5/5I received a review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, so thank you for that! This is one of the ARCs I've been most excited to receive. There aren’t many books that have delighted me like this before. Like, there have been books I’ve loved, books I’ve cherished, but books I’ve been honest to god, full on delighted by? In such a pure way that they make me want to hug the book close to my chest and roll around the floor in glee? It’s rare, friends. And to top it all off, would you take a look at that front cover? It’s colourful, intriguing... do I doubt the physics of such a house? Sure! Do I want to live in it anyway? You betcha! T.J. Klune is one of the best, most surprising writers I’ve had the pleasure to be wowed by. The sheer scope of topics he covers and excels at is genuinely astounding. I love a lot of his other novels, and so before I started this one I kind of expected to enjoy it but holy moly I think I ascended to a new level of being while I read this. The premise is this; Linus is basically a case worker who is in charge of visiting different orphanages which are home to a range of magical youths. He is very good at his job and so Extremely Upper Management give him the task of examining a very special orphanage... one that houses the anti christ! Dun dun DUN! What's a poor sweet case worker to do. The characters, each and every one of them, are memorable and unique, especially the children. I don’t want to go into too much detail here, I never really do when it comes to books like this, because I genuinely feel like experiencing the introductions to the characters and world page by page is the best way to devour books that are particularly character driven. Don’t get me wrong, the plot is good and enjoyable, not full of action or adrenaline but important and moving. But the characters in this book are so fantastically rendered! Talking of plot though; this book might be character driven but I loved the world building that was sprinkled throughout. I do kind of wish we got to see more of the world, since the book takes place on only two locations really, because a lot of what is hinted at is really, really intriguing. Really though that’s just an excuse to write a sequel and take everyone on a road trip amiright? ... oh my god. Please write a sequel and take everyone on a roadtrip. Please?? And! I haven’t even talked about the main relationship! It’s m/m and quite possibly the first m/m fantasy type book that i’ve read where the characters aren’t swimming with muscles, which makes a really nice change in all honesty. It's such a soft, sweet slow burn romance that more than anything, just made me smile. Please read this book. It’s so beautiful. I’ve ordered myself a hard back edition so that I can, as previously mentioned, hug it and roll around on the floor. It has more of an impact than just hugging my phone screen with the kindle app open haha.
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we are the daughters of the witches you burnt - something wicked this way comes |
Published: 15th Sep 2020 Reviewed: 2nd March 2020 Connor Major’s summer break is turning into a nightmare. His SAT scores bombed, the old man he delivers meals to died, and when he came out to his religious zealot mother, she had him kidnapped and shipped off to a secluded island. His final destination: Nightlight Ministries, a conversion therapy camp that will be his new home until he “changes.” But Connor’s troubles are only beginning. At Nightlight, everyone has something to hide from the campers to the “converted” staff and cagey camp director, and it quickly becomes clear that no one is safe. Connor plans to escape and bring the other kidnapped teens with him. But first, he’s exposing the camp’s horrible truths for what they are— and taking this place down. |
5/5
So first things first, I was provided an arc of this book by the publisher on NetGalley. Never say wishes don’t come true haha. Now, if I’m being honest the first thing that drew me to this book is the yellow front cover. Not only is yellow one of my favourite colours, it’s also severely underused in the cover art world and my bookcase is crying out for it, so I will definitely be purchasing a copy of this as well. I was also very nervous to read this book, because of the topic of conversion camps, but I'm so glad that I pushed past that.
Surrender Your Sons is an absolute roller coaster of a book and while I usually try to avoid including spoilers in my reviews I just can’t do that here. This book made me feel SO MUCH that I need to discuss is at length, so please be aware there will be some minor spoilers but nothing plot breaking.
When I was ¼ in it was maybe 3 stars. I found Connor to be frustrating, he’d go backwards and forwards between being obsessed with his current boyfriend and getting back to him, and then flirting with Marcos, one of the other campers, and so it kind of made any feelings he had for Ario seem a bit?? Fake?? I guess? The further in to the plot we got however, the higher the star rating rose.
Connor and the rest of the campers are scared, they’re children. They’re in a place where they’re being told all sorts of lies about themselves. But oh my god are they resilient. From the ones who try their best to protect the younger kids, to the ones gathering evidence since they arrived in an attempt to bring Nightlight down, every single one of the campers was so, so strong.
For Connor, Ario was the only queer person he was aware that he knew, and he provided a safe space despite the fact that he pressured Connor to come out before he was ready. And Ario was also pulling away, which made Connor paranoid and possessive. Marcos, on the other hand, was protective and attentive and we all know that trauma bonds people. While Ario’s parents were accepting, both Connor and Marcos had been sent to Nightlight by their family. They experienced the horror of it together, and if that isn’t shared trauma I don’t know what is.
Surrender Your Sons is about generational queer trauma. It’s about the way that inflicting this kind of damage to even just a handful of people can resonate outwards like a small rock thrown into a river creates larger ripples. From the younger members of the group, to 17 year old Connor, to some of the camp workers themselves who were returning campers so caught up in the lie and the Reverend’s power that they came back to work for him. And underlying all that is the story of Ricky, an older gay man who Connor had served meals on wheels to before Ricky passed away.
Generations of trauma squeezed into one book. It packs a hell of a punch, lemme tell you.
I read it in a day. If it had stretched over into day two I would have had to sleep not knowing what happened to the group. I would have had to go to work and sneak tense 15 min reads into my breaks and lunch. This was not a situation I was prepared to deal with and so I stayed up until 1am or so, with a belting headache, intermittently screaming at a group chat about how intense it all was.
By the time I was at the last few pages I was exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally but oh my god was it worth it. This book was a masterpiece of character growth and complexity. It had so many twists and turns in it that I almost got car sick without going anywhere. Some chapters were very hard to read, and I cried several times but I also laughed. And after that teaser of an ending if we don’t get a sequel where 5 years down the line Connor is leading an elite team of ex campers to track down Miss Manners I will cry (I doubt we will actually get that, but if you think i'm not going to run fake scenarios through my head of this exact thing then you are WRONG).
I recommend this wholeheartedly. But please do go into it with open eyes. Due to the nature of the plot there is discussion of suicide and self harm, of murder and religion and hate crime. It isn’t a book for the faint-hearted, but if you’re willing to give it a chance it’ll wow you.
Surrender Your Sons is an absolute roller coaster of a book and while I usually try to avoid including spoilers in my reviews I just can’t do that here. This book made me feel SO MUCH that I need to discuss is at length, so please be aware there will be some minor spoilers but nothing plot breaking.
When I was ¼ in it was maybe 3 stars. I found Connor to be frustrating, he’d go backwards and forwards between being obsessed with his current boyfriend and getting back to him, and then flirting with Marcos, one of the other campers, and so it kind of made any feelings he had for Ario seem a bit?? Fake?? I guess? The further in to the plot we got however, the higher the star rating rose.
Connor and the rest of the campers are scared, they’re children. They’re in a place where they’re being told all sorts of lies about themselves. But oh my god are they resilient. From the ones who try their best to protect the younger kids, to the ones gathering evidence since they arrived in an attempt to bring Nightlight down, every single one of the campers was so, so strong.
For Connor, Ario was the only queer person he was aware that he knew, and he provided a safe space despite the fact that he pressured Connor to come out before he was ready. And Ario was also pulling away, which made Connor paranoid and possessive. Marcos, on the other hand, was protective and attentive and we all know that trauma bonds people. While Ario’s parents were accepting, both Connor and Marcos had been sent to Nightlight by their family. They experienced the horror of it together, and if that isn’t shared trauma I don’t know what is.
Surrender Your Sons is about generational queer trauma. It’s about the way that inflicting this kind of damage to even just a handful of people can resonate outwards like a small rock thrown into a river creates larger ripples. From the younger members of the group, to 17 year old Connor, to some of the camp workers themselves who were returning campers so caught up in the lie and the Reverend’s power that they came back to work for him. And underlying all that is the story of Ricky, an older gay man who Connor had served meals on wheels to before Ricky passed away.
Generations of trauma squeezed into one book. It packs a hell of a punch, lemme tell you.
I read it in a day. If it had stretched over into day two I would have had to sleep not knowing what happened to the group. I would have had to go to work and sneak tense 15 min reads into my breaks and lunch. This was not a situation I was prepared to deal with and so I stayed up until 1am or so, with a belting headache, intermittently screaming at a group chat about how intense it all was.
By the time I was at the last few pages I was exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally but oh my god was it worth it. This book was a masterpiece of character growth and complexity. It had so many twists and turns in it that I almost got car sick without going anywhere. Some chapters were very hard to read, and I cried several times but I also laughed. And after that teaser of an ending if we don’t get a sequel where 5 years down the line Connor is leading an elite team of ex campers to track down Miss Manners I will cry (I doubt we will actually get that, but if you think i'm not going to run fake scenarios through my head of this exact thing then you are WRONG).
I recommend this wholeheartedly. But please do go into it with open eyes. Due to the nature of the plot there is discussion of suicide and self harm, of murder and religion and hate crime. It isn’t a book for the faint-hearted, but if you’re willing to give it a chance it’ll wow you.
Published: 6th Feb 2020 Reviewed: 1st March 2020 In a post-apocalyptic America, a community survives in a national park, surrounded by water that keeps the Dead at bay. But when winter comes, there's nothing to stop them from crossing the ice. Then homebody Peter puts the camp in danger by naively allowing a stranger to come ashore and he's forced to leave the community of Wranglestone. Now he must help rancher Cooper, the boy he's always watched from afar, herd the Dead from their shores before the lake freezes over. |
4/5
I absolutely love zombie books. It's weird, because they're also my worst nightmare. Like, if the world was ever going to end holy crap let it not be with zombies because there is absolutely no way I'll survive. It doesn't matter if they're slow or if they're fast, I'd be dead. Despite this, I can't get enough of books written about them. This is Not a Test and The Forest of Hands and Feet were both two of my favourite books when I was younger, and so when I saw that we could expect a YA zombie book with a gay main character I was super excited, and honestly? Wranglestone doesn't disappoint, even if it wasn't exactly what I expected.
Peter is so sweet, and Cooper is adorable, and together they make a lovely couple. It was a little too fast moving for my tastes, in the sense of it felt a little insta love, but when we start the novel they've already known each other all their lives, so it doesn't read as eye rollingly annoying as it might do. You get to see them dance around each other for a little while, before anything official happens, but I love a good slow burn romance so I would have liked a little more lead up.
The setting of Wranglestone is so spooky. Like, I loved the idea that for a chunk of the year they're safe and they can live their best lives, but behind all that they're slaves to the ice and as soon as it starts to form, they're in danger. It gives you a sense of panic, of a build up in tension.
Another thing I liked is that the plot is a different take on the usual zombie type genre. It's a mix of a few different tropes that we've seen before in media, but I can't really go into much detail on them because it would be incredibly spoiler heavy, but things happen at the start of the book that seem so dangerous, but by the time you've read to the end and realised some of the key elements of this world you're like ohhhhhh that makes so much more sense! And the way that the author goes about revealing the secrets of Wranglestone to both Peter and the reader, is great.
Overall, a nice, creepy zombie filled read. It's atmospheric, it's intriguing, while at the same time having a very cute love story at the centre, and apparently there's going to be a sequel, which, honestly I can't wait to get my hands on.
Peter is so sweet, and Cooper is adorable, and together they make a lovely couple. It was a little too fast moving for my tastes, in the sense of it felt a little insta love, but when we start the novel they've already known each other all their lives, so it doesn't read as eye rollingly annoying as it might do. You get to see them dance around each other for a little while, before anything official happens, but I love a good slow burn romance so I would have liked a little more lead up.
The setting of Wranglestone is so spooky. Like, I loved the idea that for a chunk of the year they're safe and they can live their best lives, but behind all that they're slaves to the ice and as soon as it starts to form, they're in danger. It gives you a sense of panic, of a build up in tension.
Another thing I liked is that the plot is a different take on the usual zombie type genre. It's a mix of a few different tropes that we've seen before in media, but I can't really go into much detail on them because it would be incredibly spoiler heavy, but things happen at the start of the book that seem so dangerous, but by the time you've read to the end and realised some of the key elements of this world you're like ohhhhhh that makes so much more sense! And the way that the author goes about revealing the secrets of Wranglestone to both Peter and the reader, is great.
Overall, a nice, creepy zombie filled read. It's atmospheric, it's intriguing, while at the same time having a very cute love story at the centre, and apparently there's going to be a sequel, which, honestly I can't wait to get my hands on.
Published: 17th Jan 2017 Reviewed: 26th Feb 2020 Vie Eliot arrives in the small town of Vehpese, Wyoming with little more than the clothes--and scars--on his back. Determined to make a new life for himself after escaping his abusive mother, he finds that living with his estranged father brings its own problems. Then Samantha Oates, the girl with blue hair, goes missing, and Vie might be the only one who can find her. His ability to read emotions and gain insight into other people’s darkest secrets makes him the perfect investigator, with only one small problem: he wants nothing to do with his gift. When the killer begins contacting Vie through a series of strange cards, though, Vie is forced to hone his ability, because Samantha was not the killer’s only target. And, as Vie learns, he is not the only psychic in town. |
5/5 stars
This book was a very intense look into the life of a teenage psychic who is not having a great time of it. From the start it didn't hold any punches. Mr. Big Empty deals with aaaaall the issues, from bullying to child abuse to self harm and suicide, dipping into murder and torture along the way. It isn't ever boring, which, considering it's a long book, is a miracle, and although some aspects were slightly predictable, others were not, which to me is a good mix for a mystery novel. I read the entire thing in the space of 24 hours, on the bus, on my breaks at work, and then finishing it close to midnight, after which I promptly bought the second book in the series.
I really loved Vie as a main character, he was refreshing and unique, and I felt for him from the beginning. I just wanted to protect him, which would be impossible because boy does this guy get himself into a thousand different fights every other day. I can't wait to see what trouble he gets up to in the next book haha. Please let Austin, Emmett and Becca protect him to the best of their ability.
I'm a little unsure on how the relationship aspect of this series is going to progress. Spoilers within this chapter.... Okay so. I really love Austin as a character, which, yeah, that surprised me as much as it would surprise anyone else who knows me to know that I would pick him over Emmett who is usually exactly my kind of favourite love interest. I kind of want it to end in polyamory because I hate the idea of any of them being sad, but if I had to pick I think I would pick Austin as my hope for a happy ending type romance.
The one thing I did find a little weird was how the characters didn't seem their ages at all. They're high schoolers, but they came across as college students or like, early 20s sometimes. It wasn't a big issue, it was just a little jarring to remember how old they actually were.
Overall, I recommend it for anyone looking for a m/m romance-thriller-psychic-mystery. It was entertaining and emotional and very, very well written.
I really loved Vie as a main character, he was refreshing and unique, and I felt for him from the beginning. I just wanted to protect him, which would be impossible because boy does this guy get himself into a thousand different fights every other day. I can't wait to see what trouble he gets up to in the next book haha. Please let Austin, Emmett and Becca protect him to the best of their ability.
I'm a little unsure on how the relationship aspect of this series is going to progress. Spoilers within this chapter.... Okay so. I really love Austin as a character, which, yeah, that surprised me as much as it would surprise anyone else who knows me to know that I would pick him over Emmett who is usually exactly my kind of favourite love interest. I kind of want it to end in polyamory because I hate the idea of any of them being sad, but if I had to pick I think I would pick Austin as my hope for a happy ending type romance.
The one thing I did find a little weird was how the characters didn't seem their ages at all. They're high schoolers, but they came across as college students or like, early 20s sometimes. It wasn't a big issue, it was just a little jarring to remember how old they actually were.
Overall, I recommend it for anyone looking for a m/m romance-thriller-psychic-mystery. It was entertaining and emotional and very, very well written.
"I have no idea what I did," I said. "But, holy hell, I did a damn good job of it."
- The Scapegracers
Published: 12th May 2020 Reviewed: 24th February 2020 An outcast teenage lesbian witch finds her coven hidden amongst the popular girls in her school, and performs some seriously badass magic in the process. Skulking near the bottom of West High’s social pyramid, Sideways Pike lurks under the bleachers doing magic tricks for Coke bottles. As a witch, lesbian, and lifelong outsider, she’s had a hard time making friends. But when the three most popular girls pay her $40 to cast a spell at their Halloween party, Sideways gets swept into a new clique. The unholy trinity are dangerous angels, sugar-coated rattlesnakes, and now–unbelievably–Sideways’ best friends. |
5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Very minor spoilers within.
This book is everything I would have killed to read when I was a teenager. It’s very girl power, very witchy and very queer and I loved every second of it. I can’t wait for the second book in all honesty, I think it’s gonna be killer… perhaps quite literally.
I love books with mean girl type characters who genuinely care for each other and look out for other girls. I love it even more when they’re Witches. The Craft film was my jam, although admittedly that didn’t quite end as fairytale found family as I would have liked. This book gave such craft vibes I devoured it, and to make it even better the found family/girl friendships were solid and supportive at the end.
Our main character actually reads as a teenager, which I think we miss out on sometimes in YA fantasy books. Sideways is a lesbian witch who loves her power, who wants to be seen as powerful and show off to her peers. She wants friends. She wants a place to belong, she goes to parties, she charges for spells. The other main characters, our three other coven members and the love interest Madeline, were all equally real and fleshed out. Yates, Daisy and Jing were a beautiful diverse collision of different personalities. We don't really know a whole lot about Madeline, other than that she's a bit mysterious which... ok ok you got my attention. I'm weak for a mysterious girl. I also loved Mr Scratch. Hands down one of the most fun and interesting takes on witch mythology I’ve seen.
The plot was slightly predictable, but not necessarily in a bad way, and one part of the ending did manage to surprise me which was nice. More than anything though, this book is FUN. Between the Halloween parties and the spell casting and the intrigue of the Witchfinders and the spell books, it all wraps into a very enjoyable book.
The only thing I wasn’t really a fan of was how inconsistent some parts where. I don’t know if it’s just me or not but quite often there wasn’t really a separation between scenes, and some things that happened (such as Sideways showing up bloody and upset to her parents) weren’t really appropriately handled. I think the reaction from her dads should have been more worried and intense than it was, rather than just letting her not tell them anything about what happened and run off again with the same people she was with when she got hurt in the first place. Especially when her dads seem to care so much about her and her well being, it just didn’t sit quite right in the flow of the story.
Overall though, a strong read. AND there's a beautiful piece of cover art, as the cherry on top of the cake of characters you care about and a plot that's intriguing. I can't wait to see where this goes, how the Madeline/Sideways angle pans out, and how the Witchfinders are handled. I want to see more different covens, I want to know more about the spell books, more about the wider background of the witch community. I want to see Chett get destroyed. That last one is perhaps the most important.
Very minor spoilers within.
This book is everything I would have killed to read when I was a teenager. It’s very girl power, very witchy and very queer and I loved every second of it. I can’t wait for the second book in all honesty, I think it’s gonna be killer… perhaps quite literally.
I love books with mean girl type characters who genuinely care for each other and look out for other girls. I love it even more when they’re Witches. The Craft film was my jam, although admittedly that didn’t quite end as fairytale found family as I would have liked. This book gave such craft vibes I devoured it, and to make it even better the found family/girl friendships were solid and supportive at the end.
Our main character actually reads as a teenager, which I think we miss out on sometimes in YA fantasy books. Sideways is a lesbian witch who loves her power, who wants to be seen as powerful and show off to her peers. She wants friends. She wants a place to belong, she goes to parties, she charges for spells. The other main characters, our three other coven members and the love interest Madeline, were all equally real and fleshed out. Yates, Daisy and Jing were a beautiful diverse collision of different personalities. We don't really know a whole lot about Madeline, other than that she's a bit mysterious which... ok ok you got my attention. I'm weak for a mysterious girl. I also loved Mr Scratch. Hands down one of the most fun and interesting takes on witch mythology I’ve seen.
The plot was slightly predictable, but not necessarily in a bad way, and one part of the ending did manage to surprise me which was nice. More than anything though, this book is FUN. Between the Halloween parties and the spell casting and the intrigue of the Witchfinders and the spell books, it all wraps into a very enjoyable book.
The only thing I wasn’t really a fan of was how inconsistent some parts where. I don’t know if it’s just me or not but quite often there wasn’t really a separation between scenes, and some things that happened (such as Sideways showing up bloody and upset to her parents) weren’t really appropriately handled. I think the reaction from her dads should have been more worried and intense than it was, rather than just letting her not tell them anything about what happened and run off again with the same people she was with when she got hurt in the first place. Especially when her dads seem to care so much about her and her well being, it just didn’t sit quite right in the flow of the story.
Overall though, a strong read. AND there's a beautiful piece of cover art, as the cherry on top of the cake of characters you care about and a plot that's intriguing. I can't wait to see where this goes, how the Madeline/Sideways angle pans out, and how the Witchfinders are handled. I want to see more different covens, I want to know more about the spell books, more about the wider background of the witch community. I want to see Chett get destroyed. That last one is perhaps the most important.
Published: 17th March 2020 Reviewed: 20th Feb 2020 In the sequel to The Fever King, Noam Álvaro seeks to end tyranny before he becomes a tyrant himself. Six months after Noam Álvaro helped overthrow the despotic government of Carolinia, the Atlantians have gained citizenship, and Lehrer is chancellor. But despite Lehrer’s image as a progressive humanitarian leader, Noam has finally remembered the truth that Lehrer forced him to forget—that Lehrer is responsible for the deadly magic infection that ravaged Carolinia. Meanwhile Dara Shirazi returns to Carolinia, his magic stripped by the same vaccine that saved his life. But Dara’s attempts to ally himself with Noam prove that their methods for defeating Lehrer are violently misaligned. Dara fears Noam has only gotten himself more deeply entangled in Lehrer’s web. Sooner or later, playing double agent might cost Noam his life. |
4/5 stars
The Electric Heir is the second part of the duology which began with The Fever King, a fantastic book you should definitely read before this one. Please bare in mind that both books deal with some heavy themes, including but not limited to eating disorders, alcohol abuse, rape, domestic violence and child abuse.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. And honestly?
My head hurts! You know why?? Because I just read this book in one sitting, eyes glued to my tablet, on the edge of my seat. It was a tense, tense adventure from start to finish, with moments of soft reprieve which were STILL tense in their own ways because as you read them you know that danger is around the very next corner.
Whew. I mean, I was expecting great things and boy were they delivered on! This book is hard hitting and emotional in such a way that it leaves you feeling breathless. It deals with situations and topics which are very sensitive and I believe it does a good job of handling them with the honesty and care that they deserve. This duology is about survival, it's about being a survivor, and it never shies away from that, which I think is not just important, but vitally necessary.
The synopsis of Electric Heir, sequel to The Fever King, by Victoria Lee, states on GoodReads "Noam Álvaro seeks to end tyranny before he becomes a tyrant himself." And you really do see that journey. Noam is a very powerful character, both literally and emotionally, and seeing the way he's changed from the beginning of the first book is incredible. His character arc has been flawlessly executed. A lot of the changes, a lot of the experiences he's had, have been negative, and he's done things that make him feel sick, but at the heart of him, all he's doing is his best. He's a teenager who has been through so much trauma it was bound to have rubbed off on him in some negative ways.
His relationship with Dara is also incredibly well crafted and definitely one of the few positive things that Noam has going for him. Dara in his own right is a powerhouse of a character, not because of his magic, as he doesn't have access to that anymore, but because of the sheer presence he has on page. The way that he reacts, the way that he thinks, the way that he deals with his own trauma and his determination to stop Lehrer, everything about him is powerful.
And yet I still want to wrap him in a blanket with Noam and keep them safe for the rest of forever.
The one thing I will say (very slight spoilers ahead), which is probably the reason why I'm giving this a 4 star rating (although really it's more 4.5) is that I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending. After all the buildup to the final moment I glanced at the percent check at the bottom of my screen, realised I was on something like 94% and panicked because I thought I must have misread the situation and that I was heading for another cliffhanger and a wait for book 3. It wrapped itself up plot wise, we aren't left hanging, but I don't feel like the ending did the book justice. It's kind of hard to put into words exactly what I mean without spoiling it for everyone.
Despite this, however, I 100% recommend The Electric Heir. The ending might not fully live up to my expectations, but the rest of the book surpassed them. It's very dark, twisted sometimes, hard to stomach even, but if you like your dystopias gritty and diverse, with a blast of magic, then you'll love this.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. And honestly?
My head hurts! You know why?? Because I just read this book in one sitting, eyes glued to my tablet, on the edge of my seat. It was a tense, tense adventure from start to finish, with moments of soft reprieve which were STILL tense in their own ways because as you read them you know that danger is around the very next corner.
Whew. I mean, I was expecting great things and boy were they delivered on! This book is hard hitting and emotional in such a way that it leaves you feeling breathless. It deals with situations and topics which are very sensitive and I believe it does a good job of handling them with the honesty and care that they deserve. This duology is about survival, it's about being a survivor, and it never shies away from that, which I think is not just important, but vitally necessary.
The synopsis of Electric Heir, sequel to The Fever King, by Victoria Lee, states on GoodReads "Noam Álvaro seeks to end tyranny before he becomes a tyrant himself." And you really do see that journey. Noam is a very powerful character, both literally and emotionally, and seeing the way he's changed from the beginning of the first book is incredible. His character arc has been flawlessly executed. A lot of the changes, a lot of the experiences he's had, have been negative, and he's done things that make him feel sick, but at the heart of him, all he's doing is his best. He's a teenager who has been through so much trauma it was bound to have rubbed off on him in some negative ways.
His relationship with Dara is also incredibly well crafted and definitely one of the few positive things that Noam has going for him. Dara in his own right is a powerhouse of a character, not because of his magic, as he doesn't have access to that anymore, but because of the sheer presence he has on page. The way that he reacts, the way that he thinks, the way that he deals with his own trauma and his determination to stop Lehrer, everything about him is powerful.
And yet I still want to wrap him in a blanket with Noam and keep them safe for the rest of forever.
The one thing I will say (very slight spoilers ahead), which is probably the reason why I'm giving this a 4 star rating (although really it's more 4.5) is that I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending. After all the buildup to the final moment I glanced at the percent check at the bottom of my screen, realised I was on something like 94% and panicked because I thought I must have misread the situation and that I was heading for another cliffhanger and a wait for book 3. It wrapped itself up plot wise, we aren't left hanging, but I don't feel like the ending did the book justice. It's kind of hard to put into words exactly what I mean without spoiling it for everyone.
Despite this, however, I 100% recommend The Electric Heir. The ending might not fully live up to my expectations, but the rest of the book surpassed them. It's very dark, twisted sometimes, hard to stomach even, but if you like your dystopias gritty and diverse, with a blast of magic, then you'll love this.
Published: 1st March 2019 Reviewed: 12th March 2019 In the former United States, sixteen-year-old Noam Álvaro wakes up in a hospital bed, the sole survivor of the viral magic that killed his family and made him a technopath. His ability to control technology attracts the attention of the minister of defense and thrusts him into the magical elite of the nation of Carolinia. The son of undocumented immigrants, Noam has spent his life fighting for the rights of refugees fleeing magical outbreaks—refugees Carolinia routinely deports with vicious efficiency. Sensing a way to make change, Noam accepts the minister’s offer to teach him the science behind his magic, secretly planning to use it against the government. But then he meets the minister’s son—cruel, dangerous, and achingly beautiful—and the way forward becomes less clear. |
4/5 stars
** spoiler alert ** This book is a perfect example as to why I don’t tend to read book series when only the first one is out lmao. I made the same mistake with the Cruel Prince and now I’m stood in book limbo and I HATE IT. I much prefer binge reading and consuming whole series at once but I couldn’t resist this summary and front cover.
I listened to the audible version which was done very well. The world building was super interesting and the main characters were all complex beings. I hated Lehrer from the start I NEVER trusted that douche canoe and I need him to die a painful death in book two.
The ending was very frustrating for someone who dislikes cliffhangers and wanted a happy ending lmao and Noam’s naivety and unreliable narration did grate on my nerves but I love my disaster bi son. I would, however, take a bullet for my brave gay son so.. if Noam and Dara don’t get a happy ending I’m gonna riot harder than every refugee in this book put together TBH.
Talking of book two, I need it like I need air! :(
I listened to the audible version which was done very well. The world building was super interesting and the main characters were all complex beings. I hated Lehrer from the start I NEVER trusted that douche canoe and I need him to die a painful death in book two.
The ending was very frustrating for someone who dislikes cliffhangers and wanted a happy ending lmao and Noam’s naivety and unreliable narration did grate on my nerves but I love my disaster bi son. I would, however, take a bullet for my brave gay son so.. if Noam and Dara don’t get a happy ending I’m gonna riot harder than every refugee in this book put together TBH.
Talking of book two, I need it like I need air! :(
That's the choice. I love him, with all that, because of all that. On purpose. I love him on purpose.
- red, white and royal blue
Published: 14th May 2019 Reviewed: 12th July 2019 What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales? When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius—his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There's only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse. |
5/5 STARS
Where do I even start? How do I sum up everything I feel for this book in one single review? I cannot write down the noises of joy I made throughout reading it. I can't draw either of the two times i actually hugged it. A ramble of a review will have to do.
Coming from someone who lives in England, who has only ever visited the US and never lived there, the political climate over the past few years has been like watching a car crash over and over again and not being able to do a damn thing to change it. But then, as awful as the political situation makes me feel it must be even worse to have to live under it as an american, although i think we can all agree that England isn't exactly having a good time right about now either lmao dear lord we're all in trouble.
Anyway, when my friend recommended this book to me, I was instantly attached to the idea of it. I bought it a couple of hours after we talked about it and it arrived on a Thursday. Today is Friday, so it took me literally 24 hours to read. I've never been more thankful for having the day off work haha. I knew from the start I was going to like it, because how could I not? A love story between a prince of England and the first son? LGBT representation, political tension, strong kick ass female characters (who i now have many many crushes on god bless) including a female president? Sign me tf up.
What I couldn't anticipate though was how the book made me feel. How raw it felt in places, how sweet, how painful, how beautifully written. Unlike this review, which is a mess because i literally just finished reading it and my head is a complete mess assdfghhjkk. What I'm trying to say is this book is a god damned blessing. I want everyone to read it. I want every lgbt person especially, and every woman or girl, to read it. I'm bisexual and a girl and so thirsty for representation on both of those aspects so I can promise you, if you're anything like me you'll adore this just as much as i do.
I don't want to go into too many plot details, because watching the story and the characters unfold was part of the charm, and i don't want to wax on and on about the same thing, so I'll end this review here, with this; we should have a better world than we do, i'm sad for america and i'm sad for the world, i'm sad for what could have been, should have been. This book, though a little bittersweet in its fiction, gave me back a bit of the hope i've lost in recent years. It was chicken soup for the soul.
Coming from someone who lives in England, who has only ever visited the US and never lived there, the political climate over the past few years has been like watching a car crash over and over again and not being able to do a damn thing to change it. But then, as awful as the political situation makes me feel it must be even worse to have to live under it as an american, although i think we can all agree that England isn't exactly having a good time right about now either lmao dear lord we're all in trouble.
Anyway, when my friend recommended this book to me, I was instantly attached to the idea of it. I bought it a couple of hours after we talked about it and it arrived on a Thursday. Today is Friday, so it took me literally 24 hours to read. I've never been more thankful for having the day off work haha. I knew from the start I was going to like it, because how could I not? A love story between a prince of England and the first son? LGBT representation, political tension, strong kick ass female characters (who i now have many many crushes on god bless) including a female president? Sign me tf up.
What I couldn't anticipate though was how the book made me feel. How raw it felt in places, how sweet, how painful, how beautifully written. Unlike this review, which is a mess because i literally just finished reading it and my head is a complete mess assdfghhjkk. What I'm trying to say is this book is a god damned blessing. I want everyone to read it. I want every lgbt person especially, and every woman or girl, to read it. I'm bisexual and a girl and so thirsty for representation on both of those aspects so I can promise you, if you're anything like me you'll adore this just as much as i do.
I don't want to go into too many plot details, because watching the story and the characters unfold was part of the charm, and i don't want to wax on and on about the same thing, so I'll end this review here, with this; we should have a better world than we do, i'm sad for america and i'm sad for the world, i'm sad for what could have been, should have been. This book, though a little bittersweet in its fiction, gave me back a bit of the hope i've lost in recent years. It was chicken soup for the soul.
I have become the Grand Tour horror story
- The gentleman's guide to vice and virtue
Published: 27th June 2017 Reviewed: 11th Jan 2018 The first in the Montague Siblings series. Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men. But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and travelling companion, Percy. |
5/5 STARS
** spoiler alert **
I am so enchanted by this book.
I am SO. ENCHANTED. BY THIS BOOK.
I listened to the audible version of this and I recommend that you do too. The reader, Christian Coulson, added a whole other realness to the story and had a really great way of speaking the character of Henry Montague.
Henry Montague is one of the best characters i've had the pleasure to come across. He is an entitled little shit who has a long journey ahead of him, both physically, because he's about to set off on his tour, and mentally/emotionally because he's got one hell of a ride ahead of him and it changes him for the better. I absolutely loved Monty. I loved his sense of humour, his voice, and more than anything I loved that he grew as a person over the arc of the book.
His sister was an absolute delight too. Felicity is such a well rounded, well written character who plays the part of "little sister" perfectly, not putting up with any of Monty's nonsense and making sure to tell him off whenever needed. And don't even get me started on Percy, who must have the patience of a saint to put up with Monty half the time. He is such a pure hearted character every time Monty acted like an ass in Percy's vicinity I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and screech.
The plot of the novel spans several countries and brings us into contact with a whole host of secondary characters, all of which were interesting and well written. The plot itself is never boring, from the tense interaction between Monty and his worthless father, the highway men and the hunt for a cure to all illness and the developing relationship between Percy and Monty, every moment of this novel either had me laughing, wincing or tense, in all the right ways.
I'm usually not a fan of historical fiction, and I can't say how historically accurate the book was as a whole, but I CAN say that it is one of the best books I've read. I 100% recommend it.
I am so enchanted by this book.
I am SO. ENCHANTED. BY THIS BOOK.
I listened to the audible version of this and I recommend that you do too. The reader, Christian Coulson, added a whole other realness to the story and had a really great way of speaking the character of Henry Montague.
Henry Montague is one of the best characters i've had the pleasure to come across. He is an entitled little shit who has a long journey ahead of him, both physically, because he's about to set off on his tour, and mentally/emotionally because he's got one hell of a ride ahead of him and it changes him for the better. I absolutely loved Monty. I loved his sense of humour, his voice, and more than anything I loved that he grew as a person over the arc of the book.
His sister was an absolute delight too. Felicity is such a well rounded, well written character who plays the part of "little sister" perfectly, not putting up with any of Monty's nonsense and making sure to tell him off whenever needed. And don't even get me started on Percy, who must have the patience of a saint to put up with Monty half the time. He is such a pure hearted character every time Monty acted like an ass in Percy's vicinity I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and screech.
The plot of the novel spans several countries and brings us into contact with a whole host of secondary characters, all of which were interesting and well written. The plot itself is never boring, from the tense interaction between Monty and his worthless father, the highway men and the hunt for a cure to all illness and the developing relationship between Percy and Monty, every moment of this novel either had me laughing, wincing or tense, in all the right ways.
I'm usually not a fan of historical fiction, and I can't say how historically accurate the book was as a whole, but I CAN say that it is one of the best books I've read. I 100% recommend it.
Reviewer
26. Capricorn. INFP. Hufflepuff.
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