Mini-Review Round-Up: Summer 2014

 

Confession: I miss writing longer reviews, but I don’t really know HOW anymore. And with writing, I don’t have the ability to MAKE the time to write longer ones. But I wanted to talk about the books I’ve read in the last few months, because while I haven’t read many, man, they were good! 

RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo

I started this one the moment it was delivered. I sat in my living room reading and I didn’t stop until 2 a.m., when I finished Ruin and Rising. I still don’t really know what to say about this book, except it made me feel so many things, so fully, and I think it healed a small part of me. Here’s my original Goodreads review.  If you’ve been considering reading this series, DO. IT. NOW.

EVERYTHING LEADS TO YOU by Nina LaCour

I’ve talked a lot about this one on Twitter, and I think I’ll continue to do so. It’s a beautifully written book, and a very brave book. I adored Emi and Ava’s story, and how honest Nina’s characters and their journeys were. Emi’s voice was so authentic – I really believed she was a teenager, unlike in some books. And the lovely romance between her and Ava was just gorgeous.

ALL LINED UP by Cora Carmack

Cora continues to be one of my favorite New Adult authors. I loved the first book in her new Rusk University series, and I can’t wait for the next one. Carson and Dallas’s story was swoony but also really emotional, and I loved seeing them grow as a characters, and as a couple. I love that Cora writes New Adult with depth.

NOT UNTIL TONIGHT by Jessica Sankiewicz

This novella from Jess was really fun. I’m biased because a) I beta read it, and b) Jess is a good friend, but even though it was a quick read, I REALLY liked it. It uses one of my favorite tropes, the “be my fake boyfriend/girlfriend” trope and HECK YES. It was really well done, with some swoonworthy moments.

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

I ordered the sequel before I was even halfway done with the first one. I DEVOURED this book. The writing was amazing, and I loved how Mara, the narrator, is completely unreliable in the best way. It made for a fast-paced, spooky story with a great atmosphere, that TOTALLY drew me in HARD. Plus, I mean, NOAH SHAW. I’m hoping to read the second book in October, along with some other spooky books.

TRIAL BY FIRE by Josephine Angelini

While I ended up rating this one three stars for some things I didn’t like, overall, I enjoyed it. The writing felt a little unpolished, with more “tells” than I normally like, and at times that jolted me out of the story. BUT I’m a sucker for anything related to a) Salem witches and/or b) alternate universes, so I was THERE when I heard about this book. I ended up really liking the characters, the world-building, and the slow-burn romance, and I am on the edge of my seat for the sequel.

I’ve also FINALLY started a re-read of the BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD series, which I’ve been wanting to do for a few years now, and I have several friends who are really happy with me right now. HEHE. I missed the Brothers.

What have YOU read recently?