Reading

I Wanna Be Your Girl – Umi Takase | A Book Review

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I Wanna Be Your Girl - Umi Takase

Title: I Wanna Be Your Girl (Volume 1)

Author: Umi Takase

Genre: Manga (Young Adult)

About the book: It’s the first volume in the series that follows Hime and Akira who have been friends since they were kids. When Akira decides to openly live as a girl in high school, she is bullied for it, and Hime dresses as a boy in support of the friend she loves.

I received an advanced reader copy from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.

First impressions: I used to read manga and graphic novels as a kid, so I was looking forward to picking this one up. I was curious to see how the premise would play out. The beginning introduces the characters and lays the foundation for the rest of the story.

Characters: Hime becomes more likeable as the manga progresses. There aren’t too many characters, and some of the secondary ones are interesting. I wish the plot focused more on Akira than Hime.

Quote:

“It’s what we refuse to give up that makes us who we are, right?”

Writing: The book is around 235 pages with short chapters, making for a quick and easy read. It explores different concepts such as gender, identity, and sexuality. I enjoyed the writing and the black-and-white illustrations.

Final thoughts: The ending wasn’t what I expected, but it provides some closure while also setting the stage for the next volume in the series. I would recommend I Wanna Be Your Girl, especially if you’re a young adult who wants to read a contemporary LGBT coming-of-age story.

Reading

The Prisoner’s Throne – Holly Black | A Book Review

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The Prisoner’s Throne - Holly Black

Title: The Prisoner’s Throne

Author: Holly Black

Genre: Fantasy Romance (Young Adult)

About the book: It’s the second book in the Stolen Heir duology about an imprisoned prince, a vengeful queen, and a battle that will determine the future of Elfhame. Prince Oak is imprisoned and bound to a new queen. When High King Cardan and High Queen Jude try to retrieve him, Oak has to decide whether he’ll regain the trust of Wren, the girl he loves, or remain loyal to Elfhane and end her reign as queen.

First impressions: I’ve read the Folk of the Air trilogy and the first book in this duology, so I was interested to see how it would conclude. The beginning starts off strong and sets up the rest of the story.

Characters: I enjoyed following Oak and his character development. I became more invested in Oak and Wren’s relationship as the novel progressed. It’s easier to follow along if you read the books in order, especially because there are a lot of secondary characters.

Quote:

“I know what it is to want something so much that you would rather have the shadow of it than nothing, even if that means you will never have the real thing.”

Writing: It’s about 350 pages long. The pacing slows down in the middle, but it picks up near the end. The author does a good job interweaving romance and magic throughout the book. I predicted some events, but I didn’t see some twists coming.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed the ending, and I think it does justice to the duology. If you’re looking for a fun and entertaining fantasy read to escape real life, I would recommend The Prisoner’s Throne.

Reading

How Could She – Lauren Mechling | A Book Review

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How Could She - Lauren Mechling

Title: How Could She

Author: Lauren Mechling

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

About the book: It’s a standalone about three old friends as they navigate careers, relationships, and friendships. Geraldine is struggling to get her life back on track in Toronto after breaking up with her fiancé. Sunny and Rachel are in New York, where they have good jobs and handsome husbands. But Sunny’s life as an artist isn’t nearly as glamorous as Geraldine thinks, while Rachel is trying to juggle her life as a writer, wife, and new mother. When Geraldine decides to move and join them, she has to find her footing in a new city.

First impressions: I was interested to see where the story would go. The beginning introduces some of the characters. The pacing is slower at the start.

Characters: The novel revolves around the lives of Geraldine, Rachel, and Sunny. They all have different flaws but become more unlikeable as the story goes on. There are a lot more secondary characters than I expected, so it took some effort to remember who everyone was.

Quote:

“Everybody needed something to love. Everybody needed something that would save them.”

Writing: It’s about 310 pages long with short chapters. The novel explores different types of media such as writing and podcasting. The story is more character-driven as there isn’t much of a plot.

Final thoughts: The ending wasn’t as satisfying as I wanted it to be. I think the premise had potential and some moments resonated with me, but the execution fell a little flat. If you’re interested in reading about the good, bad, and ugly of female friendships, you may like How Could She.

Reading

Never Ever After – Sue Lynn Tan | A Book Review

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Never Ever After - Sue Lynn Tan

Title: Never Ever After

Author: Sue Lynn Tan

Genre: Fantasy Romance (Young Adult)

About the book: It’s the first book in the series inspired by Cinderella and a Chinese fairy tale. After Yining acquires an enchanted ring, it is stolen by her step-aunt, so she has to venture into the kingdom to get her ring back. While Yining is in the palace, she captures the eye of an ambitious prince and an advisor from a rival court. As she tries to unravel the mystery of her past, she fights for her own future.

I received an advanced reader copy from Hachette Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

First impressions: The premise sounded intriguing, so I was excited to read this novel. I enjoyed how the beginning introduces the characters and builds the world.

Characters: I like Yining and her development. I could relate to her, and her struggles resonated with me. It was interesting to learn more about the other characters, specifically the prince Zixin and the advisor Jin.

Quote:

“Yet power is meaningless when it destroys those it is meant to protect.”

Writing: The book is almost 350 pages with short chapters. Some events are more easier to predict, but a few twists caught me by surprise. The pacing is slower at times, but it picks up toward the end.

Final thoughts: I found the ending to be satisfying. It provides enough closure while leaving certain things open-ended and setting the stage for the second book in the series. I would recommend Never Ever After, especially if you’re a fan of darker fairy tale retellings filled with fantasy, romance, and magic.

Reading

Amity – Nathan Harris | A Book Review

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Amity - Nathan Harris

Title: Amity

Author: Nathan Harris

Genre: Historical Fiction

About the book: It’s a standalone novel set in 1866 after the Civil War, following formerly enslaved siblings Coleman and June. Two years earlier, June was taken to Mexico by their former master, Mr. Harper, while Coleman remained in Louisiana to serve Mrs. Harper and their daughter, Florence. When Mr. Harper sends a letter summoning Coleman south, he embarks on a dangerous journey across the Mexican desert with Florence. As the siblings navigate their own trials and tribulations to find each other, they learn that freedom isn’t always given; sometimes it must be taken by force.

I received an advanced reader copy from Hachette Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

First impressions: The premise sounded interesting. I was looking forward to seeing where the story would go. The beginning introduces some of the characters and sets the stage for the rest of the book.

Characters: I enjoyed the character development of Coleman and June. I was more invested in Coleman’s journey and the challenges he faced. Some of the secondary characters are likeable while others are not.

Quote:

“It is not so wrong, in my estimation, to feel like no more than a child when a miracle transpires.”

Writing: The book is around 310 pages with the point of view alternating between Coleman and June. The pacing is slower at times, but it picks up toward the end. It’s a well-written, character-driven story with many emotional moments.

Final thoughts: The plot went in a different direction than I expected. I enjoyed the ending, especially the epilogue, and how it comes full circle. I would recommend Amity if you’re interested in reading about two siblings emancipated from slavery but still searching for freedom after the Civil War.

Reading

The Three-Body Problem – Cixin Liu | A Book Review

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The Three-Body Problem - Cixin Liu

Title: The Three-Body Problem

Author: Cixin Liu

Translator: Ken Liu

Genre: Science Fiction

About the book: It’s the first book in the Remembrance of Earth’s Past series set during China’s Cultural Revolution about a secret military project that sends signals into space to make contact with aliens. The alien civilization is on the brink of destruction, and they plan to invade Earth. Some people want to welcome the aliens and help them take over a corrupt world, while others fight against the invasion.

First impressions: The premise sounded interesting, and I was curious to see where the story would go. The beginning builds the world, introduces some characters, and lays the groundwork for the plot. The pacing is slow at the start, so it took me a while to get into the story.

Characters: There’s a list of characters, which makes it easier to remember who everyone is and their relationship to each other. I wasn’t as invested in some of them right away, but they grew on me over time.

Quote:

“By the time you’re my age, you’ll realize that everything you once thought mattered so much turns out to mean very little.”

Writing: It’s about 390 pages, and the pacing picks up in the second half. Some parts are more scientific and technical. I think Ken Liu did a good job translating the text, and the translator’s notes provided additional context. I appreciated the references to Chinese culture and language. The novel explores politics, philosophy, history, technology, and more.

Final thoughts: The plot went in a different direction than I thought it would. I liked the ending and how things come full circle. I wouldn’t recommend Three-Body Problem to everyone, but fans of hard science fiction may enjoy it.

Reading

The Lioness – Chris Bohjalian | A Book Review

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The Lioness - Chris Bohjalian

Title: The Lioness

Author: Chris Bohjalian

Genre: Historical Thriller

About the book: It’s a standalone set in 1964 that follows Katie Barstow, a Hollywood actress, who invites her friends to the Serengeti for an African safari. When a group of Russian mercenaries kill their guides, kidnap them, and shove them into abandoned huts, Katie hopes that she can see the sun rise one more time.

First impressions: I enjoyed The Flight Attendant by Bohjalian, so I was looking forward to reading another book of his. There’s a short prologue, and the beginning introduces several characters.

Characters: The novel revolves around Katie, her husband David, her best friend Carmen, her co-star Terrance, and a few others. There’s a character list at the beginning of the book that makes it easier to remember who people are and their relationship to each other. I liked learning more about everyone and their backstory. I could relate to Katie and Carmen more than the men. The plot is multilayered, but it’s character-driven in a good way.

Quote:

“He constantly had to remind himself that loving someone’s company a couple of days or nights a week was just not the same as loving someone so much that you wanted that company all the time and felt a little unmoored when you were going to be away from them for any real length of time.”

Writing: It’s about 310 pages with short chapter breaks. The book is told in multiple points of view, alternating between the past and present. Some scenes are more graphic and violent in nature. The pacing is slower at the start, but it picks up in the second half.

Final thoughts: The ending is interesting, and the epilogue isn’t what I expected. Although the story went in a different direction than I anticipated, it’s entertaining and well-written. I would recommend The Lioness if you’re looking for a historical thriller that explores power, politics, and predation.

Reading

All the Dangerous Things – Stacy Willingham | A Book Review

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All the Dangerous Things - Stacy Willingham

Title: All the Dangerous Things

Author: Stacy Willingham

Genre: Mystery Thriller

About the book: It’s a standalone that follows Isabelle Drake after her son, Mason, was abducted from his crib in the middle of the night while she and her husband, Ben, were asleep in the next room. Her life now revolves around finding him, and so she agrees to be interviewed by a true-crime podcaster, Waylon. His questioning and her insomnia make her doubt her recollection of the night Mason disappeared and who she can trust.

First impressions: The premise sounded intriguing to me, so I was excited. The beginning introduces some of the characters and sets up the rest of the story. The pacing is slower at the start, but it picks up.

Characters: Isabelle is an unreliable narrator, but I liked learning more about her. I wasn’t too invested in the other characters at first because they aren’t the most likeable or relatable.

Quote:

“Sometimes, the mind is stronger than our attempts to override it.”

Writing: It’s around 320 pages with short chapters, alternating between past and present in first person perspective. The second half of the book is faster paced than the first half. Some events are easier to predict, but I enjoyed the different twists and turns.

Final thoughts: The ending wraps up loose ends, but leaves some things open to interpretation. I didn’t expect the book to end the way it did. I would recommend All the Dangerous Things if you’re interested in suspenseful crime fiction about memory, motherhood, and mental health.