Starlight-Reads

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for supporting me and reading my tumblr blog as it’s grown and changed over the years.

I’ve recently made the decision to move to Wordpress for blogging. You can find me there at https://starlight-reads.com/ (Yes, I actually bought the URL! I feel so official now!) If you still want to read my new content and reviews, please bookmark that address, and I won’t be posting on here anymore. I’ll keep this blog up, as a record (and also to continue to browse Tumblr!) but everything new will happen at that site.

Also, feel free to follow my instagram here, @starlight.reads, for bookish photography!

This is part two in my “Buying Books on a Budget” series. You can read part one here.

In the first post, I mentioned Dollar Stores, Thrift Stores, and Libraries, but those aren’t the only places to find books. Here are three more places where you can find books for cheap!

1. Amazon

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Amazon for a few different reasons, but there’s no denying that it’s a good place to buy books. Ebooks are often very cheap, or cheaper than buying a physical copy of a book. Also, in some strange cases, you might be able to find a paperback or hardcover copy for cheaper than the ebook price! This is usually because of sales, so watch out for those. There are some blogs and websites that are dedicated to reporting book sales on amazon, so follow those if you’re interested in finding books for cheap. 

Also, if you just browse your favorite genre and organize the search results from low to high, you might find some unexpected gems for very cheap! Prices can change very quickly on Amazon due to sales or dwindling stock, so act fast if you see something you like.

2. Half Price Books

Ahh, Half Price Books! Need I say more? You’re probably already familiar with the shop, but if you’re not, it’s a chain store that sells new and used books (and other media, like music and movies.)

As the name suggests, you can find books on discount. For the cost that you’d pay for a single book elsewhere, you can grab a few books to enjoy. It’s a great way to save money and support a bookstore.

3. Facebook Groups

There are plenty of Facebook groups that focus on either buying/selling or swapping books! A quick search on the site can provide you with some groups to join.  You can make some cash by selling your old books. (Be warned that you’ll probably have to pay shipping.) You could also swap your old books for a fresh, new read. Either way is a great way to clear room on your old shelves and get some new reads. Of course, be wary of scams online! 

Synopsis:  Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it. A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications—or consequences—of real life. Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father’s unexpected death, Regan can’t bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality. Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion—accusations that it’s addictive and dangerous— Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty…a decision that will affect the lives of millions. Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world, and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.

My Thoughts so far: I only just picked up Elusion the other day from a thrift shop, but I’m hooked already. The cover itself is absolutely gorgeous, and the text itself gripped me from the first lines of the prologue. The authors are amazing at world building from the very start, which is important in a scifi story. 

Synopsis:  Emmett Atwater thought Babel’s game sounded easy. Get points. Get paid. Go home. But it didn’t take long for him to learn that Babel’s competition was full of broken promises, none darker or more damaging than the last one.

Now Emmett and the rest of the Genesis survivors must rally and forge their own path through a new world. Their mission from Babel is simple: extract nyxia, the most valuable material in the universe, and play nice with the indigenous Adamite population. But Emmett and the others quickly realize they are caught between two powerful forces—Babel and the Adamites—with clashing desires. Will the Genesis team make it out alive before it’s too late?

Series: The Nyxia Triad #2

Date Started: 7/10/18

Date Finished: 7/16/18

Rating: 5/5

Thoughts: *Contains Spoilers for Nyxia (Book 1)*

Scott Reintgen has done it again. I wasn’t sure how Nyxia Unleashed could possibly live up to Nyxia, but it does. It really does.

Nyxia Unleashed picks up exactly where the first book left off, with Emmett and the others heading for Eden. Once there, they’re thrust into Babel’s main mission. However, new twists, turns, and secrets and revealed throughout the novel. 

It was pretty cool to see the training and simulations from the first book actually put into action. The waterway and the mines make their reappearances, and I’m glad that we were introduced to them prior to this book. It really helps to show that Babel knew what type of world they were putting these kids into. While I liked their reappearance, I’m also glad that they weren’t a main focus of the novel. Nyxia could feel a tad bit repetitive with its challenges, but everything is fresh and new in Nyxia Unleashed. 

One thing that’s new is the culture explored in this book. I don’t want to give much away, but there’s a long section of the novel where the crew gets to explore this alien civilization as honored guests. It was a truly wonderful section, especially when you consider that each of the teens came from diverse cultural backgrounds. The lovely name of the planet (which isn’t Eden, Babel!) is revealed, along with its cultural significance, which I found fascinating.

The romance between Emmett and Morning is quite stable and wholesome. With the extremely high stakes and dangers, it’s easy to forget that these are young teens with normal teen hormones and emotions. The many romances that blossom up within the crew feel pretty natural and organic. I love the way that Emmett and Morning care for and defend each other, and also how the other characters react to their relationship. It makes the characters really seem like the teens they are.

The book isn’t all romance and culture though. There’s plenty of danger, both on the planet and off of it. Loyalties and trusts are tested. New and old faces make appearances. Lives will be lost. There’s honestly a whirlwind of things going on, with so many things to love, and so many to hate as well. (Not the book itself, but the characters and forces within it!)

The one thing I didn’t like very much were the chapters that weren’t from Emmett’s point of view. They sort of took me out of the story a little bit, even though they weren’t frequent at all. I think that book one only had one of these chapters, but this one had at least 3 or 4. Again, it’s not a big deal, and those sections add GREATLY to the story, but I’m not 100% in favor of them. At least they were clearly marked.

All in all, I greatly enjoyed Nyxia Unleashed. The stakes were higher than ever, and they’ll be even higher in the next book, Nyxia Uprising, which releases in April 2019. It’s a long time to wait, but I’m sure that it’ll be an amazing conclusion to the series. I honestly have no clue how this series might end, so I’m anxiously awaiting it! 

Nyxia Unleashed is available TODAY! Go pick up your copy now.

Synopsis: Emmett Atwater isn’t just leaving Detroit; he’s leaving Earth. Why the Babel Corporation recruited him is a mystery, but the number of zeroes on their contract has him boarding their lightship and hoping to return to Earth with enough money to take care of his family. Forever. Before long, Emmett discovers that he is one of ten recruits, all of whom have troubled pasts and are a long way from home. Now each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden—a planet that Babel has kept hidden—where they will mine a substance called Nyxia that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe. But Babel’s ship is full of secrets. And Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won’t forever compromise what it means to be human.

Date Started: 7/9/18

Date Finished: 7/10/18

Rating: 5/5

Thoughts: Nyxia is quite possibly one of the most fun books I’ve read in quite a while. 

At the very start of Nyxia, we’re dropped straight into the action. Backstory comes later, woven easily into the course of the novel when things are relevant. The stakes are set high from the very beginning, and they stay that way throughout the entire novel, as new twists, turns, and challenges pop up. 

I really enjoyed the diversity of the characters in this book. Emmett, the main character, is black, and the other characters come from various countries across the globe. I also enjoyed that language barriers and cultural differences came up, and how they were dealt with.

There really aren’t any dull moments in this book. While a good majority of the book consists of the competitions, there are always new challenges thrown in for the recruits to react to. There’s also the aspect of friendship and romance. I feel that the friendships in the novel felt pretty real and organic, especially given the situation. However, without giving anything away, one romance felt pretty instantaneous and unbelievable. You’ll probably know it when you see it. That was one downfall for for, but just a minor one. The main conflict in Nyxia is the danger, secrets, and challenges that come with Babel’s competition. Everything else is extra.

I found myself constantly flipping pages while reading this, and I finished it in a day. It’s not necessarily a fast, easy read, but the action and high stakes kept me up at night reading it. 

Nyxia is the first book in a series of 3, which is evident by the cliffhanger at the end. If that’s a turn off for you, don’t worry! The second book, Nyxia Unleashed, comes out later this month on July 17th, so you won’t have to wait long to find out what happens next! 

Fans of Divergent, The Hunger Games, Across the Universe, and Dove Arising will love this high-stakes sci-fi thriller!

Synopsis:  r.h. Sin continues his bestselling series with Planting Gardens in Graves II, another powerful collection of poetry that hones in on the themes dearest to his readers. This series celebrates connection, mourns heartbreak, and above all, empowers its readers to seek the love they deserve.

Date Finished: 7/8/2018

Rating: 5/5

My Thoughts: Let me start out by saying that I'm almost always the first person to say "I don't like poetry." I'm an English major in college, but most of the poetry I've had to read just doesn't connect with me. Nothing against the classic, great poets, but I just haven't felt anything groundbreaking from reading poetry.

Well, r.h. Sin (and a few other poets) are changing that for me.

I've seen r.h. Sin's work at Target, and I've always been intrigued by the short, brief poetry that looks like something I'd see posted on Tumblr or Instagram. I've never read any of his poetry books before, but when I got the chance to read and review Planting Gardens In Graces II, I jumped on the chance. I'm not sure what poetry was in the book before this one, but I can genuinely say that for a newcomer to r.h. Sin's work and to poetry in general, this book definitely provided for me. 

Let's talk about the poems themselves. Very few poems are longer than a single page, which allows you to just read a single poem at a time, or to binge a few and then reflect. Unlike the poetry that I had to read in school, these poems are of relatable, modern subjects, such as love, heartbreak, and anxiety. There's a palpable sadness running through the entire thing, which I think separates it from some of the more uplifting poetry in this style that you can find on social media sites. Sometimes a sad poem is all you need.

There's no complex rhyme to pick apart, just a nice rhythm dictated by the line breaks. I appreciated the varying poem lengths. While many of them are short, consisting of just a few lines, others are longer and definitely feel deeper. Still, I found myself enjoying all of the poems, and reading them slowly, as one would sip a hot, flavorful tea. You don't have to read them in order. I did, to see how r.h. Sin wanted to present these poems, but opening up to a random poem and just seeing what it was to offer works just as well. My only complaint is that this book wasn't divided into themed sections, but then again, maybe this poetry book works better in the way it's currently organized. 

This book earns 5/5 stars from me. Partially because it's bringing me out of my "I hate poetry  phase," and partially because it's the type of book that I just know I want to keep on my bookshelf for a long time. I currently don't have a section for poetry, so I guess that r.h. Sin will get the first spot. 

Here are some of my favorite lines. 

- "Chase success/not him/choose yourself/not him"

-"I began making a list/of all the benefits/of loving you/and the page remained blank"

-"The world is cold/burn bridges to keep warm"

I recieved this ebook via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review. Thanks! I really enjoyed this!

 Like what you see? Pick up your own copy on 7/10/18!

Synopsis:  Following the smash success of her best-selling book, Pillow Thoughts, Courtney Peppernell now returns with the follow-up sequel Pillow Thoughts II: Healing the Heart. Peppernell understands that healing is a process, and Pillow Thoughts II eloquently captures the time and experience that one goes through on their journey to peace through restoration. A collection of inspirational and comforting poems for anyone who is mending from a broken heart.

My Thoughts So Far: I was so excited to get a copy of Pillow Thoughts II on Netgalley! While I haven’t read the first Pillow Thoughts, a friend of mine has read it. Also, I’m a sucker for jellyfish, so I literally had no choice but to read it. 

Here's a very small portion of my July TBR pile. I'm finally going to tackle Illuminae and Zodiac, two intimidatingly beautiful books that have been taunting me for ages, and I'm going to reread across the universe, which is one of my favorite books ever. @bethrevis has a new book coming out in the Fall, so I'm probably going to binge all of her books to remind myself of her talent as a writer. :)

🎵Everything is blue...🎵

Synopsis:  For as long as Jack “June” O’Donnell has been alive, her parents have had only one rule: stay away from the Angert family. But when June collides—quite literally—with Saul Angert, sparks fly, and everything June has known is thrown into chaos. Who exactly is this gruff, sarcastic, but seemingly harmless boy who has returned to their hometown of Five Fingers, Michigan, after three mysterious years away? And why has June—an O’Donnell to her core—never questioned her late father’s deep hatred of the Angert family? After all, the O’Donnells and the Angerts may have mythic legacies, but for all the tall tales they weave, both founding families are tight-lipped about what caused the century-old rift between them. As Saul and June’s connection grows deeper, they find that the magic, ghosts, and coywolves of Five Fingers seem to be conspiring to reveal the truth about the harrowing curse that has plagued their bloodlines for generations. Now June must question everything she knows about her family and the father she adored, and she must decide whether it’s finally time for her—and all the O’Donnells before her—to let go.

Date Started: 6/24/18

Date Finished: 6/28/18

Rating: 4/5

Thoughts: I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I first picked this novel up. It seemed like a blend of Romeo and Juliet and some Beloved-esque magical realism. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book that dealt with grief, life, and death in a beautiful way. 

From the very start of the book, there are things to get used to, such as the strange pink ghost and June’s magical house, but Emily Henry managed to carefully spin the supernatural elements together with the realistic elements to craft the fabric of June’s world in Five Fingers. If you allow yourself to lose yourself in the world, you’ll have no trouble following June and Saul through their adventures to discover the truth. However, some scenes, particularly toward the end, felt a bit dizzying and hard to follow. A good portion of the novel involves exploring memories, which is definitely interesting and necessary, but occasionally I felt a bit lost. Aside from that, it was still a thrilling ride. 

The pacing of the book was pretty good. A lot happens, specifically in terms of supernaturally exploring memories. Some sections of the book felt a bit slow to me, such as June’s creative writing class in school, but I do realize their importance in June’s overall development as a character, as well as to the plot to some degree. 

The relationship between Saul and June didn’t feel exactly natural to me. There was some insta-love to it, which I’m not a big fan of, but at least it wasn’t immediately acted upon for a variety of factors. In fact, June tries to downplay her attraction to him for a while. Perhaps its due to their curse, or their history or loss, but to me their attraction didn’t feel very real, especially due to everything they were going through.

Despite it’s issues, I still really enjoyed this book. I read it relatively quickly and found myself staying up at night to finish it. The cover is gorgeous, which is fitting for the gorgeous, magical world within. If you enjoyed Toni Morrison's Beloved, which is another magical realism that deals with grief, you might like this book as a YA option. 

I love books, probably a bit more than the next person. However, anyone who loves books as much as I do knows that they can get costly. Many paperbacks can cost around 10 dollars, and hardcovers are almost always more expensive. One of my most expensive books on my shelf is my copy of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, which cost twenty dollars! (Of course, I did buy it at Book Con and got it signed, so I don’t mind as much!)

I’m a college student, so money isn’t exactly something that I have a lot of. Because of this, I’ve learned how to find books for cheap or reduced prices. Here are some of my favorite places to find books!

1. Dollar Stores

Specifically, I’m talking about Dollar Tree. Many Dollar Trees have book sections, where you can find books for... one dollar! While you might think that the books will be low quality, religious, or for young children, you’d be surprised! I’ve found gorgeous hardcovers such as Spindle by E.K. Johnson and Fated by Alyson Noel, as well as many others. To let my Publishing Geek out for a moment, these books are “Remainders,” which are books that weren’t selling very well, and were bought by Dollar Tree to sell to us for a seriously reduced price. 

One problem with shopping at Dollar Tree is that sometimes you’ll pick up an interesting book, only to find that it’s the second or third in a series. This can be a bummer, but if you’re really interested in the book, you should buy it anyway! Depending on how popular your store is, the next time you go, there could be completely different books! I recommend shopping around at multiple stores in your area to see what’s available. 

2. Thrift Stores

Ahhh, who doesn’t love thrifting! It’s totally fun to explore the aisles of a nice thrift store to see what treasures you can find there for discounted prices. I usually bee line to the book section and spend a decent chunk of time scouring the shelves for a new read. I’ve actually found full series at thrift stores. If you get lucky, someone will have donated their full collection, and you’ll find it all at once (As I did with the Evermore series by Alyson Noel!) but usually you’ll have to piece it together book by book, which is actually quite rewarding! A good majority of my bookshelf is actually from various thrift stores!

Price can vary depending on what shop you go to, but usually you’ll find books for as low as 50 cents, ranging up to around 2-5 dollars, which isn’t bad at all, especially when you consider the original prices.

While I love small thrift shops (which are often connected to a local charity or foundation) I’ve found that major chain ones, such as Goodwill and Savers, are the best for finding books, especially young adult ones. Usually they’re better organized based on genre as well.

3. Your Local Library

I’m not talking about checking out books here! (Although that’s another great way to find new books to read without spending a dime!) I’m talking about library sales!

Many libraries host annual book sales, where they have a room full of books that they’re selling for cheap. I once picked up five books for about 8 dollars, which was a great deal!

If your library doesn’t have a big book sale, don’t fret! Many also have smaller sales. Usually you’ll find a shelf full of books, CDs, and DVDs that they’re getting rid of. While the book might have the library dust jacket and label on it, it’s easy to remove, and then you’ll have a book that looks good as new! Ask a librarian if your library has something like this. Usually the proceeds go back to the library, which helps it provide services and programs to your community!

That’s it for now! I actually have a few more trusty places to buy books from, so consider this a part 1! I also want to post a book haul of the things I’ve found at Dollar Tree this month!

Synopsis: My name is Maxton and I’m a trader.

I live on a soulless planet where gravity, oxygen, and everything else are sold to the highest bidder on the black market. People are sold on the black market, too. You have to work really hard not to become one of those people. Pay your taxes, keep your friends and family close, and more than anything else—don’t get caught by the Militia. But all the rules changed for me the day I found her. My name is Sophelia and I’m a stowaway. I’ve been a slave for almost as long as I can remember. Waiting for the one day, one second, for my proprietor to turn his head so I could run and never look back. Now I'm on the run. And on a planet where no one is on your side and people would turn you in for a good meal or a piece of a silver, being on the run on Landu is the last place you want to be. Until he found me. I won't survive without him. I can't breathe without her.

Rating: 5/5

Thoughts: *I received a free ebook copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.*

Oh. My. Gosh. It's been a while since I've read a book that I've really enjoyed. I've been so busy with schoolwork and finishing up my high school career that until recently, I've had to put this blog on hold. I'm pleased to be back with new book reviews, as well as new content.

The Other Side of Gravity is a book that I made time to read during my studies. I would sneak a few pages during dinner, before going to bed, or between long study sessions. With some books, this would have never worked, but this fast paced and action-packed novel kept me on the edge of  my seat whenever I got a chance to read.

The plot of the novel is quite interesting, and the narrative features both Sophelia's and Maxton's alternating point of views, which allowed for different insight on the same events. In some novels, this can be a bit annoying, as the same events are described by both characters, but in this novel, the point of views pick off where the other left off for the most part, with repeated sections only for the sake of clarity or to show drastically different ideas.

There were plenty of quotable moments, and I made sure to capture many of them with the highlight feature of my kindle for future reference. Here are a few of my favorites:

"Because your soul, on this soulless planet, sticks out like one star in a starless sky. And it’s beautiful."

"He said that people don’t make mistakes, they just make a learning curve for everybody else."

"You are worth more than what is in your pockets. You’re worth what’s in your mind and what’s in your heart."

These quotes encompass just a small fraction of the lovely lines and dialogue that inhabit this novel. The author's way with words certainly shines, especially in the dialogue between Maxton and Sophelia.

Speaking of the characters, they were actually quite believable. Maxton is the perfect blend of respectful, realistic, and daring. He's a black market dealer who knows what he wants and needs for his family, but also knows that other people's lives are important as well. He's compassionate, and just the person that Sophelia needs.

Speaking of Sophelia, she's simultaneously broken and strong, with a quick wit, a protective shell, but also a sense of duty and justice. Both characters are definitely characters who could be looked up to as role models for teenagers.

I'm excited to see where this new series will go, and I can't wait to read the second book. Shelly Crane obviously knows her craft, and creates intricate and intriguing worlds and characters that come to life in the reader's mind. Fans of Marie Lu's Legend and Veronica Roth's Insurgent will love this book.

Synopsis: For as long as Jack “June” O’Donnell has been alive, her parents have had only one rule: stay away from the Angert family. But when June collides—quite literally—with Saul Angert, sparks fly, and everything June has known is thrown into chaos. Who exactly is this gruff, sarcastic, but seemingly harmless boy who has returned to their hometown of Five Fingers, Michigan, after three mysterious years away? And why has June—an O’Donnell to her core—never questioned her late father’s deep hatred of the Angert family? After all, the O’Donnells and the Angerts may have mythic legacies, but for all the tall tales they weave, both founding families are tight-lipped about what caused the century-old rift between them. As Saul and June’s connection grows deeper, they find that the magic, ghosts, and coywolves of Five Fingers seem to be conspiring to reveal the truth about the harrowing curse that has plagued their bloodlines for generations. Now June must question everything she knows about her family and the father she adored, and she must decide whether it’s finally time for her—and all the O’Donnells before her—to let go.

My Thoughts So Far: Last night, I checked out the A Million Junes from my library’s ebook service. The cover drew me in with it’s pretty gold text and artwork. I’d love to own a physical copy of this book, as I think it would look stunning on my bookshelf!

It’s not every day that I find a good magical realism book, so I’m really enjoying this one. Emily Henry has done a nice job so far of building up the strange world within the town of Five Fingers. Also, it has Romeo and Juliet vibes, but it doesn’t come off as a retelling of the story. It’s uniquely its own. 

Synopsis: Feeling like an outsider in a new city and at a new school, Mariam finds that her love of comic-book superheroes overlaps with the interests of a new friend who is otaku, crazy about manga and anime. Together, Mariam and Tya plan their costumes for the big fan convention. Mariam is comfortable with her choice of character, partly because as Haruhi, she can dress in a costume that doesn't bare too much skin.

When Tya can't go to the convention, Mariam is relieved to meet up with some boys who are dressed as the rest of the group from Haruhi's manga. Rick, dressed as Haruh''s love interest, insists that Mariam spend all her time with him, doing things that their characters like to do and playing out their romance. When he tries to physically force himself on her, Mariam realizes that Rick is taking the game way too seriously, but how can she escape his attention? This novel explores the appealing world of comic books and graphic novels that has growing numbers of young people exploring role playing and attending fan conventions.

Rating: 3/5

Thoughts: *I received a free ebook copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.*

As a fan of anime, manga, and comic books, I felt at home with this novel. Many recognizable shows and characters, such as Haruhi of Ouran High School Host Club and the countries of Hetalia, were mentioned, some of which even come to play big roles in the plot.

Despite this book having references to things that I'm interested in, it fell short for me in a variety of ways.

The plot was very slow at the beginning, and it felt like there was less of the actual Con than Mariam's personal life, which consists of her extremely over protective mother, (even my mom isn't that over protective!) her new friend Tya, who gets her interested in Anime, and her trying to keep in contact with her old friends via video chat. The characters seemed to be mostly stereotypes, with the sweet, yet manipulative prince charming, the overly-excited

To be honest, Mariam felt like a bit of a push-over. Sure, she was dealing with manipulative characters (Rick, and to some extent, Tya,) but she should have had more of a backbone in order to keep from doing things she wasn't comfortable with. I believe that she could serve as an example of what not to do, such as leaving crowded areas while in dangerous situations and always going with a friend in crowded unfamiliar places. She was our main character, and she seemed to be a very flat character. There was nothing about her that really made me want to root for her, and I didn't feel any connections aside from our shared love of comics and anime.

Still, I won't say that it wasn't a good book. There were plenty of amusing pop culture references and it's definitely an eye opener for people who go to cons. No matter what they say about cosplay and consent, there are always people who will abuse the fun of the con and ruin it for others. People planning to go to cons will probably learn a bit from this book.

Synopsis:

As a candy store employee by day, and mysterious deejay "Niteowl" by night, eighteen-year-old Ingrid North is stuck between rock 'n roll and a hard place. She can't wait to get out of her tiny hometown of Steadfast, Nebraska (population three hundred and forty-seven) to chase her dreams, but small-town troubles keep getting in the way. She can't abandon her grandmother with Alzheimer's, or her best friend Micah--who she may or may not be in love with.

But for one hour each Saturday, she escapes all of that. On air, she isn't timid, ugly-sweater-wearing Ingrid North. She's the funny and daring Niteowl. Every boy's manic pixie dream girl. Fearless. And there is one caller in particular-- Dark and Brooding--whose raspy laugh and snarky humor is just sexy enough to take her mind off Micah. Not that she's in love with Micah or anything. Cause she's not.

As her grandmother slips further away and Micah begins dating a Mean-Girls-worthy nightmare, Ingrid runs to the mysterious Dark and Brooding as a disembodied voice to lean on, only to fall down a rabbit hole of punk rockstars, tabloid headlines, and kisses that taste like bubble tea. But the man behind the voice could be surprising in all the right, and wrong, ways.

And she just might find that her real life begins when Niteowl goes off the air.

Rating: 5/5

Thoughts: *I received a free ebook copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.*

As of this late, contemporary, post-high school, pre-college books are officially my thing. Saying goodbye to the past, embracing the future, and experiencing new things are all part of my near future as I prepare to graduate from high school (I'm graduating today, actually!) and leave to college next year, as they are part of Ingrid North's life in this novel. While our lives are very different (I attended a large school with a graduating class of about 700 versus her class of 30-ish students, and I run a book blog, as opposed to her saturday night radio show) I think that the experience of making big life decisions and letting go of the people you've always known is one shared by many people in the 17-19 age range.  

In addition to making big life decisions, there's also the concepts of unrequited love, unaware love, and family love. I won't say how or in who, but the relationships that Ingrid forms with those around her are very realistic. There are fights and moments of irrationality and dark emotions, which is so much better than in some novels in which the friends never fight. There are real life issues as well, such as grief, bullying and health issues. This novel isn't just about Ingrid's radio show; it's about her experiences just after high school graduation, which just so happens to include her radio show and potential internship.

Speaking of the that, author Ashley Poston expertly balanced the different aspects of Ingrid's life, making sure that her family, friends, and radio show all got their time. Additionally, the band Roman Holiday, which I just found out is from the companion novel to this book, called The Sound of Us, is interwoven throughout the book, be it through suggested hints during the radio show, or actually mentioned by the characters. We Own the Night is actually the "sequel" to The Sound of Us, but rest assured that you don't need to read them in any particular order! You're not missing out on anything. I am excited to actually read the Sound of us, though. It's next on my TBR list!

All-in-all, this book is great for those in the transition period after high school, or for high school seniors ready to leave the nest. Fans of Cori McCarthy's You Were Here will love this contemporary young adult novel.