#roseisreading

Let me just say that everything this woman writes turns into gold.

This novel is written in verse, and it just comes to life off of the page. I highly recommend the audiobook, because it just sounds like one long slam poem.

There were moments when I was laughing, and then there were also moments that brought tears to my eyes.

Xiomara is such a strong character, and you can tell that she brings light to a lot of people in her life, even if she can't see it herself. Learning to find your voice as a teenager is hard, but X is able to do it. That's powerful.

This was a great young adult thriller that combined all of the most riveting parts of Gossip Girl and Get Out. 

The story follows Devon and Chiamaka, the two students at the top of their class (and also the only Black students) who find themselves as the target of increasingly threatening messages by an unknown entity. 

You will not know who to trust at the beginning of the story, but as the supporting cast of character’s true colors begin to show, it is clear that you, Devon, and Chiamaka are all trying to figure out who is wreaking havoc on their lives together.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really liked this book. Klune is able to write this story of grief, friendship and growth in a way that is both light-hearted and serious. There are moments where I was laughing, and then there were others where tears started to form.

The main characters are well-developed, though I would have appreciated a little more development of a couple secondary characters. I thought that the pacing of the story was also very smooth until the last conflict. When I arrived at the last conflict, I understand why it occurred the way that it did, but one part of it made it seem like it was wrapped up nicely in order to have a specific ending.

Overall, I think that this book was a good read while the world is still grappling with so much pain. It's reflective, for sure, but there is also a thread of hope that runs through it for the reader to hold on to, even past the final page.

There are some books that I finish where I think “not bad, but not memorable”. Then there are some books where I read the last page, close the book and stare off into the distance for a while. Those are the books that I think about for hours if not days afterwards.

I’ve been thinking about Firekeeper’s Daughter (by Angeline Boulley) since I finished it last night. Heck, I even woke up thinking about it this morning.

This is a young adult story, with mystery/thriller aspects. However, there are much larger themes of grief, growing up, justice, and how identity shapes who you are. The story flows well, and you will get attached the characters.

One (of the many) aspects that kept me hooked was the writing style. It was beautiful, with long descriptions, poignant statements/acknowledgments, and scenes that somehow made your heart race and break at the same time.

There is so much Native American culture woven into this story, and I thank Boulley for sharing this culture with us. This is a powerful, impactful debut novel and I highly recommend picking this one up.

With a novel as heavy as this, there are many trigger warnings. The biggest ones are murder, sexual assault, rape, drug use, drug abuse, racism, gun violence, and death.

What books have you read recently that you just can't stop thinking about?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Do you ever have a book that you borrow from the library, listen to, or read on your phone or e-reader and you say to yourself "wow. I really wish I had a physical copy"? Well I was saying that to myself every time I picked up this book.

This story is magical, surreal, escapist, brilliant and so beautifully written. I audibly gasped several times throughout this book. Córdova is an insanely talented author, and now I want to pick up her other work. The characters of Orquídea Divina, Marimar, Rey and others are so lifelike that I felt that I could reach through the pages and find myself in Four Rivers with them. 

I think that the blurb of this book did not do it justice. There is just so much more for the reader to learn and experience beyond what is advertised, and I think that makes this book all the more enticing. I appreciated the alternating timelines and the pacing of the story. 

This story was just an absolute delight. I read The Night Circus last winter/spring, so I knew that I was already a fan of Erin Morgenstern's writing.

I wish I had all the right words to describe how this book grabbed me. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop thinking about the book until it was over. I did set it down every once in a while because I had a lot of school work to do, and it was a bit slow-paced. Every time I picked the book back up I was sucked right back in.

The main thread of the story is very easy to follow, but then there are chapters interspersed throughout the story that will all make sense by the end.

The characters are so dynamic, and while there are some that are lovable there are others that are morally gray.

Let me start off by saying that I read this door stop of a book in four days. And I loved it.

There is so much depth to the characters and the plot that you are truly sucked in from the very beginning.

The story also has fantastic representation, in both LGBTQ+ and mental health representation. Especially in fantasy, mental health representation kind of takes a back seat but I appreciate that it was approached and discussed head-on.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book was such a delight to read! I loved the plot, how the characters were written and developed, and how mental health was portrayed and discussed.

Everything about this story is great. I really applaud the author on this book, as it is their debut novel.

I read this in about two days on the beach, and could not put it down. It's fast-paced, funny, emotional at times, and overall just a heartwarming read where you will be rooting for Dev and Charlie. For readers who are considering picking this book up, I highly recommend that you do; you won't be disappointed.