ya review – Page 15 – Amy Leigh Reads

Morningstar Review

February 26, 2020February 26, 2020by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment

*DEFINITE SPOILERS BELOW*

Morningstar continues about 9 months after that cliffhanging ending to Golden Son. Darrow has been betrayed and captured by the Jackal and has had to face endless months of torture at his hands. It’s up to the Sons of Ares to find a way to rescue Darrow and continue on their mission to break the Gold’s society.

It’s official Darrow is now one of my favourite male protagonists ever! The amount of growth he has displayed over the course of the series was in full effect in this novel and we really see the consequences of his actions catch up with him. He has really sunk to the lowest of the low when we are brought back into the story and to see him claw his way back up to the top was inspiring. He really sets himself apart from the Golds in this book and he really shows that they haven’t influenced him as much as they think.

Mustang did come through for me. At the start I was still a little hesitant towards her character and I was just waiting for her to stab Darrow in the back like her brother did, but alas she pulled through for me. I was a little peeved that she was still testing Darrow but again in hindsight it all made sense. There is so many layers to her character and she really showcases her many strengths over the course of the series.

Roque broke my heart, I truly thought he was going to come back to Darrow or he was still on their side and was just a spy. I’m glad he wasn’t forgotten by the Sovereign and she did kind of avenge him in the end with Adrianna. Sevro was a consistently loyal, crazy character that you just can’t help but love and one that Darrow could always rely on. I’m glad we get to see him happy and in love!

There were so many moments in this book that pulled on my heartstrings. Rangar in particular brought a tear to my eye. Pierce Brown really has no qualms about killing off key characters so I was constantly on the edge of my seat whilst reading this book. The pacing was consistently fast and they were always on the move looking for the next target.

Now there is no other way for me to say this… but that twist at the end with Cassius was fucking brilliant! I in no way saw that coming, I mourned Sevro for that excruciating 10 minutes and I was absolutely stunned with the way that it played out! With that epic battle with Aja and Darrow finally killing the Sovereign and then not giving in to Adrius and pulling out his tongue… oh it was sweet, sweet victory. I loved Cassius in the first book and I am glad we get to see him redeem himself in the end.

And if all of that wasn’t enough Pierce had to go and shock me again with Mustang. I had a feeling when she was sitting in the mess hall with Darrow’s family trading stories that something was going on, she just seemed a little too familiar. I honestly thought she was about to kill Darrow and start another war against the Reds but I was definitely surprised by what she presented to him.

It was honestly one of the best series I have ever read and I am itching to reread the whole thing again just to experience this epic rollercoaster of a tale again!

⭐️5/5 stars BREAK THE CHAINS! OMNIS VIR LUPUS!

Reviews

Wicked Fox Review

February 7, 2020February 7, 2020by amyleighreads1 Comment

42133479._SX318_ Miyoung is an 18 year old with a secret, she is actually half Gumiho; a nine tailed fox that feeds on the energy of men to survive. When she attends a new school in Seoul and meets Jihoon she decides maybe the decisions she’s made before isn’t good enough anymore.

I liked Miyoung, she came across a little cold at the start of the book which contrasted quite nicely with Jihoon who was all smiles and goofiness. I just thought at times she could be a little passive, especially when it came to her mother. I really wanted her to stand up to her and demand the answers she was seeking instead of having to go behind her back with the shaman.

Jihoon was adorable and very relatable. I really enjoyed the tension between him and Miyoung after the meet again at school. He has quite a traumatic background but doesn’t let that deter him from living ini the moment. He is honest and raw and expresses his feeling quite well throughout the course of the plot. He does undertake quite the journey and has had to go through many difficult situations. His family dynamic is quite complicated but his relationship with his grandmother was so special!

I loved the lore and the legends woven into the storyline. The tales of the previous Gumiho’s and how the correlate back to Miyoung was fascinating. The Korean culture was another factor I really enjoyed reading about. It definitely made the experience more interesting and unique.

⭐️4/5 It was a rollercoaster ride!

Reviews

Frankly in Love Review

January 29, 2020January 29, 2020by amyleighreads2 Comments

*Spoilers Ahead*

39847584 Frank Li is a Korean-American senior in high school who falls in love with a white girl in his class. Knowing his parents would never approve of her he concocts a scheme with another Korean-American girl in his class to pretend to date her in order to gain some freedom.

Frank is such an endearing character. He is always just trying to do what is best for everyone, kind of just keeping the status quo. He does question a lot of his parents’ thoughts and their racism towards anyone who isn’t Korean, but he never really challenges them until he is personally affected by it. I thought his plan was quite ingenious and it definitely worked in the long run.

Q just completely threw me off when we finally find out who he had a crush on. For some reason his character being gay just didn’t cross my mind at all but when we found out I was completely in my feels. It was a raw, honest moment and the way Frank handled it was kind and compassionate. Their friendship and banter felt very realistic to me and I am glad it wasn’t compromised when Q finally revealed his secret. His sister though wasn’t really necessary in the plot; I just don’t understand the purpose behind her character.

Even though Frank and Joy had known each other for years I still kind of feel like she moved on a little quickly from Wu. Frank kind of said even though all of the limbos hang out together they weren’t really friends so I thought it was a little strange that they were suddenly so close.

The plot was a little predictable at times but there were definitely some twists and turns thrown in to keep me engaged. I thought the pacing of the book was pretty steady; I finished it in less than a day so it was quite an easy read. The content I thought was super relatable and the cultural aspects added more depth to the storyline for sure!

⭐️4/5 stars frankly lovable!

Reviews

The Hate U Give Review

January 24, 2020January 23, 2020by amyleighreads2 Comments

32075671._SY475_ The Hate U Give revolves around 16 year old Starr who witnesses a fatal shooting of her close friend at the hands of a policeman.

Sometimes when I’m reading YA a lot of the female protagonists either read a lot younger than what they are supposed to be or come across a lot more mature. Starr however, feels very realistic. She is resilient, authentic, and embraces all the adversity she has had to face. I liked how we see her continually struggling to define who she really is, and learning accept her ‘hood side’ and allowing those two worlds to coincide.

I also loved the family dynamic in the story as well. They are all so committed to each other and always have each other’s backs! Starr and her siblings fight all the time yet they will not hesitate to jump in if they ever need help. Her parents fight all the time yet there is always that underlying love that connects them and their willingness to do absolutely anything for their children.

I liked the fact that Angie Thomas added Hailey’s character into the mix because these sorts of people exist in the world and their casual racism most often goes unnoticed and unchecked. As a person of color I very much related to what Starr had to deal with having a person like Hailey as your supposed best friend. The offhand remarks and unapologetic nature needs to be challenged in society and I am glad that Starr chose to stick up for herself and not allow her back into her life.

This was a fast paced, impactful book that challenges your thoughts and perception of the world and highlights racism, police brutality, discrimination, and prejudice that the black community has to deal with. It wasn’t a particularly entertaining book to read and I wouldn’t necessarily say I loved it… I would however highly recommend this book; it will definitely leave an impression on you!

⭐️4/5 stars If you can, read this book!

Reviews

Loveboat, Taipei Review

January 22, 2020January 22, 2020by amyleighreads2 Comments

45730524 Loveboat, Taipei is about an 18 year old Chinese American named Ever who just wants to dance. However, her very strict parents won’t hear of it and insist that she goes to school and becomes a doctor. They decided for the summer before college to send her to Taipei to study Mandarin. Little do they know this the program is actually an infamous teen meet-market nicknamed Loveboat, where the kids are more into clubbing than calligraphy and drinking snake-blood sake than touring sacred shrines.

I actually really enjoyed this book. I had a feeling after seeing the cover and reading the synopsis that I would enjoy this book and it was exactly what I had envisioned. It was a quick, entertaining, fun read full of mischief and antics.

Ever was a little too naïve at the start of the book for me. She really lets her parent’s walk all over her and won’t stand up for herself at all. I understand there are cultural differences and the expectations that Ever’s parents have put on her would have weighed her down over the years. I did appreciate transformation she undertakes over the course of the plot, where she finally finds her voice and passion and decides to pursue what she loves.

I found the romances progress a little too quickly. Ever definitely comes across as quite innocent and wholesome, so the fact that after only knowing these boys for a few weeks she makes the decision to sleep with them didn’t quite make sense to me. I think she mentions that she hasn’t even had a boyfriend before so it was just a little strange. Other than that detail I enjoyed the banter between them all. I mean it was a little bit predictable to be honest but the entertainment factor kept me from being too bothered!

I loved all of the culture that is interwoven with the plot. From all the different foods that Ever discovers and the nightlife over in Taipei as well as meeting all the other Chinese Americans and how they all differ. It definitely adds a layer of realism and depth to the story and I really enjoyed seeing these differences from Ever’s point of view.

⭐️4/5 stars Kind of like a YA version of Crazy Rich Asians