Finding Gene Kelly: A Book Review

I’m going to preface this by saying I’m not sure I’m the right audience for this book. It’s HEAVY on the endometriosis rep, so much so that it takes up the plot, character development, romance development, and basically every other aspect of the story. As someone who is lucky enough to have never dealt with endo, I found the endo rep to be a bit overwhelming. (But that’s probably the point because from what I can tell, endo is pretty overwhelming and inescapable.)

Basically, I’m having a hard time reviewing this. If you like the guy-taking-care-of-the-sick-girl trope, then you’ll definitely want to read this one. Cause that’s at least 50% of this romance. If constant mentions of pain and bodily functions bothers you in romance, then maybe skip this. 

I had a few other issues about this book. I couldn’t really connect with Evie very much. She actually annoyed me for a lot of the book. I also had issue with how the toxic-mom issue resolved, and I found the constant punning to be a bit too annoying for me. And the third-act breakup was extremely predictable.

Overall, it was a cute enemies-to-lovers romance. And I think it will connect with readers who have endo. I just don't think it was for me.

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

Thank you, Torie Jean, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: endometriosis, chronic pain, toxic mom, swearing, makeouts, one brief open door(ish)

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

One Dark Window: A Book Review

Wow, this book just got better and better as it went along! It really is perfect for fans of For the Wolf, Legendary, and Uprooted. It had all the dark magic vibes with a broken kingdom, magic cards, secrets, a race to save the world. AND it has the most incredible slow-burn romance ever with a man who reminded me of Mr. Darcy. Every small touch or small smile from him made me SWOON. 

Another thing I love about this book is Elspeth. I love the dynamic of her having a Nightmare in her head, talking to her, protecting her, and slowly taking over her. She is the perfect character for this story: secretive, determined, and tough-as-nails even through her fear. 

I can't wait to read the sequel because THAT ENDING was a cliffhanger. So be warned. But I really, really enjoyed this. It has lovely, atmospheric writing that transports you into the world, and it has a complex magic system with its own lore. I highly recommend to my dark adult-fantasy lovers!

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

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: possession, violence, one open door scene, swearing

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

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee (Young Readers Adaptation): A Book Review

I’m having a hard time rating this book. The information provided deserves five stars. But the execution as a book for “young readers” is three stars. I found the beginning of the book fascinating and captivating, and then it slowly tapered off into politics and laws and movements. Not that this is bad at all, but I don’t think many young readers would make it all the way through this book. It's honestly quite boring. The audience is clearly for adults still, which is a shame.

This book also tried to be too many things at once: history textbook, journalism, and memoir. It’s jumbled all together, and I had a hard time understanding how the memoir bits fit into the rest. The stories just didn’t engage me.

Treuer’s goal, as he states, is to paint a less tragic picture of Native life in America, which I’m not sure he achieved. I think he did a great job at going through the detailed history, but he still focused on tragedy. I think sharing less politics and more stories of intimate Native American lives could have helped (and would have connected more with young readers).

All in all, I wanted more story and more emotion for a young readers adaptation. Instead I got a history textbook with bits of memoir and journalism thrown in. This book wasn’t horrible by any means, but I think my expectations were a little too high.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Content: 5
Inspiration/Value: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Penguin Teen and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: (all of these are noted, but usually not in great detail) war violence, racism, genocide, abuse, substance abuse, rape, murder

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

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove: A Book Review

I really enjoyed reading this book! I loved the ancient Indian world with a focus on spiritual energy as magic, and I loved all the politics driving the plot. I've discovered that I LOVE politics in my fantasy books, especially when they move the plot along quickly. This story had so many twists and turns; it truly was a joy to read! 

There is also the cutest romance, but be warned—it is a SLOW burn. But the payoff is totally worth it. I loved the character development too. Katyani makes huge strides in her growth, and she is a great character to follow through the story. I also loved the inclusion of Indian myth monsters and creatures.

I do wish that the spiritual energy/magic part was developed a bit more, and I wish the romance wasn't as much of a slow burn. But honestly, this was a solid YA fantasy that I enjoyed. I would definitely recommend if you liked The Tiger at Midnight, Poppy War, and Daughter of the Moon Goddess. 

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

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, torture, monster attacks, war violence

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