of nobles, revolutionaries, and Romanies,
Anna must choose: deny her unique power and cling to the life she’s
always wanted, or embrace her ability and change that world forever.
Review:
I am so grateful for my habit of being early to book events! Last June, I was extremely early to the B'Fest event at Barnes & Noble, which garnered me the prize of being in Random House's "First In Line" program. Throughout the year, I have received wonderful book mail. Last week, I was sent The Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves. It was an entertaining start to a fantasy series, filled with worlds of magic, and intrigue.
What I Liked:
Characters:
Anna, the main character, meets various people in the novel, who one might write off as minor players. As the book progresses, these characters are developed and we see there is more to them than meets the eye.
I particularly enjoyed the character of Grandmama, Anna's Hungarian grandmother. She is someone who always believes in Anna, even when her granddaughter does reckless things. I liked that Anna had at least one person who loved her unconditionally.
In fact, there are several people in the book who care for Anna. It takes most of the book for her to appreciate that people show their love in many ways.
Plot:
The main premise of the book is that Anna's only magical ability is to break spells. All magic in Europe is in a reservoir called The Binding. I thought it was a great analogy to the very real divide between rich and poor in the world. Should magic be controlled by elites, or should it be available to whoever has magical abilities? Who gets to decide? In this book, an organization called The Circle, controls access to magic. But the winds of rebellion are stirring...
The Binding:
Throughout the novel, different people either want Anna to break The Binding or want to control Anna so she won't break it. When she does enter The Binding, Anna finds a world filled with both nightmare creatures and beings who would be helpful to people. Her guide in The Binding is Hunger, a presence who seems to show Anna only what she wants to see. Is he helping her, or using her to gain his freedom? Is The Circle as bad as the monsters of The Binding? This dilemma made this book a page-turner.
What I Didn't Like:
Anna:
I did have some problems with the main character, Anna. I didn't feel she was as developed as she should be. While the people around her are interesting, they create all the action. She is passive (and easily manipulated) through most of the book, reacting to what happens, but not taking charge of the proceedings. I would have liked to see her stand up to everyone. She has a lot of power. Maybe in the next book, she will realize that.
Overall, I would recommend this book for the creative story Rosalyn Eves creates. She surrounds Anna with imaginative characters and a thought-provoking world of haves and have nots.
Rating:
Release Date: March 28th, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Random House "First In Line" program
Format: Paperback book
Recommendation: An entertaining, quick read that will get you thinking about real life issues.
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Please Note: I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher's First In Line program. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From GoodReads):
Think positive.
Don’t worry; be happy.
Keep calm and carry on.
Maeve
has heard it all before. She’s been struggling with severe anxiety for a
long time, and as much as she wishes it was something she could just
talk herself out of, it’s not. She constantly imagines the worst,
composes obituaries in her head, and is always ready for things to fall
apart. To add to her troubles, her mom—the only one who really gets what
Maeve goes through—is leaving for six months, so Maeve will be sent to
live with her dad in Vancouver.
Vancouver brings a slew of new
worries, but Maeve finds brief moments of calm (as well as even more
worries) with Salix, a local girl who doesn’t seem to worry about
anything. Between her dad’s wavering sobriety, her very pregnant stepmom
insisting on a home birth, and her bumbling courtship with Salix, this
summer brings more catastrophes than even Maeve could have foreseen.
Will she be able to navigate through all the chaos to be there for the
people she loves?
Review:
I really appreciate that this year I have been part of Random House's First In Line program. It has given me access to several fantastic YA books. 10 Things I Can See From Here is no exception. I was weary of it's serious subject matter (anxiety and addiction) at first. But I was won over by winning characters and a story that made me care deeply about what would happen.
What I Liked:
Characters:
Maeve is the main character in the book. She has major problems with anxiety but there is so much more to her than that. I loved that Maeve had such conflicting emotions about the adults in her life. She loves her parents, but sees how self-involved they are, too. She is also an artist and a wonderful older sister to her twin half-brothers. Even when things get rough, she feels responsible enough to put her worries aside to be there for those she loves.
Salix is the girl that Maeve meets when she temporarily moves to Vancouver to be with her dad. Again, I liked that she was not perfect. She did not really get how all-encompassing Maeve's anxiety was. There were several scenes where Salix oversimplifies what Maeve is dealing with and offers trite solutions. Instead of getting frustrated with her, Maeve accepts that Salix will probably not ever truly understand.
Another aspect of this relationship that I love is that Salix's is NOT there to save Maeve. Maeve must deal with her problems on her own. Salix is a great support, but she also has issues of her own to work on.
Parents:
One of my pet peeves in YA is the trope where the parents are practically missing in the story. Not so in this book. Maeve's dad and step-mom are front and center in this book. What I appreciated was that these were fully-formed characters with good points and lots of flaws. Maeve sees what is going on in her parent's lives, including addiction, divorce, job insecurity, and anger issues. These parents are not perfect, but the book shows that they really are trying.
Love Story:
I found the romantic parts of the book to be lovely and realistic. In many books, the characters usually seem to know instinctively what to do in the kissing (and more) area. Of course, the reality is that many people fumble through their first relationships and sexual encounters. I thought the book got to the heart of what it means to be young and experience love and lust for the first time.
What I Was Mixed About:
Possible Triggers:
The main character, Maeve, struggles with anxiety. To show this, the book goes into great detail about accident and death statistics, and other horrible scenarios Maeve thinks about that fuel her worries. While I understood why the author did this, I think reading this might actually trigger an anxiety attack! Obviously this was not the intention, but I know people who will react just as Maeve does. Perhaps a warning?
Tone:
The book's tone is uneven at times. While there are many difficult moments for poor Maeve to deal with in the story, there are also sections that are meant to be funny, but seem out of place in this book. When she is anxious, Maeve constructs elaborate obituaries for various things happening in the story. Since there is an actual death in the book, I thought the obits were in poor taste.
Rating:
Release Date: February 28th, 2017
Genre: YA Fiction / YA LGBTQ Fiction
Source: Random House "First In Line" program
Format: Paperback book
Recommendation: With it's serious subject matters of anxiety and addition, this was tough to read, at times. But one is rewarded with great characters, a sweet romance, and a compelling story.
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Please Note: I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From GoodReads):
The youngest daughter of
a proud Celtic king, Fallon has always lived in the shadow of her older
sister Sorcha's legendary reputation as a warrior. But when Fallon was a
young child, the armies of Julius Caesar invaded the island of Britain
and her beloved older sister was killed in battle.
On the eve of
her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is excited to follow in her sister's
footsteps and earn her rightful place in her father's royal war band.
But she never gets the chance. Instead, Fallon is captured by a band of
ruthless brigands who sell her to an exclusive training school for
female gladiators—and its most influential patron is none other than
Julius Caesar himself. In a cruel twist of fate, Fallon's worst enemy,
the man who destroyed her family, might be her only hope of survival.
Now,
Fallon must overcome vicious rivalries, chilling threats and the
dangerous attention of Caesar himself to survive the deadly fights that
take place both in and out of the arena—and claim her place in history
among the Valiant.
Review:
I love the subject of ancient Rome. From the old Masterpiece Theater series I, Claudius to the more recent The Gladiator, I have some understanding of the social structures of the time, at least for the men of that era. But there seems to be little known of women in that society. When I read the synopsis for The Valiant, I was hooked. The story tells of Fallon's journey from Celtic princess to female Gladiator. There is some actual historical evidence that these warriors existed. This tale is told in an action-packed style that was, in equal parts, a survival story, a mystery, and a romance. I loved it!
What I Liked:
Setting:
The book begins with the Celtic settlements in Britain, and takes us on the perilous road to Rome. I enjoyed the details of daily life such as what possessions Fallon would have and how she would dress. The types of weapons and ways in which they were used must have been thoroughly researched because they seemed quite authentic. This is why I enjoy historical fiction so much. The story can make the reader feel as though they are living in that time.
When the story settles in ancient Rome, the book really comes alive with details of Roman households, and the gladiator training centers (called Ludi).
Characters:
Told in the first person, Fallon is a wonderfully complex character. We not only see that she is a powerful fighter, but that she also realizes she has a lot to learn befor she can aspire to become a female gladiator. I loved that she made mistakes and learned from them. She also had to relearn what it means to be brave, to sacrifice, and to love. Fallon is a very different person at the end of the book from where she began.
Cai is another great character because he, too, goes on a journey from arrogant Roman soldier, used to taking what he wants, to someone who comes to respect (and love Fallon). I am usually not a fan of the hate to love trope. However, I thought this worked because both people had to let go of their long-held beliefs in order to see each other as individuals.
Ending:
It seems that every book one reads now is set up to have sequels, and this book is no exception. What I appreciated, though, was that the main problem in the book actually was resolved!!!
via GIPHY
This may seem like a given, but I have read so many books where this is NOT the case. Many times, the author ends the book almost mid-sentence in order to hook the reader into anticipating the next installment. Just tell me what happened, already!
via GIPHY
I often wait (if I know a book will have several sequels) to read a series until all the installments have been published so I won't be subjected to this issue.
What I Didn't Like:
Characters:
Some of the characters are not as fleshed out as others. I would have liked to have seen a few more of the female gladiators have larger roles. Since they were such a diverse group from across the Roman Empire, I think each of their stories would be fascinating. Perhaps we will be treated to this in subsequent books.
Rating:
Release Date: February 14th, 2017
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Source: Random House "First In Line" program
Format: ARC Paperback
Recommendation: An action-packed tale of female gladiators. I loved how the main characters learns about more than just fighting, she grows as a person.
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Please Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher's First In Line program in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (From GoodReads):
In the shadows of
Sangui City, there lives a girl who doesn't exist. After fleeing the
Congo as refugees, Tina and her mother arrived in Kenya looking for the
chance to build a new life and home. Her mother quickly found work as a
maid for a prominent family, headed by Roland Greyhill, one of the
city’s most respected business leaders. But Tina soon learns that the
Greyhill fortune was made from a life of corruption and crime. So when
her mother is found shot to death in Mr. Greyhill's personal study, she
knows exactly who’s behind it.
With revenge always on her mind,
Tina spends the next four years surviving on the streets alone, working
as a master thief for the Goondas, Sangui City’s local gang. It’s a job
for the Goondas that finally brings Tina back to the Greyhill estate,
giving her the chance for vengeance she’s been waiting for. But as soon
as she steps inside the lavish home, she’s overtaken by the pain of old
wounds and the pull of past friendships, setting into motion a dangerous
cascade of events that could, at any moment, cost Tina her life. But
finally uncovering the incredible truth about who killed her mother—and
why—keeps her holding on in this fast-paced nail-biting thriller.
Review:
When I first received this book from the Random House First In Line program, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read a murder mystery. I hadn't read that many mysteries before, but I have just now started to read quite a few of them, so I gave it a go. I am so appreciative that I did. This book was entertaining, scary, and took me to a world I knew nothing about.
What I Liked:
Setting:
This book is set in the countries of Kenya, and Congo, Africa. Sadly, I really don't know enough about this part of the world beyond the fact that there is unimaginable suffering there due to never ending wars. The author clearly knew this place well and was able to convey not only the desperation of certain parts, but also the immense beauty. She captures what is obvious, that in every place there are 1000 little dramas going every day. Real people populate these countries with a plethora of experiences.
The book alternates between the privileged enclaves of business executives in Kenya, to the rough streets of Sangui City, to the lush countryside of Congo. Each place was brought to life with vivid details.
Characters:
The main characters, Tina and Michael, are from different social groups. Tina's mother was a servant in Michael's household, where the two of them became childhood friends. This all changed with the murder of Tina's mother, and the realization (as they became teens) that Michael's Dad and Tina's Mom were lovers.
I love how resilient Tina is and how she never gives up. She has to think on her feet in order to survive now as an orphan. But she is not perfect. She has embraced an idea that Michael's dad murdered her mom, and she has nurtured her revenge for years. But could she be wrong? Also, she underestimates people and doesn't question their motives until it is too late. She also writes Michael off as a spoiled rich kid.
Michael certainly lives in a bubble, but he is also a conflicted character struggling with how to reconcile his privilege with what his father may be doing illegally. Did Michael's dad kill Tina's mom to keep her quiet? Michael must uncover the truth.
The adult characters mostly acted in their own self interest. With the exception of a nun, there really weren't any adults who were trustworthy in this book. However depressing this was, these characters were presented as complicated individuals who each had questionable moral compasses guiding their actions. Given how difficult life can be, can we really judge them? In regards to how they affected the kids in the story I vacillated between outrage and acceptance.
Story:
The mystery of who killed Tina's mother (and why) is wonderfully complex. One of the reasons I usually do not read mystery books is because often it is either too easy to figure out who did it, or it is wildly too hard. This book had the right mix of presenting the clues and keeping me guessing.
What I Was Mixed About:
Triggers:
I will say that sometimes this book was difficult to read, given what I do know of what women experience in war-torn nations. I worried that female characters would be raped in the story. I cared about Tina so much, I didn't want anything bad to happen to her! While there were references to sexual violence, the details were not so vivid that I got nightmares. But some people who have triggers for sexual violence, may want to steer clear of this book.
Rating:
Release Date: January 24th, 2017
Genre: YA Mystery
Source: Random House First In Line program
Format: Paperback book
Recommendation: This was
an entertaining YA book with strong characters, an action-packed story,
and a mystery that kept me guessing. I hope everyone will read this
book.
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