Review: This Savage Song

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. Good, but not my favorite by Schwab. It is certainly a fascinating and unique premise, and I did like main characters. However, I didn't love them or the plot nearly as much as the Darker Shade of Magic trilogy or Vicious duology. It's probably the most unique concept from all of her books, but I liked her other books better. I've heard that some people liked the second book in this series better, so we'll see!

View all my reviews

Review: In an Absent Dream

In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is definitely a favorite of mine, although this wasn't my favorite installment in the series. I still really loved it, but I think I liked the first and third ones better. I'm not entirely sure why. I think I didn't love the focus on "getting fair value" for everything and the rules. However, I love exploring the different worlds, and this one (set in a "Goblin Market") was as fascinating as the others. I also loved Lundy's character and the choice she made in the end. I already can't wait for the fifth installment!

View all my reviews

Review: A Madness So Discreet

A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.25 stars if I am going to be really technical. I liked it overall, although there were some things about it that frustrated me. I liked the main character and the story was interesting. However, some of the coincidences were too convenient for me and there were situations that just seemed very unrealistic to me. There were also times that the writing seemed a little choppy. I would think that I missed something in the story, but really the author had chosen to skip over a few scenes and catch the reader up later. I did appreciate that (view spoiler)[ there wasn't romance in the story, considering everything that had happened to Grace (hide spoiler)]. I am really looking forward to reading The Female of the Species, also by Mindy McGinnis. I think I like her writing style, although I was hoping for just a little bit more out of this book.

View all my reviews

Review: Thunderhead

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an exciting and fast-paced sequel that was the perfect follow-up to the first book. I get to see Neal Shusterman/hear him speak in April at an English festival, and I'm SO excited! I can't wait to see what happens in book 3!

View all my reviews

Review: The Burning Maze

The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

So this was very similar to all of his other books and if I had been in a different frame of mind when I read it, I would have probably given it at least 3 stars. If you love all his other ones, you'll like this one too. I've just read one too many middle grade books recently and I think I'm really needing a break from Rick Riordan. His writing is fun, but I've never actually loved it as much as other people (like my husband) seem to. I think I need to take a year or so off from his books and maybe I'll enjoy his writing again. The two stars reflect how I felt while reading it (just trying to get through) rather than an actual criticism of the book itself. It was fine (probably even good for those who like his writing), but I'm just not in the right mood.

View all my reviews

Review: Circe

Circe by Madeline Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review to come!

View all my reviews

Review: My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

So far it is really good! I read about half of it before Christmas and I will finish it and rate the other half next year once I finish the short stories. So far all of the stories I read were between 3 and 4 stars. Enjoyable so far!

View all my reviews

Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've read this many times before, of course. I am just listening to the audiobooks again. This is probably my least favorite book in the series (probably in part because of the giant spiders), but I always enjoy any time I read Harry Potter. I can't wait to read this to my kids in a few years!

View all my reviews