Category: Reviews by Maddie

Review: The Inconceivable Life of Quinn by Marianna Baer

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31305531The Inconceivable Life of Quinn by Marianna Baer
Genre: Contemporary, Magical Realism
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 384
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

The Inconceivable Life of Quinn is a story about a girl who finds out she’s pregnant and can’t remember having sex. She has a long term boyfriend, and a memory of kissing someone who was very much not her boyfriend, but that’s it. I was really drawn to the book because of the premise. I knew it would take a religious turn, what with the virgin birth thing, but I didn’t know that it would offer a general commentary on the ridiculousness of the media and how they write whatever they like, without sources or a sense of sympathy for those they harm. Continue reading “Review: The Inconceivable Life of Quinn by Marianna Baer” →

Review: The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas

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32187354The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: MacMillan Children’s Book
Pages: 224
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

This was the perfect book for us to read after finishing the Geek Girl series by Holly Smale. Grace had the same style quirks as Harriet, and even though she wasn’t spurting facts left, right and centre, there was that same sense of frivolity and fun that Geek Girl omits. If you love that series, it’s guaranteed you’ll get on well with Grace and co.

Grace has Asperger’s. Grace, and everyone around her, deals with this because it’s completely normal. I’ve read a few Own Voices reviews of the book that talk about how good it is that Grace isn’t seen as a ‘problem child’ or ‘weird’ by other people, and that’s one of the reasons this book is so good. Many books that are dealing with the non-average teenager will make whatever makes them non-average into their whole personality. Have an eating disorder? Well, you might as well be called Anorexia. Have depression? Well, looks like all you’ll be feeling is depressed. Grace is the complete opposite of this, and that’s beyond refreshing. Some of her teachers don’t even realise she has Asperger’s. It’s not an excuse for her behaviour – it’s just something she lives with.  Continue reading “Review: The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas” →

Review: Forever Geek by Holly Smale

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32288152Forever Geek (Geek Girl #6) by Holly Smale
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 400
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★★★
Series: All That Glitters (#4) | Head Over Heels (#5)
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is it. We’ve been waiting for a whole year, and it’s finally time to finish our beloved Geek Girl series. To say that we were overjoyed to receive this is an understatement. Geek Girl is one of the books that we’re always recommending, and the fact that we’ve re-read the whole series (some of the books multiple times) proves its staying power as one of our favourite series of all time. Forever Geek had a lot of hype to live up to and a lot of expectations to fulfil and both things we think Holly Smale did perfectly. We dare you to find a Harriet fan who isn’t going to be satisfied by all that unfolds in this final book! So, on to the review! Continue reading “Review: Forever Geek by Holly Smale” →

Review: Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

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31575528Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Anderson Press
Pages: 400
Format: ARC Paperback
Rating: ★★★★
Note: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Dammit, Jeff Zentner, I’m crying again and it’s all your fault.

Goodbye Days took me a while to get into. I was worried I wouldn’t like it as much as I did The Serpent King, and I thought it was because I already knew the main plot hook, whereas for TSK, I was going in blind. The thought of reading about Carver, dealing with the simultaneous loss of all three of his best friends sounded heartbreaking and I had to prepare myself for the second-hand pain. Continue reading “Review: Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner” →

Review: As I Descended by Robin Talley

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28218948As I Descended by Robin Talley
Genre: Retelling, Mystery
Publisher: HQ
Pages: 370
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★

As Our Own Private Universe was one of the most disappointing reads…ever, I thought that I’d try and place my faith in Robin Talley once again with the only book of hers I haven’t read. Advertises as a retelling of Macbeth set in a boarding school, I was ready to go. Retellings are my fave, no matter what’s being retold, and a better setting doesn’t exist.

I have read Macbeth, which was a big plus as I could appreciate the arc of each character, and which threads were specific nods to the Shakespeare, but a grasp of the original play isn’t necessary to appreciate how spooky this is! Continue reading “Review: As I Descended by Robin Talley” →

Review: Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley

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30525432Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley
Genre: Contemporary, LGBT
Publisher: HQ
Pages: 384
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★

I don’t even know how to put into words how disappointed I am with this one. It just…fell flat. The setting did nothing to enhance the story (and was void of any kind of adult supervision, which was unrealistic for the type of trip they’re on), the social activist thread came way too late in the story for me to be convinced it was Aki’s passion, her hidden backstory with the music school was over emphasised and came to nothing, there was so much unnecessary drama based on lying about stupid things.

Continue reading “Review: Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley” →

Review: Close Your Eyes by Nicci Cloke

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33765805Close Your Eyes by Nicci Cloke
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Pages: 304
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★.5
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

We were initially drawn to Close Your Eyes because Bee was desperate to read a YA about a school shooting after missing the opportunity to get This Is Where It Ends for 99p, and the fact that this is UKYA made it all the more enticing. We’ve all heard about shootings in America, that are more likely because of the gun laws, but in the UK, they’re as unlikely as a dragon crashing into the science block. Close Your Eyes did not disappoint in its capability to build suspense and intrigue and freaking out everyone who reads it!
Continue reading “Review: Close Your Eyes by Nicci Cloke” →

Review: Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett

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33256865Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett
Genre: Historical, Romance
Publisher: Stripes Books
Pages: 403
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★★

I was really drawn to this book because Bee and  I just did a module on Victorian literature, and the week on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was my absolute favourite. We learnt all about the poets, the artists, and the muses, most importantly, Lizzie Siddal, who was the model for Millais’ Ophelia.

So, I saw this book and knew instantly that I had to read it and I was so glad I did. It surprised me, it delighted and I was completely absorbed by the 19th century London setting. If you need more reason to pick this up, beyond the cover, let me list some for you! Continue reading “Review: Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett” →

Review: Silver Stars by Michael Grant

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32182891Silver Stars by Michael Grant
Genre: Alternate History, Action
Published by: Electric Monkey
Pages: 496
Format: ARC e-book
Series: Front Lines
Rating: ★★★★

Okay, so, for this review we’re going to do things a little differently. I’ve already gushed about how much I adored Front Lines, the first in this kick-ass alternate history about what would’ve happened if women were allowed to fight in WWII, and now it’s time to gush about Silver Stars in a handy dandy list of reasons why it’s so good, and you will love it too!

Continue reading “Review: Silver Stars by Michael Grant” →