This book is a fantastic book about friendship. Great for young readers who struggle with social anxiety and are interested in marine biology and enviThis book is a fantastic book about friendship. Great for young readers who struggle with social anxiety and are interested in marine biology and environmental activism. As a Floridian who loved to watch the manatees as a kid, I can truly say the author nailed the setting! This book felt like a peek into part of my childhood....more
I think I'm the outlier, but I'm not a huge fan of insta-love, and wasn't in Matthew's controlling vibe with Diana. I know it's his nature, I get the I think I'm the outlier, but I'm not a huge fan of insta-love, and wasn't in Matthew's controlling vibe with Diana. I know it's his nature, I get the reasons, but it's not my cup of tea. If I was only counting my taste, I'd rate this a two. That said, the writing and details are stellar and deserve 4 stars at least, so I'm giving this a three because my personal opinion shouldn't negate Deborah Harkness' talent!...more
One of the best horror books I've read in a while. Kiersten White never disappoints!One of the best horror books I've read in a while. Kiersten White never disappoints!...more
Karina Leno's Horrid is like the old house it takes place in, a typical haunted mansion that you've seen a hundred times, but you still want to explorKarina Leno's Horrid is like the old house it takes place in, a typical haunted mansion that you've seen a hundred times, but you still want to explore the dark insides.
I was excited when I came across the Owl crate addition of HORRID in a used bookstore, especially since the timing aligned with my YA Horror binge. I loved the cover, and the creepy poem in the beginning hooked me immediately. Leno's use of the old rhyme is stellar, and as a writer that loves to add poetry to prose, I'm 100% partial to a creepy nursery rhyme being part of a novel.
That said, I went in with low expectations. I hadn't heard raving reviews for Horrid. After all, I found this in a used book store less than year after it's release. Not a great sign.
Maybe that's why I loved this story so much! I got a better book than I anticipated. I adored the creepy house and garden, the Agatha Christie references, and the simple, classic feel to the tale. Horrid doesn't have a big, flashy plot. It's not groundbreaking. The characters are familiar because I've seen them before. But it's creepy, and sometimes I want less flash, more comfort. Horrid is a thunderstorm read, a book you grab over a quiet fall weekend and read by the window while it rains. Exactly what I needed at the time. I devoured it in two days.
I have a feeling the ending might throw some readers, which I can understand. If you aren't prepared for a horrid ending (Sorry about the pun, I couldn't resist), or you're looking for something truly terrifying or out of the box, I recommend passing on this one. I happen to be in the mood for classically creepy when I read this, so I loved this book. That said, I'm ready to find an out of the box YA horror now....more
I picked up Szabo’s debut, What BIG TEETH, during my last YA Horror binge. It’s a story about an everyday girl forced to go home to her creature-fill I picked up Szabo’s debut, What BIG TEETH, during my last YA Horror binge. It’s a story about an everyday girl forced to go home to her creature-filled family. A story about generational trauma, and what makes a monster.
I’ve never been the type that picks a book because of the title and cover. I’m more of a concept person. But when I saw the the faux rip revealing wolfish fangs above the words What BIG TEETH, I have to admit, I fell prey to the marketing. It was the first Horror book I read in my line up. I was intrigued.
Unfortunately, my intrigue waned with the rather slow beginning. Don’t get me wrong, WHAT BIG TEETH isn’t the slowest book I’ve ever read, and it wasn’t slow enough for me to put down. Parts of the writing hooked me deep enough to stay. The monsters were incredible, dare I say, unique.
It’s a serious challenge to come up with something unique in this over-saturated, over-stimulating YA speculative market, but Rose Szabo pulled it off. What Big Teeth gets points for creativity. I haven’t read a book with such unique creatures in a very, very long time.
In fact, it was almost too creative. As the story unraveled, things went from imaginative to weird. I’ve heard What Big Teeth described as odd, and it’s true. The first half of the book rambles through the plot. It leans on the creatures and intrigue of an old mansion and mysterious, handsome archetype a little more than necessary. It’s not scary. It’s strange. Many readers might disappointed by that.
I appreciated the oddities. The book is about a family of outcasts, creatures the world rejects because they’re weird themselves. It’s an interesting peek into the interior of what something other might live like, and how living on the outskirts might effect relationships, family, and personal value for generations to come. That is the theme of What Big Teeth, someone different finding their place in a world that refuses them, and how to outlive mistakes of the past.
For some, this book might not resonate. I can understand that. If you’re looking for an old fashioned fright, this wouldn’t be my first recommendation, or even in my top ten. While is sits comfortably in horror, I suspect many readers might be disappointed with the lack of classic horror moments.
But if you’re looking for a horror story that turns the concept of a monster on it’s head and explores what it might be like to exist in a world not designed for you, read this.
What Big Teeth isn’t typical, and I think that’s exactly what Szabo intended. And thought it’s not my favorite book, I’m glad I read it, and will be recommending it to many of my students, specifically the ones who like weird, twisted, and strange
Those students are always my favorites. I can’t to share this with them....more
This book's twist felt a tad cheap, (I won't spoil it, but it kind of ruins the rest of the book). The ending wasn't fully explained, it simply happenThis book's twist felt a tad cheap, (I won't spoil it, but it kind of ruins the rest of the book). The ending wasn't fully explained, it simply happened. It was beautifully written, and while the characterization was good and the POV's were well defined, the world details felt loose, especially at the end, and overall the prose rambled at times.
I finished it, but I wouldn't recommend it....more
While I enjoyed this book, for me, it had no big zing. The writing was solid, but I like books with lines that are so beautiful I have to read them ovWhile I enjoyed this book, for me, it had no big zing. The writing was solid, but I like books with lines that are so beautiful I have to read them over and over again, and this book didn't have that lyrical style I prefer. The story was well-plotted, but I saw every twist coming from a mile away. The magic system is clear, but much of that is because the idea of a philosopher's stone having great power at the cost of a curse isn't exactly new.
That being said, the curse was very well handled, and I enjoyed seeing a young girl find herself by herself. It was refreshing to have a story that let a toxic relationship break down and not be instantly replaced. Samantha let Bee (the MC) stand on her own, and find happiness alone, which I loved. Though I didn't love this, I have quite a few fiction students I'd recommend this book too. ...more
This book was SO GOOD. As an adopted kid who found her biological dad online, this book hit close to home, and the emotional journey felt so relatableThis book was SO GOOD. As an adopted kid who found her biological dad online, this book hit close to home, and the emotional journey felt so relatable and definitely had me sobbing a few times.
I was lucky enough to get to beta read The Truth Project. I was blown away by how heartfelt, honest, and beautiful the book is, and how well Dante navigated her story through verse. Side note: I'm Kodiak's #1 fan. I LOVE him.
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