Book Review: Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

This is a confusing book to rate, but I'll do my best to explain why.

The book itself has no real plot and reads kinda like a memoir. It's literally just a girl going through high school. I've nothing against this type of storytelling, if it’s well done, and this book does it well. The writing is the best part of this book, as well as fairly realistic portrayals of kids going through life in high school, (though I can't comment on the boarding school part as I've never been to one).

Prep

by Curtis Sittenfeld

A New York Times bestseller.

However, the main character Lee Fiora can be a bit insufferable at times. She doesn't really grow as a character. She's constantly judging other people and her depressive nature is a bit of a downer to read. She gets mad over petty things and seems to think she knows most everything better than everyone else. Not always, but that's the sense I got anyway. I would have LOVED to read the story from Martha's (her best friend and roommate) perspective. I love Martha as a character.

Yet, despite Lee's desputable persinatliy, I did enjoy the book. Mostly because of the writing. I loved the writign syle.

If you want action or character driven plot, or a plot in general, this isn't the book for you. But if you want a nice little read to pass the time with a book that was well written, give this a read.

Prep

by Curtis Sittenfeld

(Alternate cover)

Book Review: The Guardian by A.T. Duguay

A.T. Duguay

I have the pleasure of actually knowing the author personally. Duguay and I go way back to high school, and though we haven't really spoken to each other for nearly 15 years (wow that makes me feel old haha), we recently re-connected through our love of writing.

Now, onto his novel. For a first-time author, this book was very well written and the formatting was gorgeous. (He did the formatting and cover design himself and it turned out dope!) Duguay was able to do excellent world-building without making it a big info dump. I was constantly excited to learn more about Gauthak's world (and the world around him). It's obvious there is still plenty to learn, but knowing this is the first in the series definitely helps. As it stands, the story itself is a good stand-alone in terms of world-building and character development.

Before I gush about all the good things about this book, there were only a few "negative" things I should mention. I wouldn't even call them negatives. More like nitpicking based on my own personal preference.

For starters, I loved all the names of the main characters, Gauthak, Lauranna, and the names of the Northmen. But it seemed as though if the character didn't have a big role to play, their names were taken from our world and "made to look fantasy". Names like Samanda, Josiph, Sorcha, for example. Nothing wrong with that. Again, it's me being nitpicky.

Second, I found it odd that after each part, (the book is divided into three parts), the chapter titles would reset back to one. This may be a common fantasy practice that I'm unaware of, but from the books I've read that were divided into parts (my unpublished one included), the chapters never reset to one.

The story did drag--only a little!!--a bit at the start of part three, but did pick up again. But, can't have action all the time!

Last, sometimes the character's voices sounded more modern than I feel they should. (I just imaged in the setting they're in to sound all Game of Thrones like, and they totally don't have to, but yeah). Sometimes they sounded like they were in the fantasy setting they were in while other times a few modern sounded phrases seemed to pop through. At least, that's how it felt to me.

Anywho, as I said, nitpicky stuff. All very minor.

Now, onto the good stuff.

First off, LOVE Gauthak. He's a well-written character and has a great history (albeit sad) and a very interesting culture to learn about. I love how it isn't insta-love between him and Lauranna and it was sweet to Gauthak slowly get smitten with her.

I loved all the Northman, but I'm sad about how some of their stories had ended. They are a strong group of characters and the camaraderie between them and the rest of the cast felt very realistic.

Faron is easily one of my favourite characters aside from Guathak. He's the magic user in this world and I love his sarcastic yet hard truth-telling attitude. Plus the way Duguay wrote how Faron performed magic was pretty cool. Can't wait to learn more about him and the magic system of this series.

All in all, a solid good book. Great read. For a first-time author, Duguay should be proud of what he's accomplished. Here's hoping book two comes out soon!

The

Guardian by A.T. Duguay

New revised cover for the first book.

Book Review: You by Caroline Kepnes

Wow, where do I begin with this one?

First off, hats off to Kepnes for writing an engaging main character. Kepnes really dives into the mind of a serial stalker/killer. It's almost scary how much she makes Joe seem rational in all his decisions. I mean, Joe straight out murders anyone who gets in his way--and has even done it before!), yet somehow the way it's all written it seems... justified. I don't like how that made me feel as a person but I love how it made me feel as a reader. It was interesting to see the world the way a serial stalker/killer like Joe does.

Second, I want to praise Kepnes for her writing style. It was such a unique way of writing. Yes, plenty of people write in the first person, but this was handled much differently. The style of how Joe speaks, always referring to his love interest (obsession) as "you" was a bold choice. Not many authors I know can pull off using the same word repeatedly so much that it doesn't come off as annoying and overused.

Third, Kepnes has you on the edge of your seat the entire book as you wait to see if Joe will be caught during his many, many, illegal activities. The way this book played out, however, makes me think he's the luckiest bastard in the world to have gotten away with so much.

I will say, however, some of the language Joe uses, (cunt, pussy, dick, f***, ext) was a little jarring. However, it fits Joe's character perfectly. It may have felt a bit vulgar, but I believe that was Kepne's intention, and it worked.

Solid read. Now to read the sequels!

Caroline Kepnes

Author of You (and many others!)

You - Netflix

Now streaming!

Book Review: Every Single Lie by Rachel Vincent

Wow, just wow. There is a reason Rachel Vincent is an auto-buy every time she releases a new book.

Not gonna lie, just by reading the description alone, I probably wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't by Rachel Vincent. It didn't sound like my type of book. But man was this ever a good read. Vincent had me hooked from chapter 1. With great characters and an extremely well-researched book.

Every Single Lie by Rachel Vincent

I sorta figured out who the mother was a little bit before Beckett did (and I'm proud of that as I don't usually figure things out before the characters do), but that didn't take away from the shock value.

The issues this book tackles are very deep and very real. Something not many people talk about but should. And it was handled so well. Not to mention the writing is--as always--spot on.

If you think this book isn't for you, I'd still suggest giving it a gander. I didn't think it was a story I'd like but it turned out to be one of the best reads this year. You may even learn a thing or two, as I did!

Anyway, 10/10, would HIGHLY recommend.

Rachel Vincent

Author of Every Single Lie and other amazing books.