4.5 stars
Wow! This is a fantastic first book in a new YA Fantasy series. I can’t believe it’s the author’s debut novel. This book immediately grabbed my attention and I read late into the night because I just could not put it down. It’s full of cruel rulers, a unique magic system, a fierce FMC, and a world weary of war with their neighbor.
Continue reading “Songlight (The Torch Trilogy #1) by Moira Buffini”
This is a fast-paced YA thriller that kept my attention from page 1. Greta is our unreliable narrator looking for a fresh start after an unfortunate “incident” at her prior school makes her an outcast. The author drips hints about the “incident” throughout most of the book and we don’t get the full picture until close to the end. It definitely makes the reader speculate what could have happened and I confess, I thought of worse things the “incident” could have been other than what it ended up being. I mean, the precipitating thing is awful, don’t get me wrong, but her response wasn’t so bad….was it? Eh. Maybe I’m just getting a big jaded and vengeful in my “old” age and believing more in karma for a**holes. But I digress.
Continue reading “Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane”
I know I’m late to the party on this book, and I get why it is so popular. Is it perfect? No. But it’s a fun, crazy ride. Books that involve a deadly training academy are my jam. They always have plenty of insane challenges, found family bonding, and of course, the obligatory off-the-chain crazy villain(s). This book has it all – plus dragons!
Continue reading “Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros”
Last week I missed participating in TBR Beyond Tours book tour for this book because I was in Instagram “jail” (when they don’t let you like/comment/follow), but I’m so happy to finally share this engaging book that is out now. I’m just getting into it, so check back later for my full review. It’s an engaging, fast-paced book with great world building and interesting characters. I’m really enjoying it so far.
Continue reading “Nightweaver (Nightweaver #1) by R.M. Gray”
I thoroughly enjoyed this romantasy debut about a young queen, Gwen, and the commoner guard, Tyreal, who has sworn to protect her with his life. Gwen and Tyreal have known each other since they were children and though unspoken, have loved each other from the beginning. That love is forbidden, however, because tradition dictates that she must marry a fellow royal.
Continue reading “Embers of Fate (Hearts of Valine #1) by Dani Loughary”
This is an adorable Young Adult enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance involving high school students River and Sarang. River is lost and doesn’t know why. In one day he dumps his GF, walks out of the SATs, quits his job at the family-owned coffee shop, and takes a job at a rival coffee shop where is new enemy Sarang works. He knows he must do these things but can’t figure out the real reason why.
Continue reading “Bingsu for Two by Sujin Witherspoon”
Five Reasons to Read Biology Lessons
Unwanted Teen Pregnancy
Strong, Supportive Female Friendships
Reproductive Rights
Body Autonomy
Timely and Realistic
Synopsis:
Biology Lessons is a heartfelt and profound YA contemporary young adult novel about the strength and importance of female friendship in a time when bodily autonomy is outlawed, from acclaimed author Melissa Kantor. It came out on January 14, 2025.
Grace Williams has her future all mapped out. A high school senior in her beloved state of Texas, Grace plans to move to New York after graduation to study at Barnard College, and maybe, someday, win a Nobel Prize in biology. When she’s asked to tutor Jack Nelson, the star baseball player who’s flunking bio, she thinks it’ll be just another activity to list on her college application.
Continue reading “Biology Lessons by Melissa Kantor”
This is a good YA dark academia book that pits four teenagers against each other to become the heir to the King’s throne. Three of them are the royal grandchildren of the King who were sent away & raised by guardians out of the public eye. The fourth is a teenager that won a scholarship to the elite academy they are all sent to that is infamous for breeding the world’s next generation of leaders – and liars.
Continue reading “Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga”
This YA mystery is about three feuding exes of a social media prank star who are forced to work together to uncover the truth behind his death when his deactivated account resurfaces online with claims that one of them killed him.
Continue reading “Heart-Shaped Lies by Elizabeth Agyemang”
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