All My Rage: A Book Review

All My Rage is such a powerful story with several important themes: immigration, racism, family, forgiveness, friendship, loss, and love. What I especially loved about this book is that it's a character-driven novel. You really get to know Salahudin and Noor on a deep level—their dreams, weaknesses, struggles, and their relationships with others. I also loved the perspective from Salahudin's mom, Misbah, and seeing how her immigration from Pakistan to America affected her as a wife and mom. 

This book needs to be read by everyone. Seriously. The story added to my perspective and it made me want to be a better person who's quick to forgive and quick to love. I think this book has special value for teens too in how they view and treat one another and how they achieve their dreams. Absolutely loved it!

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

Thank you, Razorbill, for the ARC!

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

The Ogress and the Orphans: A Book Review

Heavens, this book was quite preachy. I’m not quite sure what to make of it, but I didn’t enjoy having life lessons shoved in my face while trying to enjoy characters and story. Because this story was told from the perspective of an omniscient narrator, there's many sentences and paragraphs purely devoted to talking about kindness and judging and all sorts of feel-good life lessons. It very much distracted from the story and the characters, making them seem less important. If I wanted to read a self-help book about being a good neighbor, I wouldn't pick up a middle grade fantasy. I'm just confused how any child or teenager would find this book entertaining enough to keep reading. 

All that being said, does this book carry an important message? Of course. Is the story itself interesting and heart warming? Yes. So it does have some merit. And I'm sure there's plenty of people out there who appreciate the preachiness and moralizing nature of the story. I'm definitely not one of those people (I prefer my books' themes to be represented in the characters, not shoved at me in random sentences and paragraphs by a self-righteous narrator). Anyways, this obviously wasn't the book for me, which is a shame because I adored The Girl Who Drank the Moon. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 1
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Algonquin Young Readers, for the ARC!

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

Summerhaven: A Book Review

Summerhaven is a delightfully sweet regency romance complete with a love triangle, fake dating (or courting, as I should say), and enemies to lovers. All my favorite tropes in one beautiful book! I loved the slow-burn romance, and the plot moved quickly. I couldn't put it down! And give me ALL the kind, handsome, misunderstood regency men. Even though I could have done without the miscommunication trope, I overall enjoyed reading this one. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Covenant Communications and NetGalley, for the ARC!

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

A River Enchanted: A Book Review

Another wonderful adult fantasy. I absolutely loved exploring the Scottish-inspired world in this book, and the characters were absolutely deep and well thought-out. I loved the magic tied with art, the mystery of the missing lasses, and the magical folk of the land. The story does begin rather slowly though, and it takes its time establishing the world, magic, and inner workings of the characters. But once it all flows together near the middle, it's hard to put down. The writing itself seemed just as magical as the story, and I remembered how much I love Rebecca Ross's writing. It's a pleasure to read. I'm so glad this is a duology because I feel like I'm just getting started with these lovely characters and this mysterious, magical world. I highly recommend if you love all things Scottish, folk magic, mystery, and delightful romance!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Harper Voyager, for the review copy!

Content: one fade to black scene, one open door scene, kidnapping, violence

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