Refraction: A Book Review

I never read sci fi. Never. In fact, Refraction by Naomi Hughes is the first sci fi book I've picked up in 2019. And I absolutely loved it. The description on the back of the book drew me in right away. Monsters coming out of mirrors? Fog and monsters taking over the world? A character in an illegal mirror trade? It sounded so intriguing and unique that I had to give it a try. I'm so glad I did.

The story follows Marty, an illegal mirror trader who is trying to find his brother who he hasn't seen since the alien ship came and monsters started coming out of mirrors. But he gets caught by the mayor's son, Elliot, and they get exiled to an abandoned city in the fog where the monsters run wild. And as they try to survive their exile, they start to find out more about the the monsters, the mirrors, and the destruction that's coming. It's one of those books you can't put down.

One of my favorite things about this book is the enemies-to-friends relationship between Marty and Elliot. It is perfectly done and adds a great element to the story. I also love the OCD representation through Marty. It plays a real part in his life and this book has some great messages to those who are dealing with it and how to help those who are dealing with it.

Pick this book up if you want a great sci fi story that has twists you won't see coming and a unique concept. It will keep you hooked until the end and I guarantee I'll keep thinking about it for days to come.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you Page Street Publishing for the ARC! This book will be published November 5, 2019.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Echo North: A Book Review

I have been searching for a new retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon for years after East by Edith Pattou claimed my heart. I've always loved this fairytale and I've read so many renditions of it. However, none have captured my heart like Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer. This is the retelling I've been looking for.

It has everything I could want. There is more romance in this book than other retellings, which I have been wanting to see in this fairytale. There is more world building, complete with a mysterious, living house and a magical library that lets you live inside and experience the story rather than merely read it. And to top it all off, there is enchantment, a main character that I love, and beautiful writing. I love every element of this book.

Echo North will definitely go on my all-time-favorites list and I will be recommending it to anyone who loves fairytales (especially this one) and magical libraries.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you Page Street Publishing for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Holly Banks Full of Angst: A Book Review

Holly Banks's arrival in the village of Primm brings on a crazy adventure, complete with a crazy PTA president, her daughter's first days of kindergarten, and learning the "hip" ways of Primm. Every chapter has craziness, humor, cringing, and mom life, and the plot moves quite fast, taking place in only a week. In fact, the plot is so fast that I needed a break from all the craziness. And many of the things that happened seemed too unrealistic and too crazy to me. How many bad things can happen in a week? Apparently a lot. It was like watching a mom version of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day on repeat and it gave me anxiety, if I'm being honest. I also don't know if I am supposed to take this book seriously, or if it's a satire on mom life and the PTA. Maybe both?

The writing in this book is perfect. I loved the fake swearing, the screenplay, texting, and email formats thrown in, and the humor. The characters are also entertaining, though perhaps somewhat unrealistic (looking at you, Mary-Margaret). I enjoyed the relationships between the characters and the positive message of standing up for yourself, working together, and loving people around you.

Overall, this book is fun, if not a little crazy. I would recommend it to moms who want a good laugh and want a reminder that it could be a lot worse, especially in the village of Primm.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 3.5
Overall: 3

Thank you Lake Union Publishing for the ARC! This book will be released November 1, 2019.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!