E.S. Barrison's Blog, page 9

True Loaf- Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5 stars)

One day while tending to her bakery, Riley receives a request for a strange ingredient from the forest. Not one to turn down a customer, Riley ventures off to find this ingredient…but it’s not as easy as she imagines.

True Loaf is quite a short story reminiscent of Balkan Folklore. While I can’t say much without giving it away, I will say this: I initially intended to rate this story 3 stars. But after I read the author’s analysis of the story, I bumped my rating up to 4. The clear construction of the tale is reminiscent of many fairy tales, and it is clear a lot of thought went into it. The ultimate ending requires a bit of thought, all to make the story better, just like any folktale. 

So I will say, if you read this short tale, take a moment to ponder what it means. A lot is hidden in these few pages, much more than meets the eye.

And if you run a bakery, be wary of the requests you might receive from strange men. 

What’s it about?

A Short Story Inspired by Balkan Folklore

When a strange man puts in a strange request at the bakery where she works, Riley must go on a mini-adventure to find one unusual ingredient. Along the way, she realizes that things are not always what they seem.

True Loaf on Goodreads

A Girl Called Ari- Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5 / 5 stars)

Starla has always lived in the city. Ari lives outside it. But, when their lives cross in a twist of fate that sends Starla to the outside, soon the two girls discover that they might have more in common than they imagined. They both want to go to the city, a place that seems to drip with safety and prosperity. But, as they venture across outback towards the city (or Alice, as Ari calls it), both Starla and Ari have to decide why they want to return to the city in the first place.

In a story reminiscent of Mad Max, A Girl Called Ari takes us to a post apocalyptic world where individuals – young and old – just want to survive. Starla and Ari serve as foils to each other: the posh and proper girl from the city with the rough and rogue girl from the outside. Yet, it is clear they both have the same goals: safety, peace, and a full belly. It is their friendship that makes the story overall shine. 

A dystopian story can always be fun, especially when it has elements of Mad Max! Filled with action, wild dingos, and flawed characters, there isn’t much to NOT love about A Girl Called Ari. The writing as a whole was cinematic, and I could picture the two girls venturing back towards Alice without difficulty.

My hang-ups lie in pace of the story. The story starts with a bang, as many cinematic post-apocalyptical movies do, and it took a few chapters to really understand the full situation Starla found herself in. The hierarchy of the city, as well as the situation of the apocalypse, are up in the air. As Ari mentions though, it never really mattered how the world changed. It’s just how it has always been. Personally though, I would have liked to have a bit more set up around this dystopian future, just so I had a better sense regarding the stakes at hand. 

Overall though, A Girl Called Ari is wonderfully cinematic, and I have full intentions of reading the sequel in the near future to find out what Ari and Starla intend to do next. 

So, if you love Mad Max, fast-paced stories filled with action, and dystopian tales, then this will definitely be the book for you! 

What’s it about?

In a distant future… A world divided… A walled city in a devastated wasteland…

For Starla, a struggle for power becomes a struggle to survive when she finds herself on the wrong side of the wall. Lost in the wasteland, she faces warring factions, bloodthirsty creatures, and the endless burning sun. And then there’s Ari… who is she really? And can she trust this girl from the wasteland to lead her back to the city gates?

One thing’s for sure, Starla’s once privileged life will never be the same.

A Girl Called Ari on Goodreads

Ruin and Rising- Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 / 5 stars)

After the Darkling’s attack on Os Alta, Alina, Mal, and their allies have been forced underground with the Apparat heralding Alina as a Saint. But, as Alina’s own quest for the firebird has taken precedent in her mind, and the power she shares with the Darkling continues to haunt her every day, she has to choose what her future holds…and what she wants the most. Will she lead Ravka to peace? And if she does, what will her future look like?

In a satisfying conclusion to the Shadow and Bone trilogy, we venture back to Ravka with Alina as she stands off one last time against the Darkling. While the end of the series was certainly predictable in some aspects, Leigh Bardugo’s execution really made Ruin and Rising shine as a conclusion to the series. By far, in my opinion, it was the best book of the series, really letting each of the characters shine, with a satisfying ending that made perfect sense for the characters. 

While I still hold that Six of Crows is a far better book, Leigh Bardugo paints a beautiful image of a world enshrouded by darkness. But, through it all, we have light. This is not just Alina’s powers; this comes down to the characters: the way Nikolai has come into his own, the way Mal “becomes a blade” (as ridiculous as that sounds), the way Genya takes her destiny by control, and the way Zoya shows herself as more than just a bitter squaller. Each of these characters cast a light onto Alina’s story, and without them, she may have fallen into the Darkling’s influence.

The Darkling is a remarkably influencing villain, reminiscent of many light/dark connections in fantasy. He’s toxic, manipulative, and his terror influences Alina as well. Leigh Bardugo does a fantastic job showing this internal struggling in Alina. Truth-be-told, the way her story ends is the only one that made sense due to this power struggle.

Now, I do want to comment on Mal’s character as I know he is controversial. Is he the perfect guy? No. But I think he is the most human character in the series. His reactions to Alina are normal: he’s worried she’s losing herself, and he doesn’t see himself in her future. Yes, he supposedly flirted with others and was jealous over Alina’s flirtations with others…but Alina was just as guilty. Plus, I did not anticipate THAT surprise in his character arc (although, it definitely reminded me of Harry Potter). 

Overall, my problems with the Shadow and Bone trilogy as a whole come down to tropes common in YA that I don’t like: love triangles (or in this case, a quadrilateral),  misunderstandings between characters , and a first-person narrator who is, for lack of a better word, “the chosen one.” But, I knew these would all be the case going into this book, so I was able to take them in stride. 

Overall, I give the entire series 4 out of 5 stars. Shadow and Bone might not be the most *original* story in the world, but it takes some of the best aspects of fantasy and bundles them into a world ripe with magic. I am so happy I read this series with the TV show out, and I cannot wait to return to the Six of Crow’s Duology. Certainly, Shadow and Bone offers the necessary background to make Six of Crows pop, and without it, I don’t think that book would really shine. 

For lovers of YA fantasy and elemental magic, I highly encourage you to check out Shadow and Bone. 

Really, overall, the Grishaverse is amazing…and it deserves the hype it has received in my opinion. 

What’s it about?

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Ruin and Rising on Goodreads

Siege and Storm- Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5 stars)

After escaping the Darkling, Alina and Mal have fled across the True Sea to hide. Yet, their salvation is short lived, leaving at trail of bread crumbs for the Darkling to find. Alina is pitted once more against friends and foes to save Ravka – and the world – while hunting for the final two amplifiers that will bring her powers to light. But, who can she trust? And why is she seeing the Darkling everywhere she goes? And is her own desire for power turning her into what she fears the most? 

I may have an unpopular opinion here, but I actually liked Siege and Storm far more than Shadow and Bone. The story allowed me to sit more with Alina, Mal, as well as newcomer Nikolai, as well as really get to know the world of the Grisha. It’s those slower moments that really let the worldbuilding shine, and while some stuff meandered for a bit, I thought it meandered in just the right way. This might not be what everyone enjoys, but for me I reveled in the chance to really get to understand the world and characters more.

Speaking of characters, the slower pace by far let us see them more. Alina is granted more autonomy, making decisions about her future, rather than being treated like a pawn in the Darkling’s game. Mal’s reactions to everything is human (more on that later). And Nikolai, well, I understand why people adore his character. He is absolutely repulsive and charming in the best ways. 

Alina’s growth as a character is noted: it’s an example of the corruption of power, and how she and the Darkling are two sides of the same coin. Yet, the Darkling thrives in, well, darkness…while Alina strives for the light. But, it requires equal sacrifice from both of them…to the point of dehumanization.

It is because of this that Mal’s reactions make sense for me. I’ve seen on social media that Mal is probably one of the more controversial characters. Personally, I think he is the most human character in the story…and I think that is why people struggle with accepting him as Alina’s love interest. In no way is he perfect. He makes mistakes typical of any young man – jealousy being the prime example. But, in some ways, he’s no worse than Alina as well who is worried about Zoya taking him away. Really, the way I interpreted Mal, is someone not quite cut out for the crazy world that has taken over his best friend. He wants to protect her, but he doesn’t think he can. He doesn’t feel like he belongs. So, instead of speaking to Alina about it (just like Alina withholds information about the Darkling from him), he turns to fighting, he turns to the bottle, and he turns to somewhat toxic behavior. This doesn’t make him a bad character; it makes him human…and in my opinion, that is what Alina needs in both a partner and a friend: someone who is human, someone who wants her to be human. Whether that person is Mal or someone else (though by the way the prologues and epilogues are…I am pretty sure Mal is endgame for her), that is the best option. So yes, while Mal isn’t the “perfect partner”, I do think some of the discourse around his character (which I try not to get involved in) is unwarranted. 

Perhaps that is just how I interpret it though, and some people might see his behaviors in a different light, which is totally fine.

Yet, Alina’s relationship with Mal is one of the reasons why I knock off a star from the book as well. A lot of their issues fall under the “constant misunderstanding trope” – whether it is about Alina’s powers, Mal’s happiness, Nikolai’s flirtations, or the Darkling. While I don’t mind the misunderstandings, one after the other caused the plot to drag a little bit…especially when things could have been resolved with a simple conversation. 

This, coupled with some of the standard YA tropes that I don’t like overall (love triangles being the best example), impacted my overall rating.

Still, I find that Siege and Storm was better than Shadow and Bone. I was worried, since some people told me they couldn’t get through this book. But for me, this was just the right sweet spot, and provided the perfect bridge as a middle book in the series. 

If all goes to plan, I should finish Ruin and Rising before I finish the TV show. 

What’s it about?

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm. 

Siege and storm on Goodreads

Coraline – Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆   (4 / 5 stars)
Audio Book Performance: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5 Stars)

After moving into a new flat in a big old house with her parents, Coraline is finding herself facing the ultimate test: boredom on a rainy day. She has explored everything…until a mysterious door leads her to a house identical to her own, but even more fantastic. There, she meets her “Other Mother” a woman identical to her mother but with button eyes. Everything seems perfect! Until they want to replace her eyes with buttons as well. Now, Coraline has to escape her Other Mother’s clutches and save her own parents…otherwise she will be stuck forever.

Of course, I have seen the movie Coraline. It was years ago, but it still sticks fresh in my mind. Delightfully reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, Neil Gaiman brings to life the story of a girl who wants more out of life. Or…so she thinks. But with the opportunity to have everything, she learns that having everything doesn’t really mean anything. It’s the boring days that make life count. 

Creepy in every way, Gaiman paints a picture of the experiences Coraline goes through as she fights her Other Mother. The monsters are the type that will haunt nightmares, all while showing Coraline’s strength and determination to overcome them. In a way, they are a message for growing up: escaping temptation, accepting new things, and learning to embrace selflessness. These are messages that adults and children can all carry.

I will say, some parts didn’t hold my attention and I think were better translated onto the screen. In addition, the ending was a bit slow, considering the anxiety pumping action throughout the middle of the book. Perhaps this was the audiobook narration and not the tale itself. It is hard to tell at times. This can be the case with Neil Gaiman’s writing though; its poetic nature can wind in just the wrong direction, losing the reader for a moment in both good and bad ways. 

Overall though, Coraline is a wonderful story that both adults and children will like. Just remember though, if you find a strange door in your house, be careful where you put the key. Otherwise, you might just find your Other Mother! 

What’s it about?

“Coraline discovered the door a little while after they moved into the house. . . .”

When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous.

But there’s another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.

Coraline will have to fight with all her wit and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life

Coraline on Goodreads

Shadow and Bone- Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75 / 5 stars)

Alina has never considered herself anything important; an orphan, a mapmaker, a nobody. She is just one face in the army, nothing like the infamous Grisha who display insurmountable power. But, as they cross the Fold one day, Alina unleashes a power beyond her wildest imagination. At first she doubts it happened, but when she catches the attention of the Darkling, she discovers that she is the lone sun summoner in Ravka…and she might help change the world.

Truth-to-told, I entered Shadow and Bone skeptically. Already, YA as a genre enters uncertain territory for me. Sometimes the books work, such as Six of Crows, but others lean too far into being YA, and I struggle to connect with the characters. This is particularly true for me when it comes to YA books narrated in the first person. 

While overall, I enjoyed the plot of Shadow and Bone – and have full intentions of reading the rest of the series and watch the TV show – some parts of this book just didn’t work for me. 

But first, let’s talk about the good: the Grisha are full realized magic users, both who face admiration and discrimination on both sides and in different ways. The worldbuilding around them is sound, and Ravka as nation is full realized. While Six of Crows as a true story about characters, Shadow and Bone is a teenager’s perspective on the world around her. Alina is powerful, and she slowly comes to terms as to how to utilize her abilities…which she unknowingly suffocated throughout her life.  But, she is also a realistic teenager; she trusts the wrong people, she doubts herself, and she easily can be manipulated. Yet, her conviction shines; like her powers as the Sun Summoner, she is also the light. She stands up for what is right, and holds herself to a high standard, to meet the ones she admires. This is a standard YA protagonist, but at its core, it works. 

Overall, I loved the  plotline. The Darkling does indeed make a (spoiler) fantastic and complex villain that manipulates Alina for his own uses. Certain characters shine above the rest as well with Genya being my favorite. The idea of an amplifier to make abilities stronger seems to also play into some of the ideas with Juda Parem in Six of Crows (and I suppose I’ll learn more about that as well). Bardugo has obviously put a lot of care into this universe. 

Yet, I do take issue with a few things in the story. While Alina is a fantastic protagonist, strong in her own right, the plot – for the most part – happens around her. She is thrown from one location to the next, not really in charge of her destiny until the very end of the book when she fights back against the Darkling’s influences. This could be viewed as a magnificent example of character growth though, which is quite typical of many books. Truthfully though, Alina is somewhat bland too. While I can tell you she is the Sun Summoner, has a strong moral compass, loves teasing Mal, and tends to belittle herself…I can’t tell you *much* about her. She’s in her head a lot, as most teenagers are, and she’s a survivor. So on one hand, kudos to Leigh Bardugo for writing a believable narrator, but on the other…I just wish there was a bit more.

I also tend to be hesitant with certain tropes in YA fiction…especially the love triangles. These triangles have of course been latched onto by the fan base on social media about whether Alina belonged with the Darkling or with Mal. The Darkling is a fantastic villain, as I have mentioned, but he’s manipulative. His relationship with Alina is one of power, that is uncomfortable to an extent. Alina is 17 and the Darkling is, well, ancient. I have never been one for those romances with such a big age gap, and I was excited to see her go back to Mal, her friend, the one who has fought to protect her. I know, I know, a lot of people think Mal is bland and boring. I didn’t think so though (especially with the bonus letter at the end of my edition). Mal is a soldier, like Alina, and he’s young…trying to balance his duties with the love he didn’t know he had. Yes, he can be a little in his head and annoying in instances, but what teenage boy isn’t? 

Granted, Mal being the influencer over Alina’s powers also doesn’t sit right with me either. Her powers unlocked to save him; she unlocked them again when she stopped fretting over him; and again, she unlocked them to save his life. I hate the idea of an heroine’s powers being tied to a love interest. 

Overall, I did like the story though. I’m in love with the Grishaverse and have intentions to read the rest of the books in it. In fact, I still basically read this book in one sitting (with a few small breaks), so it kept my attention from start-to-finish. Since I went in with lower expectations for this book, I can definitely say that the book surpassed them. 

What’s it about?

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone on Goodreads

Bloodlet- Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5 stars)

Faron never wanted to be a thief. But after his home burned down and he was given a choice between life and the gallows, he finds himself the property of a crime lord known as Dageran. But being a criminal is no life for him, and after years of struggling with his own morality, he is ready to end it. That is, until an old bar keep tells him taht his sister is still alive. Set with a vendetta, Faron is determined to escape Dageran and his lackey, Jakal, and find his sister Hadria. Or die trying.

In a fascinating debut to the Growing Veil series, we venture with Faron through Bloodlet as we uncover the secrets of the dead gods, a secret slave trade, and continuing number of missing children. At first it all seems unbelievable, even to Faron. An immortal ruler using children to extend his life? His father was involved? And his own sister could have been taken as well? 

But on a bout of hope, he decides to chase after her. With no leads, no clues, he ventures across the country. There is something admirable about Faron’s love for his twin sister; he is determined to save her, no matter the costs. His plight is relatable and well-written, so most everyone should be rooting for him along the way.

I do wish there was a tiny bit more in this story overall; Faron exhibits a switch from fear to vengeance pretty quickly, and while there is a moment of uncertainty, I would have loved to see that explored more. On top of that, not much happens in this book: it’s merely an introduction to the world, and the inflection point for the mission. Which of course, was enough to keep me wanting more…so it’s not too big of a deal! In fact, I’ve already downloaded the sequel, Bloodlines! 

T.S. Howard is definitely an author to watch, and I cannot wait to see if Faron gets reunited with Hadria in the next book…or if he continues his ongoing plight against slavery, death, and crime. I guess I’ll just have to read to find out. 

What’s it about?

After losing his family in a devastating fire, Faron finds himself in the captivity of the slaver and criminal lord, Dageran. Forced to commit awful crimes in order to survive, Faron grapples with his conscience and morality until he hears whispers that an archaic society is stealing the blood of children to fuel their immortality, whispers that mean his twin sister, Hadria, might not be dead. Death would have been kinder.

With the help of an orphan-thief and an aged tavern-keeper, Faron must blur the lines of morality to escape his slavery and follow a trail of kidnapped children to find his sister. But will Faron find her before her nameday, and what will he find when he does?

Whispering subtle hints of age-old myths, The Growing Veil series is an epic gothic fantasy with elements of paranormal, mystery, and horror. This coming of age story dives deep into themes of the true meaning of family, the weight of guilt, the blurred line of morality, and the terrible cost of doing what’s right.

A suspenseful literary work, Bloodlet is the first book in The Growing Veil series, which continues in Bloodlines and Bloodlust.

Bloodlet on Goodreads

The Struggle of Comp Titles

For the longest time, I have struggled with finding a comparable title to my debut novel, The Mist Keeper’s Apprentice. I had pulled from many sources (Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, Star Trek, and general fantasy as a whole. But I hadn’t quite found a comparable title.

A lot of fantasy as of late, especially in the New Adult genre, didn’t quite fit in with what my book is about. It seems like that direction it goes in is one of the two: high fantasy or fae fantasy, based on what is popular right now.

My book doesn’t fall into either of those categories.

And this became a frustration. While I’m happy that my book stands on its own, to attract readers, you need comparable titles.

That changed after I read Six of Crows.

I’m ready to delve into the rest of the Grishaverse (although, I’m not sure how I’ll feel about Shadow and Bone due to how “YA” it really is). To me, the Grishaverse serves as a great comparable to my story.

Let me tell you why:

The world is composed of multiple countries with different feelings about magic (or Grisha), with different factions fighting. The world is diverse, and the way magic behaves is beautiful. Combined with references to more of an 1800s/1900s feeling, there was a similar vibe to my story…at least from a world building perspective.

The stories are very different though. My story deals with Death Gods as well as magic; the Grishaverse deals with the magic…and in Six of Crows, heists.

But, the purpose of a comparable title is this: I can say that if you’re someone who is 16+ and enjoys the Grishaverse, you might just enjoy my book.

That might not be the case with everyone. But, it is nice to say.

It’s a way to help market my book, as well as reach different audiences.

Will it work? Who knows.

And I’m sure I’ll find more comparable books as time goes on.

Until next time,

ESB

Six of Crows- Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★★  (5 / 5 stars)

An impossible heist. A team of six misfits. 

And a reward that could make all their dreams come true.

Presented with an opportunity of a lifetime, Kaz Brekker, one of the leaders of the Dregs, forms a team to complete a job: find a scientist responsible for creating Juda Parem, and bring him back to Ketterdam. With Inej, Jesper, Nina, Matthias, and Wylan, he forms an unlikely team, each bringing their own talents and knowledge to the heist. But can they survive breaking into the Ice Court…with their prize in hand?

What can I say about Six of Crows that hasn’t already been said? Truthfully, I rarely pick up these “hyped” books, because either they’re not for me, or I’m disappointed. I made the exception for Six of Crows. The plotline and world interested me (plus, I saw it as a potential comparable book to my own writing, but I won’t talk about that here), so I figured I’d take the plunge. Plus, with the new Shadow & Bone TV, I can’t say my interest wasn’t piqued.

I was worried since I hadn’t read Shadow & Bone first. While some people might need that for context, the worldbuilding in Six of Crows is sound. I wasn’t confused by anything taking place, and I desperately wanted to keep reading. 

While the heist story, overall, is relatively predictable (as has been parodied in multiple TV shows and books), this novel really isn’t about a heist. It’s about the characters, about how they have come together, and about how their stories and the world influenced their decisions. Who is Kaz Brekker? Why was Inej at the Menagerie? What history do Nina and Matthias have? Why is Wylan hiding from his father? And how did Jesper get in so much debt? These answers come to the forefront throughout the story, as they navigate the Ice Court, putting Kaz’s plans into action. 

I do wonder if I would have loved the book as much if I read it with no context: if I didn’t see all the memes on the internet, if I didn’t see the snippets from the upcoming TV show, etc. Might I have been more confused? I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. What I know now is that it is one of the best books I read this year, and I am anxiously awaiting my copy of Crooked Kingdom, as well as my copy of Shadow & Bone. 

The only problem I had with the story, to be honest, was their ages. The characters read as older than 16-17, especially with everything they’ve been through and with their position within the Dregs. This comes down to an issue with older YA books as a whole; often times, these books might be better placed with a New Adult audience, possibly with characters in their early 20s instead. 

Yet, this is also why the book appealed to me. YA as a genre often results in me having mixed feelings on the book. The characters are whiny or immature, as teenagers are, and sometimes the tropes that follow suit (love triangles, enemies to lovers, etc.) get on my nerves. While there is a place for all of these stories, and not all of them are bad, they just aren’t usually for me. This is why I am unsure how I will feel about Shadow and Bone…but time will tell once I pick it up. 

But, with Six of Crows, it’s different…especially since this falls under a much more “Older YA/NA” age group. The characters are somewhat more mature. There are darker subjects overall. But instead of being in their 20s, they’re 16 or 17…and I somewhat struggled to suspend disbelief on that. It was easier for me, in my head, to imagine these characters as 20-somethings. So that is what I did. 

Overall though, the book is phenomenal. I have been pacing around my house all day wishing I had Crooked Kingdom in my hands RIGHT NOW. Tomorrow, I keep reminding myself, tomorrow it will come. But for now, I just have to anxiously await what might happen: will Inej (my favorite) be okay? Will Nina and Matthias’s romance flourish? What is Kaz scheming? Will they forgive Jesper? And what about Wylan and Kuwei? Are they going to survive this all?

I’ve seen some spoilers already on the abyss of social media, but that only makes me want to read it more. 

So, if you like a good heist story in a fantasy world, with a focus on characters and worldbuilding, pick up Six of Crows. I highly, HIGHLY recommend it. 

What’s it about?

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager

A runaway with a privileged past

A spy known as the Wraith

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first

Six of Crows on Goodreads

Go with the Flow- Book Review

Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5 stars)

 It’s sophomore year and Sasha is starting at a new school; meanwhile, Abby, Brit, and Christine are looking forward to having the best school year yet! When Sasha’s period starts leaving an embarrassing stain on her clothes, Abby, Brit, and Christine come to her rescue…only to discover that…oh no! The school doesn’t have any tampons or maxi pads in their machines! The girls find this injustice utterly repulsive, and sends them down a journey to share the struggles menstruating facing individuals deal with every single day of their lives. 

This wonderful comic will help girls – young and old alike – realize that it is OKAY to talk about periods. It’s a part of the human body for almost all individuals assigned female at birth. But, it also shows how a small act of rebellion can go along way. Sometimes, just opening the floor up to discussion is all the world needs to make change. 

The comic also highlights the utter importance of having access to feminine hygiene products at schools…at no cost to the students. I can remember back to my own high school (and even college) years. Were the products readily available? No. Did the sports teams get new uniforms? Yes. 

Hopefully any young girl, or woman, will take this comic with a full heart. Together, we can implement change. Menstruation is unavoidable, and it impacts everyone differently in society. So if we work together to discuss it, to provide resources, then we can end the taboo.

That’s the message of this wonderful comic.

And it’s the message everyone should hold dearly. 

What’s it about?

Sophomores Abby, Brit, Christine, and Sasha are fed up. Hazelton High never has enough tampons. Or pads. Or adults who will listen.

Sick of an administration that puts football before female health, the girls confront a world that shrugs―or worse, squirms―at the thought of a menstruation revolution. They band together to make a change. It’s no easy task, especially while grappling with everything from crushes to trig to JV track but they have each other’s backs. That is, until one of the girls goes rogue, testing the limits of their friendship and pushing the friends to question the power of their own voices.

Now they must learn to work together to raise each other up. But how to you stand your ground while raising bloody hell?

Go with the flow on Goodreads