Book Review Tuesday – Page 34 – The Bookish Mutant

Book Review Tuesday (2/20/18)-Thunderhead

Posted on February 20, 2018February 20, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

HEY EVERYONE!

Again, I’m home sick, (I SWEAR TO GOD, THIS COLD WILL NOT LET GO), but don’t worry-this time, I’ve got a book review!

This one’s a book I’ve been anticipating eagerly since October of last year. It’s the sequel to Scythe (If you want to see my review for that one, see 10/17/17), and boy, if the first book was mind-blowing, Thunderhead BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER! Which, honestly, was no surprise, as Neal Shusterman is a spectacular author, but let me just warn you that the ending left me…

…how should I say this?

Speechless. Mentally unstable. Shook. DEADISH.

Alright, I had to throw in a Scythe joke in there at some point. Not sorry. Here’s your review!

No spoilers. Promise.

Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2)

Since their apprenticeship, Citra and Rowan-now Scythe Anastasia and Scythe Lucifer-have gone in wildy different directions. Scythe Anastasia has remained within the Scythedom as it slowly crumbles into corruption. She knows something must be done, but everything she tries is blocked from all directions. Even with the help of her mentor, Scythe Curie, it seems that the Scythedom is doomed. Scythe Lucifer, after failing his apprenticeship, has broken off from the Scythedom, snuffing out all of the Scythes he deems corrupt. He’s now one of the most wanted people in the Scythedom, but thusfar, he has evaded them for almost a year. Through it all, Scythe Anastasia isn’t the only one with it’s eyes on the Scythedom’s path. The Thunderhead, the digital ruler of the new world, is not pleased with what it sees. But is there anything it can do?

Okay, THIS BOOK IS A MASTERPIECE. FIVE BIG FAT STARS. SOLID TEN ON MY SCALE. JEEEEEEEEEEESUS, I LOVE THIS BOOK.

(SIDENOTE-I’m pretty sure I looked like Chris Pratt here a few times while reading Thunderhead. No joke.)

Yep, I think the Arc of a Scythe series is now up there right next to The Search for WondLa and Keeper of the Lost Cities as one of my favorite book series of all time.

Well, thanks for reading, and stay warm/healthy/sane!

*mic drop*

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (2/6/18)-Kat and Meg Conquer the World

Posted on February 7, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, everyone, and welcome to the first BRT of February 2018!

Pretty much the most boring month of the year. There’s Valentine’s Day, but that’s pretty much all that goes on. Plus, Valentine’s Day is basically for stuffing yourself with overly sweet chocolates and insincere, fill in the blank cards.

*Will Toledo voice* “I’m so sick of…fill in the blank…”

Aaaaaaanyway…

PLOT TWIST-I got the following book from an internship I had at my local bookstore. I got to pick out seven Advanced Reader Copies in exchange for a review of all of them. (The best part? If I didn’t like the book, all I had to write was “Would Not Recommend”!)

It seemed that this ARC had been in there a little while, as it came out last November, I believe. But anyway, it was the first really fantastic one that I came across. Enjoy my review!

Kat and Meg Conquer the World

Though Kat and Meg are both freshmen in the same high school, they couldn’t be more different. Kat just moved, and she’s introverted and suffers from an anxiety disorder. Meg is far more extroverted, but she has ADHD and her parents just divorced. But when they’re partnered for a science fair project, they discover that they have so much more in common than they thought-in particular, their shared love of the video game Legends of the Stone, and a YouTube star who plays it. Soon, they become immersed in their LotS-oriented project, but it soon takes them down roads they’ve both never traveled before-be it a LotS convention, boyfriends, and even the YouTube star himself.

Squee! Even if you’re not a gamer, you’ll have no trouble understanding or (thoroughly) enjoying this book. Very realistic, diverse characters, fast-paced and well written, and all around fun! (Also, the back of the book said that it’s perfect for “fans of Nicola Yoon’s ‘Everything, Everything’, which I adored, so that’s a plus.)

Thanks so much for reading, and have a great evening!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/30/18)-Fairy Keeper

Posted on January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey there, fellow bookworms, and welcome to the last BRT of January 2018?

Is it just me or did this month fly by super fast? Come to think of it, that’s probably a pretty good thing. I’m kinda tired of nuts and tide pods and Somebody Toucha My Spaghets. (The latter wasn’t even that funny to begin with.) Gah.

Anyway, I actually bought this one on my Kindle while in Florida almost a month ago. The author had a very intersting take on mythical creatures, and a society that almost revolves around them.

Okay, now I’ll get to the review before I spoil anything more!

Fairy Keeper

In the world of Alluvia, many resources come from magic and mythical creatures. One of those is fairies-not the beautiful, dainty creatures you’ve been led to believe in, but more like bees than anything-used to produce nectar. The special humans who tend for them are the Fairy Keepers, marked by a butterfly-shaped birthmark on their necks and gifted with the ability to communicate and control a hive of fairies. Fourteen-year old Sierra is one of the Fairy Keepers, but she doesn’t enjoy her sacred job. But her opinion is soon shifted when she finds all of the fairies in her hive dead and the queen missing. She soon learns that this is no coincidence-fairy hives across Alluvia have been wiped out, and every queen gone with them. Will she find the source of these mysterious deaths, and stop it before every last fairy is gone?

Though this book wasn’t outstanding, it was certainly a very interesting and inventive take on magical creatures, and an alternate world that revolves around magic itself. The characters were very realistic, and it was easier to relate with their struggles.

Thanks so much for reading, and have an amazing rest of your day!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/23/18)-What’s Left of Me

Posted on January 24, 2018January 24, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hi there, everyone!

I’ve only started to really get back into the normal routine of checking out stacks of books at the library, browsing the Kindle library when I’m waiting for my holds, picking books up after school, etcetera. I read this particular book on my Kindle during the interim of finishing a stack of libary checkouts and waiting for my other holds. I must say, it was a very interesting concept.

Now, without further ado, here’s your review!

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What’s Left of Me

Eva and Addie live in an alternate version of planet Earth, in which a small percentage of the population is born a “hybrid”-a person with two souls inhabiting one body. Usually, one soul overtakes the other in early childhood, but when that doesn’t happen, the hybrid is institutionalized. Eva and Addie are a hybrid-though they hid the fact that Addie’s soul had not really dominated Eva’s. But the unimaginable happens, and she along with Hally and Lissa, and Devon and Ryan, two hybrid siblings, are now stuck in a clinic, where their other soul will be “extracted” from their bodies. Will they find away out, and keep both souls intact?

Though I would’nt say it was the best book in the universe or anything, it had a very fascinating and inventive concept, very realistic characters, and a well-thought out world and future. All in all, not at all a bad book!

Now, before I go, I’ve got two things to tell you:

Car Seat Headrest is re-releasing Twin Fantasy, (I’m listening to the “Cute Thing” re-release as we speak), and I’m considering doing a review of it.
There’s a something of a drastic surprise coming your way very soon. All I’ll say is that it has something to do with the background change.

See you later, everyone!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/16/18)-Shatter Me

Posted on January 17, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Before I get to the acutal review, I just want you guys to know that I did do a BRT last Tuesday, but something must’ve gotten weird with the post (or I got distracted) and it didn’t post. So you kinda get two BRTs today-one was just meant for last week.

Alrighty, that aside, hey there, and welcome to today’s BRT!

This one’s from the same author as Furthermore and Whichwood (you can search those in the “Book Review Tuesday” category, the latter is fairly recent), and honestly? I can’t decide whether I like Whichwood or this novel better! So if you decide to read it, PREPARE TO BE AMAZED!

Here’s your book review!

Shatter Me

Juliette was born with an ability-some say it’s a gift, most other call it a curse. With the slightest touch of her hand, she can kill a person in seconds. After 17 years of moving to new towns, discrimination, punishment, and expulsion, the ruling Reestablishment has put her in prison with charges for murder. But now, they have other plans for her. Now, forced to be a weapon for the Reestablishment, Juliette has glimpsed the oppressed reality of the world outside her window. With the help of another soldier, she sets in motion to escape. But with the eyes of the Reestablishment all on her, will she succeed?

Before reading this (and after reading Mrs. Mafi’s other works), I went into it expecting a well-written book, but a generally overused YA dystopian plot. Both were ture. Thing is, Mafi executed it so well that it was impossible not to be utterly enthralled. What a book!

Have a great rest of your evening, everyone, and stay warm!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1.9.18)-Everlost

Posted on January 17, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey there, fellow bookworms, and welcome to (finally) the first BRT of 2018!

Again, I’m so sorry that I was unable to do a BRT last week. That aside, I got this book from the library (no surprise there), and though it was relatively short for my taste, I loved it! Also, it’s by the same author as Scythe (See the BRT for 10/17/17), if that raises your expectations. It certainly did for me. Now for the review!

Everlost

Fourteen year old friends Nick and Allie were both killed in a car accident. But when their spirits passed on, they are not transported to where they’re supposed to be. Instead, they are now stuck in a place in between life and death. This place is Everlost, where lost children run free, with whispers of monsters and sinking into the ground to fear. Ruling over them all is Mary Hightower, who takes Nick and Allie in and teaches them all she knows. But though Nick feels that he has found a home with her, Allie seeks to know more, and above all, just wants to return home. Soon, she begins dabbling in forbidden magics, and soon discovers that Everlost isn’t as harmless as it appears…

Alright, technically this book was written around ten years before Scythe, but let me just say this: MAN, Neal Shusterman really did it again! Intricate world-building, complex characters, and just the right amount of creepy. Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!

Have a great evening, everyone, and stay warm!

OH! And also…

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO DAVID BOWIE!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (12/19/17)-Whichwood

Posted on December 19, 2017 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hi again, everyone! So glad to be back here on this oddly warmish December day! (*State Farm commerical music* Glo-bal war-ming, bum ba dum bum bum bum BUM)

As usual, I got this gem of a book from my local library, and boy, I LOVED IT!

But before this review, I have to tell you that you shouldn’t start it unless you’ve read the previous novel in the series, Furthermore. (See Book Review Tuesday-2/21/17). Though the author gives bits and pieces of the background, I still found it far easier to understand having read the previous novel. So, you might want to go back and read my Furthermore review if you haven’t read this one, and are interested. Either way, enjoy!

Whichwood

(Okay, can we just point out first that THIS COVER ART IS A GIFT TO MANKIND? I MEAN, REALLY…👌)

Laylee lives a life of sorrow and drudgery in her small village of Whichwood. Her mother is dead, her ghost haunting her at every corner. Her father left her, driven away by grief. And Laylee has taken up his job as the village mordeshoor, or the person who washes corpses in preparation for their journey to the afterlife. To top it all off, she seems to be growing sicker by the day-her hands, eyes, and hair have grown a pale, unhealthy silvery grey. But soon, her monotonous life is shattered by two other kids, and soon, she is swept off on an adventure that she’ll never forget. Will Laylee not only be cured of her sickness, but remember what it means to enjoy life?

In contrast to its prequel, Whichwood was far darker. And honestly? I loved that! From what I remember, Furthermore was lyrically written, whimsical, but almost borderline fluff. But Whichwood really blew it out of the water, introducing newer, deeper characters, spookier elements, and even better world-building than its predecessor. Such a treat to read! Such a shame that I bought Furthermore and got this one at the library…*wipes single tear from eye*

I hope you enjoyed my review, and enjoy your evening, night, morning, or whatever time it is in your time zone!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (12/12/17)- Star-Crossed

Posted on December 13, 2017December 13, 2017 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey there, fellow bibliophiles! I’m back, as promised, for another Book Review Tuesday!

I just returned this book to the library *wipes single tear from cheek*, and I thought it was super cute! I found it from the Goodreads Choice Awards page, and I had read another book by the author (Barbara Dee), and I decided to give it a shot. And…it was worth it! I hope you enjoy the book and my review!

Star-Crossed

Mattie has never been an actor. But when her English teacher announces the annual 8th Grade play, Romeo and Juliet, she auditions in an attempt to change her image. She is cast as Paris, and is soon swept up in all the ins and outs of theater. Mattie also meets Gemma-she’s new, British, and she’s playing Juliet. As preparations continue, Mattie finds herself growing increasingly close to Gemma. And soon, after the actor playing Romeo becomes more and more unfit for his roles, she is cast as Romeo, bringing the two even closer than ever before. Can Mattie ace her performance as Romeo while dealing with inner struggles and questions about her sexuality?

I really enjoyed this book for a few key reasons:

1-One word-SHAKESPEARE! I’m actually reading a different Shakespeare play in my class right now (Macbeth), and his works are just all-around fabulous.

2-LGBTQ+! Mattie’s sexuality is not directly specified, but it’s implied that she is bisexual (she has a crush on Gemma and there’s a subplot where she has a crush on another boy in her class). Super cool!

Also, it’s just overall well-written, with realistic characters and a fun plot.

Thanks so much for reading this, and I hope you all have a great night! Stay warm!

(Also, I’d just like to point out that the cover looks super cute when the WordPress snow is falling on it.) 😊

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (12/5/17)-Beast and Crown

Posted on December 6, 2017 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey there, fellow bookworms, and welcome to the first BRT of December 2017! The WordPress snow’s starting to miraculously pop into existence and float down across the surface of the computer screen…

Man, it’s already December? This year has gone by so dang fast…probably a really good thing because honestly? 2017 has been pretty sucky. Pretty much nothing compared to *last year* but you know what I mean.

Anyway, I’ve got another 2017 release (came out on my BIRTHDAY) from the author of The Fog Diver series for you today! Enjoy the review!

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Beast and Crown

Ji is a servant. Sally and Roz are maid and governess. They all live in Primstone Manor, and all three of them share a wish-freedom for themselves and Sally’s little brother Chibo, who is a slave at the tapestry factory in the city. Their plan? The Summer Queen is about to choose the new heir to the throne, and the nephew of the Primstone Manor’s owner is destined to be the new king. Together, they sneak along with the fated heir into the city, but soon realize that they each have a key role in the ceremony. Will they finally gain their freedom and save Sally’s brother?

I read this sometime in October, I believe, and I thought it was really cute and fun. Not as good as The Fog Diver series, mind you, but still an inventive, enjoyable adventure.

Off topic, I always associate this song with “Pills” by St. Vincent (see my MASSEDUCTION review) because I had just downloaded it and was listening to it on repeat. It is absolutely nothing like the book or anything, but y’know. Spectacular song.

Thank you so much for reading, and stay warm!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (11/28/17)-Warcross

Posted on November 29, 2017 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey there, everyone, and welcome to the last BRT of November 2017! I hope you all had a spectacular break and Thanksgiving! Let’s get through the last two days of this boring months together…with BOOKS!

I read this over break, as you might have gathered. I initially found it because it was a nominee for the “Best YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy” category on the Goodreads Choice Awards this year. Scythe was there too, so I voted for it, but I clicked on Warcross because, well, to put it simply, the cover is FANTASTIC. And the description seemed really cool, too. So I checked it out at the library, and was blown away. I hope you are too!

Warcross

In the not-so-distant future, people can escape to exciting game worlds with a pair of virtual reality glasses. And one of those games is Warcross-a competitive game with a global following. Emika Chen is only one out of countless fans, but she’s got a special job-she’s a bounty hunter, searching for players who do illegal deeds in-game. But her family is struggling, so she uses her hacking prowess to steal a rare object in Warcross. Intending to snag some money, Emika instead catches the eye of the game’s billionaire creator, and is soon spwept into the International Warcross Championships, acting as an in-game spy. Rumors of corruption are spreading, with potentially global consequences. Can Emika track down the source and save the games?

I still hope Scythe will win the GCA this year, but I won’t be surprised if Warcross wins, either. Marie Lu has built an imaginative, realistic future world, complete with unforgettable characters and splendid writing. Sci-fi fans, look no further! This is the book for you.

Well, I hope you guys have a fantastic night. I promise I’ll try and get out some more fan arts for you soon. Bye bye! 😉