King's Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard

Synopsis:

When the Lightning Girl’s spark is gone, who will light the way for the rebellion?

Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother’s web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner.

As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continue organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare’s heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back.

When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be no one left to put out the fire—leaving Norta as Mare knows it to burn all the way down.

Rating:★★★★

Review:

** POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT** 
I started off physically reading this book about half way through then, I picked up the audiobook so my husband could stop rushing me because he wanted to start reading it. Audiobook wise: it was okay but one of the narrators sounded really mechanical, almost like a machine talking and not an actual person, and unfortunately they did the voice of Mare. Also, the narrators didn't do the best jobs voicing the male characters so in actuality I would have to give the audiobook 3 stars.

I don't have much to say seeing that this is the 3rd book but I'm relieved because what I thought was going to happen didn't happen, thank god you saved me from a knife in my back, but oh my word did I love all the action! I loved the fight scenes, especially the last battle, I was on the edge of my seat and all I could keep thinking was that this would make an awesome movie if Marvel got it's hands on it. (Just throwing that in the universe, do with it what you will!!)

Character wise: I feel like all of the characters have grown immensely since Red Queen and it's hard to believe that it's only been a couple of months and that these are not adults but still teenagers. I was really shocked by Evangeline's whole situation she had going on but I loved it. I just hope that her sexuality has always been apart of her backstory from the beginning and not something that was thrown in just because the big "diversity" movement is going on. And I hate to say it because I love Victoria Aveyard but I can't help but be honest with how I feel. But on a more positive note, I'm kind of craving a novella about Evangeline now.

P.S. Evangeline I wasn't expecting to hear from your point of view but I loved it. I can understand why you are the way you are but I still don't trust you and I'm still giving you the side eye.

***Nothing to do with the book but don't y'all think it would be really cool if there was a limited collectors edition guide where there are select new bloods and silvers that we get a chapter long backstory detailing how they found out about their abilities and what their life was like before all the craziness started happening?

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Synopsis:

Today is Leonard Peacock’s birthday. It is also the day he hides a gun in his backpack. Because today is the day he will kill his former best friend, and then himself, with his grandfather’s P-38 pistol.

But first he must say good-bye to the four people who matter most to him: his Humphrey Bogart-obsessed next-door neighbor, Walt; his classmate, Baback, a violin virtuoso; Lauren, the Christian homeschooler he has a crush on; and Herr Silverman, who teaches the high school’s class on the Holocaust. Speaking to each in turn, Leonard slowly reveals his secrets as the hours tick by and the moment of truth approaches.

In this riveting look at a day in the life of a disturbed teenage boy, acclaimed author Matthew Quick unflinchingly examines the impossible choices that must be made—and the light in us all that never goes out.

Rating:★★★

Review:

I liked it but I didn't love it. This definitely opens the mind to a shooter's perspective. The author is not making excuses nor is he trying to justify the actions of a possible shooter. He's only giving the possible other side to the situation.

I felt terrible for Leonard because he is a product of his upbringing and surroundings.. He was literally begging for help and everyone ignored him. His mother, who should have been his biggest supporter, out right refused to acknowledge his need for professional help on more than one occasion because she didn't quote "want to be blamed for his problems". Mother of the year folks 🏆!

I really liked the subnotes that were at the bottom of the pages. It really added some insight and back stories to some of the things Leonard was experiencing. There are also chapters that are labeled letters from the future, which I didn't understand their purpose at first until it was later on in the book explained and I wish it would have been explained earlier. 

I hate how it ended! The unknowing is painful and not in a good suspenseful type of way. I just felt like the book was unfinished. I need to know how these issues were solved; if people were confronted, how did life change, did some relationships fix themselves or did they all crash and burn, basically what the fuck happened??

I'm 50/50 on the recommendation scale. I would still recommend this as a good read but not a great one. It definitely could use some work but I do feel like it is one of a kind in dealing with the topic it's centered around. It could help bring awareness to teens and preteens with dealing with bullies and their victims but at the same time I wouldn't have the highest expectations for this one. 

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Synopsis:

A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.

So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.

Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

Rating:★★★★★

Review:

I really loved this!!!

It was honestly hard to pick favorite pieces out of this novel because the entire book was amazing. 
While I was reading this, I felt like I was having a one on one interview with Xiomara. I felt like I was the leather journal she was writing her poems in and she did not sugar coat a thing. I'm not a Dominican from Harlem but I felt like I have so much in common with Xiomara. 

I love that she wasn't afraid to question her faith, because I at times do the same. I love that sexuality was bought up and I don't just mean in a sexual preference way. Sexuality as in her experience with her first period was, how puberty bought to light new obstacles and new but confusing feelings, first love, heartbreak, and thinking about the future in general.

The family drama also kept me well on my toes and hyped up. I found myself laughing one minute, angry the next, and then shortly after wanting to cry tears for Xiomara herself. I got the Target exclusive edition so I did get a few extra poems, some originals from Xiomara's journal and some that didn't make it in the collection, at the end and I enjoyed those as well. This is such a relatable read, at least for females, and reading this does put your emotions in a blender but it is such a lovely feeling. I had a "aha" moment reading the last page of this book so don't waste any more time picking it up.

Paper Towns by John Green

Synopsis

Who is the real Margo?

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew...

Rating: DNF'd

Review:

I finally decided to pick up my first John Green book after having it on my shelf for 3 years and I dnf'd it after 43%. I just couldn't take the slow moving plot anymore.

I didn't understand why John Green felt the need to literally tell us which characters were black. I just felt like he could have described them better than just flat out using African American as a description. Also, it was so annoying to see Quentin constantly count down his reasoning for every single thing. It's all just quite ANNOYING.

I honestly don't like Margo as a character and I'm not sure if I was supposed to. She's snooty, entitled, selfish, and a bad influence but I did like her vindictive attitude. It made for a nice journey in the beginning before things turned completely boring. I didn't care for Quentin either because he was too old, in my opinion, to be such a push over and doormat. I didn't think any of the characters had any real growth because I read the last couple of chapters and Margo still seemed like the same asshole she was the beginning and Quentin is still her personal doormat. It's sad to say but I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters.


I did get some humor from this but then it started to feel like John Green didn't know when to end the jokes and it got dryer the longer it drug on. I finally decided to end my Paper Towns journey when I realize that the clues took entirely way too long to get through and I quickly lost interest. This the end of my journey for Paper Towns but not the end of my John Green experience.

American Vampire, Vol. 1 by Scott Snyder, Stephen King, & Rafael Albuquerque

Synopsis:

From writers Scott Snyder and Stephen King, American Vampire introduces a new strain of vampire – a more vicious species – and traces the creatures' bloodline through decades of American history.

Snyder's tale follows Pearl, a young woman living in 1920s Los Angeles, who is brutally turned into a vampire and sets out on a path of righteous revenge against the European monsters who tortured and abused her. And in King's story set in the days of America's Wild West, readers learn the origin of Skinner Sweet, the original American vampire – a stronger, faster creature than any vampire ever seen before. 

Don't miss out as Snyder and King set fire to the horror genre with this visionary, all-original take on one of the most popular monster stories!

This beautiful collection features a new introduction by Stephen King and bonus art including character sketches, variant covers and more!

Rating:★★★★

Review:

After reading this I definitely have a new appreciation for Vampires! This novel has reignited my confidence in Vampire novels as a whole. This is my second graphic novel by Scott Snyder and, just like with Wytches, I'm completely in love. <3 <3 <3

I wasn't invested in the story at the beginning but it didn't take long to pull me in. The art work was perfect, I loved the duel but intertwining plot lines, and once again I loved the original sketches and the explanation for how this project came about that was included at the end. There's not too much more that I can say to really describe the level of awesomeness of this novel and I don't think there's much that really needs to be said. Just the fact that this is Scott Snyder and Stephen King working together should be enough to persuade you to give into you curiosity.

Never Kiss a Stranger (Never #1) by Winter Renshaw

Synopsis:

It was an innocent mistake… 

All workaholic real estate broker Addison Andrews wanted was one night of pleasure, and picking the right guy was no different than shopping from a catalog thanks to the dating app on her phone. His name was Wilder, and his profile was blank – just a sexy picture of a man who promised every wicked intention of a one-night stand. 

The agreement was simple. One night. No last names. But the second their bodies melded together in the sheets of their posh Manhattan hotel room, there was no denying they fit together like two pieces of a broken puzzle. 

There’s just one problem… 

Addison unknowingly swiped right on the one man she wasn’t supposed to be with – her new stepbrother. All it takes is one bite of forbidden fruit to become addicted, but being with him has major consequences for their entire family. And if anyone found out about them, the career she worked so hard to build would crumble to the ground. 

But Wilder Van Cleef doesn’t care about the possibility of a scandal. He wants her, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes. 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a standalone, full-length romance novel with NO cliffhanger. Contains a dominating alpha male hero and scenes of a sexual nature. Please be 18+.

Rating:★★★

Review:

It's been a while since I've read an actual romance novel, not erotica, and I really enjoyed it. I've honestly realized how much I've missed some good adult romance novels in my life.

When the book first started off I was a bit skeptical and a little "meh" about it. It picked up a little slower than I would have liked it to and it immediately started off with an one night stand sex scene before we got the chance to actually meet and feel out our characters, which was the book's biggest downfall. But on the up side of that initial encounter, the sex scenes were done really well and not in a "written porno" type of way so you won't get the feel of erotica while reading.

By the end of the book I did get to build up a bond with the main character although, I was getting frustrated with Addison for the same reasons that Wilder was. It's a pet peeve of mines to read about characters that can't say what they feel, causing unnecessary drama, but unfortunately that makes up the plot lines for many novels and genres across the world. Also, I didn't like the extent of sacrifice and blame that the characters when into. I just don't believe in expecting someone else to sacrifice their happiness for your own and it overly selfish. "Mama gotta have a life too!" - Baby Boy 

The one thing I look for in a romance novel is drama because that signifies reality for me, and butterflies did this book have a lot of drama going on! Relationship drama, family drama, and work place drama created our dramatic trilogy and I loved every waking second of it. About a good 50% of this was predictable for me but I was still kept on the edge of my seat to watch it all play out.  

I would love to give my recommendation for this book to anyone looking to dive into a good romance novel. It's a pretty quick and easy read to get through.

Fresh Ink: An Anthology by Lamar Giles

Synopsis:

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors come together in this remarkable YA anthology featuring ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print. 

Careful--you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written--whose next chapters are up to you. 

Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.

Thirteen of the most accomplished YA authors deliver a label-defying anthology that includes ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play. This collection will inspire you to break conventions, bend the rules, and color outside the lines. All you need is fresh ink. 

Publishing Co.: Random House Children's Crown Books for Young Readers
Rating:★★★

Review:

I received this eARC copy from the Random House Children's via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 

I really enjoyed seven out of the twelve stories, four I thought were just "okay", and one I skipped entirely because I just wasn't feeling it. I love the different messages, in all of the different walks of life that this collection puts out. Most of these were so good that I just want a whole novel wrapped around those characters and their stories alone.

To get specific about a couple of my favorite stories:

I really liked Don't Pass Me by Eric Gansworth for two specific reasons: 1. We don't get to see too many Native American stories often & 2. I love how it's telling you to be yourself no matter what, even if it might make life a little harder on you than it is on others (A.K.A our Caucasian brothers and sisters)

Tags by Walter Dean Myers is the 1 act play included the anthology and I love that it is focused on gun violence and gang retaliation. I like the whole concept and the ending of the play but I didn't care too much for how it started out. I wish it would have started out a little more cleaned up then it did.

One of my top three stories was Why I Learned to Cook by Sara Farizan and it is also one of the lgbt stories. I was happy that I felt a connection with all of the characters but I felt my strongest connection with Yasaman's grandma almost like she was very my own. Also, I really enjoyed how cute and gradually progressive this story was, and I'm not usually a fan of "cute" romance. There was something about it that didn't just slap you in the face and it wasn't at all insta-lovey. 

A Boy's Duty by Sharon G. Flake is another of my top three. The main thing that made this story stand out from the other eleven was how in depth it went for a short story and how touching it was. This particular story is set back in WWII days so you can't help but want to hug, love, and build up the characters.

"Words matter as much as actions," I added. "They might only be letters on a wall, but I feel like the graffiti claimed my mental space." Melissa de la Cruz's One Voice: A Something in Between Story did not disappoint the masses!! I loved this story and it's message so much. In today's society people have it stuck in their heads that if someone is not PHYSICALLY touching you then it is then not causing you harm...and by now we should all know that is a load of bull. What made this so amazing and mind grabbing to me was that Melissa didn't say anything particularly spectacular or anything that we already haven't heard but it really leaves it's mark. Sometimes words leave a bigger scar the an actual knife will and we see it happen every day, sad but true. I think it goes without saying that this was my number one. 

I think this anthology is for many that feel like they're not included in YA or in the book world and I would really love an Adult collection like this. 

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Synopsis:

This Newbery Medal-winning novel by bestselling author Katherine Paterson is a modern classic of friendship and loss.

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie's house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.

In addition to being a Newbery Medal winner, Bridge to Terabithia was also named an ALA Notable Children's Book and has become a touchstone of children's literature, as have many of Katherine Paterson's other novels, including The Great Gilly Hopkins and Jacob Have I Loved.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Rating:★★★

Review:

I'm not sure if it was just me or not but I felt weird the whole time reading this already knowing what was going to happen at the end. 

I'm honestly glad I watched the movie before reading this because I hate to say it but I enjoyed the movie a whole lot more. Reading the actual book lacked in the imagination area for me, I just couldn't pull myself to see what the characters were seeing. I will give the book props for making us feel sorry for Jess because it was obvious that his parents paid less attention and gave a larger workload to him. I don't remember that family dynamic being included in the movie and that truly sucks because it would have made it 10 times better.

Maybe I picked this read up a couple years too late but I know it just wasn't right for me. But I will forever love the movie!!

Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie M. Liu

Synopsis:

Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steampunk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both.

Rating:★★★

Review:

Ehh, I'm underwhelmed.

This was not at all what I thought it was going to be about but that's not necessarily​ a bad thing. I was confused at one point because I had no idea what was going on or where the plot was headed but eventually things were cleared up. The world building could have been a little better, I felt like it was just thrown together in a "here you go" type of way. 

The action is there, the graphics are there, but I just wasn't into it as much as I thought I would be. I'm not really sure where I stand on continuing this series because it just wasn't that great for me.

The Library of Souls (Ghost Talker Files #1) by Richard Denney

Synopsis:

Be careful what you check out... 

Ever since he could remember Simon Santiago could see and talk to the dead. When his parents are killed in a train accident, he is sent to live with his estranged con man of an uncle. Soon Simon is put on as his uncle's assistant in a Ghost Expelling agency and carries out the hard work for his uncle: getting rid of the ghosts. 

Now thirteen with his ability at full maximum Simon is ready to take on bigger tasks with his uncle's booming agency getting more and more calls day by day. When a phone call comes in from a desperate librarian at an infamously haunted library, Simon is all too eager to get to work. But when they arrive at the sprawling mansion of a library, Simon quickly discovers that there's something else haunting the library and its thirst for Simon's soul is dangerously clear from the moment he steps foot into the building. 

With the help of one of the young library volunteers and a mute spirit of the library, Simon is determined to find out what is really going on before his soul as well as his uncle's are added to the ever-growing system of The Library of Souls. Will Simon and his new friend make it out alive?

Find out in the brand new Middle-Grade Horror novel from YouTube personality Richard Denney, featuring an array of spooky photographs that will chill you to the bone... if you're not already dead.

Rating:★★★★★

Review:

I really loved this book!! This has officially made it to my top middle grade favorites and it was spookily delicious. I'm in love with Simon as a little cousin type of character and I wanted to do nothing more than to root for him. EMOTIONALLY INVESTED!!! I got semi 13 Ghost vibes from this and I loved every second of it. I also enjoyed having so many different characters that all got just enough page time and it didn't turn into an overwhelming experience. Richard does such an amazing job developing and rotating his characters in and out of the spot light so, if you don't read this book for anything else, read it for the characters.

I really just loved the whole set up of the book; the characters back stories, the family drama, but especially the plot twist. This is perfect for those of you that want heart pumping creepy but not nightmares. Expect the unexpected kids.