Showing posts with label indigo spotm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indigo spotm. Show all posts

5 Aug 2019

#Review: SPIN THE DAWN by Elizabeth Lim

05 August 3 Comments

SPIN THE DAWN

Author: Elizabeth Lim
Series: The Blood of Stars #1
Source: Indigo Staff Pick of the Month
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:


Summary:
Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

 Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

 Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

 And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

 Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh. 
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this from Chapters Indigo but read it via Audible. This in no way impacts my opinion.
Seize the wind, I whispered. Don't become the kite that never flies.
This was very disappointing and felt like it was three books in one and none of them were all that great. I was hoping for so much more in terms of plot and characters but I did enjoy the Asian aspects of this! Definitely not the book for me but I know people who have loved it so check it out if you're interested.

 Not only did this have an ableist plot line with our main character pretending to be her disabled brother, but it also just was too many things at once. I loved the rich worldbuilding and the look into Asian culture. With how great that aspect was, I was hoping that this would be so much better. But it just wasn't.

 This book is too many things. It starts with a competition, which is where the Project Runway comparison comes in, and that's great! But it was over so quickly and didn't have the same sort of reality TV or competition feel that you really want out of it. There was barely any tension or excitement throughout because you knew with how many people were getting kicked out that it was going to be over quickly.

 Then it became a quest and a magical one at that. Which is fine! I love magical quests! But it felt like it was lumped into something that it shouldn't have been. Plus there was a romance that I hated and couldn't get behind. It was so cheesy and forced and I just couldn't bare to read about them anymore.

 The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger so be cautious if you dislike those. I probably won't read the next one or continue this series but if you liked this one, I hope you enjoy the rest!

Have you read this one? What was your favourite part?
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3 comments: quickedit
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26 Jun 2019

#Review: GRACE AND FURY by Tracy Banghart

26 June 2 Comments

GRACE AND FURY

Author: Tracy Banghart
Series: Grace and Fury #1
Source: Indigo Staff Pick of the Month
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 31, 2018
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:


Summary:
In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other in prison.

 Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace - someone to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining, subjugated example of the perfect woman. But when her headstrong and rebellious younger sister, Nomi, catches the heir's eye, it's Serina who takes the fall for the dangerous secret that Nomi has been hiding.

 Now trapped in a life she never wanted, Nomi has only one way to save Serina: surrender to her role as a Grace until she can use her position to release her sister. This is easier said than done. A traitor walks the halls of the palace, and deception lurks in every corner. But Serina is running out of time, imprisoned on an island where she must fight to the death to survive and one wrong move could cost her everything.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Indigo and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

This was a solidly good novel. It wasn’t great but it wasn’t boring, which honestly is the most important thing for me. The right pacing, good characters, and enough twists to keep you interested. I would have liked a bit more time spent on worldbuilding and some of the minor characters could have been developed more, but I enjoyed this overall.

I really liked seeing the two different sisters navigate the obstacles put in front of them and learn how to use their strengths and weaknesses to get around in the world they live in.
It isn't a choice when you don't have the freedom to say no. A yes doesn't mean the same thing when it's the only answer you're allowed!
In this novel, women aren't allowed to do anything (not even read or write!) so I really liked seeing how the political landscape affected what the sisters did in order to overcome those challenges. I thought there was a lot of really good worldbuilding in some regards, but in other ways there just wasn't enough.

 Some areas fell a little flat for me in terms of character building because we were switching between perspectives. I would have liked a bit more time spent with each of the sisters and maybe had this book be about one and the next be about the other or something just to give us more time with each. However, I think it would have felt lackluster without both perspectives.

 I am really excited to see how this story continues and where it is going next so be sure to check out the sequel, QUEEN OF RUIN, in July!
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30 Apr 2019

#Review: DESCENDANT OF THE CRANE by Joan He

30 April 3 Comments

DESCENDANT OF THE CRANE

Author: Joan He
Series: N/A
Source: Indigo Staff Pick of the Month
Publisher: Albert Whitman Company
Publication Date: April 9, 2019
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:


Summary:
Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered—and that the killer is someone close to her.

 Hesina’s court is packed full of dissemblers and deceivers eager to use the king’s death for political gain, each as plausibly guilty as the next. Her advisers would like her to blame the neighboring kingdom of Kendi’a, whose ruler has been mustering for war. Determined to find her father’s actual killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by
death, since magic was outlawed centuries ago.

 Using the information provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of Yan at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Indigo and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

There are a lot of really great things about DESCENDANT OF THE CRANE and some things that I didn't love. This was at the top of my TBR because I was so excited to read an East Asian cultural book. But I found this one to drag (from a really early point!) and I didn't really care about Hesina and her problems. 

 It was extremely slow in terms of building up the tension and problems; however, even though the pay off was worth it, I thought that it took too long for me. I didn't care as much as I would have liked because of how long it took to get to the plot points that I cared about. But this means that there was a lot of world building and expose of the culture. 

 I thought the synopsis didn't quite capture this one (imo) but it does describe the first couple chapters in case you don't want to read those! I think my expectations for this one were just too high because I heard such great things about this (including that it was Game of Thrones with Chinese inspiration, which.... I guess?)

 My biggest complaint is the pacing of this one. The pace of this definitely wasn't for me. But I loved so much more of this including the world building and the depth and richness to the culture. If you like slow burn fantasy that makes you work for the payoff, this one is for you!
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1 Apr 2019

#Review: FOUR DEAD QUEENS by Astrid Scholte

01 April 11 Comments

FOUR DEAD QUEENS

Author: Astrid Scholte
Series: N/A
Source: Indigo Staff Pick of the Month
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:


Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Keralie Corrington may seem harmless, but she's, in fact, one of Quadara's most skilled thieves and a liar. Varin, on the other hand, is an honest, upstanding citizen of Quadara's most enlightened region, Eonia. He runs afoul of Keralie when she steals a package from him, putting his life in danger. When Varin attempts to retrieve the package, he and Keralie both find themselves entangled in a conspiracy that leaves all four of Quadara's queens dead.

 With no other choices and on the run from Keralie's former employer, the two decide to join forces, endeavoring to discover who has killed the queens and save their own lives in the process. When their reluctant partnership blooms into a tenuous romance, they must overcome their own dark secrets in hopes of a future together that seemed impossible just days before. But first they have to stay alive and untangle the secrets behind the nation's four dead queens.

 An enthralling fast-paced murder mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences, Four Dead Queens heralds the arrival of an exciting new YA talent.Seventeen-year-old Keralie Corrington may seem harmless, but she's, in fact, one of Quadara's most skilled thieves and a liar. Varin, on the other hand, is an honest, upstanding citizen of Quadara's most enlightened region, Eonia. He runs afoul of Keralie when she steals a package from him, putting his life in danger. When Varin attempts to retrieve the package, he and Keralie both find themselves entangled in a conspiracy that leaves all four of Quadara's queens dead.

 With no other choices and on the run from Keralie's former employer, the two decide to join forces, endeavoring to discover who has killed the queens and save their own lives in the process. When their reluctant partnership blooms into a tenuous romance, they must overcome their own dark secrets in hopes of a future together that seemed impossible just days before. But first they have to stay alive and untangle the secrets behind the nation's four dead queens.

 An enthralling fast-paced murder mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences, Four Dead Queens heralds the arrival of an exciting new YA talent.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

 Please note: There is discussion about eugenics and killing of lesbian characters in this story. Read more about this in Cait's review.

 Please note #2: I am going to spoil the book in my review to explain my opinion on one aspect.

 I do not condone the use of eugenics or creating characters to rid them of disabilities and killing them off quicker because of said disabilities. I do not think that this was handled well in the story - but it did have the potential to be. However, we cannot judge based on potential for things.

 With respect to the icing of the gays, I am torn. I identify as bisexual, not lesbian, so I cannot speak in terms of the actual representation of the characters and how they are portrayed in that regard. I didn't, however, have that much of an issue with their deaths. I mean. It's right there in the title, folks. I understand that one of the queens lived and, yes, it could have been that this queen had been one of the gay characters. But I'm not super mad about them both dying.

 I thought overall it was a pretty well told story, with a few mishaps along the way. The story felt a little flawed in how it was told: I liked the vignettes of the queens interlaced with the forward plot but I thought that parts of it lagged a bit. I would have liked a faster pace throughout, especially since Keralie thought the queens were murdered. There wasn't as much urgency as there should have been based on the context of the story.

 This one started a little slow, and I think because it is a standalone it tried to do a little too much, but I did really enjoy it. I was right about a lot of my theories but there were some surprises as well. If you like genre mashing, especially between mystery and fantasy, this is the book for you!
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13 Mar 2019

Subscription Box #Review: #IndigoBookBox (January and February 2019)

13 March 2 Comments

I am reviewing TWO of the Indigo Book Boxes for you today because they came out around the same time and I unboxed them at the same time. While Indigo DOES send me their Staff Picks of the Month for review and promotion, they DO NOT send me these Teen Book Boxes for the same purpose. I purchase these myself.

 They are a little difficult to find on the Indigo website because Indigo is (much) more than just a subscription box website as they are the only Canadian big box store for books, home goods, etc.

 Past boxes (that are still available):
Today, I am reviewing the January box (Leigh Bardugo, KING OF SCARS) and February box (Angie Thomas, ON THE COME UP) for you! I'll start with January and move into February and give you a full wrap-up of worth, value, etc. at the bottom for both.

January 2019: Leigh Bardugo


Price: $29.99 (with free shipping)
Shipping Time: 3 days
Included inside...

  • A copy of King of Scars (regular edition) signed by the author
  • A letter from Leigh Bardugo
  • An exclusive King of Stars travel mug – perfect for that fortifying hot or cold beverage to help you battle through your day
  • A tube of FOLKLORE Sweet Honey Hand Cream to soothe your hands after turning each of those awesome pages
  • Grishaverse pin that looks amazing on my pinboard
  • Bookmark for CROWN OF FEATHERS by Nicki Pau Preto
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4 Jul 2018

#Review: NEVERWORLD WAKE by Marisha Pessl

04 July 0 Comments

NEVERWORLD WAKE

Author: Marisha Pessl
Series: N/A
Source: Indigo
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

 Summary:
Once upon a time, back at Darrow-Harker School, Beatrice Hartley and her six best friends were the cool kids, the beautiful ones. Then the shocking death of Jim—their creative genius and Beatrice's boyfriend—changed everything.

 One year after graduation, Beatrice is returning to Wincroft—the seaside estate where they spent so many nights sharing secrets, crushes, plans to change the world—hoping she'll get to the bottom of the dark questions gnawing at her about Jim’s death. But as the night plays out in a haze of stilted jokes and unfathomable silence, Beatrice senses she’s never going to know what really happened.

 Then a mysterious man knocks on the door. Blithely, he announces the impossible: time for them has become stuck, snagged on a splinter that can only be removed if the former friends make the harshest of decisions. Now Beatrice has one last shot at answers... and at life.

 And so begins the Neverworld Wake.
Purchase:
Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this from Indigo and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion. 

 There were some really good parts to this and others (around how mental health was dealt with) that left me wanting more and/or a sensitivity reader. But this was still interesting. I think if you want something like IF I STAY by Gayle Forman, this is a good book for you.
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