The Children of Ash and Elm: A Book Review

I read this book as a person fascinated by Vikings but knowing little about them. And I must say that after reading The Children of Ash and Elm, I see little need to read any other Viking book! This book is full of Viking history. I especially loved the chapters about how Vikings really lived—their day-to-day activities, their relationships, and their social and economic systems. I didn't care much for the history of the raids and Christianity, but it was still interesting. I'd definitely use this book as research for my Viking fiction novel, and I'd recommend it to people who want an in-depth, accurate read of Vikings. My one complaint of this book is the chapter titles didn't quite match the content in the chapters, but that's easily overlooked. I'm very glad I read this and very grateful to Hachette Book Group for gifting me a review copy.

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Into the Heartless Wood: A Book Review

This is the third Joanna Ruth Meyer novel I've read. I loved Echo North, disliked Beyond the Shadowed Earth, and was unimpressed with this one. I think the greatest complaint I have for Into the Heartless Wood is that there's a lot of torture and abuse in this book. Normally, that creates tension. But it happened so much in this book that by the end, I was just frustrated and disgusted with it. Additionally, the characters felt removed from me as a reader, and I didn't connect with them at all. It's a weak gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast retelling at best, and I honestly was a bit disappointed. I also got tired of all the random line breaks in some chapters. All in all, this one wasn't for me. 

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

Thank you, Page Street, for the review copy!

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

Down Comes the Night: A Book Review

This book is an interesting conglomerate of YA, magic, romance, and gothic elements. Wren, the main character, has lots of rooms to grow through this book: she's a magic healer who craves the approval and love of her commander and the queen. But her loyalties are challenged when she takes a job at a gothic, creepy mansion under a mysterious man named Lowry. I liked the mystery aspect of this book and the gothic elements. But I didn't connect to the characters very much, and the romance seemed a little too fabricated to serve the plot. But this book has a great spooky atmosphere that was fun to read in October. 

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

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the review copy!

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Kingdom of Sea and Stone: A Book Review

I'm going to preface this by saying I loved Crown of Coral and Pearl when I read it last year. I loved the sea vibes, the twin-sisterly love, the magic, and the tense plot. Unfortunately, Kingdom of Sea and Stone was a disappointment for me. The plot was quite boring and slow, I got annoyed with Nor and Talin's relationship, and the ending felt lackluster. I wonder if I would've liked it better if I'd reread Crown of Coral and Pearl before reading the sequel. I just didn't enjoy reading it, and at no point did it live up to my (low) expectations. On a positive note though, I do love the cover.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 1
Character Development: 2
Overall: 2

Thank you, Inkyard Press and NetGalley, for the review copy!

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

The Puppetmaster's Apprentice: A Book Review

This book is the perfect Halloween read! It has forbidden magic, a medieval-type setting, puppets, and an enchanting blue moon. I've been waiting for a solid YA fantasy the past couple weeks, and this one fulfilled my expectations. Piro is an engaging character, and the plot (though predictable) is entertaining. The writing has a storytelling feel to it, like listening to a fairytale. I'd readily recommend this one. 

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

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! 

Above All Else: A Book Review

Above All Else tells the story of 18-year-old best friends who are about to make the climb to summit Mount Everest. The story mostly focuses on their emotions with each other and about climbing, though there are some cool parts about the skill and effort it takes to climb Everest. The first part of the book really captured my interest, but when Kate and Tate's romance suddenly started, it all fell apart for me. Both of them turned into highly emotional teenagers who liked to dwell on all their problems, and I lost interest. I think I was expecting climbing Mount Everest to be the highlight of this book, but instead it took a place on the back burner as they dealt with other things. Even so, I still found it interesting to read, and there is some solid character development.

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

Thank you, Charlesbridge and NetGalley, for the review copy!

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

Blazewrath Games: A Book Review

The cover of Blazewrath Games and the description of "Quidditch meets dragons" drew me right in. I love dragon books, I love Harry Potter, and I love all the the pink on this cover. Unfortunately, I think I set my expectations a little too high. The first half of the book moves really slowly with Lana figuring out her role in the Blazewrath Games, and there's lots of world building details to cover. By the time the pace picked up with the second half, Lana annoyed me as a character, and the "big reveals" didn't seem that impressive. The world is clever, but the characters and plot fell flat for me. 

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

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!