Samantha Cook's Blog, page 3
October 21, 2020
Launching Scookie Reviews on Youtube
I did a thing! I finally built up the courage to make video reviews, and boy did it take courage. Okay, I know it's not perfect. But if making videos is anything like writing, then I just need to keep at it! I found it difficult to nail the informative bookish style that many reviewers adopt. I realised I'm much better at embracing my goofy side and having a bit of fun with it because 'Mouth
October 16, 2020
Book Review: Spin the Dawn
SPIN THE DAWN by Elizabeth Lim4 starsVerdict: Awesome, dull, then crazy!Maia is a talented tailor who dreams of working for the Emperor. When a male from her family is summoned to compete for the honour of imperial tailor, Maia poses as her brother to take his place. Magic, adventure, and banter ensue. This tale is spun from three parts, and my opinions varied throughout. It starts as Mulan meets
September 1, 2020
Book Review: A Pinch of Magic
A PINCH OF MAGIC by Michelle Harrison5 StarsVerdict: An original witchy tale. Betty Widershins and her two sisters are cursed never to leave the gloomy island that has always been their home. For an adventurous girl like Betty, that will never do! When each sister receives a magical heirloom, they set out to break the curse, starting with the possibly haunted Crowstone prison. The book cover
August 25, 2020
Book Review: Britfield and the Lost Crown
BRITFIELD AND THE LOST CROWN4 StarsVerdict: A thrilling adventure across England of all places!Our story begins in Weatherly Orphanage, Yorkshire, a dingy place with strict rule and cruel staff. It quickly turns into an adventure to Oxford, London, Southampton - all across England in a hot air balloon as orphan Tom tries to discover the dangerous truth behind his real name. The story doesn't
August 17, 2020
Book Review: Crooked Kingdom
CROOKED KINGDOM#2 Six of Crows5 StarsVerdict: A fine sequel (Coming from me, that says a lot!)I read this book like sipping a fine wine, savouring the good bits but perhaps falling asleep on the sofa once or twice. I didn't find it quite as gripping as book one, and I will admit the 'plotting scenes' received too much word time for my likings, given that the whole point is for their plans to go
March 5, 2020
Book Review: The Wicked King
THE WICKED KING by Holly Black
#2 The Folk of the Air
3 Stars
Verdict: An okay middle book.
Me and middle book of trilogies have beef. It's been a long time since I've really enjoyed one, and I'm starting to think it's me.
Why do they always spend the first two thirds of the book in story limbo? Why do they refuse to end in a satisfying manner and instead throw you over a cliff and expect
#2 The Folk of the Air
3 Stars
Verdict: An okay middle book.
Me and middle book of trilogies have beef. It's been a long time since I've really enjoyed one, and I'm starting to think it's me.
Why do they always spend the first two thirds of the book in story limbo? Why do they refuse to end in a satisfying manner and instead throw you over a cliff and expect
December 12, 2019
Book Review: Noughts and Crosses
NOUGHTS AND CROSSES by Malorie Blackman
3 stars
Verdict: An important story but no-frills writing.
I’ve wanted to read this book since I was a child. Now fully grown and still
enjoy YA fiction of all kinds, I couldn’t ignore how this has been recommended
to me throughout the years. That’s why I don’t like that I didn’t enjoy it. Despite
seeing its value as a teaching device, the truth
3 stars
Verdict: An important story but no-frills writing.
I’ve wanted to read this book since I was a child. Now fully grown and still
enjoy YA fiction of all kinds, I couldn’t ignore how this has been recommended
to me throughout the years. That’s why I don’t like that I didn’t enjoy it. Despite
seeing its value as a teaching device, the truth
December 4, 2019
Book Review: Girls of Storm and Shadow
GIRLS OF STORM AND SHADOW by Natasha Ngan
Girls of Paper and Fire #2
3 Stars
Verdict: Middle book syndrome.
Travelling? Check. Cliche twins? Check. Shaky love triangle? Check.
I'm afraid this book is suffering from middle book syndrome.
Book two picks up where we left off, tense and fast with plenty to question: is Lei being followed, is the king alive, can Ketai Hanno be trusted? With
Girls of Paper and Fire #2
3 Stars
Verdict: Middle book syndrome.
Travelling? Check. Cliche twins? Check. Shaky love triangle? Check.
I'm afraid this book is suffering from middle book syndrome.
Book two picks up where we left off, tense and fast with plenty to question: is Lei being followed, is the king alive, can Ketai Hanno be trusted? With
November 7, 2019
Book Review: Ace of Shades
ACE OF SHADES by Amanda Foody
4 Stars
Verdict: A mixed hand.
Prim and proper dancer, Enne Salta, braves the so-called City of Sin in search of her mother. She seeks out Levi Glaisyer, a young gang leader struggling to pull off the last leg in a financial scam. Gangster magic ensues!
I had mixed feeling about this story from start to finish, but did I enjoy it? Yes. Mostly. I felt critical
4 Stars
Verdict: A mixed hand.
Prim and proper dancer, Enne Salta, braves the so-called City of Sin in search of her mother. She seeks out Levi Glaisyer, a young gang leader struggling to pull off the last leg in a financial scam. Gangster magic ensues!
I had mixed feeling about this story from start to finish, but did I enjoy it? Yes. Mostly. I felt critical
October 24, 2019
Book Review: Ash Princess
ASH PRINCESS by Laura Sebastian
5 Stars
Verdict: An unexpected page-turner.
When Theodosia was six, her country was invaded, her people enslaved, and her mother, the queen, was murdered before her eyes. The Kaiser crowned Theo 'Ash Princess', a joke to court and a prisoner to torture. As the rebellion suffers it's greatest fall yet, Theo decides now is the time for her to fight back.
I
5 Stars
Verdict: An unexpected page-turner.
When Theodosia was six, her country was invaded, her people enslaved, and her mother, the queen, was murdered before her eyes. The Kaiser crowned Theo 'Ash Princess', a joke to court and a prisoner to torture. As the rebellion suffers it's greatest fall yet, Theo decides now is the time for her to fight back.
I
