Bite Size Reviews: Week of 9/5

Did this week go by quickly for anyone else? It seemed to go by so quickly for me. Of course, I was busy as usual, so that might be why. We’ve been getting weird shipments at Barnes and Noble, so the end of this week was a bit stressful. Looking forward to my day off on Sunday. But for the Week of 9/5, I did a lot of reading!

I finished 8 books this week! And I’m almost done with the stack of books I had checked out from the library. Then I have some review books to finish by October, so wish me luck!

Bite Size Reviews: Week of 9/5

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown (9/6)

Malik is looking for a way to escape and start a new life, and the Solstasia festival is just that. Especially when he’s chosen as a competitor, even though he’s told he has to kill Princess Karina to save his sister. On the other hand, Karina’s mother was just assassinated and she’s left to pick up the pieces. This book reminded me a bit of An Ember in the Ashes; I just got that kind of vibe. I was blown away by the world building in this book. Filled with a cast of great characters, what isn’t to love? I can’t wait to read more from this series! (4.5 stars)

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (9/7)

Camino and Yahaira have the same father, but neither of them knows it until he dies in a plane crash on his way to the Dominican Republic. Told in alternating perspectives between Camion and Yahaira, we get both sides of the story. Acevedo is the queen of writing verse novels, in my opinion. I’m always blown away by how well the verse is crafted and the way it represents the voices of the characters. This book especially gives a glimpse into the lives of both of these girls. Definitely one that should be on your radar! (4 stars)

You Should See Me In a Crown by Leah Johnson (9/8)

Liz Lighty has a plan to get out of her small midwestern town. But when that plan starts to fall through, she has to improvise. Which means entering the race for prom queen. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for the competition. I basically read this entire book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down! Liz’s struggles are relatable, and the way that her anxiety is presented was really well done. Sure, parts of the plot were easy to see coming, but there were moments that made me laugh and moments where I teared up. Everything you could ask for in a rom-com! (5 stars)

Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold (9/8)

Bisou lives a quiet life with her grandmother in Seattle. At least until the night of homecoming, when she kills a wolf that might just be a boy. There just might be more darkness in Bisou’s past than she knows. A darker re-telling of a classic tale, this book really hits home the idea of feminism. Definitely a girl power book. However, there are some pretty graphic depictions of violence and periods, so something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about picking this one up (3.5 stars).

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco (9/10)

A long time ago, the Snow Queen left the Kingdom of Avalon encased in ice. Alex is the last surviving member of the royal family, on the run. When the firebird, the known weapon of Avalon, presents itself to Alex, it’s up to him and Tala to save the kingdom. There were pieces of the world that were difficult to keep track of here, just because there were so many little details. But the chapter titles were a delight, and there were moments that made me laugh. And it was a unique story. Overall, an enjoyable read (3.5 stars).

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare (9/10)

The second installment in the Dark Artifices trilogy, Clare definitely raises the stakes in this one. The Blackthorns are probably one of my favorite Shadowhunter families to read about. And Clare ends this one on such a sad note! I already knew what was coming because of a story in Ghosts of a Shadow Market, but that didn’t make it any sadder. Thank goodness I can pick up the next one immediately! (4 stars).

As the Shadow Rises by Katy Rose Pool (9/11)

The Last Prophet has shown that destruction is coming. An unlikely group of characters are the ones that have the fate of the future in their hands. I loved There Will Come a Darkness when I read it last year, and I was so excited to read the sequel! While it took me a little bit to remember what happened in the first one, this one was an excellent follow up to the first. I’ll be doing a full review of it later this week! (4 stars)

Flowers in the Gutter by K.R. Gaddy (9/11)

This is a nonfiction book about the Edelweiss Pirates, a group of teenagers working against the Nazis during WWII. Their story is told in narrative form, with information giving readers the context of what was happening in Germany at the time. There are a lot of great facts included throughout this book, and though I’m not normally a nonfiction reader, this book was engaging. It’s on the shorter side too, making it a quick read! (4 stars).