tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53538070963918941532024-03-13T11:23:48.861-07:00Little Red's ReviewsCasey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-67398852221638900812020-09-24T19:52:00.003-07:002020-09-24T19:52:38.736-07:00We Go Together by Abigail de Niverville<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4RfbZtYn3YY/X2pS4GmZJII/AAAAAAAAEC4/-agUgpNfn4I3f01n4DxtLYJUNQ_iIiUFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s475/We%2BGo%2BTogether.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4RfbZtYn3YY/X2pS4GmZJII/AAAAAAAAEC4/-agUgpNfn4I3f01n4DxtLYJUNQ_iIiUFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w268-h400/We%2BGo%2BTogether.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Summary:</span></b> The beaches of Grand-Barachois had been Kat’s summer home for years. There, she created her own world with her “summer friends,” full of possibilities and free from expectation. But one summer, everything changed, and she ran from the life she’d created.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now seventeen and on the brink of attending college, Kat is full of regret. She’s broken a friendship beyond repair, and she’s dated possibly the worst person in the world. Six months after their break-up, he still haunts her nightmares. Confused and scared, she returns to Grand-Barachois to sort out her feelings.</div><div><br /></div><div>When she arrives, everything is different yet familiar. Some of her friends are right where she left them, while some are nowhere to be found. There are so many things they never got to do, so many words left unsaid.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then there’s Tristan.</div><div><br /></div><div>He wasn’t supposed to be there. He was just a guy from Kat’s youth orchestra days. When the two meet again, they become fast friends. Tristan has a few ideas to make this summer the best one yet. Together, they build a master list of all the things Kat and her friends wanted to do but never could. It’s finally time to live their wildest childhood dreams.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the past won’t let Kat go. And while this may be a summer to remember, there’s so much she wants to forget.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pages: 251</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Release Date: August 10th, 2020</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rating: 4/5 Stars</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Review:</b></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of </span><i style="font-family: arial;">We Go Together</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> for review. </span><i style="font-family: arial;">We Go Together</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> is a YA contemporary novel that focuses on the main character, Kat, who returns to Grand-Barachois, a beach town where she used to spend every summer before meeting her ex-boyfriend, Aaron. After breaking up with Aaron, she returns to Grand-Barachois to come to terms with her past relationship and pick up the pieces before heading off to college. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The story tackles </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the challenges of finding oneself, moving on from broken friendships, and acknowledging and moving forward after leaving an abusive relationship. I do want to warn that there is mention of sexual assault throughout the novel so if that is a triggering subject, I would proceed with caution or skip the novel entirely. I really did enjoy </span><i style="font-family: arial;">We Go Together</i><span style="font-family: arial;">, I think it handled the sensitive topic of sexual assault well and encapsulated a lot of the struggles of growing up and finding oneself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I enjoyed seeing the progression of Kat's character throughout the novel. At the beginning of <i>We Go Together, </i>she was continuously struggling with reconciliating with what had happened to her and was trying to figure out how she could redefine who she was after everything that happened. While I have not been a victim of sexual assault, I found myself really relating with Kat when it came to her struggles with high school friendships. I enjoyed seeing her move past some of those unhealthy relationships and allowing herself to enter friendships that gave her as much as she gave them. It was great to see her develop throughout the story and learn how to move forward after everything. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I found the Grand-Barachois' crew to be a great addition to the story. All of those characters had different personalities and brought something different to the story. I would love to see some of those characters explored further in a novella or spin-off novel. I think they all have interesting stories to tell and I was disappointed that we only saw so much of them, I felt like their stories could have been explored a bit further in <i>We Go Together</i>. I did, however, like the inclusion and representation of sexually diverse characters. Various queer characters were represented throughout the novel and I especially like the addition of a central transgendered character.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>We Go Together</i> has some of the quintessential components of a stereotypical summer YA novel, but in all the best ways. While I read <i>We Go Together</i> near the end of summer, it definitely was a nice and reminiscent way to end the summer. The contents of the story were not always easy to read, but I thought that <i>We Go Together</i> was a quick and memorable read. I really enjoyed all the characters and being along for the ride with them. I think it is a powerful and great year-round read, but has a special place in the summer. I would definitely recommend checking out <i>We Go Together</i> if you are looking for a story about moving on from the past, redefining yourself, and creating a new future. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtlW4E7kp8I/X20kuv_iJXI/AAAAAAAAEDI/W6Ga2D9K0xYeyBG-GV9Tb8l13JOXYGPdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Cropped%2BAutograph.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="72" data-original-width="200" height="72" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtlW4E7kp8I/X20kuv_iJXI/AAAAAAAAEDI/W6Ga2D9K0xYeyBG-GV9Tb8l13JOXYGPdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h72/Cropped%2BAutograph.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-49118629711865195132020-06-14T11:15:00.000-07:002020-06-14T11:15:02.786-07:00Winter of the Wolf by Martha Hunt Handler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> A tragic mystery blending sleuthing and spirituality<br />
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An exploration in grief, suicide, spiritualism, and Inuit culture, <i>Winter of the Wolf </i>follows Bean, an empathic and spiritually evolved fifteen-year-old, who is determined to unravel the mystery of her brother Sam’s death. Though all evidence points to a suicide, her heart and intuition compel her to dig deeper. With help from her friend Julie, they retrace Sam’s steps, delve into his Inuit beliefs, and reconnect with their spiritual beliefs to uncover clues beyond material understanding.<br />
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Both tragic and heartwarming, this twisting novel draws you into Bean's world as she struggles with grief, navigates high school dramas, and learns to open her heart in order to see the true nature of the people around her. <i>Winter of the Wolf </i>is about seeking the truth—no matter how painful—in order to see the full picture.<br />
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In this novel, environmentalist and award-winning author, Martha Handler, brings together two important pieces of her life—the death of her best friend’s son and her work as president of the Wolf Conservation Center—to tell an empathetic and powerful story with undeniable messages (Via Goodreads.com)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 238</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Expected Release Date</u>: July 7th, 2020 </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Rating</u>: 4.5/5 Stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of <i>Winter of the Wolf </i>for review. The novel follows Bean, a 15-year-old girl, as she navigates life following the death of her older brother, Sam. While his death is officially ruled a suicide, she investigates his death because her intuition tells her that his death was not a suicide. <i>Winter of the Wolf </i>addresses grief, spirituality, and mystery in a unique and beautiful story. As someone that is neither spiritual nor religious, I found the underlying spirituality of the story to be extremely interesting and engaging. I truly enjoyed <i>Winter of the Wolf</i>. The characters, plot, and messages of the story were very powerful and made for a great read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite aspects of the story was the relationship that Bean has with her family and best friend, Julia. I think that YA novels can sometimes overshadow relationships between family members and friends for romantic interests, but I felt that <i>Winter of the Wolf </i>captured genuine relationships between all its' characters. I loved that the reader was able to witness the growth of both Bean and her family as well as the rekindling of Bean's friendship with Julia. Although they were all suffering from this tragic loss, they were able to grow as both individuals and as a family to overcome their grief. I enjoyed being able to learn more about each of the characters as they opened up to one another and dealt with their grief.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I previously mentioned, I really enjoyed the spiritual aspects of <i>Winter of the Wolf</i>. While I have sometimes found the addressing of spirituality in books to be overwhelming or as an afterthought, I thought the incorporation of spirituality in <i>Winter of the Wolf </i>was perfectly balanced and addressed throughout the story. I loved seeing the growth of Bean in terms of her own spiritual beliefs as well as the acceptance and acknowledgement of spirituality by some of her other family members. I thought it was a beautiful component to the story and I enjoyed learning more about the beliefs she, her mother, and Sam had. I thought their beliefs were well incorporated into the story and very crucial in understanding who they were and how they perceived grief and the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Winter of the Wolf </i>is a mysterious, spiritual, and powerful book that can easily be read in one sitting. I truly enjoyed it and would highly recommend anyone to pre-order or purchase a copy once it is released on July 7th. While I have mentioned that I am not a spiritual person, I finished the novel after the recent passing of one of my cats and it was nice to see the progression of grief and learn more about beliefs that address death and what comes after it. It has been a rough few days for my family and I, but I found comfort in reading the novel and thinking in a more abstract, spiritual way than I would have otherwise. <i>Winter of the Wolf </i>was the perfect read for me during this time and I am excited to see what Martha Hunt Handler writes next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-83538106599485734232020-05-10T12:12:00.003-07:002020-05-10T12:12:53.927-07:00Author Interview: G.S. Eli and Patrick Wiley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">G.S Eli</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Patrick Wiley</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">G.S. Eli and Patrick Wiley are co-authors of </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The Last of the Magi: The Devouring</i>. </span></h3>
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In the mysterious world of Gypsies there are ancient secrets passed down for centuries by fortune-telling mystics. Mila doesn’t know it yet, but it is his destiny to uncover the darkest secret of them all.</div>
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Mila’s adventure begins when he crosses paths with two American teenagers on their senior trip to Berlin. He becomes enamored with kind-hearted Casey who’s piercing blue eyes hide an inner pain. Much to his dismay her studious friend Jack seems to be the object of her affection, and Mila doubts she could ever care for a gypsy like him.</div>
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Together they stumble upon a secret chamber buried deep beneath the city of Berlin. There they discover a lost artifact once wielded by the Nazi empire, which carries ancient and evil powers. When these powers are awakened a sinister cult takes notice and dispatches a shadow army to hunt for it. Fleeing certain death, the teens seek to learn the secrets of the strange artifact, before it plunges the world into complete darkness.</div>
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The Last of the Magi weaves action and fantasy together with true history and Gypsy spiritualism, leaving the reader to wonder what’s real and what’s not (Via Goodreads.com). </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Casey Marie:</b> Have you always had a passion for writing or is it something you discovered while working on <i>The Last of the Magi: The Devouring</i>?</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.S. Eli:</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Roma people are a culture of storytelling, so storytelling comes naturally to me. However, the Roma people are not for the most part a literary people. We have a very oral tradition, which is why <i>The Last of the Magi</i> has a very “camp-fire” style to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Patrick Wiley:</b> Writing has always been a passion of mine. I was a very imaginative child and I can’t remember a time when I was not coming up with ideas for characters and stories. Once I’d learned to read and write I started putting these ideas down on paper. I even won a YARK award in second grade.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM: </b>What inspired both of you to work together on <i>The Last of the Magi?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G: </b>My inspiration was to utilize 1000 years of beautiful folktales of the Roma people to create a Roma hero. I chose to work with Patrick because of our previous collaborations together, his ability to tell a story and his passion for history and adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P: </b>George and I’s first project together was a screenplay he’d been developing since before he met me. Through George I learned about his Roma culture and became very sympathetic to their plight. I believe strongly in his vision for better Roma representation in the media. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">George actually had an interesting way of pitching </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Last of the Magi</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to me. One day he started telling me that there was a series of novels about Roma that was about to get a movie deal. I was disappointed because telling stories about Roma was our niche and it seemed someone had beaten us to the punch. He laid out a rough plotline of what would become </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Last of the Magi</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I said it sounded like a great story and asked when it would come out. That’s when he revealed that the series didn’t actually exist yet, but that it was actually a story he wanted us to write it together. I was immediately on board.</span><br />
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<b style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CS:</b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What is something you hope that readers will take away from </span><i style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Last of the Magi</i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G: </b>A better understanding and respect for the Roma people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P:</b> I feel the same way. The Roma are the largest ethnic minority in Europe, yet people know almost nothing about them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM:</b> Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G: </b>Write something every day, even if it’s crap. Keep moving forward, a paragraph, a page something. Put something to paper every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P: </b>Know your subject matter, especially when it comes to a culture different from your own. Do research. If possible, collaborate with a person who has lived experience in that culture.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM: </b>How did you both create the characters of <i>The Last of the Magi</i>? Did you know you wanted to write them a certain way or did you end up discovering their personalities while you both were working on the story?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G: </b>A lot of the characters in <i>The Last of the Magi</i> are based on real people in my life. For example, Nasta and Sabina are based on my Grandmother Susie and Aunt Rosie. In addition, some characters have ingredients from more than one person I know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P: </b>The character I had the most influence in creating was Deborah. I came up with her backstory and appearance, as well as her skills, toughness and to-the-point professionalism. George helped further flesh her out her personality, adding her family and personal relationships, vulnerabilities, and wry sense of humor.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM: </b>What character from <i>The Last of the Magi</i> are you the most similar to and why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G:</b> Mila was me when I was younger; hopeful and determined, but today it’s Nasta, wise, disciplined and focused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P:</b> George actually based the character of Jack on me, so we have a lot in common. I was always a history buff, I fenced in high school, and I lived in an old surplus-store army jacket, which I actually still have.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM: </b>If you had any supernatural power or ability, what would you want to be able to do and why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G: </b>I’d like the old, Jedi mind-trick, it would make life so much easier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P: </b>I always overthink questions like this. My first thought was also mind control. I’d want to use it for good, like by ending wars or making terrorists and criminals turn themselves in. Then again who knows what the greater consequences would be…</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM:</b> If you were also on the run like the characters of <i>The Last of the Magi</i>, who are two people you would want to be on the with run with and why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G:</b> A CIA agent, because they’d know their way around the world and how to blend in and Sarah Silverman because she’ll make me laugh along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P: </b>My cousin and her husband. They’re both Captains in the army. She’s an EOD tech and he’s a Ranger. In addition to their many useful skills they’re both wonderful people and would be fun to spend time with.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM: </b>How do you think the characters of <i>The Last of the Magi </i>would be handling social distancing/quarantine right not?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G:</b> Casey would be handling it very well because she’d be immune to the virus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P:</b> Plus, she’s rich.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G:</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Jack would probably be figuring out a way to get immunization.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P:</b> If I’m any indication, he’d be researching the pandemic on a daily basis and then using that knowledge to counter misinformation online. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G:</b> Mila would handle it well because Roma are resourceful and use to international crises.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P:</b> There’s another reason he’d handle it well but it’s a spoiler. Read the book and you’ll know what I mean.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM:</b> What character from the Last of the Magi would you want to be in quarantine with and why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G:</b> Definitely Sabina, good cook, smart, great stories and she’ll take care of you if you get sick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P:</b> Jack. I’d have a sparring partner for kickboxing, and he’d be a big help for some of the archaeological papers I want to write.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM:</b> Aside from <i>The Last of the Magi</i>, do you have any other books/series you are currently working on or planning?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G:</b> I’m working on <i>The Soul Trained</i>, a self-help book about exercising your soul based on Roma spirituality. I’m using some of these principles in a podcast of the same name https://www.buzzsprout.com/909574</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P:</b> I actually have a script for a novel called <i>Dwarves of Northri </i>that I’m shopping around. I’m also working on a new series tentatively titled “The Annales of Aeternia”. It’s a gritty take on fantasy in the vein of “A Song of Ice and Fire” and takes inspiration from Roman history.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CM:</b> Can you tease anything about the next book in <i>The Last of the Magi</i> series? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>G:</b> You will learn more about the Biblical disciples. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>P:</b> It’s going to be darker and will greatly expand the mythos we’ve created.</span><br />
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<li><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2020/04/arc-review-devouring-last-of-magi-1-by.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARC Review: <i>The Devouring</i> (<i>The Last of the Magi</i> #1) by G.S. Eli and Patrick Wiley</a></li>
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<br />Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-57947028127631101482020-04-26T15:05:00.002-07:002020-04-26T15:05:32.701-07:00ARC Review: The Devouring (The Last of the Magi #1) by G.S. Eli and Patrick Wiley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>Summary</u>: </b></span>In the mysterious world of Gypsies there are ancient secrets passed down for centuries by fortune-telling mystics. Mila doesn’t know it yet, but it is his destiny to uncover the darkest secret of them all.<br />
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Mila’s adventure begins when he crosses paths with two American teenagers on their senior trip to Berlin. He becomes enamored with kind-hearted Casey who’s piercing blue eyes hide an inner pain. Much to his dismay her studious friend Jack seems to be the object of her affection, and Mila doubts she could ever care for a gypsy like him.<br />
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Together they stumble upon a secret chamber buried deep beneath the city of Berlin. There they discover a lost artifact once wielded by the Nazi empire, which carries ancient and evil powers. When these powers are awakened a sinister cult takes notice and dispatches a shadow army to hunt for it. Fleeing certain death, the teens seek to learn the secrets of the strange artifact, before it plunges the world into complete darkness.<br />
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The Last of the Magi weaves action and fantasy together with true history and Gypsy spiritualism, leaving the reader to wonder what’s real and what’s not (Via Goodreads.com).<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>Pages</u>: 448</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>Release Date</u>: April 24th, 2020</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>Rating</u>: 4.5/5 Stars</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>Review</u>: </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to read an advanced copy of <i>The Last of the Magi: The Devouring </i>this month<i> </i>and I absolutely loved it. Due to my college schedule, I am usually unable to read much for pleasure during the semester, but <i>The Devouring </i>was an exception and totally worth it. It follows Mila, a Romani teenager living in Berlin, who ends up meeting two Americans, Casey and Jack, and after the trio find an ancient artifact once used by Nazis, the teens are hunted by modern-day Neo-Nazis that are looking for the artifact. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was an extremely enthralling story that constantly had me on the edge of my seat. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Devouring </i>was a past-paced adventure, fantasy, and magical realism novel that I would highly recommend reading.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have never read a book before featuring a Romani character so I really enjoyed learning more about their culture, society, and beliefs. It was a really unique perspective to gain and I hope to gain more of an insight into their community by reading more books and stories featuring Roma characters and history in the future. Something that the book made me realize is that, w</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hile I have studied the Holocaust in College, I have never learned much about the experience of Roma communities during the Holocaust. My limited education of the Holocaust in high school taught me about some of the different groups that were targeted and persecuted by the Nazi regime, such as Jews, Roma and Sinti, Jehovah's</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Witnesses, Homosexuals, etc., but my College Holocaust education pertaining to some of those groups</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was seriously lacking. I have learned about the experience of the Holocaust from the perspective of some Jewish communities, Poles, and Homosexuals, but my education has not been inclusive to all groups persecuted. That is something I had not necessarily thought about previously, but I plan to seek out information to learn more about the experience of other groups persecuted, such as the Roma, during the Holocaust and afterwards. The persecution of these groups did not necessarily end after the Holocaust and I hope to learn more about their current experiences as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed the novel's writing. The story was written in a very concise and easy-to-read manner that I appreciated. I feel that sometimes fantasy-based stories can be written in overly complicated and rather embellished language, but <i>The Devouring </i>was written in a very understandable and engaging way. There were backstories, people, and objects incorporated into the story that the reader might not have known about previously, but the writing style allowed them to be easily incorporated and explained in the plot line without taking away from the narrative. The story also features multiple character's perspectives. The perspectives alternated by chapter, but the writing style allowed each character to have their own distinct and unique voice. The inclusion of various perspectives could have hindered the flow of the story, but the different perspectives easily overlapped and flowed with each other. The various perspectives allowed for the creation of mystery and intrigue pertaining to certain characters and it really allowed for more depth to be created within the story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the story had fantasy elements, I loved that it was more of a magical realist story. I can sometimes get bogged down in all of the details of a fantasy world, but <i>The Devouring</i> was set in our world, just with fantastical elements. It made the story so much more engaging and intricate because it allowed the authors to expand upon our world and incorporate Roma stories and beliefs into it. I liked having a prior understanding of the world, but being able to see it in a new and unique way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Featured throughout the story were beautiful illustrations that captured some of the main locations and important objects of the story. I had not been expecting illustrations throughout the novel; however, they were absolutely gorgeous and added more detail to the story. While the descriptions within the book were very detailed and painted an image in my head</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the illustrations allowed the story to come alive even more vividly for me. I loved admiring the illustrations throughout the story and appreciated getting a better sense of what the main locations and objects looked like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Devouring</i> has something for everyone. It is a page-turning adventure story with fantastical elements and a hint of romance. The story and its character's kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page and I am extremely excited for the sequel. Throughout <i>The Devouring</i>, I was able to see so many different layers being built into the story and I am excited to see where the story will go next. I really loved the story, adventure, and fantastical elements that the authors were able to create and develop. If you are interested in an engaging adventure and fantasy story, I would highly recommend checking out <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Magi-Book-Devouring-ebook/dp/B086W2FPKR/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+devouring+the+last+magi+by+g.s&qid=1587931249&sr=8-1">The Devouring</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-3239019633267805842019-06-21T15:32:00.000-07:002019-06-21T15:32:29.107-07:00Author Interview: A.J. Vicktoria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quMnVgtphd4/XQk5lnBiJ6I/AAAAAAAAD1c/0Q_mJulzZj0fa9DJvRvD4RGm8vgZjCDMwCLcBGAs/s1600/AJ%2BPicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1468" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quMnVgtphd4/XQk5lnBiJ6I/AAAAAAAAD1c/0Q_mJulzZj0fa9DJvRvD4RGm8vgZjCDMwCLcBGAs/s320/AJ%2BPicture.jpg" width="292" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love science and fiction—on their own, and together in novels. When I’m
not reading, my day job broadly involves research and teaching in higher
education.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In terms of life goals, I didn’t plan on authoring a novel, but I’m so glad
I did. My family encouraged me to write fiction, and I finally took the plunge
in the spring of 2018. Best. Decision. Ever. I’m now obsessed with world
building and writing character driven fantasy novels that lock onto your heart
and never let go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I’m not writing, reading, and researching things, you can find me
outside. For about the past ten years I’ve been an avid birder. During that
time, I met a handsome gentleman who likes birding too. We’ve been together
ever since. He took the picture on this page when we visited White Sands
National Monument, NM. We traveled there to see the southwest AND… greater
roadrunners (<em>Geococcyx californianus</em>). If you’re wondering, I saw a
roadrunner—it was amazing, and I even did a <em>very </em>quiet happy dance
when I had my first sighting.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other items of possible interest: I live in the Hudson Valley region of NY.
I have curly hair, but sometimes wear it straight. Proud long-haired chihuahua
mama. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Find me on Instagram @aj.vicktoria so I can get to know you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19011533.A_J_Vicktoria">Goodreads</a> I <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aj.vicktoria/">Instagram</a> I <a href="https://www.ajvicktoria.com/">Website</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Casey Marie: </b>How
did you create the characters of the <i>Empyreal Saga</i>? Did you know you
wanted to write them a certain way or did you end up discovering their
personalities as you continued to write?</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A.J. Vicktoria:</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I had some character outlines when I
started writing </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excess Gravity</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Their
personalities and backstories continued to expand as I wrote. I have the major
plot points and character development before I write, but how I get to those
places is always changing. Sometime my characters surprise me while I’m
writing. I love all of my characters, but my love for Jai surprises me the
most. I didn’t really develop her backstory until I started writing </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excess Gravity</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CM: </b>When
you were writing <i>Excess Gravity </i>did you ever experience writers block?
If so, how did you move past it?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ:</b> It didn’t really happen. I keep
writing if I’m stuck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CM: </b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ:</b> Make a daily word count goal and
stick to it. Have fun. You’ll make mistakes, and this is to be expected. Learn
from your mistakes and keep on writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>CM:</b> Have
you always had a passion for science fiction and fantasy? </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ:</b> I’ve been a fan of science fiction
and fantasy for a while. Science fiction has a special place in my heart. I read
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?</i>
in my early twenties. That book will forever hold a special place in my mind
and on my bookshelf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>CM: </b>What
are some of your favorite books and/or authors?</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ: </b>I’ll read fiction (fantasy,
historical, sci-fi), philosophy, and history. Here’s a short list of favorites:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thomas Hardy, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Far from the Madding Crowd</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Philip K. Dick, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tom Robbins, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jitterbug Perfume</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Charlotte Brontë, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jane Eyre</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elizabeth Gaskell, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">North and South</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy
Series<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elise Kova, Air Awakens Series<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>CM: </b>Is
there an author that you would love to co-write with?</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ: </b>Alexa Donne. She recently wrote <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brightly Burning</i>. The book is a
retelling of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jane Eyre </i>set in space.
A little over a year ago, I wanted to write a Gothic romance set in space. I searched
the web to see if such a book existed. I found <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brightly Burning</i>. It’s fantastic book, and I hope to write
something similar in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>CM: </b>I
loved the appearances of cats in Excess Gravity. Can you tease if we
will be seeing Earth or more creatures from Earth in future novels?</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ:</b> Charles and the cats! I’m so glad
you enjoyed their page time. Yes, there will be more from Earth- creatures,
heartbreak and adventures galore. We’re going to Earth. That’s all I’ll say for
now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>CM: </b>I
was quite amazed by the descriptions and creativity of the technology in <i>Excess
Gravity</i>. Do<i> </i>you have a tech background? </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ: </b>No tech background. I’ve had an
ongoing interest in the relationship between humans and machines which I
explored with Arra Chromos in various ways. Technology as an extension of the
body, mind, and society. These relationships can and do have the power to make
something greater than ourselves. Sometime we create things we’re not prepared
to deal with. All sorts of crazy things can happen. I love how science fiction
explores these relationships and associated anxieties. Are androids more human
than their creators? Can technology poison/harm users like a biological virus?
The list goes on and on!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>CM: </b>How
do you think the characters of <i>Excess Gravity </i>would react to
our technology on Earth?</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ: </b>I’d say they’re not too impressed. On
Earth, we’ve recently started to explore our technological prowess. In
contrast, the Empyreans have been around since the dawning of the universe and
they’ve had to design technology to bridge their weaknesses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>CM: </b>What
inspired the realms in the Empyreal Galaxy?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ: </b>The Empyreans and their galaxy grew
from one image in my mind, an imprisoned man in the stars. Their origins,
chords of life, and politics all grew from this one snapshot. Then the ‘why’
and ‘what if’ questions started rolling in. Why is he in prison? If he’s in the
stars, does he have powers? What if he controls gravity? Who are his enemies?
It took me about two months to brainstorm the Empyrean galaxy and the first
book. Etaine is the man in prison. You can find out why he’s there in the
prequel novella, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity Rising</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CM: </b>Which realm or planet would you want to visit the most?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ: </b>I’d love to visit Rivan’s tropical
beaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CM:</b> What character from <i>Excess Gravity</i> are you the most similar to?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">AJ: I’m a combination of Jai and Arra.
In general, I prefer books and animals to people. I enjoy spending time with
friends and family, but sometimes being social makes me tired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CM: </b>Can
you tease anything about what you are currently working on?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AJ:</b> I’m working on book two in the
<i>Empyreal Saga</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Solar’s Reach </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(title reveal!)</b> hits virtual shelves
September 2019. I expect to finish the <i>Empyreal Saga </i>trilogy in December 2019.
I have a different young adult series planned for 2020. The series follows a
young girl caught between two warring magical families. I’m itching to write
these new characters. In 2021 I might return to the Empyreans with a spin-off
series. You can follow me on Instagram @aj.vicktoria or subscribe to my
newsletter on <a href="http://www.ajvicktoria.com/">www.ajvicktoria.com</a>
for news about upcoming books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2019/05/excess-gravity-empyreal-saga-1-by-aj.html"><i>Excess Gravity</i> (<i>Empyreal Saga</i> #1) by A.J. Vicktoria</a></span></li>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-3289417153753779192019-05-17T07:01:00.000-07:002019-05-17T07:15:08.126-07:00Excess Gravity (Empyreal Saga #1) by A.J. Vicktoria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AsdCULxRAQ/XN1735zd2nI/AAAAAAAAD0A/hYKKPP9XkIcmuiICulqUmbW6iXOv535aACLcBGAs/s1600/Excess%2BGravity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AsdCULxRAQ/XN1735zd2nI/AAAAAAAAD0A/hYKKPP9XkIcmuiICulqUmbW6iXOv535aACLcBGAs/s400/Excess%2BGravity.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Her radiance. His gravity. Their powers bind them and the fate of their galaxy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">On her eighteenth celestial, Arra expects the day will be like any other. She's single-handedly running the Darkstar galactic hub, fixing transport tech, and making hyperjump calculations. That’s all about to change after a chance meeting with her secret and estranged best friend, Crown Prince Etaine Darkstar. In the middle of Arra and Etaine’s reunion, the dangerous Vithians descend on the Darkstar realm. Arra and Etaine race through the palace to prepare for the Vithian arrival and take a shortcut to their destinies.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">In a hidden room inside the palace, Arra’s powers manifest and take the galaxy by surprise. Arra is one of the last Solar Empyreans. Someone hid her identity, and as Arra searches for answers, her relationship with Etaine and role in the galaxy are about to get seriously complicated.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Pages</u>: 306</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Release Date</u>: April 2nd 2019</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Rating</u>: 4.75/5 Stars</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of <i>Excess Gravity</i> for review and I absolutely loved it. The novel follows Arra on her 18th birthday as she discovers she is one of the two last Solar Empyreans. Her newly discovered identity and powers thrust her into a world of political intrigue, drama, action, and adventure. <i>Excess Gravity</i> melded fantasy and science fiction together perfectly and was an incredibly fast read. It has been a while since I read anything that was not contemporary fiction or non-fiction, but I easily fell back in love with both fantasy and science fiction. <i>Excess Gravity</i> has me craving to read more of those genres soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of my absolute favorite parts of the novel was the world. I has not anticipated a blending of fantasy and science fiction; however, the combination was perfect. The world was beautifully crafted and like no other I had ever read about. The galaxy that <i>Excess Gravity</i> is based in is highly technologically advanced and consists of seven realms. Each realm has its own culture, language, political hierarchy, and geography. I loved to see the diversification among each realm and how they had developed into their current societies. In addition, the technology used in <i>Excess Gravity</i> was fascinating and highly advanced. I had never thought or dreamed of some of the technology used; however, now I cannot stop thinking about some of them and how interesting it would be to have that type of technology in our world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Excess Gravity</i> had a very engaging plot. I never felt as though there was a dull part or a lag in the story. We were constantly learning more about the world and many unexpected things happened. I never knew what to expect and I loved it. While I do applaud myself when I guess plot points ahead of time, I loved being in the dark in <i>Excess Gravity</i>. The element of surprise made the story more engaging and I loved being on the edge of my seat. The writing was easy to read and process, allowing me to comprehend all the new information very easily. The writing allows the reader to transition to a very unique and distinct world with little confusion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters and their relationships were also a great part of the story. I loved the character development throughout the novel and I cannot wait to see the continuation of their development as the series progresses. My two favorite characters were Max and Jai. Although seemingly polar opposites, they were both incredibly funny and loyal in their own ways. I also enjoyed Arra, but I had some trouble liking Etaine's character. I did not like his anger or personality, at times; however, I did like that he began to work on it and that Arra also saw his flaws. Although they did not always talk about their feelings together, they saw each other's flaws and knew that they had to work on their own problems before they could become a couple. I also liked that their relationship was not forced. They knew they had other priorities and would work on their relationship when those other issues were solved. I loved the focus was more of them becoming friends again and not automatically a couple. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, I really enjoyed <i>Excess Gravity</i>. It was a quick and engaging read that I would highly recommend for fantasy and science fiction lovers and haters alike. The story is easy to read and easy to become engrossed into. I loved the world that A.J. Vicktoria created and I am excited to see where the story and the characters go next. I will definitely be reading the upcoming additions to the <i>Empyreal Saga</i>. <i>Gravity Rising</i>, a novella based before <i>Excess Gravity</i>, was published on May 1st and I am excited to start it sometime soon.</span><br />
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-56769470984849113952019-04-15T06:03:00.000-07:002019-04-15T06:03:40.261-07:00Rue Ordener, Rue Labat by Sarah Kofman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HYSDPysn6_I/XKeENJlBqDI/AAAAAAAADzM/PTWHMN_emLsjLYdeM7bT_n93U8nHAnW0QCLcBGAs/s1600/Rue%2BOrdener%252C%2BRue%2BLabat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HYSDPysn6_I/XKeENJlBqDI/AAAAAAAADzM/PTWHMN_emLsjLYdeM7bT_n93U8nHAnW0QCLcBGAs/s400/Rue%2BOrdener%252C%2BRue%2BLabat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> <i>Rue Ordener, Rue Labat</i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">is a moving memoir by the distinguished French philosopher Sarah Kofman. It opens with the horrifying moment in July 1942 when the author’s father, the rabbi of a small synagogue, was dragged by police from the family home on Rue Ordener in Paris, then transported to Auschwitz—“the place,” writes Kofman, “where no eternal rest would or could ever be granted.” It ends in the mid-1950s, when Kofman enrolled at the Sorbonne. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The book is as eloquent as it is forthright. Kofman recalls her father and family in the years before the war, then turns to the terrors and confusions of her own childhood in Paris during the German occupation. Not long after her father’s disappearance, Kofman and her mother took refuge in the apartment of a Christian woman on Rue Labat, where they remained until the Liberation. This bold woman, whom Kofman called Mémé, undoubtedly saved the young girl and her mother from the death camps. But Kofman’s close attachment to Mémé also resulted in a rupture between mother and child that was never to be fully healed.</span></span><br />
<span id="freeText17546632648167354591" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />This slender volume is distinguished by the author’s clear prose, the carefully recounted horrors of her childhood, and the uncommon poise that came to her only with the passage of many years (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 85</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was amazed by how precise and detailed <i>Rue Ordener, Rue Labat</i> was even though it was less than 100 pages long. It was a quick and engaging read. I found it amazing, yet terrifying at the same time. I do not know how to describe all of my emotions in regards to <i>Rue Ordener, Rue Labat</i>. The book is a memoir of Sarah Kofman's childhood during the Holocaust which includes her father's arrest and deportation. It also discusses the rescue of her and her mother by a woman on the Rue Labat. In addition, it explores how damaged her relationship was with her mother following the war because of the bond she developed with her "adopted" mother, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mémé.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I read <i>Rue Ordener, Rue Labat </i>for my French and Jewish Studies class on France and the Holocaust this semester. In class, we have read and watched films about Jewish children in France who experienced the Holocaust, whether they were hidden and protected, survived and/or escaped the camps, or were murdered. It was fascinating to see how damaging the life of a hidden child could be. I never considered how attached they could grow to their "adoptive" parent(s) and how it might be difficult for them to return to their "normal" life following the war's end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Individuals, such as </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mémé, who hid Jewish children and families during the Holocaust should be acknowledged and appreciated for their efforts to save Jews; however, their aid to these families might have also been damaging. Not only did the Jewish communities within Europe have to regroup following the Holocaust, but some also had to reintroduce family members and children to their families and the Jewish community. The Holocaust damaged Jewish families and communities in an unknown number of ways. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mémé was also very anti-Semitic and separated Kofman from Judaism. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found <i>Rue Ordener, Rue Labat</i> extremely interesting. I easily finished it in one sitting and I highly recommend reading it. I found it fascinating to learn about Sarah Kofman's childhood and some of the lasting impacts the Holocaust had on her and her family. It was a very blunt book, which I enjoyed, but it was also difficult to read parts of it because she was so nonchalant about certain aspects and experiences from her childhood. <i>Rue Ordener, Rue Labat </i>was a fascinating book that I would highly recommend. I am interested to read more memoirs and stories about Jewish individuals from France during the Holocaust. It is a country I knew very little about in regards to the Holocaust and it was engrossing to learn more about the subject. </span></span><br />
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<br />Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-35591161175072724772019-04-11T07:57:00.001-07:002019-04-11T07:57:28.559-07:00Dora Bruder by Patrick Modiano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Patrick Modiano opens </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Dora Bruder </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">by telling how in 1988 he stumbled across an ad in the personal columns of the New Year's Eve 1941 edition of </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Paris Soir</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">. Placed by the parents of a 15-year-old Jewish girl, Dora Bruder, who had run away from her Catholic boarding school, the ad sets Modiano off on a quest to find out everything he can about Dora and why, at the height of German reprisals, she ran away on a bitterly cold day from the people hiding her. He finds only one other official mention of her name on a list of Jews deported from Paris to Auschwitz in September 1942.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">With no knowledge of Dora Bruder aside from these two records, Modiano continues to dig for fragments from Dora's past. What little he discovers in official records and through remaining family members, becomes a meditation on the immense losses of the period—lost people, lost stories, and lost history. Modiano delivers a moving account of the ten-year investigation that took him back to the sights and sounds of Paris under the Nazi Occupation and the paranoia of the Pétain regime as he tries to find connections to Dora. In his efforts to exhume her from the past, Modiano realizes that he must come to terms with the specters of his own troubled adolescence. The result, a montage of creative and historical material, is Modiano's personal rumination on loss, both memoir and memorial (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Release Date</u>: April 2nd, 1997</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I read <i>Dora Bruder</i> for a French and Jewish Studies class this semester that focused on France and the Holocaust. We spent the semester focusing on the experience of Jews in France as well as the lasting impact the Holocaust had on Jewish children in France. <i>Dora Bruder</i> focused on both of those aspects. <i>Dora Bruder</i> follows a narrator who was born around the time of liberation and explains how his childhood was impacted by his family's experience of the Holocaust. As an adult, he found an article about the disappearance of Dora Bruder, a Jewish teen in France, during the Holocaust and he goes on an exploration to discover what happened to her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">It was empowering to see how dedicated he was to finding out what happened to Dora. In clas</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">s, </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">some of my peers discussed that his motivations might not have been pure and he seemed almost obsessed with her, but I think that was beneficial. Without someone that cares so much about the lives of Holocaust victims, their stories and identities may never be known. The stories of Holocaust victims and survivors deserve to be known by the world. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did, however, think that he should have separated the narrated sections and Dora's story in alternating chapters. While he did bring Dora's story to life, I do agree that the narrator was using her story to tell his. I am glad that Dora's story inspired the narrator to write about his, but I think their stories should have been separated. I felt as though he took away from some of her story by telling his. The two stories needed to be told, but they should not have been intertwined because they were not in real life. He never knew Dora or knew of anyone in his family that knew her. I think he was trying to make connections to Dora that did not exist.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I liked the fact that he told Dora's story even though he knew he could never discover everything about her. Dora might have been murdered in the Holocaust and was never able to tell her story, but not having her story fully told is not necessarily a bad thing. She was able to take something away that her persecutors and executioners could not. They tried to take away her dignity and humanity, but she was able to take something with her to the grave that they could never take away from her.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I enjoyed <i>Dora Bruder</i>. It was an interesting and thoughtful book that I would highly recommend. I loved learning about her story as well as the narrator's. So many stories exist from the Holocaust, but many may never be fully known or known about. I hope other individuals will take this initiative and explore the stories of individuals that did not live to tell their own story. They deserve to have their story told as much as any one else does.</span></span></div>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-53328732214003234212019-03-28T19:11:00.004-07:002019-03-28T19:11:57.691-07:00Not the Girls You're Looking For by Aminah Mae Safi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lulu Saad doesn't need your advice, thank you very much. She's got her three best friends and nothing can stop her from conquering the known world. Sure, for half a minute she thought she’d nearly drowned a cute guy at a party, but he was totally faking it. And fine, yes, she caused a scene during Ramadan. It's all under control. Ish.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Except maybe this time she’s done a little more damage than she realizes. And if Lulu can't find her way out of this mess soon, she'll have to do more than repair friendships, family alliances, and wet clothing. She'll have to go looking for herself (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 336</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Release Date</u>: June 19th, 2018</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Rating</u>: 3.5/5 Stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Not the Girls You're Looking For</i> was one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2018. It follows, Lulu, a bi-racial teen who struggles with her identity and her friendships as she navigates high school. I had heard nothing but great things regarding the novel prior to its release; however, I was quite disappointed by it. While the novel did somewhat redeem itself towards the end, I found Lulu and her friends extremely annoying and two-dimensional and her love interest left much to be desired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Obviously teens can be annoying. As one, I would know. Lulu, however, was extremely frustrating and irritating. She made it seem as though the world revolved around her and its no wonder that she drove her friends away. She could be extremely rude and self-centered. She made everything about her and treated her parents and friends like crap. I can understand lashing out when you had a rough day, but Lulu always seemed to have an attitude. She needed to take a couple deep breaths and process everything that was going on. Instead, she took no time to handle her frustrations and caused even bigger messes by allowing her anger to multiply. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I also do not understand why her friends were so "great." They were all rather underdeveloped and two-dimensional. None of them were anything particularly notable or special. They all seemed to be like a clique of girls in a cheesy television show or movie based in high school. I read the novel a few months ago and honestly cannot tell you any of their names. They lacked luster and were not memorable. I am all about a girl-power novel, but this book definitely was not it. They were not that supportive of one another and they all seemed more like ships passing in the night than a tight-knit group of girls that would kill anyone if they broke their friend's heart. Not all female relationships necessarily need to go to that extent, but they all acted like they were each other's everything, but they did not seem to know each other that well.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The romance in the novel was fine, but it was rather cheesy and unnecessary. There were several male characters introduced at the beginning that seemed similar and I had a hard time determining which one was which for several chapters. I liked that Lulu was not necessarily ashamed of her sexuality, but the guys could have been further developed. I essentially pictured them all the same. None of the characters were particularly distinct, they felt like carbon copies of characters from cheesy teen movies.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Not the Girls You're Looking For</i> was rather disappointing. I expected much more from the novel; however, it was rather lackluster. The characters were not notable and the story did not seem to be going anywhere. The problems could have easily been solved if Lulu took a step back and took a minute to process everything. I definitely would not recommend it, but if you do still want to read it then I recommend borrowing it from a local library.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-54553890451645140622019-03-11T11:27:00.001-07:002019-03-11T11:39:51.084-07:00ARC Review: Bloodwitch (Witchlands #3) by Susan Dennard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7KwYZuSBDnE/XHM6j8mzrPI/AAAAAAAADyA/MG9-6nufWcQwNq0Acqcpc5VXuBuT7CCmQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bloodwtich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7KwYZuSBDnE/XHM6j8mzrPI/AAAAAAAADyA/MG9-6nufWcQwNq0Acqcpc5VXuBuT7CCmQCLcBGAs/s400/Bloodwtich.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> <span style="background-color: white;">Fans of Susan Dennard's </span><i style="background-color: white;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: white;"> bestselling Witchlands series have fallen in love with the Bloodwitch Aeduan. And now, finally, comes </span><i style="background-color: white;">his </i><span style="background-color: white;">story.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">High in a snowy mountain range, a monastery that holds more than just faith clings to the side of a cliff. Below, thwarted by a lake, a bloodthirsty horde of raiders await the coming of winter and the frozen path to destroy the sanctuary and its secrets.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The Bloodwitch Aeduan has teamed up with the Threadwitch Iseult and the magical girl Owl to stop the destruction. But to do so, he must confront his own father, and his past (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 462</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Release Date</u>: February 12th, 2019</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Rating</u>: 5/5 Stars</span></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Bloodwitch</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was my most anticipated release of this year. I fell in love with the </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Witchlands</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> series after reading the first novel, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Truthwitch</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, in 2016. I was a part of the original Street Team and it made the experience of the series even better. The series follows two best friends, Safi and Iseult, in a world that features a population of witches who control various elements. In </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Truthwitch</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> they attempt a daring heist that goes extremely wrong and complications ensue. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the best parts of the series is the large cast of characters. In <i>Truthwitch</i>, we meet Safi, Iseult, Merik, and Aeduan, the four main characters. Other various side characters are introduced and slowly become more ingrained in the series. All of the books have chapters that alternate in various character's perspectives. <i>Bloodwitch</i> had about six different narrators, with some characters taking more stage time than others. Although each character has a strong presence and distinct voice, in previous novels of the series I found the changing of narrations annoying at times because I cared about certain characters more than others. I would frequently skip ahead and read the next chapter of the character I wanted to read about because of the suspense from the previous chapter. I, however, did not do that at all in <i>Bloodwitch</i>. The plots and characterizations Susan has been working on in the two main novels and the novella, <i>Sightwitch</i>, combined beautifully and engaged me in all the characters. While I still had my favorites *cough* Iseult and Aeduan *cough*, I enjoyed the story lines of all the characters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cannot emphasize how amazing the characters of the <i>Witchlands</i> are. They are all so precious and I want to be their best friend. I loved them all prior to<i> Bloodwitch</i>, however, they truly shined in <i>Bloodwitch</i>. Their continuation of their character arcs were fantastic and it is amazing to see how much they have grown since the first novel. I can only imagine the remainder of the story arcs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was absolutely amazed by some of the plot twists that were revealed in <i>Bloodwitch</i>. While I began to expect a few of them, they were fantastically crafted and I loved every turn the novel took. I am interested to see where the series will continue to go, there are a lot of different paths to be taken and I am interested to see where Susan takes the series. I am relatively okay with where the characters were left, but I am extremely excited to see where their journey continues in the next novel, which will be following Iseult. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I love the entire series, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bloodwitch</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is my favorite of the series so far. I loved the development of the characters and the journey they all took within <i>Bloodwitch</i>. The series is absolutely amazing, I highly recommend checking it out whether you are a fantasy lover or not. The series is truly one of my favorites. If you do start the series, however, please read the novella, <i>Sightwitch</i>, between <i>Windwitch</i> and <i>Bloodwitch</i>. It is important for some of the reveals of <i>Bloodwitch</i> and fits best in the series there. The characters, plot, writing, and world-building of the entire series is fantastic, Susan Dennard is a world-class writer. I am extremely excited for the series to continue and I cannot wait to see what happens next.</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/06/arc-review-truthwitch-witchlands-1-by.html">ARC Review: <i>Truthwitch </i>(Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/12/arc-review-windwitch-witchlands-2-by.html">ARC Review: <i>Windwitch</i> (Witchlands #2) by Susan Dennard</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2019/02/sightwitch-witchlands-25-by-susan.html">Book Review: <i>Sightwitch </i>(Witchlands #2.5) by Susan Dennard</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2015/08/author-interview-susan-dennard-giveaway.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Author Interview: Susan Dennard</span></a></span></li>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-61898274101160566882019-02-19T19:17:00.000-08:002019-02-19T19:17:51.192-08:00Bright We Burn (The Conqueror's Saga #3) by Kiersten White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkncw5liGS0/XE38Ldba1gI/AAAAAAAADwc/OlB3-uAGfMw35rkFAlU_Be8HAIHL3sdGQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bright%2BWe%2BBurn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkncw5liGS0/XE38Ldba1gI/AAAAAAAADwc/OlB3-uAGfMw35rkFAlU_Be8HAIHL3sdGQCLcBGAs/s400/Bright%2BWe%2BBurn.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Haunted by the sacrifices he made in Constantinople, Radu is called back to the new capital. Mehmed is building an empire, becoming the sultan his people need. But Mehmed has a secret: as emperor, he is more powerful than ever . . . and desperately lonely. Does this mean Radu can finally have more with Mehmed . . . and would he even want it?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><br />
<span id="freeText13584685615351365200" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Lada's rule of absolute justice has created a Wallachia free of crime. But Lada won't rest until everyone knows that her country's borders are inviolable. Determined to send a message of defiance, she has the bodies of Mehmed's peace envoy delivered to him, leaving Radu and Mehmed with no choice. If Lada is allowed to continue, only death will prosper. They must go to war against the girl prince.<br /><br />But Mehmed knows that he loves her. He understands her. She must lose to him so he can keep her safe. Radu alone fears that they are underestimating his sister's indomitable will. Only by destroying everything that came before--including her relationships--can Lada truly build the country she wants.<br /><br />Claim the throne. Demand the crown. Rule the world (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Release Date</u>: July 10th, 2018</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Bright We Burn</i> is the third and final novel in Kiersten White's <i>The Conqueror's Saga</i>. The trilogy is a gender bender retelling of the story of Vlad Dracula. The inspiration behind Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, is reimagined as </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lada Dracul. Lada, a political hostage along with her brother, Radu, from their father, the king of Wallachia, are sent to the capital of the Ottoman Empire as children to be under the watch of the Sultan. They quickly befriend the son, Mehmed, of the current Sultan, but Radu and Lada's loyalties become split as they grow older and Radu continues to support to Ottomans while Lada wants to obtain independence for Wallachia.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This trilogy has been one of my absolute favorites since the release of the first novel, <i>And I Darken</i>, in 2016. When I read <i>And I Darken</i>, I immediately became immersed into the story and absolutely fell in love with the characters. I had tried to read other Kiersten White novels in the past, but I could never get invested. <i>And I Darken</i>, however, was a complete game changer. I was able to read advanced copies of both <i>And I Darken</i> and <i>Now I Rise </i>and I read each one in a sitting. They are extremely addictive and immersive stories.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The novels are told in alternating chapters between Radu and Lada. The siblings are two of my absolute favorite characters. They are the complete opposite of one another. Radu is the sweet, yet cunning one while Lada is pure passion and extremely direct. The one thing they both have in common is their desire to protect those they love; however, they show their love and protection in different ways. It is refreshing to have two very different characters. The chapters do not always directly list who is the narrator, but it is always easy to tell, they have such distinct voices and characterizations. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am sad for the trilogy to be over. Generally speaking, I am okay with how the trilogy ended. I never thought it would have the traditional "happy" ending, but I also hoped for my own love of these characters that they would be truly happy. I believe they were all "happy" in their own way; however, I am extremely saddened by the characters we lost along the way. I actually felt betrayed by some of the deaths that occurred. I knew there would be loss, but the amount of loss broke my heart. No matter the loss, my heart was somewhat mended by the last scene. It was nice to have the core three characters reunited one last time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Conqueror's Saga</i> is one of my absolute favorite trilogies. I highly recommend the trilogy if you enjoy action, adventure, and historical fiction. The Ottoman Empire is my second favorite empire, I first being the Mongols. I loved reading a novel heavily featuring the Ottoman Empire. It is difficult for me to choose my favorite novel in the trilogy. I loved the characters meeting in <i>And I Darken</i>, the shifting of loyalties in <i>Now I Rise</i>, and the full out war of <i>Bright We Burn</i>. The characters grow more mature as the books progress and their stories slowly escalate. If I had to choose though, I would probably pick <i>Now I Rise</i>, I loved the changing of loyalties and the fall of Constantinople was absolutely amazing. I love this trilogy dearly and I hope that Vlad would be impressed by how Kiersten White retold his story. </span></span><br />
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<li><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/08/arc-review-and-i-darken-conquerors-saga.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ARC Review: <i>And I Darken</i> (<i>The Conqueror's Saga</i> #1) by Kiersten White</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2017/07/blog-tour-now-i-rise-conquerors-saga-2.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ARC Review: <i>Now I Rise </i>(<i>The Conqueror's</i> Saga #2) by Kiersten White</span></a></li>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-4871759460909280652019-02-05T17:35:00.002-08:002019-02-05T17:35:28.430-08:00Sightwitch (Witchlands #2.5) by Susan Dennard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>: </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">From <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Susan Dennard, <i>Sightwitch</i> is an illustrated novella set in the Witchlands and told through Ryber’s journal entries and sketches.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Before Safi and Iseult battled a Bloodwitch...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Before Merik returned from the dead…</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Ryber Fortiza was a Sightwitch Sister at a secluded convent, waiting to be called by her goddess into the depths of the mountain. There she would receive the gift of foretelling. But when that call never comes, Ryber finds herself the only Sister without the Sight.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Years pass and Ryber’s misfit pain becomes a dull ache, until one day, Sisters who already possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain, never to return. Soon enough, Ryber is the only Sister left. Now, it is up to her to save her Sisters, though she does not have the Sight—and though she does not know what might await her inside the mountain.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together, the two journey ever deeper in search of answers, their road filled with horrors, and what they find at the end of that road will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Set a year before </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Truthwitch</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Sightwitch</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> is a companion novella that also serves as a set up to </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Bloodwitch</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">, as well as an expansion of the Witchlands world (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Pages</u>: 233</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Release Date</u>: February 13th, 2018</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Rating</u>: 4.5/5 Stars</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;"><i>Sightwitch</i> made me so excited to be back in the Witchlands world. I was a part of the original Street Team for the Witchlands series when </span><i style="color: #181818;">Truthwitch </i><span style="color: #181818;">was released in 2016. I did not love fantasy series as much as I do now; however, I absolutely fell in love with the Witchlands series. It is perfect for fantasy lovers and haters alike. The series takes place in a world of witches, with some normal beings, but the witches belong to one of the six elements, air, water, earth, fire, void, and aether. The main series follows a range of characters and <i>Sightwitch</i>, a novella set prior to the main series, follows two secondary characters in the main series. While <i>Sightwitch</i> does technically take place prior to the first novel, <i>Truthwitch</i>, I would recommend reading the series in its publication order, which is <i>Truthwitch</i>, <i>Windwitch</i>,<i> Sightwitch</i> and <i>Bloodwitch</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;">One of the main reasons to read it in that order is that a large plot twist is revealed in <i>Sightwitch</i> that you probably should be unaware of when you first meet those two characters in <i>Truthwitch</i>. <i>Sightwitch</i>, however, has made me want to reread parts of <i>Truthwitch </i>and <i>Windwitch</i> to see if I can pick up on any of those plot twists.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;">I loved that the novel explored more of Ryber's backstory. Little is revealed about her in either <i>Truthwitch</i> or <i>Windwitch</i> so it was great to learn more about where she came from and how she meet Kullen. I loved both Ryber and Kullen in <i>Truthwitch</i> and <i>Windwitch</i>, but somehow I adore them even more after reading <i>Sightwitch</i>. I am hopeful and interested to see more of them in <i>Bloodwitch</i>. Susan definitely set up an interesting plot twist that I am excited to see come into play in the main series. I hope <i>Sightwitch</i> also gives both Ryber and Kullen a more central role in <i>Bloodwitch </i>because their exit in <i>Windwitch</i> left more to be desired.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;">Something I did not realize about <i>Sightwitch</i> prior to reading it is that it is told in journal entries and also features illustrations. I loved the pace of the novel and how the characters could interject with one another since it was told in a written format. I also enjoyed the illustrations because sometimes I find it difficult to conjure images in my mind of certain objects, monsters, or scenes in fantasy series. It was nice to have the supplemental illustrations, plus they were absolutely beautiful.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;">I loved getting back into the Witchlands world with <i>Sightwitch</i>. It was a fast, engaging, and adventurous novel that complemented well with the rest of the series. I am extremely excited for the publication of <i>Bloodwitch</i>, the third novel in the Witchlands series,<i> </i>on February 12th. I was fortunate enough to get an advanced copy, which is on my immediate to-be-read pile. <i>Sightwitch </i>was a nice refresher into the world before I begin <i>Bloodwitch</i>. I would highly recommend starting the Witchlands series if you have yet to. It is a wonderful Young Adult fantasy series that includes a large cast of phenomenal characters and a heart-racing and intricate story. I also highly recommend picking up a copy of <i>Sightwitch</i> if you have yet to. The release of <i>Bloodwitch</i> is just around the corner.</span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/06/arc-review-truthwitch-witchlands-1-by.html">ARC Review: <i>Truthwitch </i>(Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard</a></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/12/arc-review-windwitch-witchlands-2-by.html">ARC Review: <i>Windwitch </i>(Witchlands #2) by Susan Dennard</a></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2015/08/author-interview-susan-dennard-giveaway.html">Author Interview: Susan Dennard</a></span></span></span></li>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-29016437685567423312019-01-23T05:54:00.001-08:002019-01-23T05:54:21.728-08:00More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCvkdOr7ZXg/XBMeGhox77I/AAAAAAAADvo/DgDUCOgUqBYR81xkwVPvAujPphLSejfcQCLcBGAs/s1600/More%2BHappy%2BThan%2BNot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="214" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCvkdOr7ZXg/XBMeGhox77I/AAAAAAAADvo/DgDUCOgUqBYR81xkwVPvAujPphLSejfcQCLcBGAs/s400/More%2BHappy%2BThan%2BNot.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Part <i>Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind</i>, part <i>Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe</i>, Adam Silvera's extraordinary debut confronts race, class, and sexuality during one charged near-future summer in the Bronx.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Sixteen-year-old Aaron Soto is struggling to find happiness after a family tragedy leaves him reeling. He's slowly remembering what happiness might feel like this summer with the support of his girlfriend Genevieve, but it's his new best friend, Thomas, who really gets Aaron to open up about his past and confront his future.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">As Thomas and Aaron get closer, Aaron discovers things about himself that threaten to shatter his newfound contentment. A revolutionary memory-alteration procedure, courtesy of the Leteo Institute, might be the way to straighten himself out. But what if it means forgetting who he truly is? (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 293</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Release Date</u>: June 2nd, 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="color: #181818;">More Happy Than Not</i><span style="color: #181818;"> was Adam Silvera's debut and the last novel of his that I had not yet read. I truly enjoyed <i>More Happy Than Not</i>; however, <i>History is All You Left Me</i> still remains my favorite Adam Silvera novel. <i>More Happy Than Not</i> follows Aaron, a boy from the Bronx, who's father recently committed suicide and his new friendship with a boy named Thomas is slowly making him happy again. Prior to reading <i>More Happy Than Not</i>, I had only known that it featured a gay main character and that Leteo, an institute capable of erasing bad memories, existed. I had no expectations for the plot of the novel and was absolutely shocked by the end. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">While I enjoyed the first half of the novel, had I not previously read a book by Adam Silvera, I would not have kept reading. The writing and characters were fine; however, I felt as though nothing was happening. I felt that everything was mediocre and I had no compulsion to continue except for the fact that I had previously read his books and loved them. I kept reading because I was waiting for his brilliant story to unfold. The second half of the novel was truly amazing and unexpected. Unbeknownst to the reader, the first half of the novel is setting up the plot for the remainder of the story. Although the first half of the book was not my favorite, looking back at it when the plot was unfolding in the second half of the story, I was shocked and amazed. If you were not propelled by the first half of the story, I recommend continuing forward. I was absolutely riveted by the remainder of the story.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Adam Silvera's books always make me cry. His standalone novels are always emotional, however, I did not expect how emotional <i>More Happy Than Not</i> would be. My heart was breaking for these characters. I did not realize how attached I was to these characters until the second half of the novel. I could not stop reading and I could not stop crying. I felt so bad and sympathetic for these characters. I wanted to jump into the book and take them away from their pain. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">While I did feel sympathetic for the main character especially, I did not approve of all his decisions. In addition, I only saw Aaron as a three-dimensional character. The other characters felt rather flat to me, especially Thomas. I still do not completely understand why Aaron valued their friendship so much. I never felt that they had a deep connection or an important friendship.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">One of the most fascinating parts of the story is the creation of the Leteo Institute. The institution has recently developed the capability to target and suppress memories of their clients to allow them to live an easier life. While the institute is strict with who they allow to go under the procedure, it made me think about the potential harms of this technology if it truly existed. They can erase the memory of loved ones that passed or cheating spouses, but what if the technology was used for anything? What is someone just uses it to suppress a time when they were anxious or to forget someone that broke up with them? The technology can benefit some, but it could ultimately be used for any reason. It also raises ethical questions, like should a murderer be allowed to suppress the memory of killing someone or should they have to live with that guilt? It might help some, but would the procedure truly benefit the entirety of society? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>More Happy Than Not</i> was not my favorite Adam Silvera novel; however, I still very much enjoyed it. It was an emotional read that I will be thinking about for a long time. I am glad to be caught up on all his books, but I wish there were more to read. I adore Adam Silvera and I am excited to read whatever he publishes next. I recommend adding <i>More Happy Than Not </i>to your to-be-read pile and any other books by Adam Silvera.</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2018/10/arc-review-what-if-its-us-by-becky.html">ARC Review: <i>What If Its Us</i> by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2017/06/history-is-all-you-left-me-by-adam.html"><i>History Is All You Left Me</i> by Adam Silvera</a></span></li>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-3752974199289800502018-11-29T06:43:00.003-08:002018-11-29T06:43:53.381-08:00Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHbpD6cLg48/W_7ip85kE-I/AAAAAAAADvI/QSxgLZ1uFao3asFbw4AvgsjoSaSmwVPhwCLcBGAs/s1600/Down%2Band%2BAcross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHbpD6cLg48/W_7ip85kE-I/AAAAAAAADvI/QSxgLZ1uFao3asFbw4AvgsjoSaSmwVPhwCLcBGAs/s400/Down%2Band%2BAcross.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Scott Ferdowsi has a track record of quitting. Writing the Great American Novel? Three chapters. His summer internship? One week. His best friends know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives, but Scott can hardly commit to a breakfast cereal, let alone a passion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">With college applications looming, Scott's parents pressure him to get serious and settle on a career path like engineering or medicine. Desperate for help, he sneaks off to Washington, DC, to seek guidance from a famous professor who specializes in grit, the psychology of success.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">He never expects an adventure to unfold out of what was supposed to be a one-day visit. But that's what Scott gets when he meets Fiora Buchanan, a ballsy college student whose life ambition is to write crossword puzzles. When the bicycle she lends him gets Scott into a high-speed chase, he knows he's in for the ride of his life. Soon, Scott finds himself sneaking into bars, attempting to pick up girls at the National Zoo, and even giving the crossword thing a try--all while opening his eyes to fundamental truths about who he is and who he wants to be.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Pages</u>: 329</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Release Date</u>: February 6th, 2018</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Rating</u>: 4/5 Star</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down and Across</i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> follows Scott, a rising high school senior who has a summer internship that does not interest him. He is known to start something and lose interest fast. After discovering the research of a Georgetown professor on 'grit', he decides to travel to D.C. and enlist her help on fixing his lack of 'grit.' Along the way he meets a girl that helps him change his outlook on life and hi-jinks ensue. <i>Down and Across</i> is Arvin Ahmadi's debut novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He perfectly captured some of the pressures put on high school students and I deeply related to the novel. I highly recommend reading it, especially if you are entering your senior year, and I am excited to read Arvin's future publications.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down and Across</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> had been published a few months prior to its release date. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t was published during the end of my senior year of high school and unfortunately I was unable to read it until after I graduated. I feel like a majority of teens and high school students can relate to </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down and Across</i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Students are pressured during high school to know what they want to do and who they want to be. Like Scott, I barely knew what I wanted to eat for lunch, let alone what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. During my senior year, I had created a picture of where and who I wanted to be for the next four years, but that plan was uprooted by college admissions decisions. It was a difficult time for me, I though my senior year was the year everything would fall into place, but nothing came out the way I had originally planned. While </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there are portrayals of other "confused" teens in YA fiction, I feel like a majority of YA characters already have their life path picked out for themselves.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I commend anyone who knows their life goals that far in advance, but it is nice to relate to others that are not as knowledgeable about he future. I only wish my past self could have had this novel to think about during the rough patches of senior year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I related to Scott's self-doubt and confusion, I did not take Scott's route by ditching an internship and traveling to D.C. I related to Scott and enjoyed his character; however, I did not always approve of his choices. I do think that he grew substantially in D.C. and I would not recommend others to take that route, but I do not think he necessarily needed Fiora to grow. I did not find Fiora to be that beneficial to him. She was a bad influence and got him into more trouble than good. Her character was not completely unlikable, I did find her interesting, but I did not like her endangerment of Scott. While they were close in age, he is still an underage teenage boy that is wandering around D.C. without his parents even knowing he left Philly. I found Fiora to be cliche character in general. She is the female character that allows the male character to discover his full potential. I think her purpose in the story could have been minimized.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite components of <i>Down and Across</i> was its setting. The District of Columbia is one of my favorite places and I absolutely loved the inclusion of it. I discovered more cool hangout spots and learned more about the universities in the area. Through the descriptions, I felt as though I was in D.C. It was such an enjoyable part of the story. While I may not have always approved of the characters' actions, I enjoyed the settings and wherever they chose to take their antics. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall <i>Down and Across</i> was a relatable novel that I would definitely recommend to high school students or recent graduates. The characters were enjoyable, but sometimes infuriating; however, I did enjoy their journey. I might be biased, but the setting was perfect, I love D.C. I enjoyed Arvin's debut and I am excited to see what he publishes next.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span>Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-34823712051785617442018-11-13T11:04:00.005-08:002018-11-13T11:04:53.257-08:00A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-juMsX-g7OQY/W-i-SELroAI/AAAAAAAADus/dKN0XFlpkKYAGXmeO8CpEqyV4IbjFlJhACLcBGAs/s1600/A%2BLand%2Bof%2BPermanent%2BGoodbyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-juMsX-g7OQY/W-i-SELroAI/AAAAAAAADus/dKN0XFlpkKYAGXmeO8CpEqyV4IbjFlJhACLcBGAs/s400/A%2BLand%2Bof%2BPermanent%2BGoodbyes.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> <span style="background-color: white;">In a country ripped apart by war, Tareq lives with his big and loving family . . . until the bombs strike. His city is in ruins. His life is destroyed. And those who have survived are left to figure out their uncertain future.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">In the wake of destruction, he's threatened by Daesh fighters and witnesses a public beheading. Tareq's family knows that to continue to stay alive, they must leave. As they travel as refugees from Syria to Turkey to Greece, facing danger at every turn, Tareq must find the resilience and courage to complete his harrowing journey.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">But while this is one family's story, it is also the timeless tale of all wars, of all tragedy, and of all strife. When you are a refugee, success is outliving your loss (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I read <i>A Land of Permanent Goodbyes</i> earlier this year and it has resonated with me since. The novel follows Tareq, a teenage boy living happily in Syria until a bomb hits his town and he must flee with his surviving family members. While I already knew about the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, this novel made me consider the impacts of the crisis on Syrians and the world. I had never really thought about the crisis before and this novel made me think and address my ignorance toward the crisis. Since reading the novel, I have considered pursuing a law degree and eventually working in immigration and refugee laws. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">While the novel follows Tareq, it also features a second main character, Alexia, who has alternating chapters with Tareq. She is an American volunteer helping refugees once they have reached the Greek coast. In addition to these two characters, a narrator of sorts is featured, who embodies the concept of "Destiny." It reminded me of the </span>narration of Death in <i>The Book Thief</i>; however, I felt as though the execution was not as strong as Death's role in <i>The Book Thief</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I enjoyed Tareq's character; however, I never fully understood the point of Alexia's character. She was on a completely different continent than Tareq and, while they eventually meet, she resembles the white-savior trope. She provided no subsistence to the novel. While she aided refugees, she could have been anyone. Her character was not nearly as developed as Tareq's. She had no real role or necessity. I never felt particularly attached to her because there was </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nothing defining or special about her. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I understood the value of Tareq's story and character, but not </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hers. She was interesting, but she could have been featured in any other novel, she had no groundbreaking purpose in </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Land of Permanent Goodbyes</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Atia Abawi's writing was extremely engaging. While the story was enough to keep the reader engaged, her writing was extremely addicting. My heart was beating during the Mediterranean crossing and I was mourning for the loss of characters along the way. She developed a fantastic story and tough characters that were able to beat even the worst of circumstances. Her characterization of </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tareq was perfect. He was a sweetheart. He loved his family dearly and did all he could to support them. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He is a fantastic brother and an extremely loyal companion. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is unfortunate that teens and children have to undertake such frightening, dangerous, and exploitative</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> tasks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I absolutely loved <i>A Land of Permanent Goodbyes</i>. While I had some issues with the characters, the story was phenomenal and extremely powerful. I felt a range of emotions throughout the novel and I am excited to read Atia Abawi's other novels. The Syrian refugee crisis is an extremely important topic and I am glad to see it being featured in literature. W</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hether you are extremely knowledgeable</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> about the Syrian refugee crisis or not,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I would highly recommend </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Land of Permanent Goodbyes</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. It is an emotional, engaging, and quick read, I highly recommend it.</span></div>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-3425658105190030192018-11-08T13:55:00.001-08:002018-11-08T15:38:40.536-08:00Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFmxBbaz_Rc/W-I8bz3p4rI/AAAAAAAADuI/zwhsKpEStucdNAT1hDW7k6yhiLiQppTgACLcBGAs/s1600/Love%252C%2BHate%252C%2Band%2BOther%2BFilters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFmxBbaz_Rc/W-I8bz3p4rI/AAAAAAAADuI/zwhsKpEStucdNAT1hDW7k6yhiLiQppTgACLcBGAs/s400/Love%252C%2BHate%252C%2Band%2BOther%2BFilters.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> <span style="background-color: white;">A searing #OwnVoices coming-of-age debut in which an Indian-American Muslim teen confronts Islamophobia and a reality she can neither explain nor escape—perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Jacqueline Woodson, and Adam Silvera.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">American-born seventeen-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There’s the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending a college close to their suburban Chicago home, and being paired off with an older Muslim boy her mom deems “suitable.” And then there is the world of her dreams: going to film school and living in New York City—and maybe (just maybe) pursuing a boy she’s known from afar since grade school, a boy who’s finally falling into her orbit at school.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">There’s also the real world, beyond Maya’s control. In the aftermath of a horrific crime perpetrated hundreds of miles away, her life is turned upside down. The community she’s known since birth becomes unrecognizable; neighbors and classmates alike are consumed with fear, bigotry, and hatred. Ultimately, Maya must find the strength within to determine where she truly belongs (via Goodreads.com).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Release Date</u>: January 16th, 2018</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Pages:</u> 281</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Samira Ahmed's debut novel, she explores the presence of Islamophobia in American society. <i>Love, Hate, and Other Filters</i> follows Maya, a Muslim American teen, dealing with normal high school problems, such as where to attend college, overprotective parents, and love issues. All of those problems, however, are diminished when a terrorist attack in a different city by an apparent Muslim American man that shares Maya's last name occurs. Her entire world is turned upside down and all the hopes she has are put aside because of societal opposition to her religion. </span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the most powerful aspect to <i>Love, Hate, and Other Filters</i> is the switch in tone that occurs within the novel. While th</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e chapters alternate between Maya and a mysterious person seemingly planning a terrorist attack, the tone for the mystery person is continuously ominous; however, the tone in Maya's chapters drastically changes. If you were unaware of the synopsis and read this novel, it would appear as though the novel was a typical contemporary romance from the first half of the novel. It mainly focuses on Maya's love life and typical problems of high school students. The terrorist attack, however, transforms the tone and focus of the novel. The story no longer follows her typical life. It follows a wave of Islamophobia against her and her family. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">While I was aware of Islamophobia before reading this novel, I never realized how quickly it could escalate. The man responsible for the attack was not even confirmed, but the attachment of a Muslim American to it made the town turn on Maya and her family. They were not even related to him, but they were targeted because they were Muslim and shared the same last name, which is common for people of most backgrounds. This is not the first time people have shared the same religious faith and last name without being related. There is only so much originality in the world. I will spoil part of the novel, which is the fact that the Muslim American man did not even commit the attack. He was an innocent bystander killed by a psychotic white man. No white people were harmed because a white man committed this crime, but Muslim Americans were harmed because a Muslim American's name was attached to it. He was not even confirmed to be the perpetrator, everyone just assumed. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">In addition, not only was the livelihood of Maya and her family endangered. The attack led her parents to forbidding her from attending her dream school, NYU, because they were worried for her safety. Her parents rationalized the decision because their family's business and Maya was attacked because a Muslim American man was thought to have committed the terrorist attack, but what if another attacked happened and a Muslim American was actually responsible. She disregards her parents and attends NYU anyway, permanently damaging her relationship with her parents, specifically her mother. While I had hoped there would be a happy ending, there really was not. Maya may be attending her dream school, but her family is somewhat estranged from her because of Islamophobia. Maya and her family have done nothing wrong to receive this type of mistreatment, but they have still suffered as a result of it. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I preferred the second half of the novel. While I did not enjoy seeing the damages of Islamophobia on Maya and her family, I did not necessarily enjoy Maya's relationship with her crush. He was a decent character, but I did not find him particularly charming or endearing. Their romance was fine, but it was not something I wanted to continue reading about. While the rest of the novel was rather depressing and made me wish for the romance, <i>Love, Hate, and Other Filters</i> was an extremely powerful novel and the contrasts within the novel nicely distinguished the story. The novel still would have been powerful without the beginning, but the first part of the novel complimented the second part of the story perfectly.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Love, Hate, and Other Filters</i> is a groundbreaking debut novel that I highly recommend. Samira Ahmed captured me with her powerful story-telling and I am extremely excited to read her next novel, <i>Internment</i>, which is slated for release in March of 2019. <i>Love, Hate, and Other Filters</i> was one of my favorite novels of 2018 and I am ready for her next emotional read.</span></span></span><br />
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-74376072747825330402018-10-31T13:09:00.001-07:002018-10-31T13:09:03.873-07:00Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Wilhelm Gustloff</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people—adults and children alike—aboard must fight for the same thing: survival (Via Goodreads.com)</span></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Pages</u>: 393</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Release Date</u>: February 2nd, 2016</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><u>Rating</u>: 5/5 Stars</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;">Ruta Sepetys is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her debut novel, <i>Between Shades of Gray</i>, is one of my all time favorite novels and is currently a completed film under a different name, <i>Ashes in the Snow</i>. I know that the movie has been shown to various audiences in the United States and Lithuania; however, I am not aware when the movie will be released on a larger scale. Nevertheless, I am extremely excited to watch the film. <i>Between Shades of Gray</i> and <i>Salt in the Sea </i>deal with two different issues during World War II, but a character from each novel is related and the novels surprisingly coincide in an unexpected yet unfortunate way.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love that Ruta Sepetys explores rather unknown parts of World War II. While concentration camps and the inhumane treatment of people by the Nazi should continue to be explored, as a first generation Lithuanian American, <i>Between Shades of Gray</i> deals with the deportation of Lithuanians by the Russians during World War II. <i>Salt to the Sea</i> tells the story of several teenage refugees and soldiers aboard the </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wilhelm Gustloff,</span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which is the largest maritime tragedy in the history of the world. While you probably know about the Titanic tragedy, have you ever heard of the </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wilhelm Gustloff? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Salt to the Sea </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was published around the time we were talking about World War II in my AP US</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">history class. The only reason I remembered the significance of the ship was because it was briefly mentioned in our textbook and the novel was soon to be released. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both topics dealt in Ruta's World War II based novels are important components of World War II; however, they are rarely mentioned in textbooks or mainstream talks about World War II. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The characters of <i>Salt to the Sea</i> are quite the crew. They all come from various countries, circumstances, and walks of life. Some are automatically your favorite character while you want to throw others overboard. The story follows four main narrators who are all attempting to aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff to escape mainland Europe, Nazi threats, and the imminent invasion by Russia. Many of the characters have witnessed, been a part of, or have suffered directly from the tragedies of war. They converge along the way and while aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff. While I loved most of the characters, Emilia was my absolute favorite. She is a young Polish teen who is attempting to flee Europe after her family was slaughtered. She can barely speak German so she has to communicate to the others with a combination of Polish and German; however, individuals of Polish descent are being hunted at this time by the Germans. Poles are considered as lesser and she has to keep her nationality hidden along their journey otherwise she faces death or imprisonment in concentration camps. She has also encountered additional threats along the way that I do not want to spoil.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I loved the characters and the writing, I will note that I did not love how short the chapters were at times. The story alternates chapters from each of the main four characters and although short chapters can be beneficial for suspense, it could be annoying at times with the number of main characters there were. For example, we could spend ten pages with one character then two with another. The alternating chapters added depth to the story and variation of chapter length did keep me engaged in the story; however, it was sometimes difficult spending very little time with one character and then a lot with another. I would sometimes forget the conflict one character faced or what they were doing because it felt like I had bookish whiplash from the constant change in narrator. Sometimes too much was going on to keep track. Within their narrations though, each character had their own unique voice and it was easy to tell who I was reading about without looking at the character's name at the beginning of the chapter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Salt to the Sea</i> was an emotional novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Ruta Sepetys is one of my absolute favorite authors and I highly recommend reading any of her novels. She spends so much time researching her novels. It takes her a bit longer to publish books than most authors I read, but the wait is completely worth it. Readers can tell that she puts all her energy and her heart into every novel she researches and publishes. Ruta wants hidden histories to have more attention. Her characters might not be real, but their stories and the past people they represent are phenomenal and eye-opening. While I already love reading about history, Ruta makes history intriguing and engaging for all her readers. I cannot recommend Ruta Sepetys or <i>Salt to the Sea</i> enough.</span></span></div>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-81875497086647739012018-10-25T13:34:00.002-07:002018-10-25T13:34:40.304-07:00ARC Review: A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7cDzFcZiSI/W9DoOfa9Z1I/AAAAAAAADtU/jqldYZzVjBMhG-hjM2yu5nLw6tSaTuQoACLcBGAs/s1600/A%2BGirl%2BLike%2BThat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7cDzFcZiSI/W9DoOfa9Z1I/AAAAAAAADtU/jqldYZzVjBMhG-hjM2yu5nLw6tSaTuQoACLcBGAs/s400/A%2BGirl%2BLike%2BThat.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> </span><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A timeless exploration of high-stakes romance, self-discovery, and the lengths we go to love and be loved. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Sixteen-year-old Zarin Wadia is many things: a bright and vivacious student, an orphan, a risk taker. She’s also the kind of girl that parents warn their kids to stay away from: a troublemaker whose many romances are the subject of endless gossip at school. </span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don't want to get involved with a girl like that</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, they say. So how is it that eighteen-year-old Porus Dumasia has only ever had eyes for her? And how did Zarin and Porus end up dead in a car together, crashed on the side of a highway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia? When the religious police arrive on the scene, everything everyone thought they knew about Zarin is questioned. And as her story is pieced together, told through multiple perspectives, it becomes clear that she was far more than just a girl like that (Via Goodreads.com).</span><div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 378</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Release</u></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u> Date</u>: February 27th, 2018</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Rating</u>: 5/5 Stars</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A Girl Like That</i> is an extremely amazing yet underpromoted novel. It follows, Zarin, an Indian girl who moves with her aunt and uncle to Saudia Arabia after her mother's death. Her abusive aunt leads her to estrange herself from her family and Zarin </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">begins "acting out,"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> which ultimately </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">brands her </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as "a girl like that." She is thought to have slept with everyone and all the girls at school despise her. The story starts with the mysterious death of her and her best friend, Porus, and works from the past until it intercepts with their deaths. I only remember seeing the cover of </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Girl Like That</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> once or twice around its publication date then it seemed to have vanished from the Earth. While it is not a well known novel, it is a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the well addressed topics within the novel is the contradictory treatment of men and women in Saudia Arabia. Women are restricted from things such as dating or being in the presence of men, but men date and interact with women easily. The idea as a whole transfers to the entire world. Although Zarin is considered derogatory terms because of her "relations" with guys, those same guys are able to have relations with women and not receive any slack. It is the perpetuation of a "boys will be boys" attitude while women are deemed impure if they demonstrate the same behavior.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zarin is also not "a girl like that." She does hang out with a few guys, mainly Porus, but she rarely does anything with them. She mainly sits in their car and smokes with them. Society and her peers paint her in a certain light by judging her behavior, but they do not know who she actually is. Ironically enough, the guys she hangs out with have good reputations; however, they are predators. A couple of them are truly terrible people and I will give a <b>warning for rape/sexual assault content within the novel</b>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The entire point of <i>A Girl Like That</i> is the fact that Zarin's peers do not know who she is. They believe her to be a certain person, but they never allow themselves to get to know her, they prefer to judge her instead. The only person who actually knows Zarin is Porus. He is the only person that realized she was not "a girl like that" while she was still alive. Everyone else discovers who she truly is after her death. They </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">should not have gotten the truth after her</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> death, they should have understood</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> her before she was gone, it might have changed the outcome of the novel.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I absolutely loved Zarin and Porus individually and together. They were both well developed characters with distinguishable tones and chapters. I loved how independent and strong Zarin was while Porus was such an adorable and supportive friend. I wish that Zarin had been more accepting of his friendship sooner, but I understand why she was so abrasive. While I did enjoy the end of the novel, I wish it could have ended differently. They both deserved more time on Earth and the readers deserved to have more time with them. They were both </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">such phenomenal</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> characters, I wish there was more to their story, I just want more.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A Girl Like That</i> was one of, if not, my favorite book of 2018. It had fantastic characters, a great story line, and a lasting message. I experienced a lot of different emotions throughout the story. Although you know how the story ends at the beginning, it still does not prepare you for the journey you are about to take with the characters. I highly recommend reading <i>A Girl Like That</i>, I cannot give it enough praise, it </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">deserves to be more mainstream. I am excited to see what else Tanaz Bhathena publishes in the future.</span></div>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-6042855054839571372018-10-15T19:44:00.002-07:002018-10-15T19:44:54.219-07:00ARC Review: This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn Callender<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8SBcb2TQ-I/W8PTsGBTofI/AAAAAAAADs4/fn0w9SlqwFgLT_9fWlguhf4S250MaAwiACLcBGAs/s1600/This%2BIs%2BKind%2Bof%2Ban%2BEpic%2BLove%2BStory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8SBcb2TQ-I/W8PTsGBTofI/AAAAAAAADs4/fn0w9SlqwFgLT_9fWlguhf4S250MaAwiACLcBGAs/s400/This%2BIs%2BKind%2Bof%2Ban%2BEpic%2BLove%2BStory.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> <b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">A fresh, charming rom-com perfect for fans of <i>Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda</i> and <i>Boy Meets Boy</i> about Nathan Bird, who has sworn off happy endings but is sorely tested when his former best friend, Ollie, moves back to town.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Nathan Bird doesn’t believe in happy endings.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Although he’s the ultimate film buff and an aspiring screenwriter, Nate’s seen the demise of too many relationships to believe that happy endings exist in real life.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Playing it safe to avoid a broken heart has been his MO ever since his father died and left his mom to unravel—but this strategy is not without fault. His best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-best-friend-again, Florence, is set on making sure Nate finds someone else. And in a twist that is rom-com-worthy, someone does come along: Oliver James Hernández, his childhood best friend.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">After a painful mix-up when they were little, Nate finally has the chance to tell Ollie the truth about his feelings. But can Nate find the courage to pursue his own happily ever after? (Via Goodreads.com)</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 286</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Expected Release Date</u>: October 30th, 2018</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Rating</u>: 5/5 Stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story </i>is Kheryn Callender's debut Young Adult novel and it did not disappoint. It was one of my most anticipated YA debuts of the year and I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy of it.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> One of the things that amazes me so much about the novel is its length. Although it is less than 300 pages long, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the characters and plot-lines were extremely well developed and it felt as though I spent 500 pages with the characters instead of less than 300. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved the story, the characters and their relationships, as well as the writing style.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I would highly recommend </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">preordering or purchasing a copy on October 30th.</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> follows Nate Bird, a teenager content with hanging out with Flo, his best friend and ex-girlfriend. His normalcy, however, ends when his childhood best friend, Ollie, returns to town and uproots the reason for their estranged relationship. The dynamic between Nate and Ollie was adorable. Although the novel ultimately follows their romance, it also captures them </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">reacquainting themselves with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">one another and reestablishing their friendship. The novel perfectly captures the awkwardness</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and struggles of reforming friendships with ex-friends. It was nice for them to have a fresh start but it was also interesting seeing their past relationship explored as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The novel featured a lot of diversity in race, disabilities, sexuality, and sexual-orientation. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While racial diversity as well as diversity in sexual-orientation and sexuality are important to represent, I hope to see more disability </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">representation in novels moving forward. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ollie suffers from a hearing impairment and while he is able to read lips at times and can communicate verbally as well as through writing, he does struggles with lip reading and if he is not directly facing whomever he is talking to them he is unaware they are speaking to him. Throughout the novel he uses ASL and Nate does on occasion as well. Ollie taught Nate some ASL as a child and Nate is reacquainted with it as his and Ollie's friendship redevelops. While diversity in novels generally lacks</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in numerous capacities, I have read maybe one other novel with a character that suffers from a hearing impairment and I hope to see more representation of that and other disabilities </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in the future</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of my favorite parts about Nate and Ollie's relationship was their encouragement of each other. Nate has a passion for movies and screen writing; however, he is unable to finish a script and feels poorly about his abilities as a writer. Although Nate feels this way, Ollie encourages him to finish a script and submit it for a scholarship contest for summer classes at an arts school in New York City. While Ollie feels more confident in his photography skills than Nate does in his writing, Nate still gives the same encouragement to Ollie with his photography.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another great component of the story is the dynamic between all the characters. Ollie and Nate have a large friend group at school and the readers</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> co</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ntinuously see </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">their relationship with Ollie and Nate as well as their relationship with each other and their significant others. Similarly</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, the family dynamic of both Nate and Ollie are also explored. I am still shocked at the size of the novel because Kheryn Callender manages to fully </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">develop so many characters and their relationships </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in such a short length. It is an extremely impressive feat and I commend them for that, their work </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is truly amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved <i>This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story</i>. It has fantastic characters, a great p</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lot, and it is truly an epic novel. It features a multitude of diversity and is overall </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a fantastic Young Adult c</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ontemporary novel. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would highly recommend ordering a copy. I am excited to see what Kheryn Callender is working on next. My only complaint about the novel is its incorrect titling. I</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t is not <i>kind of</i> an epic love story, <i>it is</i> an epic love story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-58352561443114426262018-10-11T18:56:00.005-07:002018-10-11T18:56:56.709-07:00ARC Review: What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera<a href="https://i.harperapps.com/covers/9780062795250/y648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for what if its us" border="0" height="400" src="https://i.harperapps.com/covers/9780062795250/y648.jpg" width="263" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it's that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">But what if they can’t quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third?</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">But what if it is? (Via Goodreads.com).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 433</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Release Date</u>: October 9th, 2018</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Rating</u>: 5/5 Stars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What If It's Us</i> was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2018. I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy before its publication and I absolutely adored it. Adam Silvera is one of my absolute favorite authors having published two of my favorite novels, <i>History is All You Left Me</i> and <i>They Both Die at the End</i>. I have previously read and enjoyed Becky Albertalli's <i>Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda</i>, the novel based on the movie <i>Love, Simon</i>. While I was excited to read the novel, I was the most curious on how the novel would end because Adam Silvera writes notoriously sad novels while Becky Albertalli writes notoriously happy and uplifting novels. <i>What If It's Us</i> was absolutely fantastic, it perfectly melded their two writing styles and characters into a cohesive and amazing novel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The novel follows Arthur and Ben, two boys that differ in their perspective on fate and the universe. Arthur is an optimistic in terms of fate while Ben is a pessimist. After they meet in a New York City post office they both start searching for each other and eventually reconnect. While their meeting seemed to be straight from a romance novel, the rest of their story does not and they have to reconsider if the universe really meant for them to be together. Their relationship was adorable and they were definitely opposites attract. Arthur is much more outgoing and bubbly while Ben is more reserved and quiet. They make an amazing duo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The novel is constructed of chapters alternating in Arthur and Ben's perspective. Becky authored Arthur's chapters while Adam wrote Ben's. While I enjoyed both characters, I preferred Ben's character. I did, however, relate to both of the characters. They were two distinct and lovable characters that I would love to read about again or see a cameo appearance in one of their upcoming novels. I hope they plan to write more novels together in the future, their writing styles perfectly pair with one another. I do hope for more standalone novels as well, but I hope they continue coauthoring together. Some authors are better coauthoring</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or only writing by themselves;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> however, Adam and Becky succeed at both.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the romance was sweet, I also loved the friendships and side characters of the novel. Arthur, who is only in New York City for the summer, left his two best friends, Jessie and Ethan, in Georgia and is in constant contact with them. Ben, a Brooklyn native, is always with his best friend, Dylan, who has a revolving door of girlfriends. In addition, Ben's ex-boyfriend, Hudson, and Dylan's ex-girlfriend/Hudson's best friend, Harriett, are in the mix. While you want to dislike Hudson and Harriett at first, they are both highly developed and lovable characters. Even Arthur's coworkers were incredibly fun and involved. Of all the side characters, Dylan was my absolute favorite. He was hysterical, extremely supportive, a coffee snob/addict, and falls in and out of love a little too quickly. They all made a great squad that I would loved to have been a part of. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another great component of the novel was the family dynamics. Both Arthur and Ben's parents were extremely supportive of them and were the typical embarrassing parents when it comes to dating. They were constant throughout the novel and one of the highlights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An interesting dynamic within the novel was Ben being in summer school. That is one thing not typically shown in Young Adult novels. Summer school in my opinion has a bad reputation. In media, students who are not too bright or do not care about school are typically depicted as summer school student; however, many people there simply struggle with school and the material they were learning. While Ben does admit that he and Hudson were more caught up in their relationship than school, Ben struggles with learning. Ben is not necessarily there because he does not care about school, he just struggles with it. </span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What If It's Us</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is one of the best books I have read this year. The characters, plot, and writing were fantastic. While Adam and Becky are amazing authors by themselves, both of them together added another dimension to their writing abilities. Their styles melded perfectly and the end was the perfect middle ground for both of their styles. I hope to see more novels co-written</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> by the duo, but I am also looking forward to their own standalone novels. I highly recommend <i>What If It's Us</i> if you are looking for a cute romance. </span></div>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-54879604337326461812018-09-27T13:43:00.000-07:002018-09-27T13:43:03.064-07:00ARC Review: A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> <span style="background-color: white;">It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.</span></span><br />
<span id="freeText20123228494488594" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments—even the physical violence—she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.<br /><br />But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her—they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds—and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down (via Goodreads.com).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 310</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Release Date</u>: October 16th, 2018</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tahereh Mafi is one of my absolute favorite authors and I was fortunate enough to read an advance copy of her latest novel, <i>A Very Large Expanse of Sea</i>. I have loved her dystopian series, <i>Shatter Me</i>, for over five years and I was thrilled when she announced the publication of <i>A Very Large Expanse of Sea</i>. This is her first contemporary novel and it is rather personal. It follows Shirin, a Muslim American teenager, trying to navigate a post-9/11 world. Tahereh Mafi was a freshman in high school at the time of 9/11 and while the novel is a work of fiction, she noted that some of the novel was inspired by personal experiences. <i>A Very Large Expanse of Sea</i> is an extremely powerful novel that I highly recommend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After reading <i>A Very Large Expanse of Sea</i> I am absolutely disgusted by humanity. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I absolutely loved Shirin's character, she is a strong, courageous, capable, and intelligent young woman, but the intolerance she faces is despicable. I hate that she and other individuals encounter discrimination because of their religion, race, sexual orientation, etc. I am extremely privileged that I do not face situations where I am discriminated against because of my religion, race, or sexual orientation. Shirin, however, has dealt with discrimination throughout her entire life. Managing high school is difficult enough without other complications. She should be enjoying her teenage years and not waiting for the other shoe to drop. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While there were heavy topics depicted throughout the novel, breakdancing was also explored. I had no prior knowledge of breakdancing, so learning about it was extremely fascinating. I loved that Shirin had a unique hobby because many Young Adult novels portray many of the same hobbies. While many teens do read, write, or draw, there are teens that also have different hobbies not commonly portrayed in novels or the mass media. I really enjoyed the inclusion of breakdancing within the novel. I know that I definitely do not have what it takes to be a breakdancer, but I loved seeing Shirin's journey with it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An interesting component of the novel that I did not consider until starting it was the technology and modes of communication portrayed within it. Obviously the novel is based in the early 2000's and should reflect the advancements of the time, but it was interesting seeing the use of AIM messaging and the popularity of flip phones. As an individual born in 2000 and with the novel being aimed toward an audience slightly younger than me, it was </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">interesting to see the programs used by teens when I was a baby</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although I loved the novel, I did not necessarily love the cover. While it does have pretty writing and it is not the worst cover that has ever existed, I feel as though the cover designer/publishing company could have gone in a different direction with the cover design. I do not feel as though the cover accurately reflects the novel or the power within it. I would have loved to have an image of a breakdancing hijab wearing teen or another image that closer reflects the novel. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I absolutely loved <i>A Very Large Expanse of Sea</i>. It was a different avenue of Tahereh Mafi's writing, but it was an amazing novel and I highly recommend preordering or purchasing a copy on October 16th. It was one of my most highly anticipated novels of 2018 and it did not disappoint. I am interested to see if Tahereh will write more contemporary novels alongside her <i>Shatter Me</i> series. Nevertheless, I am excited to read whatever she writes next. </span></span></div>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-5185788089153372832018-09-20T16:00:00.000-07:002018-09-20T16:27:44.914-07:00ARC Review: Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>: </span><b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Darius doesn't think he'll ever be enough, in America or in Iran. Hilarious and heartbreaking, this unforgettable debut introduces a brilliant new voice in </b><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>contemporary</b></span></span><b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> YA.</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Darius Kellner speaks better Klingon than Farsi, and he knows more about Hobbit social cues than Persian ones. He's about to take his first-ever trip to Iran, and it's pretty overwhelming--especially when he's also dealing with clinical depression, a disapproving dad, and a chronically anemic social life. In Iran, he gets to know his ailing but still formidable grandfather, his loving grandmother, and the rest of his mom's family for the first time. And he meets Sohrab, the boy next door who changes everything.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Sohrab makes sure people speak English so Darius can understand what's going on. He gets Darius an Iranian National Football Team jersey that makes him feel like a True Persian for the first time. And he understand that sometimes, best friends don't have to talk. Darius has never had a true friend before, but now he's spending his days with Sohrab playing soccer, eating rosewater ice cream, and sitting together for hours in their special place, a rooftop overlooking the Yazdi skyline.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Sohrab calls him Darioush--the original Persian version of his name--and Darius has never felt more like himself than he does now that he's Darioush to Sohrab. When it's time to go home to America, he'll have to find a way to be Darioush on his own (via Goodreads.com)</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 312</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Release Date</u>: August 28th, 2018</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Rating</u>: 5/5 Stars</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy of <i>Darius the Great is Not Okay</i>, which I absolutely loved. <i>Daruis the Great is Not Okay</i> follows an Iranian-American teen struggling with his cultural identity and clinical depression. As a biracial teen he finds himself in situations where he is too Persian to fit in with white kids, but also where he is too white to fit in with Persians. To me, <i>Darius the Great is Not Okay</i> truly encases what it is like to be a teenager. While I cannot relate to being biracial, high school is a difficult period for some and I deeply related to Darius. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Darius the Great is Not Okay</i> also featured an amazing friendship and family dynamic. Many Young Adult novels choose to focus on romantic relationships instead of friendships and family relationships. While I have no problems with romantic relationships being featured in Young Adult books, it is also important to showcase friendships and family relationships. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Darius and Sohrab's friendship was adorable. They had their occasional problems, like any friendship, but they were both extremely supportive of one another. I loved reading the developments of their friendship and also the progression of their character developments. They were both fantastic characters and I am disappointed that this is a standalone novel. I wish I would be able to read more about them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another crucial part of the story was Darius' family. On his trip to Iran, he meets his mother's family for the first time. While he has talked to them over Skype previously, he has yet to meet them in person. Although he fears that they will be disappointed in him, he finds his place among them and discovers what a supportive and loving family he has. Throughout the novel, Darius' strained relationship with his father is also explored. Both he and his father suffer from depression and are only able to bond over their mutual love of Star Trek. Darius believes his father is disappointed in him while his father fully embraces his younger sister, Laleh. Although he feels a strain with his father, he does love his sister dearly and is a fantastic older brother. He would do anything for Laleh and it was enjoyable seeing their banter. It was also nice seeing the progression of Darius and his father's relationship. While their relationship was strained at times, the problems of their relationship were explored and truly developed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Darius' mental illness also plays a large role in the story. While he is properly medicated, his symptoms are still present to the reader. His depression feeds into his self-doubt and insecurities. It was also interesting how mental illness was expanded through a cultural lens. While Americans are relatively tolerant to mental illness, Persians are not. In Iran, Darius' family and Sohrab act as though depression is something he can shake off. I knew that other countries were not as accepting of mental illnesses as the United States, but it was still shocking to read about. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I may have described Darius as a rather depressed and insecure character, but I need you to realize that he has his uplifting moments. While he suffers from depression, he is also a teenage boy who is conscious of his acne and is rather awkward. He is such a lovable character that always uses Star Trek references</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and could talk to you about tea for hours. I would love to have the opportunity to get tea with him one day. He is quite the expert and I know he would never leave me astray. I absolutely adore his character and I wish I had more than one book with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">While I have never visited Iran, I truly felt like I was there. In order to show Darius and Laleh their heritage, Darius and his family travel throughout Iran to places such as Persepolis and the Towers of Silence in Yazd. It was interesting learning about Persian culture and the Zoroastrian faith. Current events in Iran are not always positive in the news; however, it was refreshing to hear about Iran in a loving and immersive environment. Iran might not be perfect, but Persians are extremely proud of their culture and heritage.</span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darius the Great is Not Okay</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is one of my absolute favorite books of 2018. I laughed, cried, and everything in between. I wish I had more time with Darius, Sohrab, and his family. It was a beautiful story about family, friendship, and cultural identity. I highly recommend <i>Darius the Great is Not Okay</i>. The book is much more than okay. Adib Khorram did an amazing job on his debut, I fell in love with his characters and storytelling, I cannot wait to see what he writes next. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-62139727372204091572017-10-08T18:11:00.000-07:002017-10-08T18:11:27.425-07:00Teaser October: YA Fest 2018 Author Announcements<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Can you figure out who's coming to #YAFest2018? Try to guess starting October 1 at 8:30pm EST on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/yafest">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/yafestpa">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/yafestpa">Instagram</a>!</span></div>
Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-40326735348460846442017-10-08T17:19:00.001-07:002017-10-08T17:19:11.250-07:00ARC Review: Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One by Jessica Hernandez<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psSDlKnVwCE/WdqvTbbeMPI/AAAAAAAADnU/NRvzjrI1TScLZXpFuS9KLWqGIV4vF3eewCLcBGAs/s1600/Cayleth%2BWarding%2Band%2Bthe%2BScarlet%2BOne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psSDlKnVwCE/WdqvTbbeMPI/AAAAAAAADnU/NRvzjrI1TScLZXpFuS9KLWqGIV4vF3eewCLcBGAs/s400/Cayleth%2BWarding%2Band%2Bthe%2BScarlet%2BOne.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fifty-three families looking for a new beginning board a ship and sail to an uninhabited island. Happily they live for well over two decades. Homes are built and the past is forgotten. Paradise, however, is no more after the adults suddenly vanish one night. For three years, the teens and children rule the island of Oridd. For three years, they survive. When an old woman unexpectedly appears on Oridd, all is cast into disarray as the strange and awful threaten to become commonplace. The old woman wants something, and she won’t leave until she gets it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>: 333</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Rating</u>: 4.5/5 Stars</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of <i>Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One</i> from its author, Jessica Hernandez. While I have read a few random classics for my Advanced Placement Literature and Composition class, I have not read many books for pleasure this last month. I was glad to add some variety and read <i>Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One.</i> It was a refreshing read that I greatly appreciated. <i>Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One </i>was a thrilling, suspenseful, and compelling novel that should be on everyone's to-be-read list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I never knew where the plot of <i>Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One</i> was going, every two steps I thought I was ahead was actually five steps in the wrong direction. It was truly a thrilling and suspenseful ride that kept me guessing at every turn. It is the perfect read for the fall and Halloween season. The ending left me with a dozen more questions. I never saw the end coming and I am still coming to terms with it. It was a risky move that proved worthwhile. I am impressed by Jessica Hernandez. I am hooked on this story-line and cannot wait to explore more of the story. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I presume there will be a sequel to <i>Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One</i>, otherwise that would be cruel. After its ending, the reader needs more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The main complaint and praise I had with <i>Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One</i> was the writing. While it typically flowed smoothly, a few segments of the writing left me rereading specific sections. The rough patches were descriptions that might have been edited out in the final copy, but it was something I wanted to mention. Although the world was one I had never heard of or explored before, Jessica was able to seamlessly transition me into the world within the first page. I was only caught up on a few descriptions that were focused on the movement and activities of the characters, not the world. Some descriptions were confusing and took away from the story; overall, the story flowed very smoothly and I enjoyed the writing style.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I enjoyed the world of <i>Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One</i>. It was an interesting concept that Jessica executed well. I hope to be able to explore the world further in its possible sequel(s). The end uncovered more of the world the novel had yet to mention. I am interested to see what Jessica has planned for the continuation of the story. Like I have mentioned numerous times, I am excited for more from this world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters were also enjoyable, but they lacked luster at times. While they were not necessarily characters I will forever remember, their journey and obstacles were compelling and it brought the story to life. I will admit that I was overwhelmed at times by the amount of characters introduced within the span of one page. Many were not crucial to the story, overshadowing the description of characters that would prove valuable to the story. Cayleth was a decent character, but I absolutely loved her relationship with her sister, Lorelle. At times, the characters lacked something that made them three-dimensional; however, the relationship between Cayleth and Lorelle always made them jump off the page. Cayleth by herself or with Poins frequently left the story lacking, but Cayleth's relationship with Lorelle brought much needed dimension to the story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One</i> was a suspenseful read that I highly recommend ordering. It had a compelling plot and world that left me wanting more. I am excited to read Jessica Hernandez's other titles. She has caught my eye. Let me know in the comments below if you have read<i> Cayleth Warding and the Scarlet One</i> or another novel by Jessica Hernandez. If you have read one of her titles, please let me know what you thought.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353807096391894153.post-17172671449366229232017-10-02T03:36:00.003-07:002017-10-08T16:56:51.321-07:00Blog Tour: Ally (Nemesis #2) by Anna Banks I Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUt_m7b1nXQ/WdGmGDV6YyI/AAAAAAAADmM/-RxY5xEQW_gX94AWjbflHEg8ag0iG-V3gCLcBGAs/s1600/ALLY%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="155" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUt_m7b1nXQ/WdGmGDV6YyI/AAAAAAAADmM/-RxY5xEQW_gX94AWjbflHEg8ag0iG-V3gCLcBGAs/s400/ALLY%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAugPqARB8w/WdGmK-dmc1I/AAAAAAAADmQ/k9g5glhJpiYodNXtncrU9LfZMCOOGJJUwCLcBGAs/s1600/ALLY%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAugPqARB8w/WdGmK-dmc1I/AAAAAAAADmQ/k9g5glhJpiYodNXtncrU9LfZMCOOGJJUwCLcBGAs/s400/ALLY%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="263" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary</u>:</span> Princess Sepora of
Serubel and King Tarik of Theoria have formed an uneasy truce between their
kingdoms since the deadly plague began to rip through Theoria. Since their
feelings for each other are entangled in politics and power, they must use
their own trusted resources to find common ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But when traitors with powerful allies arise from unexpected places, Tarik and
Sepora face challenges that will change both of their kingdoms forever. Will
they learn whom to trust—including each other—in time to save their kingdoms,
their relationship and even their lives?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Pages</u>:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 320</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Publisher</u>: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Feiwel & Friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Release Date</u>: October 3, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2tfMJXL">Amazon</a> I <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ally-anna-banks/1125191628?ean=9781250070180">Barnes & Noble</a> I <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/ally/id1214913442?mt=11">iBooks</a> I <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Ally-Ann-Banks/9781250070180/?a_aid=twochicksonbooks">Book Depository</a> I <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33158530-ally?from_search=true">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Rating: 4/5 Stars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Ally</i> is the second book in Anna Banks' <i>Nemesis</i> duology. I received an advanced copy of the first book in the duology, <i>Nemesis</i>, last year at San Diego Comic-Con and I thoroughly enjoyed it, you can read my review of <i>Nemesis</i> <a href="http://littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/10/arc-review-nemesis-nemesis-1-by-anna.html">here</a>. <i>Ally</i> was the perfect conclusion to Tarik and Sepora's story; however, I would love to see Anna Banks pursue more stories in this world. I understand if she does not want to create any spin-off series; however, I would love to read novellas following other characters in the series. I am particularly adamant to read novellas following Sethos and Tulle, they both stole my heart in <i>Ally</i>. I would also love to see a novella following Cy. Although he is a crucial member of the story, not much is known about him. His relative youth also allows for the potential of a spin-off series...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Nemesis</i>' ending left the main characters in an interesting predicament that made <i>Ally</i> one of my highly anticipated releases of 2017. Although Tarik and Sepora's romance swept me off my feet in <i>Nemesis</i>, I was slightly annoyed with them throughout <i>Ally</i>. Their tendencies to be stubborn, forced them to constantly face opposition from the other. While I understand their stubbornness, their lack of willingness to communicate left their relationship in tatters. It was rather annoying to always have them unwilling to communicate. I knew they could not instantly forgive each other, but they both were unwilling to speak or listen to the other. It forced my love for the two of them to dwindle; however, that void was easily filled with my love for Sethos. I could read an infinite amount of stories featuring him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters of <i>Nemesis</i> and <i>Ally</i> are a crucial component of the story. The interactions between the characters makes the story come to life. <i>Nemesis</i> and <i>Ally</i> are both quick and easy reads because the characters are a joy to read about. I am disappointed that this is the end of their story. I really would love to see Anna Banks reconvene with these characters sometime in the future. They have a special place in my heart and I would love to revisit them in new content sometime in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another crucial part of the story is the world Anna Banks created. The world is unlike any other fantasy novel I have read. It is detailed and truly fascinating while also being easy to submerse oneself in the world. I was unable to reread <i>Nemesis</i> before starting <i>Ally</i>; however, it was easy to reenter the world and the story. The only complaint I have about the world and its characters is that many characters went on different missions throughout <i>Ally</i>; however, the reader was unable to follow the journey of these character because we are restrained to the perspective of the two main characters. I would have liked if the novel's perspective would have been extended to allow us to view the extended world and the journey each of these characters took. We were only able to see a small portion of the repercussion these journeys resulted in. I really would have liked to see the perspective of the novel extended or add novellas to fill these gaps. I do understand that adding all of these journeys would have doubled the novel in size; however, I am very fond of these characters and I would have liked to spend more time with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love the cover change that was made for both </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nemesis</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ally</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. While the original cover for </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nemesis</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was not terrible, it did not accurately represent the world or story told by </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nemesis</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. On the other hand, the new covers perfectly represent the world of </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nemesis</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and the epic story within. Unfortunately, it is an underrated duology that deserves more attention; hopefully, the new covers will allow it to gain a larger audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have enjoyed my time with the characters and the world of the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nemesis</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> duology. I am disappointed to let these characters go; however, I am excited to read future works of Anna Banks. I have yet to read any of her other works so I am excited to see what her other novels have to offer. The <i>Nemesis</i> duology is an exhilarating fantasy duology full of political intrigue, secrecy, adventure, and romance. I highly recommend starting the duology if you have yet to do so. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am excited to unveil one of the exclusive pieces of art Anna Banks had created for the series by David North. Each host of the tour is unveiling a piece or two!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">12 winners will receive a complete set of the
exclusive pieces of art created for the series by David North (the images
revealed during each tour stop), US Only.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NYT
Bestselling YA author of The Syrena Legacy series: OF POSEIDON (2012), OF
TRITON (2013), OF NEPTUNE (2014). </span>Repped
by rockstar Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I live
with my husband and daughter in the Florida Panhandle. I have a southern accent
compared to New Yorkers, and I enjoy food cooked with real fat. I can’t walk in
high heels, but I’m very good at holding still in them. If you put chocolate in
front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Favorite
Books</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Shatter
Me</i>, <i>Cinder</i>, <i>Linger</i>, <i>Shiver</i>, <i>Forever</i>, <i>Pushing the Limits</i>, <i>Unravel Me</i>, <i>Shadow and
Bone</i>, <i>Enclave</i>, <i>Divergent</i>, <i>Candor</i>, <i>Graceling</i>, <i>Fire</i>, <i>The Hunger Games</i> Trilogy,
<i>The Host</i>, Most of James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich makes me laugh through
my nose in an unfeminine sort of way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Visit
Anna’s </span><a href="http://byannabanks.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">website</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, like her on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Anna-Banks/157145744316231" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and follow her on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/byannabanks" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twitter</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Tour Schedule</u>:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Week One:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9/25/2017- <a href="http://jessica-agreatread.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">a GREAT read</a>- <i>Review</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9/26/2017- <a href="http://www.papertrailya.com/" target="_blank">PaperTrailYA</a>- <i>Interview</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9/27/2017- <a href="http://www.owlalwaysbereading.com/" target="_blank">Owl Always Be Reading</a>- <i>Excerpt</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9/28/2017- <a href="http://reesesreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reese's Reviews</a>- <i>Review</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9/29/2017- <a href="http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/" target="_blank">Two
Chicks on Books</a>-<i> Interview</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Week Two:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10/2/2017- <a href="http://www.littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Little Red's Reviews</a>- <i>Review</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10/3/2017- <a href="http://misclisa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lisa
Loves Literature</a>- <i>Guest Post</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10/4/2017- <a href="https://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/" target="_blank">Take Me Away To A Great Read</a>- <i>Review</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10/5/2017- <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/" target="_blank">YA
Books Central</a>- <i>Interview</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10/6/2017- <a href="http://seeingdoubleinneverland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Seeing Double In Neverland</a>- <i>Review</i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Casey Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15015154067430987566noreply@blogger.com0