Review: Ruined by Amy Tintera

Ruined by Amy Tintera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ruined was so much better than I expected. I haven't read a book one in a YA fantasy trilogy in awhile so I wasn't sure if it would grab me, but Ruined held me from page one and didn't let go until the very end.

If I could compare the novel to one book, I guess it reminded me a bit of Throne of Glass. I loved both books, but I did find myself liking Em a bit more than the MC in Throne of Glass. Em is tough, but she did seem to thaw a bit as she got to know Cas. Cas was great and I really loved his chemistry with Em, but I wish the author made him a little more flawed. I felt like the way he changed his belief system basically overnight was slightly contrived.

World building was fairly good, but I'm anticipating more details in the future books. I'm actually glad the author didn't dump too much info on the reader because my interest may have waned.

Overall, a great series starter that I look forward to continuing.

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Review: The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely loved this book! Heartbreaking, relatable, original, hopeful—I had literally so many emotions as I read Eden's gripping story. Rape survivor books are always tough reads, but this one hit me particularly hard. So many times I wanted to reach through the pages and just save Eden, save her from not only her rapist, but from herself. I loved the originality of tracking Eden over the course of four years following her attack. Five star read all the way. My only complaint was I wished for an epilogue (maybe four years later). I felt such a strong connection to Eden, I almost wanted to make sure that she was able to get her life back and be okay down the road.

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Review: Final Girls by Riley Sager

Final Girls by Riley Sager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Final Girls has been one of my favorite books so far this year. The pacing was so well done that I literally couldn't put the book down. There is a lot of red herrings thrown in and I liked how the author kept me guessing. The ending was so unexpected! I liked how the flashbacks built up gradually to what happened that fateful night and how it shaped the person Quincey has become. If you love thrillers that keep you guessing, this book is a must read!

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!

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Review: The Killing Jar by Jennifer Bosworth

The Killing Jar by Jennifer Bosworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't read the synopsis before picking up this book, so I went into the read with no clue about what was going to happen. The characters were really great in The Killing Jar, especially the main character Kenna. The author really took the time to make Kenna relatable and sympathetic. The writing in the book was very beautiful, it almost had a lyrical quality despite the sometimes dark subject matter. The tension builds gradually and the climax really had me gripped. I was satisfied with the conclusion and thought the author did a good job tying everything together. Overall, a great YA standalone.

***Thanks to the publisher for a copy for review.***

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Review: These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker

These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun book! I've had a hard time coming across a YA book that grabs me and I was so happy to finally pick up These Vicious Masks. I found the main character Evelyn endearing from the get go and I enjoyed her inner monologue. I loved her strong will, especially since the book takes place in the Victorian era. The book had more action than romance, which I normally don't like, but I found myself completely drawn into the plot. There is a touch of romance, but things are moving too fast to have it move to the forefront of the novel. The book does end with a cliffhanger so be prepared to want to read the next book ASAP. Highly recommend.

***Thanks to the publisher for a copy for review.***

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Review: A Drop of Night by Stefan Bachmann

A Drop of Night by Stefan Bachmann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a hard one to rate for me. A few of the elements I found really intriguing and the rest was kind of like "WTH is going on?" I definitely give the author points for originality. I never read anything quite like this one before (I heard comparisons to Maze Runner but I never read it before so I couldn't really say). The group of teens were interesting and as the book went on, they became less like caricatures. The main character was very angsty, but she grew on me eventually. The villains were one-dimensional, but there was a nice twist about their motivations at the end I hadn't anticipated. Overall, I liked the book and would read another novel from the author.

***Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.***

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Review: Dreamland by Robert Anderson

Dreamland by Robert L. Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was a mixed bag for me. I loved the premise and I thought the dream sequences were intense and captivating. The author was very detailed about the dream scenes and I felt transported along with Dea. However, I didn't feel a strong connection to Dea or Connor. This made me less invested in the romance or the outcome of the plot. Not a bad book overall, but I just wish the real world scenes were more intriguing.

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Review: Little Monsters by Kara Thomas

Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I was asked to review Little Monsters, I was super excited because I absolutely loved Darkest Corners. I finally got to catch up on my review pile and I'm so glad that I had a chance to read another book by Kara Thomas. Although I usually like a little bit of romance in my reads, this book had enough complex family and friend drama to keep me intrigued. I liked the creepiness of the book and the mystery kept me guessing. Definitely recommend for older teens and above.

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Review: From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My rating for From a Distant Star falls between three and four stars. There were parts I really enjoyed and I found the characters very likable. The pace was excellent and I was able to finish the book in just a few sittings. My only complaint would be how the book wrapped up. ***SPOILER*** I thought it was turning into an intergalactic romance, but that didn't end up happening. I just felt the chemistry between Emma and Scout and assumed that was where the book was going. I was happy to see her get a happy ending with Lucas, but since he was "dormant" for the entire novel, I wasn't invested in their relationship. ***END OF SPOILER***
Karen Mcquestion is a great author and I highly recommend any of her books. My particular favorites include Easily Amused and Favorite. If you're a fan of sci-fi YA novels, then From a Distant Star is definitely worth checking out.

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