One of my favourite reads of 2017, already, is Wing Jones and I just had to share how marvellous it was! If you’re looking for a great, diverse, UKYA recommendation, then look no further!
Category: Reviews by Maddie
Review: The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
Genre: Contemporary
Published by: Penguin
Pages: 320
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★★
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
On the cover of a sampler I received of this book, is the little sticker ‘The YA Debut of 2017′. That’s a big claim to make and a lot to live up to, but I definitely see how The One Memory of Flora Banks lives up to that claim, after finishing the whole thing and needing to sit in silence for a second to absorb what I’d just read. It was powerful, it was special and one I can’t wait for other people to read! Continue reading “Review: The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr”
Mini Review: The Mystery of the Painted Dragon by Katherine Woodfine
The Mystery of the Painted Dragon by Katherine Woodbine
Genre: Mystery, Middle Grade
Publisher: Egmont Books
Pages: 352
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This summer, I read the first book in the Sinclair Mystery series. It was my first new Middle Grade book in a decade, and I was really excited to find something that was a genre I love, in a historical setting (also LOVE), just with younger protagonists. The third book in the series, The Mystery of the Painted Dragon is no different from the first in the lovely vibes it gave me, and the pure rush of enjoyment I get from reading a mystery, and solving it along with the protagonists.
Katherine Woodfine knows how to put together a great mystery, one with interesting characters, a devious hidden plot and historical markers that always put a smile on my face. Continue reading “Mini Review: The Mystery of the Painted Dragon by Katherine Woodfine”
Review: The Witch’s Tears by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr
The Witch’s Tears by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr
Genre: Fairy tale, Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 320
Format: ARC e-b00k
Rating: ★★★★
Note: We received this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
After loving The Witch’s Kiss, and getting to meet the Corr sisters, the sequel was something I was dying to get my hands on, and I’m happy to report that I loved it just as much as the first book! While the fairy tale theme that drew me to the first book isn’t as prominent, there are lots of things that bubble to the surface in its absence and I really loved. Please tell me there’s a third book coming?
Continue reading “Review: The Witch’s Tears by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr”
(Spoiler) Review: Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter
Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Orchard Books
Pages: 320
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★
After not loving the sequel to the Embassy Row series, See How They Run, I was a little nervous to how I’d take the final book! But, it was still one of my most anticipated books, because I feel like Ally Carter will always have my loyalty, no matter what. So, with rocky expectations, I dived into The the Key and Lock Her Up, but was pleasantly surprised to have a solid conclusion to a series that started with a bang and ended with a knotted bow. Be warned, I’m going to be talking about the ending, so if you haven’t read the series yet, or are just interested, there will be spoilers!
Continue reading “(Spoiler) Review: Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter”
Review: A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom
A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 400
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★.5
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
After quite liking Eric Lindstrom’s debut Not If I See You First, I was really intrigued when his second book came up on NetGalley. The premise sounded so interesting, and I’m always geared up to add another book about mental health to my TBR. But, it turned out that Mel’s bipolar disorder was the only thing that kept me reading the book, and there were a few other things that almost caused me to DNF…for the first time ever. Continue reading “Review: A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom”
Review: She is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick
She is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Indigo
Pages: 354
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★
After reading and really liking Marcus Sedgwick’s story in the UKYA Christmas anthology, I went straight to my local library to see which of his stand alones were available. It turns out they had not one but three copies of She is Not Invisible, so this was obviously The One To Read. Continue reading “Review: She is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick”
Review: Girl Online On Tour by Zoe Sugg
Girl Online On Tour by Zoe Sugg
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★
Last year, I read Girl Online and only gave the book one star. I mostly wanted to read it to see what all the fuss was about, and the reviews were generally split between the five stars given by fans, and the lower star ratings given by habitual YA readers. I feel that it’s been long enough for me to give this series a second chance, and since I’ve actually fallen in love with watching Zoe’s videos, I was more invested in reading the book that she wrote 100% on her own. I seem to have fallen into both categories! While I can say that this book was a definitely improvement on the first book, it wasn’t by a very big margin! Let’s chat about it, shall we? Continue reading “Review: Girl Online On Tour by Zoe Sugg”
Review: Seven Days by Eve Ainsworth
Seven Days by Eve Ainsworth
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 245
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★
This was the first YA book I read for the #cramathon and I’m really pleased because it was the perfect book to start with: fast, short and overall enjoyable. Seven Days was a book I also got from the library, which I’m so grateful for, because while I did like reading it, it’s not the kind of book I would have wanted to spend lots of money on. So, if you’re dying to read a certain book but are apprehensive about whether you’ll like it or not, why not check out libraries? Now, on to the review… Continue reading “Review: Seven Days by Eve Ainsworth”
Review: Soulmates by Holly Bourne
Soulmates by Holly Bourne
Genre: Romance, Sci-fi??
Publisher: Usbourne
Pages: 522
Format: e-book
Rating: ★★
My goal for this year was to a.) read books I’ve had for ages on my Kindle, and b.) read one author’s entire collected works. This ticked both boxes, but best of all, I got to read it with fellow Holly Bourne fangirl (and my lovely friend!), Carys! Reading the book with her made the experience so lovely, that regardless of my negative rating, I’ll always remember Soulmates. I’m dividing this review up into things I loved and didn’t love as much, so let’s go ahead and discuss Holly Bourne’s debut! Continue reading “Review: Soulmates by Holly Bourne”
Heart Full of Books 