Book Review: Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

Stand Alone

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 329

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How I Got It: Purchaed

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: To win back her honor, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year—or die trying.

Review

I read this in like 3 hours. And now I'm sad because I don't have any more Tricia Levenseller books to read. I just really enjoy her writing. For me, there is the right balance of fantasy, action, and romance. I also really appreciate a standalone fantasy.

The Viking-inspired elements were interesting. And there was definitely a serious and dark tone. I was kept on the edge of my seat. I would get anxious and made on Rasmira's behalf. I even teared up a couple of times. 

I've seen some people complain about the romance. I didn't think it overwhelmed the story but I also love a romance. The romance was cute and added some lightness to the story. The friendships were also a nice break. I also liked how the friendships impacted Rasmira and contributed to her character development.

Overall, this was engaging and a fun stand alone read. I loved spending time with these characters and in this world.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Book Review: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Series: Finishing School Book #1

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages: 307

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased (Pretty sure)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Steampunk

Publisher: Little, Brown Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. 

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

Review

I love Gail Carriger's voice as a writer. She's quirky and fun and dignified.

Sophronia is an interesting main character. She's adventurous and headstrong. She's also unexpectedly friendly and supporting of those around her. She also doesn't know a lot about the world she's thrown into so I also don't know a lot. I trust things will be explored, but I also wish I knew more NOW!

I feel like there may be a romance which I am here for. (It's inter-racial and that is one of my favorites since I was raised in an inter-racial home). But I'm not 100% sure it will happen so I'm going to hold off on commenting too much.

I really liked the connections to the Parasol Protectorate series. There are a few-mainly characters-which are pretty obvious. I'm excited to see if there are any more connections as the series continues. And it kind of makes me want to re-read the Parasol Protectorate series. Personally, I think that's a good thing in a book/series.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Stand Alone
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library (Overdrive)
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Delacorte Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Review

I waited about two months on a library hold before I could read this book. That may have played a roll in my rating, but I don't think it did Maybe this has been so built up in my mind, but I found it a little lacking. It's a good book that explores some difficult situations in a beautiful way. The story-telling was different and had a nice pacing. But it didn't feel as deep as I was expecting.

Maddy is a great character full of real emotions. Even though I'm not even close to being in the same situation as her I could understand her and even relate to her. It's also great to see a lot of diversity-racial, physical health, mental health, etc. And I definitely liked the female relationships. There's Maddy and her mom and Maddy and Carla-her nurse. Olly was also interesting but I don't have a lot of thoughts on him.

Before I go into spoilers here are some more vague comments. The romance was cute but a little rushed. Maddy's personal/internal struggles were the more gripping parts of the story to me. The ending felt abrupt, but I think my thoughts on that could change upon a re-read.

Spoiler Time!!!

The reveal about Maddy's illness shocked me and initially felt cheap. I was wondering the whole time I was reading how this book would be "resolved." But that plot choice is starting to grow on me. Although, it did feel hurried. I actually love that her mom is so protective of her daughter that she's able to convince herself that she's sick. It is awesome to have a book look at what grief and mental illness can do to anyone even if they are highly intelligent.

That's it.

What do you think of this book?

Thanks for reading!
Holly