Book Review: Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

Menagerie

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Menagerie 〰️

This is my second reading of this book, and once again, I was not disappointed.

Rachel Vincent's Menagerie series is a super close second to my all-time favourite series of hers, the Soul Screamers series. (Though if you have read any of my previous Vincent book reviews, you'll know that anything she writes is literary gold, in my opinion, and there's a reason she is an insta-buy for any new book she writes).

I can't begin to describe how excellent this book is. I've never been stripped of all my rights and treated worse than a death row inmate, but Vincent's writing made me feel as though I have. I could feel Delilah's despair as her humanity was stripped away. I felt the sadness of her fellow captives. I wasn't just reading this story; I was experiencing it. And that is why Vincent is a master storyteller.

From the very first page, Vincent pulls you into a world where not only do animals and humans exists, but cryptids such as mermaids and shifters are real. Sadly, something known as the reaping happened in the 80s and cryptids is no longer allowed to co-exist with humans. (I read the whole series when it first came out; I just never did a review. So I can say that as the books go on, we learn more about the event known as the reaping). It's unfortunate to see cryptids being treated so poorly, but knowing humanity, I can buy this happening in our world.

If you are a fan of any of Vincent's works, especially her Shifters series or mythical creatures in general, this is the story for you. The twists and excellent writing keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time, wondering how Delilah can escape her fate of captivity. A true masterpiece of a story. 10/10 I highly recommend it.

Book Review: The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers by Adam Sass

The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers

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The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers 〰️

The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers

What a perfect book to end the year on.

This book was a complete 180 from the author's first novel, Surrender Your Sons. (A book which I've read and thoroughly enjoyed). While his debut was a much darker read, this book is a light, fluffy romance full of love and family support, and I'm here for it. Comparing the two books Sass has written, I can tell he has perfected his writing craft. The tone and characters are so different, yet Sass still has his unique voice.

As for this book, I loved it from the first page to the end. It was a wonderful romance filled with so many cute moments. I absolutely love how all the parents in this book are so supportive. (Also, how cool was it that Micah, the MC, and his sister both turned out to be gay/lesbian? And their parents still love and accept both of them. Love that).

Sure, some of the romance can be a bit cheesy, but I will admit, I'm a sucker for cheesy romance. And having it be gay romance? I'm all aboard the cheese train.

I knew from the start that Boy 100, though as great as a couple they were, weren't going to last. I could tell Elliot was the better fit. I still love that Micah and Grant were still a great couple and got along well, but I felt the vibes were better with Elliot. Plus, having Micah get a boyfriend so early meant something would happen with their relationship. It's how stories (and life) go.

If you are looking for a read that has a fun MC as a narrator and a light cute romantic read filled with lots of little happy moments, this book is perfect for you. It's also good for mental health because there isn't anything triggering in the book. A great way to relax in a world where almost all the characters are gay. Also, how can you not want to read this book based on the cover alone? It's stunning. I highly recommend this lovely read.

Book Review: Youngbloods by Scott Westerfeld

Youngbloods

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Youngbloods 〰️

I'm a little torn on how to review this book. It might not have been as good if this wasn't part of the Impostor/Uglies series. This book was good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't the strongest of the series. I was excited to see where this book would lead storywise, especially knowing Tally was coming back, but I'm not 100% sold on where Westerfeld took the book.

The other books in the Impostor series mentioned Tally, and since I loved her story, I was super excited to know she was coming back as a character (Shay, too!) and not just mentioned here and there. Sadly, I don't feel like this book did her justice. She almost seemed like a different Tally than the OG Uglies series, yes, including Extras, where Tally wasn't the MC. Shay felt like Shay, but something didn't feel entirely right with Tally. I mean, I guess years going by between novels and living in the wild for so long will change a character, but still.

Also, for some reason, I couldn't get into this book as I did with the others. This is no fault of the writer. I think I've just been too tired lately. But I was only really hooked at the end.

The ending also feels like it ended too quickly, like another book may be coming, but I'm pretty sure this is the end. Who knows?

Is this book terrible, however? No. It was still a good read, even with all its faults. I still enjoyed being back in the world of Uglies. If you have enjoyed the series so far, I believe it's still worth the read.

Book Review: Mirror's Edge by Scott Westerfeld

Mirror's Edge

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Mirror's Edge 〰️

I'm glad to say this series (not counting the original Uglies) keeps getting better. I thought this book was the last in a trilogy, but it turns out I was wrong. I'm glad about that because now I don't want this story to end. That's how you know a book series is good. (Although I'm aware that all good stories do need to end, or else they drag on).

Westerfeld starts this book off in media res, and it's exhilarating. And he keeps up with the action and perfect pacing throughout the book. I always loved how well Westerfeld writes good pacing in his stories. Everything happens precisely when it needs to, with no info dumping or scenes that drag.

Also, Westerfeld's books are known for their extreme cliffhangers, and this one was no different. In a way, there was a mini one right near the end with pages left when Rafia killed Col. I didn't believe she actually killed him. But it seems he's really gone, and props to Westerfeld for going through with it. And for the actual cliffhanger with Paz announcing Tally Youngblood is around, I nearly screamed in happiness. She's been hinted at in this series many times, but I didn't think she would return in the flesh. I'm excited to see her role in the last book.

I also want to mention that I love how Frey is really developing into her own character, and I enjoy reading her more now than I did in the first book. In book one, she was just a killer with one purpose, to save Rafia from anything and everything. And that still is her purpose to an extent. But now she's becoming more than a Rafia body double. She is developing her own personality outside of fighting and saving Rafia, and I love that for her. I'm glad she's gotten some good character development.

All in all, great read. I think you'll enjoy this one if you are a fan of the Uglies series. It's different, and I wouldn't say I liked it as much at first, but now I enjoy it. It's different in a good way.

Book Review: Shatter City by Scott Westerfeld

Shatter City

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Shatter City 〰️

It's weird. I don't usually find sequels better than the first. Sometimes I find them as good as the first book, but never better. (although it has happened before, it's rare). This is one of those rare times when I think the second book was better than the first.

This book felt more faithful to the original world of Uglies. I also found the story to be more engaging. I feel like Frey really developed more as a character in this book as well. I do think it's sad that she got addicted to what I feel are essentially drugs. In this book, she gets what's called Feels, and at first, she's apprehensive about using them. But after she starts to use them, she becomes dependent on them. And while the book never says they are drugs, I feel like they may represent them in a way. She even has a withdrawal of sorts in the way of PTSD and depression when she loses her Feels.

This story takes a dark turn compared to the other books in this series. I mean, yes, Victoria had a massive loss in the first book, but in Shatter City, we see the casualties firsthand, and it hits harder in this book because of it. This new trilogy is for sure more mature than the first Uglies series, but it still stays within the YA genre. So I give props to Westerfeld on being able to balance that well.

I will say; however, Frey learning her first kill was her brother and having that bother her seems a little off to me. Yes, it's her brother, but she's never met him and had no attachment to him. She was acting like she loved him and grew up with him when she had no idea that it was even him as the assassin. Although I can still see why it's upsetting, he was her brother. But it shouldn't bother her as much as it did, in my opinion. She was born to kill, after all.

All in all, this was still a good story, and I'm curious to see how it all ends in the final volume.

Book Review: Impostors by Scott Westerfeld

Impostors

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Impostors 〰️

I loved the Uglies series. The world-building was fantastic, the characters were fun to read, and the story was super cool. So, when I heard there was a new trilogy set in the world of Uglies, I was all in.

Sadly, as good as this book was, it didn't live up to the original series, in my opinion. Aside from throwing a few random things (like the mention of the MC of Uglies, Tally Youngblood, some world-related phrases, like "brain-missing," and a few world-building things from the original series), there wasn't much that resembled Westerfeld's original world. Also, having this book written in first person threw me off a little because all the other books were in third person. (That last point is just a nitpick thing on my end. The prose was fine; I was just used to a different way of storytelling for this futuristic world).

While this book didn't feel completely related to an already well-established series, I did still enjoy it. Not a massive fan of how much military stuff is happening, though. I wasn't expecting that. But it was well written, and so it's all good.

As with Westerfeld's other books, the pacing is perfect. Everything happens right when it needs to, and nothing felt like too much of an info dump. Although even though I don't find there isn't too much to tell this is from an established series, I do think that if you haven't read the Uglies, some parts would be confusing. (If you have, then when the lingo of the world is used, you'd be just fine).

All in all, I'm happy to be reading this series again. It's cool to learn even more about the Uglies world. Westerfeld's writing never disappoints. And I knew it was coming. The cliffhanger ending. His previous works all ended in an "oh my God, I need to read the next book now" ending. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to do just that and dive into book two!

Book Review: I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jannette McCurdy

I'm Glad My Mom Died

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I'm Glad My Mom Died 〰️

Boy, if there was ever a catchy title that makes you want to read a book, it's this one.

What a story! It's almost a bit hard to think of this as a memoir rather than fiction because of the style it was written in. Which, speaking, of I loved it. McCurdy wrote this book in a way that it made her feel like a character rather than a person telling her story. She truly has a gift and a way with words. She tells her story with such fine prose that made me feel all the motions she was. The ups, the downs, I felt them all. And knowing this all really happened is saddening.

This is one of the reasons I'd never want to be famous. I mean, I'd love my work to be famous, but for myself? I don't want the limelight. As McCurdy notes, not only is it not easy, but it can be terrible for one's mental health.

I also hope this book serves as a message to parents. Please don't try to live your life through your kids. It's their life, not yours. Let them become their own person.

As a side note, I hope McCurdy continues to write. She's very good at it. But if she does, I hope she does so because it's what she wants and not what an agent wants. After reading this book, I think she may know herself better. Time will tell if she'll write more books. I just hope she's happy with whatever she plans on doing with her life.

I'm glad McCurdy is finally pursuing her own happiness. She deserves it. If you ever wanted to read an engaging memoir that doesn't read like a history book, this is for you. Her story wasn't easy to read, but I'm glad she shared it.

Book Review: Son by Lois Lowry

Son

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Son 〰️

Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.

Now, THIS is a true companion/sequel to The Giver. This book has features of all previous books in this series and comes full circle in a way I didn't know possible since the previous two books seemed so disconnected from the first.

I very much enjoyed this read. I loved that we got to revisit the community in which Jonas lived, but this time from a different lens. I loved seeing how the community operated from viewpoints other than Jonas's. And having Jonas be part of part one was also excellent. And having him come back, not as "Leader" but as Jonas in part three? Well, let's say it was nice seeing him again. (I didn't expect him to end up with Kira, but I guess it makes sense).

I'm glad the Trademaster was brought back, if only to learn a bit more about him. In the last book, we only saw him briefly before, and he gets a slightly more significant role in this one. I mean, he's the main antagonist, but only in the later half of the book. I do think he was defeated pretty easily, tough. It reminded me of during the IT movie how they defeated Peniwise by hurling lame insults at him. For a being that is described as pure evil, like Peniqise was, I get the sense that he's super old and, therefore, extra powerful. But Gabe says like three sentences, and this hurts him? I dunno. Feels rushed.

And speaking of rushed, I've said it before for the other books, and I'll say it again. Does Lowry not know how to end books? They all ended so abruptly. Granted, this one was better than the last two and had a slight improvement on the first, but still. They all have significant conflicts, and the second it's resolved, it's over. At the very least, I'd like to see a few paragraphs with the aftermath of everything. I mean, we followed Claire's journey (and I guess Jonas and Kira's, too) for so long, and we get like a sentence hinting everything is going to be okay. I enjoyed the book, but I'm personally not satisfied with the ending.

All in all, this was a nice end to the series. Although you could cut out the middle two books, read The Giver and then this one and still be satisfied, I think. The Giver is still the best one of them all, but this one is a close second.