Review: The Library of Lost Things

The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Library of Lost Things sounded like your normal contemporary novel. But once I really started reading it I found that it was so much more. This is one of those titles that is full of the feels and it hits you right in the heart. The story opened with us learning a little about Darcy and her situation with her mom. The author did a great job creating this world of hoarding as well as the character of Darcy and her mom. So may YA titles make the parents there but not and although this one did that sort of, Darcy's mom was there in some respect.

Darcy was such a great character and I have to say that she was way stronger and nicer than I would have been, with her mom's hoarding. I think I most likely would have given up on my mom ages before that and moved in with my grams or something. I am not a clean freak but I do like things being put away. And this goat tunnel system was just insane. I almost wished this would have had pictures or artwork throughout the story just so you could picture it even more.

Side characters in this one were amazing!! Marisol was my spirit animal for anything dealing with clothes and I really need a book about her!!! I want to know what happens in her life past this title!! Then there is Asher, towards the end of the title he reminded me of a Middle Ages woman who was tired of dating and just wanted to settle down. I thought it was so funny that I thought of him this way. But that is just how he made me feel. I loved his character as well and his issues and he was just so grounded.

The writing in this title was phenomenal!! It flowed so well and it just drew you into the story in the best possible way. You just can't put it down because you're just so invested in what is going to happen next. This book is just full of love for authors and books and the only issue I had with it was that hate for ebooks. This debate has been going on forever and I know it won't stop but print books and ebooks are both amazing.

Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone who loves books and bookish things. As well as those who want a story about a girl just trying to not be invisible anymore.

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Review: Bad Blood

Bad Blood by Demitria Lunetta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had this book as an eARC and I ended up giving it two stars and DNFing it. Then I found it at the library and decided to give it another try. And I am so glad I did because this book was amazing! I do have to say that the cutting thing that is in this book was one of the things that turned me off of it the first time I tried it. But now that I have read it all the way through I understand why it was there. So although it should be listed as a trigger please know that there is a good reason why it's there.

This story is for the reader who loves mystery and witchy magical things. Overcoming Evil as well as those who want a story about family and first love. This book has it all. It was a very fast read and I read it in 3 and a half hours. And I couldn't put it down. The author did a wonderful job with the flow and giving us little bits and pieces of the story as it unfolded. The POVs of Heather, Primrose, and Prudence was ingenious and it made the story more interesting. The setting of Scotland was beyond magical and I do hope one day to visit. And no that's not just because I'm addicted to all thing Outlander..........😳ok yes that does have something to do with it.

The characters in this one are rich and alive. I couldn't help but feel for Heather and I would love to see another story set in another POV from the side characters. I think that it would be amazing to explore the other families histories.

This is one that I won't soon forget and I think others will enjoy it as well!


Go Into This One Knowing
Self Harm, Triple POV, Time Jumps

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Review: Emerge

Emerge by Tobie Easton
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Sadly, this weeks Take Control of my TBR pick just didn't work out. I thought it was closer to middle grade vs. young adult and well although it did sound kind of on the sillier side I wished that it would have kept that. It felt like it couldn't decide on if it wanted to be silly or serious.

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Review: The Grace Year

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"After all, it's just a flower. And I'm only a girl."

This has got to be one of the hardest reviews that I have ever written. This story was a blend of The Hunger Games, Crucible, and The Handmaids's Tale. I really wasn't sure what I was going to be reading in this one. I knew it was some kind of dystopian story where girls had no say in anything. But other than that I knew nothing. What I found was this beautiful story about a girl who was so much stronger than she thought she was.

The cover does not do this book the justice that this book needs. This has got to be the 5th or 6th cover that I just didn't care for this month. Anyway don't let the cover turn you away as this is a must read title!! The story opens with the girls getting ready to see if they are going to get a veil and get married. Then its off to a ceremony called the Grace Year where they are lead out of town to an island where they have to survive for a year alone. I really liked where the author decided to start this journey as it allowed the reader to fall for Tierney early on. We also received some much needed information about this world. Without it feeling like info dumping.

The writing in this one was very straight forward and easy to follow. The only issue I had with the descriptions were when the girls got to the encampment. I would really like to see what this place looked like. Because, with the author's descriptions it was very confusing to me. But that was it. The rest of the pacing and writing was wonderful. One other thing to note is that this book doesn't have chapters. It's split up by section of the seasons that the girls are going through, then returning home.

The characters in this one were spectacular! I loved Tierney, she was so strong and didn't take anyones crap! She grew so much over the course of the story and learned so much about herself. I don't really want to call this book a coming of age title because its more a finding yourself and changing your world title. But these girls in the Grace Year learned so much about themselves.

The storyline/plot was dark and scary and so so beautiful! It will make you have all the feels you can have in this one from shock, love, sadness, and just utterly falling in love with the world that Liggett has created. I can say without a doubt that this book killed me. It ripped out my heart only to shove it back in to rip it back out. When you goto read this one make sure to have tissues on hand. Because, when you get to that twist of an ending you will be crying.

Overall, this was one story and journey I will not be forgetting about soon. I would love to see a follow up to this one continuing the story. As I would love to see how this world changed after a few years.


This book in six words: Never fear to change your world!
Favorite Quotes:

Please note these are from an ARC.

"Because in this moment, oh how I long to be full of dangerous magic."

"How do you say goodbye to your childhood?"

"That's how they think of us....we're nothing more than in season mates for breeding."

"After all, it's just a flower. And I'm only a girl."

"And I wonder if this is the magic taking over. Is this how it starts-the slip of the tongue? A loss of respect? Was this how I become a monster the men whisper of?"

"But I won't be a broken bird. Not anymore."

"They can call it magic. I can call it madness. But one thing is certain. There is no grace here."

"I told you, I have no magic." "Once again, I reach for the gauzy fabric." "You're wrong." he says, folding my outstretched fingers back into my sweaty palm." "You have more than you know."

"We may be without powers, but we are not powerless."


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Review: Dream Keeper

Dream Keeper by Amber R. Duell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I started this one I wasn't to sure what I was going to get. I have to say that I really love the cover but not after reading the title, I kind of wished they would have done something else with it. For me I would have loved to see the sands of the beach and then Nora standing facing the darkness in the horizon with a sword at her side glowing red. It would give us a lot of detail from the story and really make you understand how kick butt Nora is!! But alas that is not the cover that we got.

The story kicks off with us learning that Nora has seen the Sandman since she was 12 and she used to tell her family about him. Only to be put on meds and having to see doctors etc. So she learned quickly to keep him to herself. After reading that I thought this was going to turn into a title where Nora ends up in the loony-bin. Which I am really glad that didn't happen. That loony-bin troupe is so overdone. So what did we get in this one? Well let me tell you!!!

This story was one that I won't soon forget! It was the perfect blend of contemporary and fantasy and I fell so hard for Nora and the Sandman!! The writing was simple but descriptive and although I do believe that this was geared toward a slightly younger audience I loved the simplicity of the writing. It was very easy to read and follow which was a nice change. As the story unfolds we learn that Nora isn't a damsel in destress! She could hold her own and she was out to save her family and the world.

The dual POV worked out very well as we learned more about the world from both Nora and the Sandman. With the Waking World and the World of Dreams and Nightmares. I have to say that the world building in this one was all about the otherworld and the author did a fabulous job bringing it to life. Towards the end of this story the World of Nightmares really reminded me a lot of Wonderland.

The ending of this one ended in a way that it turned me on my head and killed me. I didn't see it coming at all. And I need book two NOW!!

Overall, this one was pretty perfect in my eyes. I loved every aspect of the story and the characters. I flew through it in just over 3 hours and I could not put it down!

This book in three words: True Love, Dreams, Hope
Favorite Quotes:

"The sandman was my anchor, holding me firm when life tried to wash me out to sea. Without him....I swallowed hard. Without him I would be a ship without sails."

"Wasn't there some sort of sister code about this stuff? Her baby pictures were so coming out the next time Jen came over for dinner, especially the one where she decided to go streaking down out street when she was two.

"You had me steal nightmares?" My jaw hung open, and I lightly punched his shoulder. "Are you crazy? Why would you let me do that?"

"I'll never be able to break your heart without breaking my own."


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Review: Tiger Queen

Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I really started out loving this little. I did think it was pretty predictable from the start. As I guessed the twists before they event hinted at them. The cover was not one I fell in love with as I felt that it was very simple. With is book about a warrior princess I thought that it should have been way darker and way more empowering.

The writing style was very simple and somewhat lack luster. The pacing was good but the overall story and plot line just needed more to keep me reading. This is one of those titles that I found myself finding other things to do other than read. Because, I was pretty much bored. The romance which I saw coming and again the twists were all something that just could have been better. I saw them a mile away and they just weren't all that good.

Overall this one just lacked what I was looking for and didn't use enough mystery to keep me invested in the story. I will of course check out Sullivan's other titles as they come out as I loved Touch of Gold!

Go Into This One Knowing: Predictable, Lack Luster

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Review: Slayer

Slayer by Kiersten White
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I am crushed and won't be adding this to my dates read.

I am a total die hard fan of Buffy. I grew up watching the show and was so excited to read this. But I am sad to say that the snark to this one was just to much and it just didn't feel like the other stories about Buffy and that world.

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Review: American Royals

American Royals by Katharine McGee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This amazing book is one I won't soon forget!! This cover is the first thing I saw and I have to say that this Four POV title could have had all four teens on the cover and I think that might have worked out a little better. Although I do think that this cover worked well for the story. I think since this title is not just about Beatrice that it would have made more sense to have them all on it.

The story opening we are introduced to this alternative history to the US. and I have to say that I think the author did an amazing job with making it engaging and educational without making it feel like info dumping. It drew me in and made me want to know more about the world and characters. Although this is set in an alternative world its still set in our time period. The writing was very easy to follow and the pacing was spot on. It was speedy where it needed to be and slow in others. The mystery that surrounds a girl in a coma and Daphne was very well done!! I so didn't like her at all but I really wanted to know what happened that night and I have to say that it made me hate her even more.

My favorite character was Nina! I love her so much. She was hispanic (just like me!) And wore clothes for comfort vs. style. She knew what she liked and didn't and really was just trying to live her best life. I love how her character grew a back bone during the last chapters of this story and I can't wait to read more of her in the upcoming titles. Conner was another character that I fell hard for and I am totally rooting for him!! He was so adorable and man who wouldn't want an eidetic memory.

The ending was one that I kind of saw coming. As soon as I realized that this was a series I was like yup that is SO how its going to end!! It was heartbreaking as I was hoping that it wasn't going to end quite this way. That a few things were going to be solved before the end. But sadly that wasn't the case. So now I get to pine away until next year.

My overall thoughts on this one was that the multi POVs worked so well!! So many titles don't do this many POVs this good. So kudos to the author for that!! The plot of an alternative US History was one that I hadn't read before. It was nice to have something new.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: These characters worked well. I loved how the story was told only from female voices. It think it gave it a wonderful edge.

This book in three words: Historical, Intrigue, Romance

Favorite Quotes: "Please note that these quotes are from the ARC and may not be the same in the finished copy!"

"The Point of forgiveness is too recognize that someone has hurt you, and still love them in spite of it." Pg. 263

"All she knew was that one day she woke up and her love for him was simply there, like newly fallen snow. Maybe it had been there all along." Pg. 71

"Only you would daydream about a library meet-cute." Pg. 14

"Long ago, monarchies existed so that the people could serve the monarch. Now the monarch must serve the people. Remember that it is an honor and a privilege to be a Washington and devote your life to this nation." Pg. 11

Go Into This One Knowing: Historical fiction with a splash of intrigue and a dash of romance.

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