Home Stand Alone
Category:

Stand Alone

Of Silver and Shadow Cover
Book ReviewsMagic UsersStand Alone

Of Silver and Shadow Review

by Cynthia Bujnicki
written by Cynthia Bujnicki

Of Silver and Shadow by Jennifer Gruenke is a young adult fantasy that offers something unique for the reader. It follows Ren Kolins who has silver, a type of magic the kingdom of Erdis outlawed years ago. When she was a child, the king discovered she had magic and tried to kill her, setting her home on fire. Ren alone escaped and learned to keep her magic hidden, surviving by “sticking to a life of petty thievery, card games, and pit fighting”. She lives a dishonest life, but that is part of her charm.

Of Silver and Shadow Review

Of Silver and Shadow book cover
Of Silver and Shadow
by Jennifer Gruenke

You Win Some…

Ren is the definition of a reluctant hero with a matching snarky personality that gives the readers a bit of fresh air. She is the queen of sarcasm and completely original as far as characters go. However, there is also something heart-warming about this character. As self-indulgent as she is, when Ren cares about someone, it shows strongly. Ren often puts herself first, but the softer side of herself comes alive, it gives Ren a more complex personality. Ren is very much afraid of exposing herself and her power for the rebellion. It goes against all her survival instincts, but she does it regardless, not just for the coin (mainly for the coin), but because she knows she needs to tear down the corrupt regime.

However, there are times when her snarky attitude becomes repetitive, especially when she banters with Darek. Still, Ren is a compelling character at the end of the day. 

Much like Ren, the other characters are multifaceted. Kellen is a prince with a heart to good to belong to his family, and he sneaks out nightly to be himself, or at least try to find a place to belong, something relatable to any reader. Adley is a hunter, fashioned by a king she hates, who does horrible things in order to gain her freedom and that of her love, Lesa.

You Lose Some…

Darek is the only fault because he’s just a self-righteous prick half the time, and while it was evident that he and Ren were going to end up together, the chemistry was lacking. Yes, the development of the story gave it away and gave some development to their dynamics; however, it lacked substance and came off as rushed, making it slightly unbelievable.

Especially when it contrasts the lovely relationship between Adley and Lesa, now that is a relationship worth reading.

For Darek and Ren, their argumentative banter, much like Ren’s snark, became repetitive. It bordered on annoyance because Darek is so self-righteous, insulting Ren and undermining her character.

Final Thoughts

On the bright side, Of Silver and Shadow moves effortlessly forward. Of Silver and Shadow is a fast read, has excellent world-building, giving depth to the class structure, and the use of magic in this novel. It was thoughtful and had a fantastic ending that lifts the reader with hope and joy.

Looking for more great books to read?

Check out my review of Deeplight.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Among the Beasts and Briars Cover image
AdventureBook ReviewsFolkloreStand Alone

Among the Beasts & Briars Review

by Yvette Baliko
written by Yvette Baliko

In Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston, a gardener’s daughter and her pet fox embark on a journey to save her village from a curse spreading from the woods. Then her pet fox is turned into a human, a long lost friend returns from the dead in the service of the wood, and there’s all the more reasons to find a lost city and get help.

Among the Beasts and Briars Book cover
350

Among the Beasts & Briars Review

If I had to categorise Among the Beasts & Briars, I would say it’s lower YA leaning into middle-grade, which really isn’t my type, but I enjoyed this book. It’s a quick and easy stand-alone with some adventure and talking animals–again, not really my thing, but it’s fairly well executed.

The characters

Ceryn / Daisy is a well thought out character. She is a simple girl, or so she thinks, but she has depth that goes beyond any stereotype. I really enjoyed her journey as she discovered that while she was travelling to get help, she had all the power she needed to resolve the situation herself.

Fox is brilliant. The idea of a male main character who acts like a coward, and he is the one who needs the girl’s protection and not the other way around is very refreshing. That it is written in a way that he still remains likeable is a testament to Ashley Poston’s talent.

Even the side characters have enough complexity so they don’t come across as cardboard which is hard to do in a short stand-alone.

The plot

While the plot of Among the Beasts & Briars has its twists and turns, it remains predictable. I guess I’m a lot older than the target audience and read way too many YA novels to be surprised, but I suspected most of the big reveals long before they happened, if not straight at the beginning of the book. This is one of the things that I meant when I said it’s more MG. Young girl goes into the dangerous woods to find her strength and realise she’s more adventurous than she thought. It’s sweet, but simple. The curse is explained in the book, but it’s also fairly vague.

The climax is cut a bit short and there’s a jump to the closure which happens 6 months later. It seemed a bit abrupt to me, but it’s also wrapped up nicely.

The book is a stand-alone with no cliff-hangers, but then there are a few short post-ending scenes, and the last one suggests a new adventure / sequel. Again, it was a bit strange.

The romance

Well, the romance is so soft that it’s basically non-existent. Another thing that’s middle-grade level. And he’s a fox. I mean, I can’t really talk about this without any spoiler, but I’ll try. At the first hints at romance, I found it really weird. Then of course everything becomes clear later, but my emotional investment in that romance was completely ruined by then. Even though, I expected the twists way ahead. Anyway. Don’t read it for the romance.
Read Among the Beasts & Briars as a short break after a heavy book, read it if you want to see forest curse and animals, and a girl whose blood can grow flowers. It’s a fun read. 

Looking for more great reviews?

Check out my review of The Damned here.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AdventureAfrican-inspiredBook ReviewsLitRPGStand Alone

Slay Review

by Keshia McEntire
written by Keshia McEntire

“All I ever wanted to do was escape into this magical world where for once I don’t have to act a certain way because I’m Black, and where I don’t have to answer certain questions because I’m the Black authority in the room, and where if I do something that’s not stereotypically Black, I’m different.”  ― Brittney Morris, Slay 

Slay by Brittney Morris is a rare gem of a book. Advertised as “Black Panther meets Ready Player One,” this debut novel took me on a wild ride in a virtual game world as it explored complex social issues with tact. 

After reading the summary for Slay, I needed to get my hands on this book. As a Black girl who has played an MMORPG in the past, I’ve seen first hand that people can be bold about prejudice while hiding behind the mask of an avatar. 

Slay tells the story of seventeen-year-old Kiera. On the surface she’s a typical high school senior. She hangs out with friends and is excited to start college with her boyfriend. But Kiera has a secret that she’s hiding from her friends and family: she lives a double life as a developer for Slay, an online MMORPG for Black gamers. 

When a teenager is murdered after a game-related dispute, Kiera’s indie game for Black players makes national news. She created the game as a safe space, but now people are calling her game racist and threatening to sue. Kiera must fight to keep her game online. 

Slay wasn’t what I expected, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an amazing book. It has multidimensional characters and a message that is desperately needed in today’s world. 

Let’s dive into what I liked and what I didn’t. 

The game: 

This book wasn’t exactly what I expected.

On the Amazon blurb, this book is compared to Ready Player One.  Ready Player One is heavy on the sci-fi and LITRPG elements. Slay, however, reads more like a contemporary teen novel. Even though the main character is a game developer and we spend some time in her game world, for the majority of this book we are in the real world where we learn about Kiera’s friends, family, sister, boyfriend, and internet pals.

While it is comparable to Ready Player One in its overt use of pop culture references, I found myself wanting to know more about the open world aspects of the game. Most of the gameplay we read about in Slay is focused on card dueling, but it’s hinted that there is much more to the game.  

The characters talk about how having a game for Black players creates a safe space away from the racism that is often encountered while gaming. I think showing the open world aspects of the game would have highlighted the community that she fostered within the game. 

However, I think the positive aspects of this novel greatly outweigh the negatives.

Questions of identity: 

My favorite aspect of this book was the way it explored identity. This book highlights how multi-faceted the Black experience can be, while also exploring how white characters respond to questions of race. 

For example, a biracial character questions if she is “Black enough” to play Slay and we read about the opposing viewpoints of a Black student and her Black boyfriend. Readers will also see white characters struggle with questions about racism, asking themselves if a game that only allows Black people to play is inherently a racist game, or simply an escape from the racism that is encountered in games made for white audiences. 

I enjoyed the fact that we don’t know who the “bad guy” really is because the internet allows players to remain anonymous. I found myself trying to figure out this mystery alongside the main character until the perpetrator is revealed. 

This story doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about safe spaces, unhealthy relationships, racism, friendship, and love.  With characters of various backgrounds and viewpoints, this book will challenge readers to think critically about the issues we face today.  While this novel asks many questions, it offers few answers. Readers are left to wrestle with solutions on their own. 

There are a growing number of YA sci-fi and fantasy books that draw inspiration from Africa (think Children of Blood and Bone and A Song of Wraiths and Ruin), but I appreciate that this book explores the African-American experience in the United States. The main character explores her identity as a Black girl in a predominantly white city and high school. Her challenges will feel familiar to Black readers, and it will give readers who are not Black a unique peek into the Black American experience. 

A book like Slay is just what we need in today’s world: a subtle reminder that people who are different than us are human, and an invitation to engage in difficult conversations. The game itself seems like a ton of fun as well. If someone wants to make a card dueling game like Slay, I’ll be the first in line to buy it.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
YA fantasy stand alone book covers
ArticlesBook ListsFeaturedRetellingsStand Alone

YA Fantasy Stand-Alone Books for Summer 2020

by TheOwleryBooks
written by TheOwleryBooks

As we all know the fantasy genre is ripe with epic series… but sometimes we do not want to commit to such a task so here is my list for the best YA fantasy stand-alone books! Make sure to put your favorites in the comments!

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Soundless book cover

Soundless by Richelle Mead is probably the most unique of all the books in this list and arguably my favorite!

“For as long as Fei can remember, no one in her village has been able to hear. Rocky terrain and frequent avalanches make it impossible to leave the village, so Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink. Many go hungry. Fei and all the people she loves are plunged into crisis, with nothing to look forward to but darkness and starvation. Until one night, Fei is awoken by a searing noise. Sound becomes her weapon.

Fei sets out to uncover what’s happened to her and to fight the dangers threatening her village. A handsome miner with a revolutionary spirit accompanies Fei on her quest, bringing with him new risks and the possibility of romance. They embark on a majestic journey from the peak of their jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth will change their lives forever…

The characters use sign language to communicate and even without much dialogue in the first half of the story Richelle Mead does a great job of helping the reader truly understand the feelings of the characters. This is also a pretty low fantasy and a great start for anyone super new to fantasy!

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Heartless book cover

I LOVE a good origin story and this one delivered!

“Long before she was the terror of Wonderland—the infamous Queen of Hearts—she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.

Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.”

You wouldn’t believe it, but this absolutely makes you sympathize with Catherine! Marissa Meyer also takes other smaller fairy tales and includes those characters in this story and it is done beautifully!! This is right you alley if you are a fan of Once Upon A Time!!

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Tiger Lily book cover

I told you I loved a good origin story and UGH this is might just be better than the last even though they are both so good!! Jodi Lynn Anderson doesn’t stray as much from the original fairy tale as much as Heartless and I loved that!! There are LGBT+ Characters in this story as well which is amazing!

“Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair.. Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn’t believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she’s ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland’s inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it’s the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who’s everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.”

The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

The Glass Arrow book cover

Everything about this books was amazing! The world building, the action, the perfect amount of romance! The main character Aya is spirited and wild, she is a fighter in the truest sense of the word and knows exactly what she needs to do to survive! Kristen Simmons knows exactly how to write realistic and likeable characters and even though this is a work of Fantasy you feel like these situations the characters are in are so relatable! Perfect for fans of The Handmaids Tale!

“This is the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder.

In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya’s luck runs out and she’s caught by a group of businessmen on a hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning. “

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

Forest of a thousand lanterns book cover

A ruthless main character, a dark plot and yet another origin story!! There was nothing I didn’t love about Forest of a Thousand Lanterns!!

“An East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl’s quest to become Empress–and the darkness she must unleash to achieve her destiny.

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her. Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng’s majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high?

Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins–sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute.”

The Siren by Kiera Cass

The Siren book cover

Kiera Cass is know for her famous Selection Series and of course she just released The Betrothed but before all that she self published (and then later republished with HarperTeen) The Siren! This story at it’s heart is a love story not just romance but sibling, friendship and parental! It really does warm your heartstrings!

“Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. Though a single word from Kahlen can kill, she can’t resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again.

Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude…until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. And though she can’t talk to him, they soon forge a connection neither of them can deny…and Kahlen doesn’t want to.

Falling in love with a human breaks all the Ocean’s rules, and if the Ocean discovers Kahlen’s feelings, she’ll be forced to leave Akinli for good. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart.”

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

Ok ok ok… I am finally getting away from the Fairy Tale Retellings. . . for now! This story does have a touch more Sci Fi and Horror to it but it was good enough to land on this list!

“In an isolated college town in the hills of Southern California, a freshman girl stumbles into her dorm room, falls asleep—and doesn’t wake up. She sleeps through the morning, into the evening. Her roommate, Mei, cannot rouse her. Neither can the paramedics who carry her away, nor the perplexed doctors at the hospital. Then a second girl falls asleep, and then another, and panic takes hold of the college and spreads to the town. As the number of cases multiplies, classes are canceled, and stores begin to run out of supplies. A quarantine is established. The National Guard is summoned.

Mei, an outsider in the cliquish hierarchy of dorm life, finds herself thrust together with an eccentric, idealistic classmate. Two visiting professors try to protect their newborn baby as the once-quiet streets descend into chaos. A father succumbs to the illness, leaving his daughters to fend for themselves. And at the hospital, a new life grows within a college girl, unbeknownst to her—even as she sleeps. A psychiatrist, summoned from Los Angeles, attempts to make sense of the illness as it spreads through the town. Those infected are displaying unusual levels of brain activity, more than has ever been recorded. They are dreaming heightened dreams—but of what?”

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

Again this is a fantasy with a touch of horror to it but still so amazing! There is an unreliable narrator which is one of my favorite tropes in fiction, it leaves you guessing at every turn and the religious/magic system in this story is one of the best!

“Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.”

The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury

This is an amazing read for any lover of the Disney version of Aladdin thee are small references to the movie and Zahra is one of the best main characters I have ever read! She is captivating and strong! Her story will not disappoint.

“When Aladdin discovers Zahra’s jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn’t seen in hundreds of years—a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra’s very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes. 

But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity—only to discover she is falling in love with Aladdin. When saving herself means betraying him, Zahra must decide once and for all: is winning her freedom worth losing her heart?

As time unravels and her enemies close in, Zahra finds herself suspended between danger and desire in this dazzling retelling of Aladdin from acclaimed author Jessica Khoury.”

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I absolutely saved the best for last! The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is technically and Adult Fantasy book but it crosses over to the YA reader base so well! This story is so whimsical, the ambiance the author puts you into makes you want to escape and never come out! Just saying I need my all Black Red and White travelling circus! “The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.”

What did you think of my list? Tell me in the comments and make sure to leave me your recommendations as well!

Looking for more great lists?

Check out our list of fantasy books by Black authors.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Finding Eden Review
AdventureBook ReviewsDystopianFeaturedStand Alone

Finding Eden Review

by Nicole Courtney
written by Nicole Courtney

Finding Eden by K.R.S. McEntire reminded me a bit of Fallout meets Resident Evil meets Shadowhunters mashed into one.

Fallout because it’s a dangerous dystopian world where the two main characters, Lilah and Adam, are forced to survive in. This world is a dark version of the future, where you do not leave your settlement due to mutants and other dangers roaming this world.

Why Resident Evil? It was fast and action paced and gave me the feeling that I was playing a video game if you catch what I mean? The alternating viewpoints from each character gave me a burst of adrenaline at different points in the story.

Shadowhunters? Well its a well built fantasy world setting. I could imagine the world pretty solidly when I read this book. This world was unique to me and memorable.

Finding Eden Review

Finding Eden

The story

The story follows two characters, Lilah and Adam. Lilah is a girl that is trying to find sanctuary in a paradise known as ‘Eden’, a place where mutants can find sanctuary.

Adam joins the wardens, an organisation responsible for hunting down mutants and keeping dystopian America safe. Their fates collide as they encounter one another in the hopes of finding ‘Eden’. As a reader we follow their journey. 

Setting

The setting is dystopian America, primarily Chicago. As mentioned before, I had very ‘Fallout 4’ vibes as I was reading the book. Citizens stay to their own settlements and hardly ever go out because of the ‘mutant’ danger. They do not always know what mutants are and therefore are very wary of them.

Their government protects its citizens via the ‘Wardens’, soldiers designated to hunt out mutants and ensure the safety of people. I quite liked that ‘credits’ were used as a currency for this world ( I really like credits as a dystopian vibe). Simply put – the world is dangerous!

Characters

We follow two main characters, Lilah and Adam.  Lilah is a ‘mutant’ and is forced to leave her home in order to find a safe haven in a place called ‘Eden’. She does this for the safety of her family. Adam is a ‘Warden’ and his purpose is to patrol outside his settlement with his companion, another ‘Warden’. Lilah and Adam encounter the other in the search of ‘Eden’, where their stories come together. 

The author took time making these humans believable for several reasons :

  • They have weakness’ which we love, for example Adam has a fear of heights
  • They do not think they are the hero, therefore they can make stupid decisions and live – for example, Lilah is very cautious in meeting Adam and even though she has mutant powers, she is not stupid about overpowering two armed men ( a common annoyance for me with YA sometimes).

The Good Points

  1. Solid characters – clear motives
  2. Well built world – nice post apocalyptic world
  3. Alternating viewpoints from 2 characters – Like that makes the story flow nice
  4. Standalone but part of a series. I could pick this book up without having read the first one ( which I did not) but I could navigate the world easily. There was not much repetition from what happened in the first book ( as far as I could notice) so it was nice to pick up and read. We need more series standalones.
  5. Main character – unique, I have not read much about mutants before so refreshing fantasy ( rather than bog standard vampire, werewolf e.c.t)

I would have liked to have seen

  1. Maps? While I read this on the kindle and I would have trouble seeing them anyway ( unless you upgrade to the oasis), I would have liked some maps to show me where the characters are going, what environment they are in? I am terrible at geography so a route the characters were doing was hard for me to imagine at times.
  2. More on Lilah’s backstory, other characters?

Final thoughts

There needs to be more series in YA where each book can be read as a standalone story. I was able to pick up this book without knowledge of the previous book and follow the story perfectly. There was enough content and world building to engage me.

Too many books in YA feel the need to be a series and this can often overwhelm the reader (In particular if I learn there are like 7 books in a series) rather than reel them into the story.

Having a nice urban fantasy/dystopian novel that I can read as a standalone?

Refreshing to say the least. 

Looking for more great reviews?

Check out our review of The Selection by Kiera Cass.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Girl Serpent Thorn review
Book ReviewsLGBTQPlot TwistsRomanceStand Alone

Girl, Serpent, Thorn Review

by Sabrina Cox
written by Sabrina Cox

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust is a YA fantasy novel that use Persian stories as an influence to tell a tale about someone deciding who they are and their place in their world.

Now to talk about this book, I will need to talk spoilers. So if you don’t want to know anything more, here’s my loose overall review about why you should read Girl, Serpent, Thorn.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn Review

Girl, Serpent, Thorn book cover
Girl, Serpent, Thorn is out 7th July 2020

Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a clever tale about Soraya, a girl who is cursed to be poison to anyone who touches her (she can kill with one touch anything human, beast or demon) and how she discovers the truth of her curse and the path she will take to decide her own future.

Full of betrayal, lies, secrets, manipulation, and family, I really enjoyed Girl, Serpent, Thorn. The Persian background gave it a refreshing influence to build the plot upon. There are full notes at the back of the book to help explain details that you might want about the demon hierarchy.

Though it has some tropes in it that could be considered weak, they become clear as the story unwraps and truths are discovered.

Simply, Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a very magical story with a plot that sweeps you along. And it’s a standalone. Perfect. Well worth reading.

Now the spoilers.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn Spoilers

Seriously, do not carry on if you do not want details.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn starts off as a fairy tale. Soraya has spent her whole life isolated from the world around her. She is the family’s secret, talked about in whispers.

She has been cursed as a baby to have poison running through her veins and this means she cannot touch anyone. She curls in on herself, holds her feelings inside, keeps quiet when she is insulted and ignored, out of fear and shame of what she can do.

And then she meets Azad, who is infatuated with her, who wants to free her, who is drawn to her. And Soraya is drawn to him. Naturally, the first person who is not afraid of her, who actively attempts to physically comfort her, is the one Soraya is going to fall for. And this is the big plot point that will have people screaming YOU CAN’T TRUST HIM!

And you can’t.

Azad is the big bad, but the way he twists everything so that Soraya feels for him, confuses her own thoughts and makes her do terrible things because she thinks she wants to do them, but Soraya’s been talked into it. Azad plays her the whole time.

And, to be honest, I really liked that. We see Soraya take the dark path, become the monster she has feared she has always been. And when things get really out of hand, when she betrays her family in order to have a life she wants, then she starts to see the monster.

But still a part of her craves her freedom, she even finds reasons to blame others for her actions, though she knows deep down, this is what she has always been coming to.

To see a character I actually quite liked and empathised with, fall so massively, was satisfying and new. If you like your heroes pure and clean, then no, you’re not going to enjoy this hugely. But I think you would.

The romance is this book is clever. Not only do you have the main insta love/emotionally abusive relationship, but our leading lady also has feelings for others. Yes, we have F/F representation people.

Soraya confessed her young love for her only childhood friend, but it wasn’t to be and Soraya marks it up to her being a monster. But when she starts to discover who she really is, she meets Parvaneh, a Parik (a beautiful winged, female demon in this world) and Soraya is attracted to her.

It’s a very sensual bloom of love, especially as Soraya has just broken her curse and can finally touch another living being. The healing of wings scene is very charged, and paves the way for a warm relationship to blossom, though it takes time.

I liked how Melissa Bashardoust uses Soraya’s new freedom of touch to describe her feelings towards others, notably Azad and Parvaneh, and how it changes over the course of the story as Soraya’s feelings about herself and these two clarifies. Keep an eye out for it.

Because, Girl, Serpent, Thorn relies upon the fact that truths are half told or with-held completely, causing mistrust and resentment to set in. The whole tale would probably have not have happened is Soraya’s mum had told her the truth of her curse, if her brother had spoken to her, if Soraya herself had spoken her feelings. But where’s the fun in that?

I can forgive the withholding of information from characters because people react hastily when they trying to protect those they love. Soraya learns that secrets are harmful and you need to be true to who you are to be truly happy.

And in the end, she gets her happy ever after, though possibly, not in the way she thought she ever would.     

Do you like this cover?

Check out my article about the ideal YA fantasy book cover.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
The End and Other Beginnings Review
Anti-HeroAsian-InspiredBook ReviewsDisabilitiesFeaturedLGBTQRomanceStand Alone

The End and Other Beginnings Review

by Lucsbooks
written by Lucsbooks

The End and Other Beginnings is a masterclass in writing women.

When starting a book makes you tremble in fear, you know the author is good. Veronica Roth is very good…

Reading about such a diverse group of characters trying to save a galaxy, fighting to save a friendship, or simply striving to beat their own weaknesses while being unapologetic in their womanhood was absolutely stunning.

These five stories are connected by a common theme: the future, but they couldn’t be more varied.

Different characters, different genres, different settings, different galaxies,…if you are curious about Mrs. Roth, this is the book to start with.

The End and Other Beginnings Review

The End and Other Beginnings Veronica Roth

Inertia

The first story in The End and Other Beginnings is Inertia.

Inertia bludgeons every one of your defenses into smithereens and leaves you to deal with the aftermath.

We can’t help but root for Claire, a young artist that feels she has to choose between her art and her mental health.

Not only this reminded me of how artists often fear that the cure will take away all that makes them creative, but it also felt like the most personal of all the short stories.

The writing was absolutely beautiful, with several turns of phrases that forced me to stop and appreciate what was in front of me and the characters’ interactions were also brilliant.

Funnily enough, and maybe because I’m rereading them, this reminded me of Twilight (*DON’T come at me!*).

The Spinners

In The Spinners, Aliens are now a common ocurrence and a common threat.

Despite being one of the more attention-grabbing stories, it was probably the least interesting for me.

Still, I liked the overall themes of family, grief, and the tragedy of growing up and how the male interest never obfuscated the main characters.

The Leeches reminded me of the Souls in The Host by Stephenie Meyer, only evil. Last Stephenie Meyer reference, promise.

Hearken

In a ruined world, music is the ulimate power, able to divine all your secrets. Master it and bestow immortality.

Veronica Roth once again wrote about Art but instead of making it a hobby or something that eased life, she made it a dangerous weapon and I only wish I could read a few hundred more pages set in this world.

The characters and their family dysfunctionality were a pleasure to read, but it was Darya that grabbed all my attention with how insightful and attuned she was with her own feelings and shortcomings and how the people around her exploited that.

Vim and Vigor

If you like Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, this story is just up your alley. For those that are not familiar with it (if such people still exist) this is a story about the power fandom, something we know nothing about obviously ;).

Despite this being the story where the Sci-Fi was kept to a minimum, it was where Veronica Roth’s writing shone the brightest for me.

The way grief, female friendships and the feelings that come with growing out of people and things were explored along with the fact that Eddie, the main character, was a feminine girl that loves clothes, make-up and neuroscience (because you don’t have to freaking choose!!!!!) was what made “Vim and Vigor” my favorite.

Note: The next two short stories are part of the Carve the Mark universe which I did not read so you can still enjoy them if you haven’t either. (I decided to wait until I have the time to have my heart broken- I have been here before. I know how she rolls.)

Armored Ones

I liked Teka well enough but what truly made me enjoy this story was how RAGE fuelled this girl is and how that was never hinted at as being a masculine trait.

Cyra’s physique being described as if she was a bodybuilder was the cherry on top of the “Great Female Characters” cake. (Have you tried that cake? I think it might be my favorite cake).

The second part of this story is told through Akos’s eyes and focuses on…who I’m I kidding? There was LGBTQ rep and I screamed. Bless you, Veronica Roth!

The Transformationist

This was the second story in The End and Other Beginnings that I wish had been longer because once again, the culture and different traditions could not have been better devised.

Zoldan is a harsh planet and its inhabitants are just as hard so of course, the main character was an absolute marshmallow that we could not help but love and wanna protect at all costs. True evil thy name is Veronica Roth.

This was one of the saddest and more heartbreaking stories, with its focus on abusive parents, religious extremism, and social isolation but if you reading about different cultures then this might be your favorite story.

Have you tried any short stories collections or any Veronica Roth books? Let me know in the comments 🙂

Get it on Amazon
Get it at B&N
Get it on Kobo

Looking for more great reviews?

Check out my review of The Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Winterwood Review
Book ReviewsDark FantasyFeaturedStand AloneWitches

Winterwood Review

by Cynthia Bujnicki
written by Cynthia Bujnicki
Winterwood Review
Winterwood by Shae Ernshaw
Simon Pulse

If there is one thing that Ernshaw excels at, it is creating an eerie atmosphere. Winterwood opens with Nora entering the Wicker Woods, woods alive with malice in their roots.

Entering under the safety of the full moonlight, Ernshaw creates a delightfully eerie setting. Combined with Nora’s narrative, Ernshaw lures the reader into the entrancing story.

Winterwood Review

Winterwood is a compelling read with a dark atmosphere and a sinister magical edge. However, the pacing for the first third of the novel is a little slow.

Focusing on developing the sinister Wicker Woods and establishing the character dynamics slows the story down. Ernshaw does an excellent job with her characterization and building the dynamics, nevertheless, the cold eeriness of the story gets a little lost.

That being said, the characterization is excellent.

Take Nora, for instance, ostracized for being a Walker, a witch, Nora keeps to herself, collecting lost things she finds in the woods. As an introvert, perfectly happy in her loneliness, Ernshaw gives Nora a sharply defined and fierce narrative.

Her voice is strong, never trembling as it keeps the reader engaged. It also serves as the perfect balance for the cold and eerie atmosphere.

Oliver also has a strong narrative, but he is softer.

Abandoned at the camp for wayward boys, Oliver is an outcast himself as the new boy, and he keeps to himself as much as Nora. Their dynamic brings out the best of both characters, giving the story some warmth to contrast the cold setting.

Final Thoughts

Winterwood is a novel full of surprises, bursting with magic and darkness, captivating the reader and luring them into the dark and mystical woods.

Get it on Amazon
Get it at B&N
Get it on Kobo

Looking for more great reviews?

Check out my review of Deeplight by Frances Hardinge.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
The Shadows Between Us Review
Book ReviewsFeaturedPlot TwistsRomanceStand Alone

The Shadows Between Us Review

by Yvette Baliko
written by Yvette Baliko

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller is light, refreshing and an absolute must read.

A fair warning, though: if you are looking for a book with characters who set a moral example to the YA community, this isn’t the book for you. But that is exactly what makes it so much fun to read.

The Shadows Between Us Review

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

The first chapter of The Shadows Between Us introduces Alessandra, the protagonist who does two things without shame: abuses her lovers and murders people.

Okay, murdered only one, but that’s besides the point. Soon enough she reveals that all those dreadful actions were nothing more than practice for the main event.

She goes to court to catch the eye of the king, marry him, kill him and become queen. The plan works splendidly, as far as the eye-catching goes. After that, everything becomes a lot more complicated.

Plot-wise, The Shadows Between Us exceeded my expectations. I find romance-focused books boring at times, but with a good mixture of murder mystery and romantic tension, it was full of turns and twists that kept me reading.

Predictable at times, for sure, but interesting and entertaining enough to stay up way too late at night.

It’s so nice to have characters who are not the “good guys”, and I can still root for them. I often felt horrible for wanting Alessandra and Kallias to succeed and get their happy ending, but I couldn’t help myself.

They are horrible people without a doubt. I also enjoyed the subtle hints that they are not completely lost. Yes, they are selfish, power-hungry killers, but there is teeny-tiny hope for their redemption. I wouldn’t hold my breath, though.

The biggest letdown of The Shadows Between Us is that the rest of the characters are sadly one-dimensional. The friends, family and court members are all portrayed from a single angle. The father who wants money by selling his daughter in marriage.

The friend who wants to copy the main character in everything she does. The old jealous courtier woman who wanted to marry the late king and still bitter from rejection. Just like Zisha mentioned in her Cruel Prince review, I’m also not a big fan of the “bad sister” trope, and this book also presents us with it.

I understand that in a short book like this, it’s hard to build complex side characters, but none of these characters felt real enough to me. 

The world-building in The Shadows Between Us isn’t overly complex, but it is sufficient. I find that many writers fail to find a balance and over-complicate their world at the expense of the story. For a short standalone like this, that’s clearly meant to be a quick and fun read rather than a deep epic saga. The world is simple but interesting enough to give us context.

I especially liked the history of the royal line and the choices Kallias must face because of it. If there is a positive message in the book, it’s clearly about the freedom of women, and the world Alessandra lives in demonstrates that point.

Overall, The Shadows Between Us is one of my top picks for 2020. If you are looking for a short, delightful standalone with morally questionable characters and a strong, determined heroine, this book is the perfect choice.

Get it on Amazon
Get it at B&N
Get it on Kobo

Looking for more reviews?

Check out our review of Dark Skies by Danielle L. Jensen

0 comment
2 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Close