Reviews, YA Fantasy

Book Review: Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Liz Brooks

Written by Liz Brooks 

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

Review:

Six of Crows is the latest installment in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. The first installment was her Grisha Trilogy: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising (all very good books).

“You don’t have to read the Grisha Trilogy to read Six of Crows. It was built for people new to the Grisha world. Yes, there are trilogy spoilers but there are also misdirects. (And if you’ve read the trilogy, lots of little Easter eggs.)”- Leigh Bardugo

Bardugo’s world building ability is probably one of my favorite things about this book (as well as the others). It’s full of thick descriptions of the different settings as well as each of the six main characters. Even the secondary characterizations are detailed. This is a pet peeve of mine. If authors are going to create a brand new world, I need details.

Six of Crows isn’t your typical single point of view narrative. The heist is told from six different POVs (Nina, Kaz, Inej, Wylan, Jesper, Matthias), which makes this book more intriguing. Bardugo shows us one situation in six different ways; each person showing the reader what they are feeling and thinking.

The characters themselves are very flawed and each goes through a transformation over the course of the book. There is also great POC and LGBTQ representation. You will learn their backgrounds. Why they came be apart of the heist group. Their relationship to one another. And what’s truly at stake. I will say that my favorite characters are Nina and Matthias. Their stories really stuck out for me. But that doesn’t mean that Kaz, Inej, Wylan, and Jesper aren’t fascinating themselves. Keep in mind those characters are not heroes.

My favorite place is the Ice Palace (when can I visit?). It’s so convoluted. It took a while to truly understand the intricacies that Bardugo was describing. And it’s not just the physical palace that is a labyrinthine but the inner-workings of the people of Fjerda (who we don’t get to know in the Grisha Trilogy).

If you like adventure, fantasy, and romance give this book a read.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Also keep an eye out for the follow-up post to this. I will be attending the Magic and Mayhem Tour for Leigh Bardugo/Six of Crows on November 17.

Blog Signature

Editor Letter

Welcome My New Co-Blogger

Veronica Porras (TTB)

I have some big news. The Talking Bookworm is no longer a solo gig, but someone else has joined The Talking Bookworm family. Let’s all welcome Liz Brooks!

*throws confetti*

(Liz is on the right)
(Liz is on the right)

I want to thank you all for tweeting my link and helping me  find a co-blogger. I’m really excited to be working with Liz and even more excited for you guys to see her upcoming content. Exciting new things happening here at The Talking Bookworm!!

You can now expect to see more YA sub-gentes being reviewed as a result of this partnership.

Who’s excited with me?! *raises hand*

Vero Banner Signature

Reviews, YA Paranormal

Book Review: Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined (Twilight #5) by Stephanie Meyer

Veronica Porras (TTB)

81qBmqMWSvL

Goodreads Summary:

Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Twilight! This special double-feature book includes the classic novel, Twilight, and a bold and surprising reimagining, Life and Death, by Stephenie Meyer.

Packaged as an oversize, jacketed hardcover “flip book,” this edition features nearly 400 pages of new content as well as exquisite new back cover art. Readers will relish experiencing the deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful love story of Bella and Edward through fresh eyes.

Review:

You guys are probably thinking… Really Veronica? My answer is.. YES. I went there.

I remember the days when I was a senior in high school and I went crazy and was a huge Twilight fanatic. No one here knows that I even owned a Team Edward shirt I bought at Hot Topic. And I wore it often in public. Everyone at school knew I was a twilight fan. I re-read Twilight at least 3 times and the series as a while many times.

Anyways what I’m trying to point out with all of this is that even though my obsession might have not been heathy, Twilight opened up the podcast and blogging world to me. I didn’t know it was possible to have a blog and write reviews. I didn’t know readers had formed their own community online. I threw myself into this new world and I’ve never been the same since. I may not be a Twilight fanatic anymore, or own that Team Edward shirt (I threw it away a long time ago), but the series as a whole still holds a dear place in my life that I had to read the gender-swap reimagined story.

Reading this gender-swap version of Twilight made me see how CHEESY it really is. I cringed a lot at the beginning and noticed it got way too serious real fast. I also liked the ending to the reimagined story a lot more. It’s crazy how much sooner Twilight could have ended, but fan-service and telling other characters stories elongated it to four books. At the end of the day, I enjoyed Life and Death.

If you were once a Twilight fan or still are, I’m pretty sure you will like Life and Death. It made me nostalgic for the good old days, but I still kept in perspective the flaws the story has. Now… when are we getting Midnight Sun? Now that would be real fan service.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Reviews, Special Review, ya contemporary

Book Review: Red Girl, Blue Boy by Lauren Baratz-Logstead

Veronica Porras (TTB)

9781619635012

Goodreads Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Katie and Drew really shouldn’t get along. After all, her father is the Republican nominee for President of the United States while his mother is at the top of the Democratic ticket. But when Katie and Drew are thrown together in a joint interview on a morning talk show, they can’t ignore the chemistry between them. With an entire nation tuned into and taking sides in your parents’ fight, and the knowledge that—ultimately—someone has to lose, how can you fall in love with the one person you’re supposed to hate?

This title in the If Only line is a frank and funny romance that shows how sparks fly when opposites attract.

Review:

Ahhhhh. I am… disappointed. After I read The Wrong Side of Right I’ve been craving to read another YA Contemporary-Political novel, and when I saw Red Girl, Blue Boy I thought that craving would be satisfied, but I was wrong.

First, Let’s talk about the good. I really liked Drew as a character. He felt genuine and real. He developed and progressed as the story went on. His values and believes were highlighted many times throughout the novel. He was my favorite character in RGBB.

Now… Katie. I did not like her at all. Over half of the novel, I felt like Katie’s character was stagnant. I didn’t see any development. She felt forced, at times a bit fake, and annoying. I know this sounds really harsh and I feel bad for saying that, but if there was a reason as to why she was the way she was, we were never told. At least I didn’t see it. I don’t judge a character by their likability, but by their development.

I will say that once the story got going, it was stinking cute. And adorable at times too. Drew’s puppy love was adorable, and I was even starting to like Kat a little because Drew liked her so much, but in the end that wasn’t enough.

If you enjoy fluffy, quick reads, this is the book for you. If you are looking for a romance-political thrilling read, you’re not going to get that with Red Girl, Blue Boy.

Red Girl, Blue Boy comes out today! Go to your major/local bookstore to get it if it sounds like your type of book!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from Emma @ Miss Print. Receiving this book for free does not influence my opinion.

Co-Blogger, Editor Letter, Other

Would you like to be a Reviewer/Co-Blogger for The Talking Bookworm?

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hey Guys! I have some exciting news! I’m looking for someone to join The Talking Bookworm family. In other words, I’m looking for a co-blogger.

If you are interested in writing book reviews and becoming a part of The Talking Bookworm family then keep on reading.

You don’t have to be an experienced blogger, but there are some requirements.

Requirements

You are committing yourself to posting a discussion post or book review once a week.

You need to have a twitter!

You must be a YA literature fan.

Genre’s I’m hoping you can cover are:

YA – Fantasy/Paranormal
YA – Dystopian
YA – Historical Fiction

I read a lot of YA Contemporary, NA contemporary, YA Romance, and NA Romance, so those are covered for the most part, but that doesn’t mean you can’t review a contemporary book occasionally.

You will need to participate in Contemporary Conversations in March/April 2016.

If you are interested in joining the The Talking Bookworm family, please fill out the form below. I will be closing out the form 2 weeks from now, on Sunday, November 1st.

**Update: Application has been closed early. Thank you all for applying!**

NA Contemporary, NA Romance, Reviews

Book Review: All Line Up (Rusk University #1) by Cora Carmack

Veronica Porras (TTB)

18505845

Goodreads Summary:

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That’s what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn’t always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It’s obliterated.

Dallas doesn’t know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn’t know that Dallas is his new coach’s daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Review:

This is going to be short and sweet. I will be making a list as to why you need to read this book.

  1. Loyalty is a main theme throughout the novel.
  2. Dallas and her Father. Their relationship evolves as the story progresses and it’s something you’re going to want to read.
  3. Carson is a hottie. Also a gentleman. But also… well you’re going to have to read it to find out. *wiggles eyebrows*
  4. Dallas and her best friend have one of the best friendships ever.
  5. The whole family and loyalty aspect within the football team. EPIC.

I know this is an out of character review, but trust me when I say you need to read this book. I classify this as a guilty read, but honestly, “guilty reads” also have depth in them. We are just too busy enjoying them to notice otherwise.

 

Rating: 4 out of 5

Tuesday Meme

Five Bookish Habits I Want To Quit

Veronica Porras (TTB)

TopTenTuesday

Thank you to The Broke and The Bookish for this wonderful meme! If you want to learn how to participate, click here and check it out. Promise you won’t regret it.

Moment of truth. Let’s be real today.

There are many things I hate doing, but I always do them. We all have them, but we don’t want to tell anyone, especially if you are a book blogger *hides*. But I will be truthful today and I have a feeling at least some of you are doing of the same things I am. At least I tell myself that to feel better. Whatever works right?

1. Start A Book and Leave It Aside For Several Months

Ahhhh… Yes. I do this a lot. I do this more as the years go by. I told myself I would never be one of those readers that started books and would not finish them for months at a time and… I became one. Shame on me. I hope I change that new habit soon.

2. Not Review Guilty Pleasure Reads

My guilty pleasures are either New Adult or YA Fantasy books. I tell myself I don’t know much about the subject, therefore I cannot make an educated review. BULLCRAP I tell you. I need to start writing reviews on books that I LOVE. Honestly, I think it’s the fear of not properly reviewing it due to fan-girling that stops me from writing reviews on those type of novels.

3. Buy Books That I Won’t Read In The Next Six Months

YALLWEST. I bought ALL THE BOOKS at YALLWEST. Have I read any that I bought? NO. I need to stop. So far, I’ve successfully changed my ways in the last few months, but I hope I keep being good and don’t binge buy books one day.

4.Buy Books because they are cheap, not because I want them

I feel like that goes with number 3, but it also has to be addressed as its own topic. Who apart from me is guilty of at least doing this once? *raises hand* I’m right there with you. I’ve been really good at not buying books just because they’re cheap this year, but last year is a whole other story. I lived in Texas for three months and there was a Half Price Books right around the corner. I’m sure you can fill in the rest. O_O

5. Tell Myself I have to read a book in one-sitting

This is a new one I’ve been struggling with. I used to have the time to read books in one go, but each day we get busier and there are new things that need to be done and in turn makes it not possible to a read book in one sitting. I wish I had 3-4 hours at a time to read and not feel guilty. I also like to procrastinate at times so… that’s also why I put of reading. Yes, I need help. *cries*

 

Any of you have some of the same habits that they’re trying to kick to the curb? I know it will be hard to, but my goal is to slowly but surely start changing my habits. I’ll keep you guys posted on how it goes. What are some of your bad bookish habits? Come on… I know you all have some too. 🙂

Reviews, Special Review, ya contemporary

ARC Review: Tonight The Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales

Veronica Porras (TTB)

23310761-2

Goodreads Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Arden Huntley is recklessly loyal. Taking care of her loved ones is what gives Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But she’s tired of being loyal to people who don’t appreciate her—including her needy best friend and her absent mom.

Arden finds comfort in a blog she stumbles upon called “Tonight the Streets Are Ours,” the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter. When Peter is dumped by the girlfriend he blogs about, Arden decides to take a road trip to see him.

During one crazy night out in NYC filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn’t exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn’t exactly who she thought she was, either.

Review:

Why doesn’t anybody love me as much as I love them?

Arden, arden, arden. I know how you feel. I think everybody at some point in their life asks themselves that same question, and it is such a Leila thing to make a book around that question. (FYI, have been a huge Leila Sales fan ever since I read This Song Will Save You Life. Sales fan for life!)

We start of TTSAO with Arden taking the blame for something her best friend Lindsey did, but this time it’s not something small, but big. It is something that will have serious repercussions to her future, and that starts the domino effect which brings us to her asking herself the question if we love others more than they loves us?

SPOILERY SECTION

Now that you’re warned let’s begin. Sales takes us on a journey that helps us see why we may think we love others more than they love us. The journey really begins when Arden discovers the blog “Tonight The Streets Are Ours” written by Peter who asked himself the same question she had asked herself moments ago. Every post she reads makes her evaluate her life, her relationships, and along the way helps her see why her mother left, why her dad is the way he is, and why Lindsey acts the way she does. Sales teaches us that we can get burnt out if we only take care of others and not ourselves.

Sales also brings to the readers attention something called a blank check. A blank check is basically something we give someone. They can cash it whenever they want, how many times they want, whatever the favor may be.

I will finish this review of with a quote towards the end of the book.

“I used to think that loving somebody meant sacrificing anything for them. I thought it meant writing a blank check. I thought it meant that you would die without each other. But it turns out that Peter was right about that, too: death and a broken heart are not the same.” -Arden

GO BUY OUT YOUR COPY TODAY! YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

Banes & Noble | Amazon

Rating: 5 out of 5

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from Emma @ Miss Print which she obtained at BEA 2015 for review consideration. 

Reviews, Special Review, ya contemporary

Book Review: A Million Miles Away by Lara Avery

Veronica Porras (TTB)

cover59860-medium

Goodreads Summary:

When high school senior Kelsey’s identical twin sister, Michelle, dies in a car crash, Kelsey is left without her other half. The only person who doesn’t know about the tragedy is Michelle’s boyfriend, Peter, recently deployed to Afghanistan. But when Kelsey finally connects with Peter online, she can’t bear to tell him the truth. Active duty has taken its toll, and Peter, thinking that Kelsey is Michelle, says that seeing her is the one thing keeping him alive. Caught up in the moment, Kelsey has no choice: She lets Peter believe that she is her sister.

As Kelsey keeps up the act, she crosses the line from pretend to real. Soon, Kelsey can’t deny that she’s falling, hard, for the one boy she shouldn’t want.

Review:

Wow.

This book swept me away. I was not expecting this book to show the crazy side of grief in such a real way. And to show that the grey area of the world is much more complicated than we make it out to be. I’m floored that we get such a real experience of grief.

We start of the story with the twins Kelsey and Michelle. They seem to be complete opposites. Twins that could not be more different. And then Michelle dies. It changes everything for Kelsey. She sees that all this time, she never really knew her sister. Not anymore. Not for the past few years. I really liked that AMMA started of with both of them alive, instead of Kelsey reminiscing.

Now let’s start the review portion where I let my thoughts go free…

AMMA felt so… Real. The entire time I was reading AMMA, it felt like I could know Kelsey in real life. She was such a genuine character and I felt for her. The themes in the novel and the experiences seemed so real. Maybe because war is an everyday thing to many people in this world nowadays, and death is something that happens naturally in everyday life. It’s Just… Crazy.

I really liked that Kelsey who is known to not be a girl who studies was able to get an A+ on a paper by studying hard. We don’t normally see the process of someone studying hard in books, and we are able to see how hard she studies in AMMA. As someone who had to study a fair amount to get good grades, it makes me feel good to see this portrayed in a YA novel.  Kelsey learning how to study opened up a new world for her. She was able to see how much she could accomplish if she tried, and that gave her the fire she needed to start living again.

Let’s touch quickly on the male protagonist. Peter is such a complex character. The more we read about him, the more layers he received, and it is so gratifying to see a love interest get so much development. I was ecstatic.

I honestly think AMMA is one of the best books about grief in the YA sphere. I haven’t really heard much buzz about it, and it really does deserve more than it is getting so far.

Recommend to anyone looking for a sad yet inspiring read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Poppy/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book for free does not sway my opinion.