Literally Lenny: 2018

Title: Sky in the Deep
Author: Adrienne Young
Published: April 24th, 2018
Pages: 340

Quick synopsis: Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. One day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Captured by the Riki, she is forced to live as a servant for her brother and his adopted family, that is, until the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan. She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

Goodreads Rating: 4.06
My Rating: 3.50

Would I recommend?: Depends.
Why?: I received this book in a monthly OwlCrate box but I was reluctant to read this book since it didn’t sound like something up my alley. Eager to reach my Goodreads goal before the end of the year, I picked it up since it was “relatively short.”

I will say, I liked this book more than I had expected. And I now understand all of the hype around it, I just don’t necessarily agree since I still didn’t LOVE it. If you’re into fantasy and action books, then yes, I would definitely recommend. I loved the unique time period of this book as vikings are not a common culture focused upon in YA literature.

My problems with this book were generally in the beginning, when things happened that didn't quite make sense. My biggest problem was when the main character brought on her own downfall (and she had PLENTY of time to fix it). Then there was the ending, which for me, just kinda…ended. It was strange because it seemed to just end very abrupt. Kind of like, “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! ….Ok we’re done.”

Apart from there being a few things that didn’t seem to line up properly, it was a good book. And if you’re into the YA fantasy genre, I’d definitely give this a go. If you’re not so into that, I’d pass.

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Title: Black Wings Beating
Author: Alex London
Published: October 9th, 2018
Pages: 432

Goodreads Rating: 4.15
My Rating: 4.00

Quick synopsis: The people of Uztar have long looked to the sky with hope and wonder. Nothing in their world is more revered than the birds of prey and no one more honored than the falconers who call them to their fists.

Brysen strives to be a great falconer--while his twin sister, Kylee, rejects her ancient gifts for the sport and wishes to be free of falconry. She's nearly made it out, too, but a war is rolling toward their home in the Six Villages, and no bird or falconer will be safe.

Together the twins must journey into the treacherous mountains to trap the Ghost Eagle, the greatest of the Uztari birds and a solitary killer. Brysen goes for the boy he loves and the glory he's long craved, and Kylee to atone for her past and to protect her brother's future. But both are hunted by those who seek one thing: power.

Would I recommend?: Yes! Especially if you're a LOTR fan!
Why?: Black Wings Beating is the perfect fall read full of adventure, killer birds, family, and unrequited love. For everyone who said this was The Lord of the Rings meets birds... you are 100% correct, and no that is not a joke. There are some freakish similarities, but I’ll let you figure them out for yourself instead of having me spoil the whole story.

This book was a very well written and organized book. The writing flowed very smoothly, and there were no jumps in the storyline. Nor were there any points in the story that seemed unnecessary, which for a fantasy novel, I have found to be quite unusual since authors want to provide as much detail as possible, sometimes oversharing.

The only cons I found with this book were the brother and the ending. The brother was so unbelievably blinded by love, it led to his own downfall, (and ultimately everyone else's). However, I understand this was needed for the plot of the book, so I’m getting over it. As for the ending, it kind of just...ended. It was “Okay, let’s go do this now!” and then done. It wasn’t super promising for an epic sequel, and I’m skeptical as to where it’s going to go, but I’m excited for it’s continuation nonetheless!

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Title: Love & Luck
Author: Jenna Evans Welch
Published: May 8th, 2018
Pages: 320
Goodreads Rating: 4.07
My Rating: 2.00

Quick synopsis: Addie and her family are visiting Ireland for her Aunt's wedding. Plans are that Addie and her brother, Ian, will go visit Addie's friend in Italy after the wedding while the rest of the family tour Ireland with the wedding party. Ian and Addie meet up with Ian's Irish friend, Rowan, and a missed flight to Italy leads to a road trip across Ireland with her brother and his friend. All of this while Addie is trying to mend her broken heart as well as her relationship with Ian.

Would I recommend?: No...but maybe?
Why?: So. I'm struggling on what to rate this one. I REALLY did NOT like this book. It was a major let down after reading Love & Gelato two years ago. I waited 2 years for this book...2 years and then was majorly let down.

I will blame myself on this one since I did not read the book description (I don't tend to with contemporaries) and instead just made assumptions that it would be similar to how Love & Gelato was...because that only makes sense to me. So please keep that in mind when reading the remainder of my review:

So, first off, there's NO love interest. This book is about a girl getting over a 3 month "fling" with her brother's dumb friend while also fighting CONSTANTLY with her brother. Then the ending? What........? I've never been so confused in my life. A ritual? The entire thing was so cringe worthy and completely unrealistic. *shudder*

And finally, Addie was a supposed "mechanic"....can I just say that MOST of her diagnoses were incorrect? I get that most readers probably wouldn't know the difference, but i'm sorry, my husband works on his own trucks. I'm well aware that a car can 100% function after losing a tail pipe.

HOWEVER. I really cannot give this book just 1 star...because it wasn't THAT bad, it was just frustrating given I waited TWO YEARS for this. I'm just incredibly disappointed...but it DID have some good parts...just very little. I mean, I really do enjoy Jenna Evans Welch's writing...I was just not a fan of this story.

That being said, if you're up for a contemporary about a girl getting over "heartbreak" and mending her relationship with her brother? Then you will probably love this. Going into this book thinking it will be on par with "Love & Gelato," you've been warned.

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Book Count: 10

Pages Count: 2,034

Star Count: 38/50

Adulthood is a Myth and Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen

Both of these were graphic novels with little shorts of how Adulting is hard (impossible), and oh my gosh is Sarah Anderson SPOT ON. This was fantastic. I'm dying laughing. The amount I can relate to this is unnerving. I can’t say more good things about this. You’ll just have to read it yourself to believe me.

The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe

DNF

Based on the experience of real-life Auschwitz prisoner Dita Kraus. Fourteen-year-old Dita is one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. When Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch asks Dita to take charge of the eight precious volumes the prisoners have managed to sneak past the guards, she agrees. And so Dita becomes the librarian of Auschwitz.

I really wanted to like this one since I love reading WWII historical fiction. Unfortunately, this one was seriously lacking. It felt like it was very childish, and there was no emotion in the writing regardless of it being set in Auschwitz.

I just feel that it did no justice to the survivors and victims of Auschwitz. I understand that it was historical fiction, but reading the story, which just seemed childish & carefree, allowed me to forget where they actually were...which almost seemed to me like they were playing Auschwitz off like it was "no big deal."

I will say that there were some really great one-liner quotes in there, which just shows me that the writer is completely capable of writing a fantastic story. This was just unfortunately NOT it.

The Breakdown by B.A. Paris

DNF

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods in the middle of a downpour, with a woman sitting inside—a woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind, but since then, she’s been suffering from short term memory loss, which is driving her mad. The only thing she can’t forget is that woman and the terrible nagging guilt. Or the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her.

I could not POSSIBLY continue with this. Oh my dear lord. This was painful to read. Where was that even going? I got MORE than halfway through and literally NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. You're just here watching a woman lose her mind and it's driving ME mad. I'm done. I tried, but I can't. I'm so frustrated.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

THIS WAS SO GOOD. WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO READ THIS?! I'm starting to realize though that everything Marissa Meyer writes turns to gold. I have yet to find a book by her that I don't love.

Cinder, a cyborg under her step-mother’s control, is the best mechanic in all of New Beijing. When the Royal Prince hires her to fix his droid, an unlikely friendship forms between the two. But when Cinder is captured for scientific tests, she finds out who she really is -- and that might cost her everything she now knows and loves.

This was exactly what I wanted from the book. There wasn’t TOO much action, there wasn’t too much lovey dovey-ness, and it wasn’t TOO sci-fi. It was a perfect balance of everything I love in a book. However, I couldn't help but pull comparisons to TOG though? Long lost princess/queen? Hm?

Ever The Hunted by Erin Summerill

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

It was fast paced enough to keep me interested and the storyline was beautiful.

This was significantly better than I had expected, considering I heard pretty mixed reviews on it, but I'm really glad I gave it a go.

I gave it 4 stars only because it didn’t blow me away. That being said though, I still cannot wait to read the next book. Definitely a series worth reading.

Ms. Marvel: Volumes 1-3 by Willow G. Wilson

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City — until she's suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman?

Reasons to read this series:

Diversity - hell yeah.

It’s freaking hilarious

The graphics are epic

It’s bloody adorable

You need it in your life even if you don’t know that yet.

All The Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

Nicolette (Nic) has a really dark past. When her brother calls her for help, she must leave her perfect life behind in Philly and return to Cooley Ridge, North Carolina. But when Nic returns, she’s reminded of her best friend’s kidnapping that happened 10 years ago. Within hours of her return, secrets begin to rise to the surface and everything Nic once knew is about to be flipped upside down.

Another really great mind bender. I thought the timeline of this was really fantastic, regardless of how much it confused me at first. You got to see how the story developed backwards instead of forwards...what an interesting concept. Not to mention the actual mystery was really gripping! And then when you find out what REALLY happened, it's like 'HOLY CRAP I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.' Yeah. Really good.

Anyways. Only reason I gave it 4 stars was because the whole backwards time thing threw me off in the beginning and it took me a while to get used to it (but once I did I really enjoyed it!)