Amity
Hmm, this was good but I don't feel it lived up to its predecessor. There were some cool reveals and worldbuilding, and some terrifying set pieces that really built some tension, but it fell a little flat for me. I also felt the ending fizzled out a bit. Malerman is still a fantastic writer, and I still think this is a compelling world, it just didn't work for me as much this time around. 3 blind trains out of 5.
A short novel in verse dealing with main character Jamie's realization that they are genderqueer. Though the plot is slight, it is executed in a fairly gripping and accessible manner and I would definitely recommend it to tweens and older. All in all, 3 out of 5 for me-as-a-reader, 4 out of 5 for its intended audience.
I really don't understand why this book (or The Martian, for that matter) appeals to me so much, because it's literally just a bunch of “and then I did a science” but I was here for it. I didn't understand what was happening about 70% of the time, because my brain is not science-smart, but it was exciting!
I think that, even though Weir isn't the strongest writer in terms of structure and character development, his passion is what makes his stories work. Though this really did read more like a screenplay, and I wasn't surprised to see it's already been optioned for a movie, but again: all weaknesses aside, I had a good time.
ALSO: Rocky is forever best boy and I love him. Happy happy happy!
Anyway, 3.5 sciences out of 5, rounded up because of what I mentioned in my spoiler.
Pipi is a realistic teenager: self-centered at times, but with a good heart. I liked her blended family and diverse group of friends, and wanted more Tasha in the story. I do wish Kara would have been given a bit more nuance, but considering the audience I think it's fine.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to tween and younger teen patrons, so while my actual personal-enjoyment rating is probably closer to a 3, I will go ahead and round this 3.5 up to 4 humiliations out of 5.
Magical realism is hit or miss for me, but I felt like this one could have used more of it, honestly. The writing was lovely and there was a strong sense of place in Pastoral (even if I did keep picturing The Village) but nothing was surprising or impactful to me. I found myself missing Travis as a narrator, as I thought his power was interesting and tragic.
Considering the magical realism angle of Travis, I was hoping that Levi also had some sort of magical element to him, beyond just reading a book on hypnotism. I suppose he still could have and it's open to interpretation, as Bee does say that his words always captivate everyone, but...I don't know, that just felt sort of lackluster to me.
I also didn't much care for the ending, which felt a bit too tidy, all things considered. Still, I loved the fairy-tale atmosphere and I love a story of an isolated community, so I will give this one 3 The Villages out of 5.
I don't know, I thought this was fine? I think I let it get overhyped in my head and was expecting something mind-blowing. What I got instead was a solid debut novel, but I wasn't particularly in love with the prose or characters, and I wasn't really surprised by most of the reveals, either, so. I liked it, didn't love it. 3 fireflies out of 5.
I'm torn on this one, because the writing was great - sharp, provocative, and emotional - and I loved the atmosphere, which perfectly captured impoverished smalltown sadness where every day blends into the other. The characters were also solid, and you want them to overcome the odds and make better decisions and break out of their self-destruction. All good things, but the plot took what I considered a kind of eye-rolling turn toward the end . . . it didn't gel with me, as I felt it didn't match the nuance of the rest of the book. It didn't ruin the book for me, but it did make me want to bump my 3.5 stars down to 3 instead of up to 4.
This was quite the ride...I didn't love it, as all the “twists” were predictable (if they were even meant to be twists is up for debate tbh) but I liked Abigail well enough as a character and wanted her to overcome everything that was thrown at her. Overall a quick, entertaining read...probably closer to a 3.5, but rounding down because of some nitpicky things that bothered me as a reader.
A very engrossing and empathetic look at addiction. Mickey had a strong voice and even as you wanted her to make different decisions, you never fail to understand why she makes the ones she does. McGinnis is one of my favorite YA authors, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in general. 4/5 stars.
Wolf has a flair for setting the atmosphere here: the bitter cold, the piercing hunger, the total desperation that they all felt is in turn felt by the reader. I also liked the choice of having multiple narrators (though the Hunger narrator could be a little didactic at times, but considering the intended audience is younger, that's understandable) and appreciated that no one was portrayed as a total monster or hero. All of the information in the notes section was great, too. All in all, an informative and emotional read. 3.5/5, bumped up because Buck and Bright were the best boys.
Also, I don't like even being mildly uncomfortable, so I wouldn't have survived long in the Donner Party or basically in any other time in history. Being cold? Experiencing even a slight amount of hunger? No thank you.
Although the actual mystery at the core of this book is relatively standard and there are occasionally misdirects that are so obviously red herrings that they might as well have actually been Red Herring himself from A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, this was an entertaining page-turner. The biggest selling points - its podcast-like structure and metafictional narrative - could be seen as gimmicky, but it worked for this particular reader. I also appreciated that not all questions were truly answered, especially concerning the relationship between "Joseph Knox" and Evelyn. Had my issues, but overall giving this one 3.5 misdirects out of 5, bumped up because I was reading it every spare chance I had.
Starting 2022 off with reading a basically perfect memoir. It's a high note to start on in my reading-life, but I also fear that other books are going to pale in comparison. Heartbreakingly honest and messy and beautiful; the only time I put it down was when I needed to let the impact of a particular passage sink in. 5/5
Maeve, a thirtysomething book editor in New York City, had a traumatic childhood. She escaped a cult when she was very young, leaving everything she knew - including her best friend and beloved cousin, Andrea - behind. She now lives a relatively peaceful but lonely life, always holding everyone at a distance until she gets a match on a DNA testing site one day. Andrea has been found after searching on and off for years, and although Maeve is wary, she is excited to have her one true friend back.
As her old life begins to crumble, Maeve seeks refuge in Andrea's new home: a remote, partially refinished mansion in the Catskills. There, she becomes friends with Andrea's friends, who try to impart the importance of motherhood as every woman's privilege and right. And although Andrea doesn't want to speak of the past, Maeve's new life brings more and more memories to the surface, and her past may be catching up with her.
This novel was a pulpy thrill ride with some horrific imagery. The reveals are orchestrated relatively early in the story, but it still had some “aha!” moments. The first-person narrative makes you feel connected with Maeve, even if you sometimes want to shake her and tell her to pay attention (as you do with most horror protagonists). My overall main problem was the epilogue, which I felt diminished the story a bit and seemed tacked on—still, a solid psychological thriller with a good gothic setting. For some of the spookier moments, the use of technology was an effective contrast to the dusty old mansion. Overall, 3.5 creepy doll heads out of 5 bumped up because that cover is too good.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC to review!
Although there were a lot of aspects of the characterizations and writing that I didn't like, the intricate plotting and ambitions of the story are enough to bump this one up to a 4 from a 3 - 3.5 for me. I appreciate ambition, even if it didn't particularly stick the landing for me. It's a slower start, but once it gets going, it's hard to stop reading.
What I expected: a whimsical fantasy with fairytale elements that dipped its toes into the waters of horror, like all of the classic fairytales did. You know, magic and adventure, maybe a bittersweet ending but good would ultimately triumph.
What I got: pseudo-dystopian science fiction with hints of fairytale twists, sprinkled with questions of mortality while a disease is eradicating large swaths of the population. Also, good advice on how NOT to be a parent. Maybe don't abandon your young son to live life as a doll?
I'll admit that I was initially drawn to this book because of its cover (as I have never fully grown out of my emoteen Hot Topic days), but this was a really unique reading experience. However, I can't say I fully liked it; I didn't think any of the topics were really explored in depth, and it kind of felt like all of the characters had the same voice. No one was really distinct and while the plot elements were intriguing, they never clicked. I might read the second one to see if Ella gets her memories back again, and if so, how that plays out with her and Gabby but overall it fell flat. 2.5 doll-obsessed mad scientists out of 5, bumped up for originality.
The twist is pretty obvious, and you have to suspend your disbelief to buy into the whole “this is a plot that cannot fail” thing, but all of the ruminations on writing and being a writer (the moral code, the publishing world, etc.) were great and it was compelling enough to tear through in a few days. 3.5 people saying “anyone can be a writer” out of 5, rounded up for being a fun time.
A great Halloween read! Very atmospheric and Mari was a complex, sympathetic character. It's clear that Jackson has a great love of horror stories - a lot of classic haunted house tropes were present, lampshaded, and cleverly twisted. Combine that with the real-world horrors present in Cedarville, and you have a compelling, spooky read. The ending as a whole fell a little flat for me, but I liked that not everything was neatly resolved. 4 disturbing bedbug facts out of 5.
Very zigzag-y with a cast of unreliable and/or untrustworthy narrators and a lot of reveals that keep you guessing. I liked the novel-within-a-novel approach and all the sly meta winks and nods at the criticisms of Hawkins' brand of storytelling. I can see this being as divisive as her other works, but I liked it a lot! Also, in this house we love and support Irene 5ever.
3.5 houseboats out of 5, rounded up because I was reading it every spare chance I had and I think that counts for something!
I was excited to read this because Ivy is one of my favorite characters and the description mentioned a cute goth girl, but unfortunately I didn't like it as well as I'd hoped. A lot of the premise is solid, but the execution lacked substance and the characters were all pretty one-note. Still, I think it had a good aesthetic and I would certainly recommend it to teen readers looking for more Poison Ivy content. 3 spooky mansions out of 5.
