Review - Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Title: Summer Bird Blue

Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman

Pages: 384

Publisher: Ink Road

Release Date: 11th April 2019

Blurb from Goodreads:

 

Rumi Seto spends a lot of time worrying. What to eat, where to go, who to love. But one thing she is sure of – she wants to spend her life writing music with her younger sister, Lea.

Then Lea dies in a car accident, and Rumi is sent to live with her aunt in Hawaii. Now, miles from home, Rumi struggles to navigate the loss of her sister, feeling abandoned by her mother, and the aching absence of music.

With the help of the "boys next door" – teenage surfer Kai, who doesn't take anything too seriously, and old George Watanabe, who succumbed to grief years ago – Rumi seeks her way back to music, to write the song she and Lea never had the chance to finish.

With unflinching honesty, Summer Bird Blue explores big truths about insurmountable grief, unconditional love, and how to forgive even when it feels impossible.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

 

 *I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Black & White Publishing and NetGalley*

When Rumi's sister dies in a car accident and her mother sends her to Hawaii to stay with her aunt, Rumi is left feeling abandoned and unwanted.

Rumi's sister, Lea, was her best friend, her song co-writer, and her entire world. Surrounded by strangers and struggling with her grief and guilt, will Rumi be able to make friends and move on?

Can Rumi forgive her mother and herself?

Summer Bird Blue is an emotional, heart-wrenching read.

I thought Rumi was a good protagonist. I liked that she wasn't perfect - she could be rude and fought with Lea, but she loved her with all her heart. I felt so sorry for Rumi for all she had been through.

I liked a lot of the characters in this book and at times I wished that I could be at Hawaii with them, even if just to give Rumi a hug.

My favourite part of the book has to be Rumi's relationship with her aunt's neighbour, Mr. Watanabe. But I also loved Rumi's characterisation and how well the author explained Rumi's thoughts and how grief affected her.

The plot was interesting and held my attention. I liked that there was asexual representation.

This was an emotional, heart-felt read that had me in tears at times.

Overall this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

 

Can't-Wait Wednesday - Under a Dancing Star

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a feature hosted at Wishful Endings where people showcase an upcoming book they are looking forward to.

This week my pick is . . . 

Title: Under a Dancing Star

Author: Laura Wood

Pages: 356

Publisher: Scholastic

Release Date: 4th July

Blurb:

 

In grey, 1930s England, Bea has grown up kicking against the conventions of the time, all the while knowing that she will one day have to marry someone her parents choose - someone rich enough to keep the family estate alive. But she longs for so much more - for adventure, excitement, travel, and maybe even romance. When she gets the chance to spend the summer in Italy with her bohemian uncle and his fiancee, a whole world is opened up to Bea - a world that includes Ben, a cocky young artist who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome too. Sparks fly between the quick-witted pair until one night, under the stars, a challenge is set: can Bea and Ben put aside their teasing and have the perfect summer romance? With their new friends gleefully setting the rules for their fling, Bea and Ben can agree on one thing at least: they absolutely, positively will not, cannot fall in love... A long, hot summer of kisses and mischief unfolds - but storm clouds are gathering across Europe, and home is calling. Every summer has to end - but for Bea, this might be just the beginning. 

 Goodreads

Why I'm Anticipating This Book:

 I loved Laura's other YA book, A Sky Painted Gold, and this one sounds amazing - a Much Ado About Nothing prequel?! Yes, please!

Plus how gorgeous is that cover?!

 

Review - The Beholder (The Beholder, #1) by Anna Bright

Title: The Beholder (The Beholder, #1)

Author: Anna Bright

Pages: 448 pages

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: 4th June 2019

Blurb from Goodreads:

Selah has waited her whole life for a happily ever after. As the only daughter of the leader of Potomac, she knows her duty is to find the perfect match, a partner who will help secure the future of her people. Now that day has finally come.

But after an excruciatingly public rejection from her closest childhood friend, Selah’s stepmother suggests an unthinkable solution: Selah must set sail across the Atlantic, where a series of potential suitors awaits—and if she doesn’t come home engaged, she shouldn’t come home at all.

From English castle gardens to the fjords of Norge, and under the eye of the dreaded Imperiya Yotne, Selah’s quest will be the journey of a lifetime. But her stepmother’s schemes aren’t the only secrets hiding belowdecks…and the stakes of her voyage may be higher than any happy ending.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to FFBC and HarperTeen*

 

Selah is the only child of the leader of Potomac. She must find a partner to ensure the future of Potomac is secure.

When Selah is rejected in public by her closest friend, Selah’s stepmother gives her a chance to find a fiancé abroad. So Selah finds herself on the Beholder, crossing the Atlantic and on her way to meet several potential suitors. However, Selah’s stepmother has made it clear that Selah should only come back home if she is engaged.

Determined to return home to her ill father and her people, Selah must choose her future husband from her stepmother’s list. But her stepmother hasn’t made things easy for Selah.

Can Selah beat her stepmother at her own game?

Will she fall in love?

The premise for The Beholder really intrigued me, especially as it’s inspired by The Odyssey.

The cover is gorgeous, but, unfortunately, I don’t feel the same about the rest of the book.

I had mixed feelings about Selah. There were times when I liked her and felt sorry for her, but there were others when she annoyed me.

None of the characters particularly stood out for me.

The mix of fairytales, myths/legends and the real world (albeit a historical one with little technology) was interesting but there were times when I found it a bit jarring.

The plot was okay. Given the length of the novel not much happened, and I found what did happen pretty predictable. I know that Selah was under time constraints, but I would have liked her to have met more of her suitors.

I wasn’t a big fan of the romance.

The writing style wasn’t one of my favourites, and I found some of the conversations odd. There were also some actions that were repeated a lot, like running hands through hair.

I feel like The Beholder had a lot of potential, but, for me, it didn’t quite hit the mark.

I am disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this more.

Overall this was an okay, but disappointing read.

Review - Evermore (Everless, #2) by Sara Holland

Title: Evermore (Everless, #2)

Author: Sara Holland

Pages: 352

Publisher: Orchard Books

Release Date: 31st December 2018

Blurb from Goodreads:

  

Return to the intoxicating land of Sempera, where the rich live for centuries and the poor bleed time to pay for a loaf of bread. At the end of Everless, Jules Ember discovers the truth behind her ability to manipulate time - and her link to the ancient myth that defines the kingdom and its violent history. Can the Alchemist overcome the Sorceress once and for all?

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Hachette Children's Group and NetGalley*

- Contains spoilers for Everless (Book 1) -

After discovering the shocking truth about herself and her powers, Jules must evade the evil Sorceress and find a way to stop her once and for all.

Is there any truth to the rumour of a weapon able to kill the Sorceress?

Will the returning memories of Jules' past lives provide any clues?

It isn't often that I enjoy a sequel more than the first book in a series, and I definitely didn't enjoy Evermore as much as Everless.

I liked Jules as a character. She had been through a lot and being on the run would be so stressful.

The romance wasn't one of my favourites that I've ever read, but I didn't dislike it.

The concept of blood-iron coins is one of my favourite things about the duology.

I enjoyed finding out Jules' past lives and her origins as the Alchemist, but it did become a bit repetitive after a while. The memories took up a lot of the plot and I feel like a lot more could have happened in-between them, and that Evermore didn't quite reach its potential.

The writing was easy to follow most of the time, but some of the sentences could have done with being reworked so that they flowed easier - however, these might have been changed for the finished, published book. There were also a couple of times where I missed something and had to go back.

Unfortunately, Evermore was a bit of a disappointing read for me, but I would be interested in returning to the world of Sempera.

Overall this was a mostly enjoyable, but slightly disappointing read.

 

 

Review - Proud Anthology compiled by Juno Dawson

Title: Proud

Author: Juno Dawson (compiled by)

Pages: 352

Publisher: Stripes

Release Date: 7th March 2019

Blurb from Goodreads: 

A stirring, bold and moving anthology of stories and poetry by top LGBTQ+ YA authors and new talent, giving their unique responses to the broad theme of pride. Each story has an illustration by an artist identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Compiled by Juno Dawson, author of THIS BOOK IS GAY and CLEAN.

A celebration of LGBTQ+ talent, PROUD is a thought-provoking, funny, emotional read.

Contributors: Steve Antony, Dean Atta, Kate Alizadeh, Fox Benwell, Alex Bertie, Caroline Bird, Fatti Burke, Tanya Byrne, Moïra Fowley-Doyle, Frank Duffy, Simon James Green, Leo Greenfield, Saffa Khan, Karen Lawler, David Levithan, Priyanka Meenakshi, Alice Oseman, Michael Lee Richardson, David Roberts, Cynthia So, Kay Staples, Jessica Vallance, Kristen Van Dam and Kameron White.

Following A CHANGE IS GONNA COME, winner of the YA BOOK PRIZE SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2018

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

 

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Stripes and NetGalley*

Proud is an anthology made up of short stories, poetry and artwork.

The contributors are LGBTQ+ authors/illustrators, some of them new talent, and others established.

Proud was compiled by Juno Dawson.

I really liked the idea of an anthology featuring LGBTQ+ stories/poems from LGBTQ+ creators.

There was a good variety of stories - some of which I enjoyed more than others, but there were none that I didn't like.

There was artwork after each story/piece of poetry featuring a scene from the story/poem, which I thought was a nice idea.

I found this anthology to be refreshing, thought-provoking and unique. I'm glad that I read it and I would recommend it to anyone looking to read more LGBTQ+ content.

Overall this was an enjoyable read.

 

Can't-Wait Wednesday - The Kingdom

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a feature hosted at Wishful Endings where people showcase an upcoming book they are looking forward to.

This week my choice is . . .

Title: The Kingdom

Author: Jess Rothenberg

Pages: 352

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Release Date: 11th July 2019

Blurb from Goodreads:

Welcome to the Kingdom... where 'Happily Ever After' isn't just a promise, but a rule.

Glimmering like a jewel behind its gateway, The Kingdom(TM) is an immersive fantasy theme park where guests soar on virtual dragons, castles loom like giants, and bioengineered species--formerly extinct--roam free.

Ana is one of seven Fantasists, beautiful "princesses" engineered to make dreams come true. When she meets park employee Owen, Ana begins to experience emotions beyond her programming including, for the first time... love.

But the fairytale becomes a nightmare when Ana is accused of murdering Owen, igniting the trial of the century. Through courtroom testimony, interviews, and Ana's memories of Owen, emerges a tale of love, lies, and cruelty--and what it truly means to be human.

 

 

Why I'm Anticipating This Book:

An immersive fantasy theme park, love, robots and murder?

Yes, please!  

Blog Tour - The Beholder (The Beholder, #1) by Anna Bright

Find the tour schedule here.

 The Beholder (The Beholder #1) by Anna Bright

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: June 4th 2019

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings

Synopsis:

Selah has waited her whole life for a happily ever after. As the only daughter of the leader of Potomac, she knows her duty is to find the perfect match, a partner who will help secure the future of her people. Now that day has finally come.

But after an excruciatingly public rejection from her closest childhood friend, Selah’s stepmother suggests an unthinkable solution: Selah must set sail across the Atlantic, where a series of potential suitors awaits—and if she doesn’t come home engaged, she shouldn’t come home at all.

From English castle gardens to the fjords of Norge, and under the eye of the dreaded Imperiya Yotne, Selah’s quest will be the journey of a lifetime. But her stepmother’s schemes aren’t the only secrets hiding belowdecks...and the stakes of her voyage may be higher than any happy ending.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

The Book Depository | Kobo | Google Books

Book Excerpt

 Read an excerpt of the book here or here.

About the Author

  

I believe in woods, mountains, highways, cobblestones, roller coasters, dancing, concerts, cherryPop Tarts, books, and magic.

When I'm not reading or writing on my couch, I'm dragging my husband off on an adventure, communing with Salem (my kitten/spiritual familiar), or causing trouble at One More Page Books, where I work. 

Author Links:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr