Blog Tour: The Storm Crow – Kalyn Josephson

The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: July 9th, 2019
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mental Health, Adventure, Romance, Friendship, Magic

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REVIEW:

For some people, what apparently drew them to this book are the crow element as well as the allusion to Six of Crows, which I have yet to finish. Feel free to hate me. But what made me excited to start this personally was the fact that mental illness is discussed, even though fantasy worlds prefer to focus on the action and magic more than the relationship one has with themselves, their own body – mental health. I think bringing something typically contemporary into a non-contemporary genre can be refreshing, interesting and the pavement for new establishments in the said genre.

Girls on the Verge – Sharon Biggs Waller

Girls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: April 9th, 2019
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co (BYR)
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Abortion, Feminism, Women’s Rights, Friendship, Road Trip, Friendship

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REVIEW:

It’s not easy to take a controversial topic, like abortion in this case, and create a not only meaningful but also engaging, refreshing and satisfying story that highlights this subject and makes you think critically about it. Yet the author succeeded. Whenever I pick up a book with a heavy theme, I brace myself and oftentimes expect to cry so I choose a ‘‘right moment’’ to read it. But the beautiful truth here is that every moment is the right one for GIRLS ON THE VERGE.

Tell Me How You Really Feel – Aminah Mae Safi

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: June 11th, 2019
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, LGBTQIA+, Romance, Filmmaking, Coming of Age, Family Dynamics, Enemies to Lovers

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REVIEW:

This is a decent enemies-to-lovers story. I say ‘‘decent’’ because so many so-called love/hate relationships are so… tame. There’s no real hate, just annoyance. There’s also no real reason to hate the other person, just mild disagreements. But what I liked about this book is that it shows how two people—in this case two teen girls—can misjudge one another completely, assuming they have nothing in common and no way to connect, only to find themselves being drawn to one another almost unconsciously.

You Asked for Perfect – Laura Silverman

You Asked for Perfect by Laura Silverman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: March 2019
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, LGBTQIA+, Mental Health, Romance, School Pressure, Friendship, Family Dynamics

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REVIEW:

I could have used this book a year before applying to college. That year, and the one before actually, I was intensely focused on my studies and cancelled many plans with friends, so many that by the end of the school year, I barely had anyone to say goodbye, good luck to. And I only realized my mistake when I did get into university, went to a few classes and realized that it’s harder to make friends when the teacher lectures and there’s little time to discuss in or between classes. Unless you go to events, socialize.

Killing November – Adriana Mather

Killing November by Adriana Mather

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: March 2019
Publisher: Knopf BFYR
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Mystery, Boarding School, Secret Society, Romance

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REVIEW:

I have no patience for this book. It’s all telling, no showing. I was warned but I like to SEE things for myself and I saw… very little. This secret society is way too secret for the reader’s wellbeing. By that I mean, I don’t know about you, but it drives me crazy to keep reading while learning almost nothing. Sure, the History of the secret society is somewhat provided, however I found everything to be so… unbelievable.

Going Off Script – Jen Wilde

Going Off Script by Jen Wilde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: May 2019
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Film Industry, LGBTQIA+, Coming of Age, Celebrity, Family Bonds, Romance, Fandom

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REVIEW:

June is Pride Month—not that you need me to remind you—so I’m reading almost exclusively books with LGBTQIA+ characters in order to show my support, thus highlighting LGBTQIA+ themed stories. And this is a beautiful, under-the-radar gem you should definitely check out if you, too, want to join the Pride wagon but aren’t sure what would make a great summer read.

Her Royal Highness – Rachel Hawkins

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: May 2019
Publisher: Putnam BFYR
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Romance, LGBTQIA+, Boarding School, Royalty, Love/Hate Relationships

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REVIEW:

Another royal romance!

This is the companion novel to Royals (or Prince Charming) but it can safely be read as a standalone. Daisy, her sister and boyfriend make only a short appearance and you will not feel lost at any point. But you can certainly get lost in the interesting and unusual romance between Peasant Millie and Princess Flora, I’ll allow it.

Red, White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: May 14th, 2019
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Recommended Age: 14+
Genres & Themes: Adult, LGBTQIA+, Politics, Royalty, Forbidden Love, Family Dynamics, Humor

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REVIEW:

It feels as though the whole book world is talking about this book right now, so naturally I needed to find out what was so special about it. The idea of a first son and a prince falling in love is something new for me but a story that feels like it should have existed already, especially considering how many of us are enticed by forbidden love stories and the high amount of straight royal romances that surround us.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing – Hank Green

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: 2018
Publisher: Dutton
Recommended Age: 14+
Genres & Themes: Adult, Science Fiction, Mystery, Social Media, Fame, LGBTQIA+, Friendship

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REVIEW:

This book has rekindled my interest in the Science Fiction genre which, after so many past disappointments, was not an easy thing to do. But feeling indifferent about this story was close to impossible, especially with a narrator like April May who enjoys speaking directly to the reader, thus encouraging us to feel involved in whatever happens. I was also rather curious about the ‘‘Carls,’’ these impressive and mysterious sculptures found everywhere around the world that no one can seem to be able to make heads or tails of.

The Brilliant Death – Amy Rose Capetta

The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: 2018
Publisher: Viking
Recommended Age: 13+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, LGBTQIA+, Fantasy, Magic, Family Relations

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REVIEW:

Normally, when I read a book, the more I read, the more I understand. In this case, the more I read, the less I saw the point of this story. The beginning sounded exciting: a mafia daughter with hidden abilities has an important mission to accomplish and is helped by another power-wielding boy/girl who she falls for.