Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

 

 

Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Author: V.E. Schwab

Release Date: October 6, 2020

Page Amount: 448 pages, Hardcover, Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition

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GoodReads Blurb:

A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever—and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

Review:

Wow. This was amazing. The writing was lush, immersive, stunning. I am actually jealous of the beautiful writing in this book. V. E. Schwab is incredible. I need to go back and add so many more tabs to mark my favorite quotes. 

I was not expecting twists in this, but there were some twists. A couple (after the first twist) I suspected, but wasn't sure. They were great.

There were amazing characters, too. I love Addie. Her defiant joy is beautiful and inspiring. That's how V. E. Schwab described Addie's character, "defiant joy", and it is perfect. Henry was also great. And the Darkness was also a fascinating character. Several of the lines I already have tabbed are either about him or were said by him. So stunning. The dynamic with Addie was interesting. 

I just absolutely adore this book and would recommend it a thousand times over. 

5 quills

Book Review: Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

 

 

Title: Stone Blind

Author: Natalie Haynes

Release Date: September 15, 2022

Page Amount: 371 pages, Paperback

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GoodReads Blurb:

The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships and Pandora's Jar returns with a fresh and stunningly perceptive take on the story of Medusa, the original monstered woman.

They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster. 

The only mortal in a family of gods, Medusa is the youngest of the Gorgon sisters. Unlike her siblings, Medusa grows older, experiences change, feels weakness. Her mortal lifespan gives her an urgency that her family will never know.

When the sea god Poseidon assaults Medusa in Athene's temple, the goddess is enraged. Furious by the violation of her sacred space, Athene takes revenge--on the young woman. Punished for Poseidon's actions, Medusa is forever transformed. Writhing snakes replace her hair and her gaze will turn any living creature to stone. Cursed with the power to destroy all she loves with one look, Medusa condemns herself to a life of solitude.

Until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . .

In Stone Blind, classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes turns our understanding of this legendary myth on its head, bringing empathy and nuance to one of the earliest stories in which a woman--injured by a powerful man--is blamed, punished, and monstered for the assault. Delving into the origins of this mythic tale, Haynes revitalizes and reconstructs Medusa's story with her passion and fierce wit, offering a timely retelling of this classic myth that speaks to us today.

Review:

A fantastic retelling of Medusa. I loved all of the different perspectives we got. I also loved the questions this novel brought up about what a monster, who decides who is a monster, etc. That sort of theme has always deeply appealed to me. The second I read the first page of this, I knew I would love it. And I was absolutely right. The writing was wonderful, as was the characterization of everyone in the book. It was amazing, and I would highly recommend it. Especially if you are interested in Greek Mythology and retellings of Greek Mythology. I will certainly be reading more by Natalie Haynes in the future.

5 quills

Book Review: The Cabin by Natasha Preston

 

 

Title: The Cabin

Author: Natasha Preston

Release Date: 01 September 2016

Page Amount: 336 pages, Paperback

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GoodReads Blurb:

There may only be one killer, but no one is innocent in this thriller from Natasha Preston, the New York Times bestselling author of The Cellar and The Cabin

A weekend partying at a remote cabin is just what Mackenzie needs. She can't wait to let loose with her friends. But a crazy night of fun leaves two of them dead--murdered.

With no signs of a forced entry or struggle, suspicion turns to the five survivors. Someone isn't telling the truth. And Mackenzie's first mistake? Assuming the killing is over...

Review:

This was a very quick read. I got through it fast. It was definitely a page turner. There were times it did read a little too young for me, but that didn't deter me. I suspected almost everyone at one point or another, but I had a top two. I don't want to say whether I was right or not. The ending of this did bring the rating down for me. If not for the last two chapters, it would have been a pretty solid popcorn thriller. Unfortunately, the ending ruined it for me.

3 quills

Book Review: If You Tell a Lie by Lucinda Berry

 

 

Title: If You Tell a Lie

Author: Lucinda Berry

Release Date: 23 July 2024

Page Amount: 271 pages 

 

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GoodReads Blurb:

Bestselling author Lucinda Berry serves up a haunting thriller about four friends sworn to secrecy over the events of one fateful summer--and the dark truths that threaten to erupt years later.

They never considered how his wife might react, or that by the end of the summer a man would be dead. But Blakely always got her way, and the others followed her lead--even when they knew it was dead wrong.

The girls had been friends from day one at Camp Pendleton, a haven for gifted children. But their senior summer was different. When Mr. Crosby, the handsome tennis coach, wound up murdered after a reckless lie, Blakely, Grace, Meg, and Thera swore themselves to secrecy. And never spoke to each other again.

Until now. Twenty years later a sinister note claiming to know what they did brings them back together. And once again Blakely is pulling the strings.

Unfolding in a dual timeline, If You Tell a Lie is a disturbing journey into the dangerous, sometimes deadly consequences of peer pressure--with a bone-chilling twist you'll never see coming.

Review:

This was my first Lucinda Berry book. It was a very good thriller. The writing was good and there was definitely depth to the story. It certainly had some very disturbing things happen. It's hard to review thrillers, because I don't want to say a lot. 

There was a lot going on, but not in the action packed sort of way some thrillers are. There were things I did predict, but that didn't effect my enjoyment of the book at all. Overall, I thought it was a good thriller and I would recommend it. I would definitely read something by Lucinda Berry again.

4 quills

Book Review: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

 

 

Title: The Magic Fish

Author: Trung Le Nguyen

Release Date: 13 October 2020

Page Amount: 229 pages

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Blurb:

Tiến loves his family and his friends...but Tiến has a secret he's been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together. 

Real life isn't a fairytale. 

But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It's hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn't even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he's going through? 

Is there a way to tell them he's gay? 

A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what--we can all have our own happy endings.

Review:

I love a graphic novel. I also love fairy tales, and I thought the concept of this one sounded very interesting. There were parts of this that got a lot darker than I thought it would be; the fairy tale part, that is. Not at all a bad thing, just something to maybe keep in mind. 

I liked the art and that it had a color language to it. Each of the storylines, so to speak, were in a mostly monochromatic tone, and I thought that was very cool. For example. the when Tiến is reading the fairy tales, they are in a purple color scheme.
I always think it's interesting to see different versions of fairy tales so I liked that aspect to this. I thought the ending was very good, as well, but don't want to say why as that would give it away. ;) 

3.75 quills

Book Review: Once Upon a Time: The Shadow of the Queen

 

 

Title: Once Upon A Time: Shadow Of The Queen

Series: Once Upon A Time #2

Author: Daniel T. Thompson, Corinna Bechko with Vasilis Lolos (Illustrator), Stephanie Hans (Illustrator), Mike Henderson (Illustrator), Mike Del Mundo (Illustrator)

Release Date:  03 September 2013

Page Amount: 112 pages

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Blurb:

The Evil Queen has, quite literally, captured the Huntsman's heart -- and now he's her slave. Based on the world of ABC's hit primetime series ONCE UPON A TIME, this is the never-before-told tale behind their twisted relationship -- and what happens when a good man is forced to do bad. When Regina cooks up yet another devious plan to capture Snow White -- this time by allying with a pack of power-hungry werewolves -- the Huntsman comes face-to-face with his past...and an independent spirit in Red Riding Hood that just may match his own. Can these two break free of the forces that bind them and save Snow White? When put to the test, where will the Huntsman's loyalties lie? Has the Evil Queen stolen his heart in more ways than one?

Review:

I love Once Upon a Time, I love graphic novels, and I love the Huntsman from Once Upon a Time, so I was very excited to get this in a collection of birthday gifts from one of my best friends and fellow author, Rebekah Palmer. 

I was excited to see more of the Huntsman in this as I wish we had more of him in the show. It took one turn in particular that I was definitely not expecting. The art styles were different with each chapter (there was a different artist for each), which I really liked a lot. 

A good story, with great art that I really enjoyed reading. I would definitely recommend this if you are a fan of the show Once Upon a Time. 

I'm looking forward to reading the other that I got. <3 

4 quills

Book Review: Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee with Stephanie Hans (Illustrator)

 

 

Title: Loki: Where Mischief Lies

Series: Marvel Universe

Author: Mackenzi Lee with Stephanie Hans (Illustrator)

Release Date: 03 September 2019

Page Amount: 416 pages 

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Blurb:

An instant New York Times best seller

*"This deft, nuanced examination of identity, destiny, and agency is a surprisingly tender addition to the Marvel canon."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"This mischievous origin story is sure to satisfy fans of this popular character."-Booklist, starred review

Selected for the ILA-CBC 2020 Young Adults' Choices reading list.

This is the first of three young adult novels from New York Times best-selling author Mackenzi Lee that explores the untapped potential and duality of heroism of popular characters in the Marvel Universe.

Before the days of going toe-to-toe with the Avengers, a younger Loki is desperate to prove himself heroic and capable, while it seems everyone around him suspects him of inevitable villainy and depravity . . . except for Amora. Asgard's resident sorceress-in-training feels like a kindred spirit-someone who values magic and knowledge, who might even see the best in him. 

But when Loki and Amora cause the destruction of one of Asgard's most prized possessions, Amora is banished to Earth, where her powers will slowly and excruciatingly fade to nothing. Without the only person who ever looked at his magic as a gift instead of a threat, Loki slips further into anguish and the shadow of his universally adored brother, Thor. 

When Asgardian magic is detected in relation to a string of mysterious murders on Earth, Odin sends Loki to investigate. As he descends upon nineteenth-century London, Loki embarks on a journey that leads him to more than just a murder suspect, putting him on a path to discover the source of his power-and who he's meant to be.

Review:

I think the thoughts in my reading journal mostly have spoilers, so I'm going to see what I can say here. 

I really enjoyed this book. The thing is, if you have watched the MCU, you have a general idea of where things are going in regards to Loki's character, since it is set before the events of the MCU. Which for me made the whole read have a sad tone running through it because I love Loki and it is sad to see him on the arc to where he he will be in the beginning/the middle of the first three phases of the MCU. 

That being said, it had a lot that I really liked. The tone and sarcasm of Loki was there, which I loved. Seeing the relationship between Thor and Loki was at times fun, and at times sad. I always loved Frigga and Loki. I actually think I would have liked a bit more of Frigga and Loki. Amora was interesting, to say the least. I loved that Loki ended up in 1800s London. And I enjoyed the characters Mrs. Sharpe and Theo. I especially loved the interactions between Theo and Loki.

I also have to say it: I feel like this book gave me something I felt I was missing in the Loki series, which would be showing a bit more of Loki's bisexuality. It wasn't at all the main point of the plot, which wasn't even what I wanted, but in the series there was one line that some people didn't even get. Here we explore it a bit more, but it wasn't the only thing going on or what entirely defined Loki as a person, so I appreciated both of those things. 

Also, there were several MCU references throughout, which were  a joy to read and pock up on. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I would highly recommend it to any Loki or Marvel fan.

4.5 quills