Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly Devos // 352 pgs
In the next few hours, one of three things will happen.
1--We'll be rescued (unlikely)
2--We'll freeze to death (maybe)
3--We'll be eaten by thin and athletic zombies (odds: excellent)
Vivian Ellenshaw is fat, but she knows she doesn't need to lose weight, so she's none too happy to find herself forced into a weight-loss camp's van with her ex-best friend, Allie, a meathead jock who can barely drive, and the camp owner's snobby son. And when they arrive at Camp Featherlite at the start of the worst blizzard in the history of Flagstaff, Arizona, it's clear that something isn't right.
Vee barely has a chance to meet the other members of her pod, all who seem as unhappy to be at Featherlite as she does, when a camper goes missing down by the lake. Then she spots something horrifying outside in the snow. Something...that isn't human. Plus, the camp's supposed "miracle cure" for obesity just seems fishy, and Vee and her fellow campers know they don't need to be cured. Of anything.
Even worse, it's not long before Camp Featherlite's luxurious bungalows are totally overrun with zombies. What starts out as a mission to unravel the camp's secrets turns into a desperate fight for survival--and not all of the Featherlite campers will make it out alive.
--
I’m a zombie girl; give me any media with zombies in it and I’m down. I love the interpersonal conflicts that develop, and how these trapped characters need to learn how to survive. So when I saw this book I immediately added it to my TBR; a zombie outbreak in a fat camp with fat protagonists? Sounds awesome.
The different characters are all unique, and I personally love that movie character tropes define them in a meta way. I think it was also fun and added a cinematic atmosphere to the book that was very engaging.
This book also surprised me with some character deaths; I knew one was going to happen as it is stated in the opening chapter, but there were several others that genuinely shocked me. I was surprised about how much I grew to like these characters and root for them to survive.
I also loved how much this book challenged fatphobia (despite getting a little preachy at times); the idea that society would rather turn fat people into these awful creatures than just exist is great commentary on fatphobia in general.
Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans // 384 pgs
Murder most fowl? In this sardonic and campy YA thriller, an anxious, introverted nonbinary teen birder somehow finds themself solving a murder mystery with their neighbor/fellow anime lover, all while falling for a cute girl from their birding group . . . and trying not to get murdered.
Sixteen-year-old Bianca Torre is an avid birder undergoing a gender identity crisis and grappling with an ever-growing list of fears. Some, like Fear #6: Initiating Conversation, keep them constrained, forcing them to watch birds from the telescope in their bedroom. And, occasionally, their neighbors. When their gaze wanders from the birds to one particular window across the street, Bianca witnesses a creepy plague-masked murderer take their neighbor’s life. Worse, the death is ruled a suicide, forcing Bianca to make a choice—succumb to their long list of fears (including #3: Murder and #55: Breaking into a Dead Guy’s Apartment) or investigate what happened.
Bianca enlists the help of their friend Anderson Coleman, but the two have more knowledge of anime than true crime. As Bianca and Anderson dig deeper into the murder with a little help from Bianca’s crush and fellow birding aficionado, Elaine Yee (#13: Beautiful People, #11: Parents Discovering They’re A Raging Lesbian), the trio uncovers a conspiracy much larger—and weirder—than imagined. But when the killer catches wind of the investigation, Bianca’s #1 fear of public speaking doesn’t sound so bad compared to the threat of being silenced for good.
In this absurdist, bizarrely comical YA thriller that is at turns a deceptively deep exploration of anxiety and identity, perhaps the real murder investigation is the friends we make along the way.
--
I enjoyed this one, though Bianca did annoy me a bit. I went in knowing there was a LGBT focus in this, but the questioning of Bianca’s gender identity did surprise me a bit. I think it’s a really good concept to explore in a teen book, and I do enjoy that there wasn’t ever a focus on coming out, but just accepting yourself and just being who you are. I do wish those moments came up a bit more organically; one chapter we’re focusing on a murderous bird cult and the next their gender identity. There was just some tonal whiplash, but it was a nice inclusion!
The side characters were good, though honestly a little too nice and affirming. I think it could have been interesting to have a bit more struggle on that end, since realistically not everyone is going to be accepting of someone’s gender identity. Anderson was a great character, and I think he and Bianca had some great chemistry and character development. The anime references did get a little annoying, but those also slowed down a bit when the stakes became more serious.
The murder mystery itself was very predictable, but I still had a fun time! I liked how absolutely absurd it all was, and a lot of aspects reminded me a bit of Hot Fuzz, which definitely left me entertained. Overall it was a fun, quick read with a focus on LGBT characters; I can’t help but like it.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins // 387 pgs
As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
--
I was a little nervous going into this one since we already saw some major events of this game in Catching Fire, but I think Collins handled this one well. The ending played with my earlier suspicions about seeing this story again, like Collins anticipated that reaction and knew how to combat it in a realistic way.
Haymitch was always a fine character to me; he served well as Katniss’s mentor and showcased how traumatic winning actually is.
With how many crammed in characters Collins put in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I was skeptical that the Game that had double the contestants would fall into that same issue of quantity over quality. I was pleasantly surprised, however; while there are a lot of characters that get named but grow irrelevant, I felt an attachment to most of them, and could recognize who they were as I saw their name pass by on a page. Collins did well in having multiple yet distinct main characters, which can be a difficult thing to balance.
Going into this book knowing that only Haymitch will survive was fun and interesting, and I couldn’t help myself feeling sad when introduced to a new tribute that I liked, knowing that there was no chance for survival. The tributes teaming together was a fresh spin, as well as Haymitch’s personal vendetta of rebellion (though that was sometimes a little confusing). I absolutely adored every District 12 tribute, which I was somewhat surprised by.
While there was some fan service, it wasn't too bothersome to me, and I liked seeing some of the interconnectivity of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the main trilogy. It felt like a good connective bridge. The ending was also tragic, but an expected and fitting end. This book also helped me buy more into the Katniss and Haymitch connection; it shines a new and interesting light on that relationship that I would keep in mind if ever rereading the main trilogy.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins // 541 pgs
It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.
The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined -- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.
--
I really wish I ever cared about Snow, because maybe this book would have hit a bit harder. Having finished the rest of the Hunger Games trilogy, I decided to continue with the other installments in the universe; I enjoyed the trilogy immensely.
Seeing an earlier, more janky version of the Games sounds interesting, and quite honestly, that was the only engaging part of the book to me. Maybe it was the fact that it was first person, or maybe it was because it wasn’t Katniss’s voice, but I could not get as enraptured with this book as I did the previous three. I was bored the entire time, and while there were little blips of events that piqued my interest, none could get me fully invested (until we got to the Games).
Snow being poor immediately after the war does make sense, and I can understand that the fear of poverty plays a role in his general greed and cowardice. In all aspects it should work, but somehow for me it just doesn’t. It feels as if we’re often told that he is just a sad poor boy pretending like he’s still rich to have friends, yet we don’t experience more than that. I think watching that poverty descend upon him would have allowed me to sympathize a bit more and given more credence to his insecurities.
The section where they’re preparing for the games felt so drawn out and almost unnecessary; I liked some aspects, but most of the time I was waiting for something to happen. There are so many characters, yet I cannot tell you a single one of his classmates aside from Sejanus (though he is the tertiary main character so I should remember him). When the Game finally begins, the book picks up. The Game itself is slow; not a lot happens and everyone is hiding, but I still enjoyed the mood and tension throughout this part. I was still rooting for the tributes, and each death did impact me emotionally. The third section of the book is when things dip again, unfortunately. I do like Snow getting punished for cheating and forced away; I kept wondering how he eventually gets out of this, and it did pique for the rest of the book. Unfortunately, it also quickly lost me.
Lucy Gray Baird, Snow’s tribute he is representing and his love interest, annoyed me. The bits of The Hanging Tree in Mockingjay were fine, I enjoyed them. The songs in this book though were not fun, but perhaps I just don’t enjoy reading songs in books. Every time I would see a song on the page I’d roll my eyes and skim through it. Lucy Gray herself (I also personally, and pettily I’ll concede, hate that it’s always Lucy Gray, and never just Lucy) reads very manic pixie dream girl, which I can accept since it’s through Snow’s perspective. I still don’t like her folksy schtick, and only grew to like and appreciate her in the last chapter. I also was annoyed that of course she’s from District 12, it would have been interesting if we gave focus to a different district at least once.
Snow and Lucy Gray’s relationship was incredibly rushed, and didn’t feel authentic or believable on either end. I liked when it was more nuanced that Snow felt like he owned her, subtly showing that he isn’t actually in love with her but rather enamored, only for him to directly state that he feels like he owns her. Yes this book is made for teens, but teens can pick up nuance; it felt like Collins didn’t trust the audience to get that Snow is bad. Snow justifying his bad actions in the relationship was also nice, and I do think the last chapter of the book is one of, if not the, strongest parts of the book.
Overall, I wish there was somehow both more and less in this book. It felt too ambitious in some aspects, but not ambitious in others. Sejanus was a great character, and while he was annoying and sometimes dumb, I appreciated what he represented and how his character arc ended. I liked seeing some of the worldbuilding in the Capitol, and I think there were a lot of ideas that, if polished just a little, could have made this a fantastic book.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins // 390 pgs
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans—except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay—no matter what the personal cost.
--
I didn’t hate the final installment of the Hunger Games trilogy; I thought it was fun (though sometimes frustrating) and depicted an actual revolution in a serious tone. It gets gritty and dark, people Katniss loves die; in some cases, a character’s death is almost a footnote due to the chaos occurring. The parallel between Snow and Coin was well done, depicting that there isn’t a good or bad side in war and revolution. It’s a mature theme that I think is good for teens to approach, and Collins executed it well.
Katniss being both this puppet of the revolution, a girl thrust into this awful situation with most of her agency removed, takes the center stage of this book. While I understand that is the point of the story, I didn’t fully enjoy it. Things just seem to happen around her; I wish she had just a little bit more control. I feel like there could have been a way to execute this theme more satisfyingly.
I also loathed the love triangle. I was never a fan of Gale as a romantic interest, but in this book man was he the worst. He was even more pushy and treated Katniss like she had to like him. It felt exploitative, like he needed to be the center of her attention while she is experiencing significant trauma. While I do like Peeta as a love interest, I actually enjoyed his separation from Katniss for a bit and him being traumatized so bad he hated her. It could have been an interesting dynamic, an almost inverse of the first book. Instead, Katniss wallows in her own pain. I wish more was done with Peeta’s trauma a bit, and I felt like the third part needed more build up to him trusting Katniss again.
I do think things got better at the ending; Katniss finally retaking her agency against Coin and finally finding stability and happiness, though with the echoes of trauma still haunting her. It was realistic, yet still bittersweet.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins // 391 pgs
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol—a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.
Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest that she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.
In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before . . . and surprising readers at every turn.
--
This is my favorite installment of the Hunger Games trilogy. I think everything was executed almost flawlessly in this installment of the franchise, and it truly felt like the reader was witnessing a moment of history for this world. The pacing in this book was excellent, and I think Collins balanced the pre-Games and the Games well, to where I was constantly engaged.
One aspect I enjoyed was Peeta and Katniss’s dynamic, not even necessarily the romantic angle. I thought it was very fun that the two were not competing against each other in the games, but rather to save the other person. The dynamic emboldened the tone of rebellion that this book set up, while also allowing strong character development for Katniss.
The side characters introduced were also very fun, and each death was somewhat surprising and emotional. The ending was also engaging and definitely made me want to read more; Katniss’s visceral reaction was heartbreaking.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins // 374 pgs
Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun. . . .
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
--
Despite growing up as a teenager during the peak of the Hunger Games franchise, I never read the books, and have only seen the first movie. I’m not quite sure why I avoided this series so much, but I felt like now was an appropriate time to actually explore this popular franchise.
I really enjoyed Katniss’s perspective throughout this book and her overall development. I think she’s complex and interesting to read, and while she comes to some conclusions that I personally question, they felt authentic to her character. Katniss’s rebelliousness also was sprinkled in nicely to set up the latter books of the series, which was a nice sense of consistency. The secondary and side characters were also fun and interesting. Peeta was a nice and refreshing male lead as well, and while there is romantic tension between them, it isn’t the central aspect of their relationship.
A lot of media tries to make their villains sympathetic with a sad backstory, and I like that Collins didn’t do that. These villains are sympathetic due to the awful world they have to grow up in. I’m rooting for Katniss and Peeta since they’re the central characters, but I’m also rooting for every other tribute as well to somehow find an out, or at least a merciful death. I appreciate that Collins made Katniss reflect those same feelings, showcasing empathy in a powerful way.
The House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones // 404 pgs
Charmain Baker is in over her head. Looking after Great-Uncle William's tiny cottage while he's ill should have been easy. But Great-Uncle William is better known as the Royal Wizard Norland, and his house bends space and time. Its single door leads to any number of places—the bedrooms, the kitchen, the caves under the mountains, the past, and the Royal Mansion, to name just a few.
By opening that door, Charmain has become responsible for not only the house, but for an extremely magical stray dog, a muddled young apprentice wizard, and a box of the king's most treasured documents. She has encountered a terrifying beast called a lubbock, irritated a clan of small blue creatures, and wound up smack in the middle of an urgent search. The king and his daughter are desperate to find the lost, fabled Elfgift—so desperate that they've even called in an intimidating sorceress named Sophie to help. And where Sophie is, can the Wizard Howl and fire demon Calcifer be far behind?
Of course, with that magical family involved, there's bound to be chaos—and unexpected revelations. No one will be more surprised than Charmain by what Howl and Sophie discover.
--
The final entry in the Howl’s Moving Castle trilogy, this book continues to focus on a new protagonist and kingdom in its universe, though this time closer in similarity to the first entry of the series. Howl, Sophie, and Calcifer are more prominent in this book than the previous (still no Michael though), but Howl speaks in a weird baby lisp that started to get a little difficult to get through. Though they still serve as secondary characters, they did have more agency in this one and it was nice! Howl’s character was slightly frustrating, I do wish he was a bit more developed, since it feels like his character is a bit stagnant or even regressed from the first book.
I enjoyed how this one was almost a return to form, dealing with the same “house teleporting you to different places” type of magic, but with more magical creatures. This house is more like a stationary magical labyrinth though, and that is such a fun location to explore, as well as its odd and complex rules for navigating its rooms. Charmain and Peter reminded me of a younger Sophie and Michael from the first book, just less mature and slightly dumber. The two of them both confront their personal faults and try to grow, but it does feel like a natural progression. I also love how the two experience no romantic feelings towards each other; the two loathe but love each other more akin to siblings.
There are some parts where it slows down that I feel were a little boring (for example, one chapter dedicated to Charmain learning how to do laundry), but a part of me likes it thematically. This book is about growing up and being responsible; that isn’t fun and whimsical. Those chapters could be a little more engaging, but I think they served Charmain’s growth well. Overall, it was a satisfying end to the series (though the first is definitely my favorite).
Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones // 298 pgs
In which a humble young carpet merchant wins, then loses, the princess of his dreams
Far to the south of the land of Ingary, in the Sultanates of Rashpuht, there lived in the city of Zanzib a young and not very prosperous carpet dealer named Abdullah who loved to spend his time daydreaming. He was content with his life and his daydreams until, one day, a stranger sold him a magic carpet.
That very night, the carpet flew him to an enchanted garden. There, he met and fell in love with the beauteous princess Flower-in-the-Night, only to have her snatched away, right under his very nose, by a wicked djinn. With only his magic carpet and his wits to help him, Abdullah sets off to rescue his princess....
--
Continuing to the second of the Howl’s Moving Castle trilogy, I found this one to be very fun! It’s like a younger version of Aladdin, which was neat to read. I found the insta-love in this one a bit frustrating, and I wished Flower-in-the-Night was a more realized character; we get introduced to her early on and she only pops up again in the last few chapters. Though, I do understand that the nature of the plot and the tropes it follows don’t fully allow that possibility. There was also some mild fatphobia at the end (punishing the villain with the fat girls at the end isn’t the best message), though I can understand with the time it was published. I do enjoy the new location that we see take the forefront; often fantasy is dominated by Eurocentric cultures, so seeing a fantasy story deviate a bit is nice!
While Sophie makes an appearance at the halfwayish point, Howl and Calcifer do not truly show up until the end of the book. I didn’t hate that aspect, though I can understand why some people wished for more. I missed Michael though, it was unfortunate that he didn’t make the cut. Overall, it was a fun read, and I liked seeing the continuation of that universe.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones // 329 pgs
Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.
I didn't watch Howl's Moving Castle until late last year, and learning it was based off of a book quickly put this one on my TBR list. Honestly, perhaps a hot take, I enjoyed the book more than the movie (though I think watching the movie first helped add a bit more whimsy to the world). Sophie feels like a more realized character, she isn't just a sweet girl in love with Howl and on a quest to save him, in fact she hates him at first. The two of them slowly falling in love is believable and well written. Sophie experiences some great character growth in the book, and learning how she truly is a witch, and not this "doomed older sister", is great. I also enjoyed Sophie's sisters and how they all impact the plot in different ways; everything is truly interconnected and I think it pays off wonderfully.
The Stranger by Albert Camus (translated by Matthew Ward) // 123 pgs
Published in 1942 by French author Albert Camus, The Stranger has long been considered a classic of twentieth-century literature. Le Monde ranks it as number one on its "100 Books of the Century" list. Through this story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on a sundrenched Algerian beach, Camus explores what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd."
This is a book I grabbed only aware of its general “classicness”, but not of the plot. It's super short, but it packs a good punch in its length. I feel like it's made to be reread to fully take everything in, and I enjoyed how the little, seemingly irrelevant events in Part One (such as the protagonist hanging out with his girlfriend) pop up again in Part Two. I really felt for the protagonist and the themes of existentialism it presented, and the ending being one of general acceptance is nice. Risking an incorrect interpretation, I do also feel like it serves as an interesting allegory for mental illness/neurodivergence in a society that does not care to understand; how we find the "strangers" to us and, ignoring their perspective, criminalize them based on our own morality.
Where Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell (432 Pages)
Summary: Ofelia has lived her life dreaming of entering Le Château Enchanté—the mysterious court of the gods-blessed King Léo, where the shadow monsters that roam Ofelia’s home never trespass. Lope has lived her life as a knight, defending Ofelia and her home from Shadows even as she dreams of escaping with Ofelia by her side. When the Shadows venture too close, Lope and Ofelia are thrust into a journey that will lead them to the heart of the darkness haunting their home: the dazzling and deceptive Château Enchanté itself.
Opinion: This is a teen sapphic romance and fantasy read. The book starts slow, but picks up very quickly once the main characters reach the chateau. Lope is my favorite character, but even Ofelia who at first is naive and spoiled goes on a great character arc throughout the course of this book. The romance between the two of them is so sweet to see especially at the end of the book. Getting to see how they respect each other even in hard situations is satisfying. The book gave me Shadow and Bones vibes mixed with Once Upon a Time TV show vibes. Would recommend.
Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina (320 Pages)
Summary: Meg Medina transports readers to a time when New York seemed balanced on a knife-edge, with tempers and temperatures running high: the infamous summer of 1977, when the city is besieged by arson, a massive blackout, and a serial killer named Son of Sam who shoots young women on the streets. Seventeen-year-old Nora Lopez’s family life isn’t going so well, either. Before she turns eighteen and can strike out on her own, Nora will discover that the greatest dangers are often closer than we like to admit — and the hardest to accept.
Opinion: This is a mystery fiction teen book that I think has a lot of interesting aspects. However, I really struggled to get into this book. It is slow at the start, but does eventually pick up a little. The best part of this book is the relationship between Nora and Pablo, but the mystery of the serial killer Son of Sam doesn't live up to expectations. Nora's mother and brother are both awful and while I understand the point of them in the story, there eventually became a point where I couldn't stand to read any more interactions between them and Nora. Even Kathleen, Nora's best friend, who is a character I really like annoyed me by the end of the book. Not a book I'd recommend.
Cinder and Glass by Melissa de la Cruz (352 Pages)
Summary: Cendrillon de Louvois was poised to be the most eligible maiden in all of France. But the death of her father, the king’s favorite advisor, has left Cendrillon at the will of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. Dubbed Lady Cinder by the court, Cendrillon is forced to become a servant to her new family. But when she attends the royal ball, she catches the eye of the handsome Prince Louis and his younger brother, Auguste. Even though Cendrillon has an immediate aversion to Louis and a connection with Auguste, the only way to escape her stepmother is to compete with the other girls at court for the Prince’s hand. As her stepmother’s cruelty grows, Cendrillon captures the prince’s heart . . . though her own heart belongs to Auguste. Cendrillon’s fate rests on one question: Can she bear losing the boy she loves in order to leave a life she hates?
Opinion: This is a teen Cinderella retelling. Cinder is a kind protagonist that the reader can sympathize with and so is Auguste. Side characters such as Louis and Alexandre also get full character arcs alongside the main characters. One downfall of this book is that it suffers from the miscommunication trope that many romance books suffer from. But overall this book is a quick and satisfying read.
Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (656 Pages)
Summary: Bree Matthews is alone. She exiled herself from the Legendborn Order, cut her ancestral connections, and turned away from the friends who can’t understand the impossible cost of her powers. This is the only way to keep herself—and those she loves—safe. But Bree’s decision has come with a terrible price: an unbreakable bargain with the Shadow King himself, a shapeshifter who can move between humanity, the demon underworld, and the Legendborn secret society. In exchange for training to wield her unprecedented abilities, Bree has put her future in the Shadow King’s hands—and unwittingly bound herself to do his bidding as his new protégé. Meanwhile, the other Scions must face war while their Round Table is fractured, leaderless, and missing its Kingsmage, as Selwyn has also disappeared. When Nick invokes an ancient law that requires the High Council of Regents to grant him an audience, the Order’s Merlins imprison him. No one knows what he will demand of the Regents…or what secrets he has kept hidden from the Table. As a string of mysterious kidnappings escalates and Merlins are found dead, it becomes clear that no matter how hard Bree runs from who she is, the past will always find her.
Opinion: This is the 3rd book of the Legendborn Cycle series and also my least favorite so far. This book introduces two new characters that I just don't have any attachment to. Plus Bree isn't fully herself in this book and the reader can feel it. Though, it was great to see Bree finally accept her family's past and the fact that she has made mistakes at the end of the book. So I think this book does a good job of setting up the final book of the series which I am excited for.
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn (608 Pages)
Summary: All Bree wanted was to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. So she infiltrated the Legendborn Order, a secret society descended from King Arthur’s knights—only to discover her own ancestral power. Now, Bree has become someone new: A Medium. A Bloodcrafter. A Scion. But the ancient war between demons and the Order is rising to a deadly peak. And Nick, the Legendborn boy Bree fell in love with, has been kidnapped. Bree wants to fight, but the Regents who rule the Order won’t let her. To them, she is an unknown girl with unheard-of power, and as the living anchor for the spell that preserves the Legendborn cycle, she must be protected. When the Regents reveal they will do whatever it takes to hide the war, Bree and her friends must go on the run to rescue Nick themselves. But enemies are everywhere, Bree’s powers are unpredictable and dangerous, and she can’t escape her growing attraction to Selwyn, the mage sworn to protect Nick until death. If Bree has any hope of saving herself and the people she loves, she must learn to control her powers from the ancestors who wielded them first—without losing herself in the process.
Opinion: This so far has been my favorite book in the Legendborn Cycle series. It is number 2 out of 4. This book continues with the action that we were promised after book 1. Bree in this book goes on a great training journey and you really get to see her shine with her abilities, especially as she learns more about her root powers. As for characters, we also got to see more of Alice (my favorite character) in this book. But also more of Sel who Bree spends most of her time with in this book unfortunately. The ending of this book also felt a little bit cliche, but I'm still looking forward to the end of this series.
