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thebakersbooks's reviews
281 reviews
City of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab
4.0
Firstly, I'm impressed that Victoria Schwab can write across three age categories with equal skill. City of Ghosts is a just-creepy-enough middle grade novel that's perfect to read during October. Schwab successfully maintains her authorial style while adapting both story and prose to suit a younger audience. (Her love of Edinburgh really makes the setting shine, too.)
I gave this four stars because while I found the characters and concept interesting, the plot felt underdeveloped. The villain, in particular, would've benefitted from a bit more detail. Given the word-count limitation that comes with writing MG, I think it's a solid book.
I'm definitely going to read the next Cassidy Blake novel!
(The audiobook narrator was excellent as well - I'm not a good judge of accents, but none of the characters' voices were grating or obnoxious.)
I gave this four stars because while I found the characters and concept interesting, the plot felt underdeveloped. The villain, in particular, would've benefitted from a bit more detail. Given the word-count limitation that comes with writing MG, I think it's a solid book.
I'm definitely going to read the next Cassidy Blake novel!
(The audiobook narrator was excellent as well - I'm not a good judge of accents, but none of the characters' voices were grating or obnoxious.)
Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore
5.0
(I received an ARC of this book via Goodreads giveaway.)
Blanca & Roja is a retelling of Snow White and Rose Red. It's the third book I've read by Anna-Marie McLemore, and it's another instant favorite: atmospheric and full of understated magic. As always, the prose is lyrical and descriptive without seeming overwrought; the characters experience deep emotion without verging into melodrama.
McLemore perfectly captured the combination of love and rivalry that comes with having a sibling—although in this case, the stakes were higher than I remember from childhood. (Side note: I was happy to have my belief that swans are horrid and scary vindicated.) This story had a lot going on between its four alternating points of view, but at its heart, it's about the bond between sisters.
The classic tale gets a uniquely personal twist from McLemore's recollections of growing up as a white-passing Latina. Like When the Moon Was Ours, it also draws on her husband's experiences as a nonbinary trans person. My personal favorite, both representation-wise and personality-wise, was Page, one of the best nonbinary characters I've ever read.
Blanca & Roja is romantic and devastating, the best kind of emotional roller coaster. It's a wonderful addition to a year of outstanding YA releases.
Blanca & Roja is a retelling of Snow White and Rose Red. It's the third book I've read by Anna-Marie McLemore, and it's another instant favorite: atmospheric and full of understated magic. As always, the prose is lyrical and descriptive without seeming overwrought; the characters experience deep emotion without verging into melodrama.
McLemore perfectly captured the combination of love and rivalry that comes with having a sibling—although in this case, the stakes were higher than I remember from childhood. (Side note: I was happy to have my belief that swans are horrid and scary vindicated.) This story had a lot going on between its four alternating points of view, but at its heart, it's about the bond between sisters.
The classic tale gets a uniquely personal twist from McLemore's recollections of growing up as a white-passing Latina. Like When the Moon Was Ours, it also draws on her husband's experiences as a nonbinary trans person. My personal favorite, both representation-wise and personality-wise, was Page, one of the best nonbinary characters I've ever read.
Blanca & Roja is romantic and devastating, the best kind of emotional roller coaster. It's a wonderful addition to a year of outstanding YA releases.