Review: Heroes by Alan Gratz

Heroes by Alan Gratz
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Read for Battle of the Books 26

This is a very quick read. I can see why a lot of students like reading Alan Gratz's novels because it's all about history but with a splash of fun and a story to go along with it. This was the first one I've read and I was entranced into the story from the start. 

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Review: Half City by Kate Golden

Half City by Kate Golden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been hearing a lot about this book lately and I'm glad I got the chance to read it early. The beginning was a little slow for me, but once Viv got to Harker, I was locked in. I love how unique this book is compared to other books I normally read. I also love how strong Viv is. She knows exactly who she is and what she meant to do, but she decided to try Harkers because she can always learn more. She's smart and catches on to things very quickly. 

Reid is intriguing and I love how he is an abnormality of this world. The attraction between these two is intense. 

I adore all of Viv's new classmates and Penny. Her mother and sister are too judgemental for my taste and James is an idiot. I thought the lies Viv was telling her family were too much and there's no way they couldn't have figured out she was lying to everyone. 

But overall I'm surprised at how much I liked this book and I'm already excited for book 2 to find out what happens after that ending! 

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Review: Royal Blood by Aimee Carter

Royal Blood by Aimee Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Read for Battle of the Books 26

I adored the beginning part of this book when we first met Evan and she's taking a serious risk to help her roommate that she never talks to. That Evan was bold, determined, fearless.

Then the Evan we get for the rest of the book is, to me, a shell of herself. Which is understandable. She's thrust into this world she had no knowledge of our how to play the game properly, so she stumbles so much. I missed seeing the confident woman she truly is. Every once in awhile she'll come back out but it's definitely missing because of all the rules and etiquette. And also because of the royal family. Those people really are messed up and they treated Evan like crap even though it was Alexander who made his choice all those years ago. Taking it out on Evan is cruel. 

So surprisingly I actually really enjoyed this novel. I thought about continuing the series but will need to wait until the 3rd book is out so I can binge read them. 

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Review: The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh

The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Read for Battle 26

At first I struggled with this book because of the 3 viewpoints and different locations/time frames. I also struggled because the world in 1933 is not so different from a possible world in our near future and it was a lot to take in knowing this has happened and could very well happen again. 

But I stuck with it to see how each characters stories unfold. And I'm so glad I got to the end because I was moved by the ending. Moved in sadness and happiness and just pure emotion honestly. What each of these characters went through, are going through, is life changing. One of which I did live through.

The message in this book is powerful. I'm really glad I read it. I know I won't forget about these characters for a long time to come. 

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Review: The School for Invisible Boys by Shaun David Hutchinson

The School for Invisible Boys by Shaun David Hutchinson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Read this for Battle or the books 26. 

I thought it was unique and a quick read. Some surprises that caught me off guard. Overall it was a good story. 

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Review: Hart Street Lane by Samantha Young

Hart Street Lane by Samantha Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Diving into a Samantha Young novel is like coming home, each and every time. I read this book in one sitting and adored these characters so much. I was sad to see it end! 

Baird is wonderful. He fell first, love at first sight, years ago but he knew she was taken and decided to check his ego and be her best friend, even with his strong feelings. I loved that he came up with the game plan to lead into telling Maia his true feelings. And I love that he's always there for her when she needs him. His teddy bear composure really made me feel the love he had for Maia and how deep he truly cares for her and that was so wonderful to see!

Maia's situation with her ex-fiancee hit a little too close to home for me, but she did what I did. Grew into herself, realized the mistake she was about to make, and focused on herself and what made her happy. She was determined not to live someone else's life again and took charge of her own goals and I love that for her. Her bully at work was awful and I would never have kept the composure Maia did in any of those situations. 

And both characters had a lot of growing from past trauma that did cause their story to be a little bumpy. But because both were so madly in love (but let's face it, Baird was king of the love club), they were able to help one another through their trauma. 

I'm so glad I got the chance to read this next installment in the 2nd generation series and I can't wait for more by this incredible author! 

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Review: Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh. My. Lanta! I honestly can't believe how much I loved this book! I went in pretty blind but got immediately ensnared by this story and almost finished in one sitting!

Odessa is one amazing woman. Being forced into a marriage she wasn't expecting, leaving her family and hometown, learning to adapt to a whole new culture. Learning to fight and evade monsters. Seriously, this book kept me on the edge of my seat and Odessa really grew throughout this journey.

It's hard to talk about the love interest without spoiling anything. Let's just say, from the moment of the wedding, i knew exactly what had REALLY happened and having to wait so long for the reveal? Torturous. And the amount of lies and deceit and secrets the Wolfe family has? Insanity. I figured it about half. But the other reveals? Didn't see them coming.

I cannot wait for the next book to come out. Seriously, this has become a high anticipated release for me now!

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