Cigar Barons by Isabella
Overall, it's a decent novel with some unique details, I think it just could have been better with a bit more editing and less stereotyping.
Read MoreIt Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
The synopsis of this book leaves much of what the story is truly about as a surprise, and instead of a typical adult romance I enjoyed an extremely powerful story.
Read MoreThe Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Unputdownable. That is one of the most important aspects you need to know about this book, so don’t pick it up if you have limited time because you’ll suddenly find yourself staying up all night in order to keep reading.
Read MoreThe Grace Year by Kim Liggett
When this book was recommended to me, I was expecting a predictable dystopian YA. Instead, I was wonderfully surprised by the book’s clever and dark plot and I found myself reading at every spare moment.
Read MoreA Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
I thoroughly enjoyed Novik’s take on popular fairytales as told in Uprooted and Spinning Silver . This dark magical world and school is very different than Hogwarts. Here, the school is only run by magic, not teachers, and rather than having a rare death, the school has a rare survival rate and very few graduates. Interested yet?
Read MoreThe Midnight Library by Matt Haig
It is not a new concept - ‘what if?’ - and I’ve read several books where characters are able to relive certain aspects of their lives to see the different outcomes. I am always for reading new renditions of this storyline and thought Haig was clever in his take.
Read MoreThe Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
This novella is full of beautiful imagery and packs a lot in just a little over 100 pages. Yes, it is about an old fisherman trying to catch a fish, but it is moving and thought-provoking and I understand why it’s a classic still talked about.
Read MoreOur Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab
Once again, Schwab created these wonderful antiheroes in a dark and chilling adventure in this Monsters of Verity series. I’m sad it was only two books and is already over, but yet it also ended so perfectly.
Read MoreParadise by Craig Alanson
Once again, Alanson as able to keep up an entertaining military sci-fi with the third installment in this series. Just like with the second book, there is plenty of comedy, but there are also some heart-warming and thought-provoking moments that wonderfully balance this novel to make it even better.
Read MoreThis Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Once again Schwab has created these amazing antiheroes in a dark and chilling adventure in This Savage Song. This book was difficult to put down; a page-turning thriller with multiple mini cliff-hangers at the end of certain chapters that made me crave more.
Read MoreCome Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire
I’ve loved Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series so far and was excited for this new book to come out and it did not disappoint. Although a bit different from the others, I really enjoyed the fact this one took a distinct new take on the storyline.
Read MoreStorm's Clouds by J.W. Golan
Overall, I definitely enjoyed it more than the first book and can see not only the characters have grown but Golan’s storytelling as well. The action and new dilemmas plaguing these characters definitely make me intrigued enough to read the next in the series. Plus, I never can leave myself with a cliffhanger.
Read MoreTunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab
After reading City of Ghosts, the first in this series, I was a bit nervous since I didn’t connect with the main character. Now after giving Tunnel of Bones a try, I’ve realized I found a series of Victoria Schwab’s that I just can’t get behind. But that doesn’t mean others shouldn’t give it a try as Victoria Schwab is an amazing writer.
Read MoreWe Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
This was a wonderfully dark and creepy book, reminiscent of gothic literature and had me captivated from the very beginning. It was strange and the ending was not what I expected but kept true to the horror this short little book holds.
Read MoreThe Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
I was enjoying this novel until it kept going, and going and…oh it was finally done. The beginning started out so strong with wonderful descriptions of the Congo and the struggles the Price family finds with being in a country so vastly different than their own. But as it continued I liked it less and less.
Read MoreCity of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
Victoria Schwab, or V.E. Schwab, knows how to write dark, thrilling characters and worlds. Just like with her Villains or Shades of Magic series written under her penname, the Cassidy Blake series starts off strong with unique characters and a clever storyline. This series is different in the fact it’s for a younger audience so although dark, it’s not quite as much as her other series.
Read MoreThe Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
I loved every bit of J.R.R Tolkien’s writing and his beautifully crafted fantasy world. Honestly, I don’t think it makes sense to try to review this well-known fantasy. There could be a lot to say but it may just be repetitive after how much we all know about the movies and how many people also love Tolkien’s writing.
Read MoreThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
This book may be labeled young adult and is written for a younger reading level, but it is also very fitting for adults. It is dark and terribly sad, but Sherman Alexie adds a witty humor that helps soften some of the commentary on a difficult life of a Native American on a reservation.
Read MoreDead Voices by Katherine Arden
I’m obsessed with Katherine Arden, she is definitely one of my favorite authors of all time. She has this amazing way of writing such beautiful imagery I can’t compare it to any other books I’ve read. And her characters are so vibrant, I love them all.
Read MoreThe Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
I wish I had known that this book was loosely based on a real person, Sarah Grimke, an abolitionist and women’s right activist in the early 1800s. Although it is still a book I’d recommend though not a particularly easy or happy one to read.
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