Category: Reviews

Reviews

A Winter’s Promise Review

by amyleighreads1 Comment on A Winter’s Promise Review

40969531._SX318_Better than I was expecting!

This book is about a girl called Ophelia who is able to read inanimate objects and travel through mirrors. She can trace the origins of the object and is able to glean the owner’s thoughts at the time of touching the object.

Ophelia is one of those main protagonists who doesn’t see herself as special and would describe herself as scraggly and ugly. She doesn’t have much self-confidence, is timid and at the start just succumbs to the rules and regulations set forth by her and Thorn’s family. Usually when we have female main protagonists like this I end up hating them and becoming disinterested in the story but because the plot line was so compelling I was still very much engaged. She does show some growth over the course of the story line and develops a little more of a backbone, demanding answers and figuring out what was actually happening.

Thorn we didn’t see enough of in the book in my opinion. I was very interested in his character, especially his broodiness, which just appeals to me. Gradually we find out a little more about him and his background, why he is estranged from the rest of the Dragon clan. The twist at the end where Ophelia finds out he’s actually the one calling the shots confused me at first but as his plans become clear it does make sense.  I’m hoping he is a little more present in the next book. The banter between him and Ophelia was entertaining and I am starting to see a connection between the two of them, I’m interested to see how that progresses.

I loved the premise of the book; I found it highly unique and fresh. The world building could have been a little more developed; I was a little confused about the whole ark situation and what kind of world they are actually in. I would love a bit more history and origins of the different clans. I definitely want to find out more about what spurred the animosity between the different clans and how the heads of the families came to be! The magic system is what really grabbed my attention within the novel. How each of the different clans specialises in something and how that speciality manifests uniquely in each person. 

⭐️4/5 I’m intrigued, engaged and want to know more!

Reviews

A Little Life Review

by amyleighreads1 Comment on A Little Life Review

*SPOILERS BELOW*

22822858._SY475_A Little Life revolves around four classmates from a small Massachusetts college who move to New York to make their way; they’re broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition.

This book is a lot. You really have to be in the right frame of mind when going into it because it is heavy and it is at times difficult to read. I would definitely look into any trigger warnings before starting this book! I am not a reader who has any problem reading heavier themes and tones within books and I don’t get triggered by any content I read but I can definitely see how this book could affect someone who does.

Jude bless him broke my heart in this book. I’ve heard quite a number of people describe his story as torture porn and they are just unable to fathom how so much abuse and trauma one person could endure in their lifetime and in reality people go through these things every day. I think Hanya Yanigahara did an excellent job thoroughly developing Jude’s character and showing the reader how he has managed to cope after suffering for so many years and the hold that these memories have over his life. I in no way can relate to anything that he has endured but the fact that he did make something of himself and the way he touched so many people’s lives and developed all these friendships was inspiring to read.

Willem was one of my favourite characters. At times I felt like he found himself quite helpless to Jude’s suffering but the fact that he was always a constant in his life was a reassurance in of itself. He had his own demons that he has had to deal with after his brother’s death and struggling to secure any acting gigs after college, second guessing himself and having doubts before eventually going on to find fame. The one thing I loved about him was that he never changed after becoming famous; he remained humble and loyal and was a great friend to everyone around him.

It was quite a slow burn of a book. The first third was really all about developing the many characters we are introduced to and establishing their relationships. Each character served a purpose and had a high impact on the story and Jude’s life. JB and Malcolm were a nice contrast to Jude and Willem, they were quite rambunctious and lively as opposed the seriousness the other two evoke. I loved the underlying theme of friendship and loyalty and they display that various times throughout the novel.

I was unsure of my feelings after finishing the book. I had just gone on this rollercoaster ride of emotions and there were many scenes that left me in tears yet it felt like we had come full circle. I don’t think after Willem’s death that Jude would be able to survive and I found it quite admirable that he was able to continue on for so long after that. I definitely think Andy, Harold and Julie did the best they could given the circumstances and had they not been in Jude’s life he wouldn’t have made it as far as he did.

⭐️5/5 stars one of the most heartbreaking, emotional books I’ve ever read!

Reviews

Beach Read Review

by amyleighreads3 Comments on Beach Read Review

52867387._SY475_Beach Read follows January and Gus two authors that were rivals in college who end up being neighbours. They are currently both suffering from writers block so they come up with a bet to swap their respective genres and see who can get their book sold first.

This was a fantastic book. I went into it with the expectations that it would be a light fluffy contemporary yet it delves so much more into deeper topics and was quite thought provoking and touching. 

I loved January’s character. I was drawn into her life from the first chapter and she kept me highly engaged throughout the course of the book. I found her to be highly relatable and her optimistic way she perceives life refreshing. Moving into that house and being forced to face what her father has done to her and how it has affected her life whilst also having run ins with Sonya was highly entertaining.

Gus I was a little hesitant about at the start. He didn’t really evoke any kind of emotion from me, he was too closed off and standoffish. Once he started opening up more to January and revealing his emotions and thoughts was when I started warming up to him. He definitely has an enigmatic nature to him that initially draws you in to his character but once we got more of his backstory with Naomi and even with Pete and Maggie he became a lot more well rounded and developed.

I loved the actually writing that took up a lot of time in the plot. The way they prioritised their work even though they were crazy for each other I think was very mature of them. I feel a lot of time in romance the main protagonist would just give up everything for their love interest and would of missed the deadline. 

This was definitely a slow burn. There were various scenes that got me very eager to read on and find out whether or not January will get her happy ending!

⭐️5/5 stars I devoured this book!!!!

Reviews

Love from A to Z Review

by amyleighreads4 Comments on Love from A to Z Review

40148146._SY475_Love from A to Z is a dual perspective story following Zayneb and Adam. Zayneb has just been suspended from school after confronting a inslamaphobe teacher at her school and is sent on an early spring break to Doha. Adam is dealing with just finding out he has been diagonsed with multiple sclerosis the diseases that killed his mum when he was nine.

What I loved about this book was that even though it is a contemporary love story at it’s core, it doesn’t stop each character from having their own personal drama’s that they are having to overcome. The narrative isn’t focused solely on them and dramatised in a way to keep them apart, it’s realistic and thought provoking and genuine.

Zayneb I found to be a little too focused on justice which at times clouded her vision and forced her to make brash decisions. When she is upset her anger overwhelms her and she can’t see any other side besides her own. I love that we explore so much of her culture and the decisions that she has made to commit to her way of life and be unapologetic about it. She definitely evolved and developed over the course of the storyline and the fact that she was able to recognise some of her faults but mould them into positives was indicative of her growth.

Adam is the sweetest, calmest, most frustrating character! I just wanted him to confide in his father from the beginning about his diagnosis but I can understand why he chose to keep it a secret. Having this condition that killed his mother and reliving some of his memories of her was heartbreaking and again we really see him come to accept the things he is not in control of and embrace the good things, the marvels in life.

Every single character in this book serves a purpose, from Adam’s group of friends to Aunty Nandy and especially Zahid. I have to say Zahid was definitely my favourite of all the characters in this book. The length that he went to in order to help this young man he didn’t even know really captured my heart and brought a tear to my eye. 

I loved the format of the story told from the perspectives of their journal and having such stark contrasts between our two main characters. It was a quick, emotional, touching book that I feel I will be rereading many times in the future!

⭐️5/5 stars Another MUST read!!!

Reviews

Foundryside Review

by amyleighreads2 Comments on Foundryside Review

Foundryside RD4 clean flatFoundryside follows a girl named Sancia who has a secret ability that enables her to be the best thief in the city. When she takes on a job to steal an ancient artefact it places her life in danger and sets in motion a chain of events that could change everything.

I really liked Sancia. We don’t learn a lot about her right at the start, we are gradually given insight into her background and everything she has had to overcome throughout the course of the book. She’s not naive and she isn’t afraid to put herself in danger in order to do what needs to be done. I think her past defines her present and her future and this is made prevalent later on in the plot. I don’t think she really develops much in the book but I think she is already so multifaceted that any development was really needed. Her candour and her brash nature was highly entertaining and she’s just a super likeable character.

Gregor on the other hand, I wasn’t so sure about at the start. He just seemed like a spoilt founder who was playing at meting out justice to whoever crosses him. I liked that even though his story seems straight forward he still manages to surprise me and be a lot more interesting than what he seems. He seems genuinely remorseful for what happened to Sancia and how his family might have something to do with it and the fact that he confronts his mother truly displayed that.

I really loved the setting of this book, the atmosphere and the conditions of the city really added a layer of depth to the storyline and set the tone for the book. The dark, grittiness of the commons was heavily described and the almost hopelessness Sancia felt whilst living there really captured my attention.

The fantastic element of the story with the scrivers was really unique and interesting. I love that its based on lore and legends and the fact that there is still so much to be discovered makes me excited for the rest of the series.

⭐️4/5 this was fantastic!!!!!