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aylea's reviews
1442 reviews
Heiress Takes All by Austin Siegemund-Broka, Emily Wibberley
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Olivia doesn’t like her father. He cheated on her mom, kicked them out of their luxurious home, made her mom work long, painful hours after an accident, and cut Olivia out of her inheritance. When her father is getting remarried, she considers it an opportunity to get revenge for everything her father has done wrong. She gathers a group of fellow high school students and one former teacher to use the wedding to steal millions of dollars from her father’s online accounts and right the wrongs against her and her mother. Unfortunately, the schemes of other people who also don’t like her father and her ex-boyfriend make things more complicated than she expected.
Unfortunately, for a book that’s supposed to be based on high stakes and Oceans 11, I was bored for a significant part of the book. The concept is very fun, but I didn’t enjoy the execution.
My biggest issue with the book is the characters. While I understand Olivia’s anger, especially with the mistreatment of her mom, it’s hard to get behind her reasons for stealing, lying, and generally treating people badly to get what she wants. She’s supposed to be fierce and intelligent, but I was annoyed with her for most of the book. She’s supposed to be a master heist planner, but she isn’t. Obviously, things need to go wrong at some points in the book to make things suspenseful, but she came across as clueless and unprepared during most of it.
The other characters are generally either convenient or inconvenient. Their only traits are “helping Olivia” or “getting in Olivia’s way” mostly. It’s also uncomfortable to have a former teacher hanging out with them and supporting them in this illegal activity. I also didn’t think there was any real chemistry between Olivia and Jackson. I didn’t care that they were broken up, and I didn’t see what Jackson saw in Olivia when she was just conniving and mean. The only characters that seemed to have much development was Kevin and Olivia, and I couldn’t stand Olivia.
There are a lot of plot holes, and you have to put yourself in the shoes of clueless Olivia in many aspects to think that 1. Any of this is going to work 2. Her father would just let her get away with this in the end anyway. It’s frustrating how much you have to ignore, and the number of twists got tedious instead of building excitement.
If you just want a silly heist book and don’t need to care much about the characters, this could be a fun read. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me.
Clara Poole and the Wrong Way Up by Taylor Tyng
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Clara is starting at the Air Academy, eager to officially begin a life as an aeronaut. Unfortunately, when she arrives, she finds out she hasn’t been accepted like she thought. She has to compete as an alternate to secure a spot in the school. Worse, her friendships become more difficult to manage as part of a competition. And perhaps worse of all, a series of mysterious accidents and events make her think that all isn’t what it seems at Air Academy.
One of my favorite aspects of the sequel is the evolving nature of friendships in the book. Clara continues to be surrounded by an interesting cast of characters, but as the characters get older and face new situations, their reactions to things change, too. Friends she thought would stand by her aren’t her friends anymore, and people she considered enemies might not be as much of enemies as she thought.
The characters react strongly to the circumstances around them. Trauma, rivalry, and grief are woven together with hijinks, loyalty and respect. Both the adults and children's characters are interesting and varied, and just like people, you never really know how a character is going to react to the situations in front of them.
The concept of gender bias comes up in interesting ways. At first, I was worried the book would be trying too hard to pander to that audience, but it took a surprising twist that kept Clara and me guessing about people’s motives and biases. It goes over teachers playing favorites or having their own motives that the students don’t always understand. The adults are often hiding the truth, and Clara has to figure out who to trust and what’s happening at Air Academy.
This sequel is different in many ways from the original. It’s still charming and entertaining, with wacky adventures and characters, and it still has unexpected depth in things like grief and trauma. The setting, character shifts, and new characters keep things interesting and feeling new.
My one complaint is that because of the wackiness of the story, sometimes the plot feels muddled. It’s hard to tell if Clara’s biggest concern is getting accepted to Air Academy, fixing her damaged friendships, or figuring out what’s happening behind the scenes that is putting people in danger. Because of this, the stakes sometimes don’t feel as important as they should. However, the hijinks keep things fun from beginning to end.
Fans of the first book will continue to enjoy this series, and newcomers can read this book without necessarily reading the first (although I recommend reading the first to help people understand the character relationships, the world of aeronauts, and some of the more emotional moments). For a fun adventure full of friendship and balloons, you can’t go wrong with Clara Poole.
First Test by Tamora Pierce
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
For the first time, Tortall is allowing girls to join the training to be knights. But Keladry, the first girl to volunteer, is told she had to do a year of probation to make sure she's cut out for it first. Kel has to prove to everyone around her that she's as worthy of being a page and eventually a knight as everyone else.
I'm a long-time Tamora Pierce fan, and the Protector of the Small books were my favorite when I was younger. I was very curious about how I would like a graphic novel interpretation. I'm happy to say I was pleased with it overall.
While I didn't personally love some of the artistic interpretations (for some reason, the way Alanna looked just seemed too young and inexperienced to me), some of the characters are conveyed very well through the art. Neal is appropriately dramatic and hilarious in this version. Kel's character also comes across well, demonstrating how seriously she takes looking out for the people around her. Unfortunately, other characters we don't get to know quite as well. Also, Raoul has red hair in this? Don't like that!
While the story is condensed, it works well for this book for the most part. The most important events come across well, and important character moments aren't abandoned for the sake of the shorter format. However, the graphic novel format does make it harder to convey information about the world. Magic doesn't have time to be much of an aspect, so the one scene that heavily involves magic comes more out of the blue. It also would be unclear to readers why there is already a lady knight when Kel is the first one allowed to be trained if you don't have the benefit of the book's explanations or knowledge of Alanna's story. I do wonder if readers not familiar with the series would be confused at times reading this.
This graphic novel captures the essence of the story and characters that are loved by so many. Current fans are likely to enjoy this, and I hope this format brings more readers into the world of Tortall.
I'm a long-time Tamora Pierce fan, and the Protector of the Small books were my favorite when I was younger. I was very curious about how I would like a graphic novel interpretation. I'm happy to say I was pleased with it overall.
While I didn't personally love some of the artistic interpretations (for some reason, the way Alanna looked just seemed too young and inexperienced to me), some of the characters are conveyed very well through the art. Neal is appropriately dramatic and hilarious in this version. Kel's character also comes across well, demonstrating how seriously she takes looking out for the people around her. Unfortunately, other characters we don't get to know quite as well. Also, Raoul has red hair in this? Don't like that!
While the story is condensed, it works well for this book for the most part. The most important events come across well, and important character moments aren't abandoned for the sake of the shorter format. However, the graphic novel format does make it harder to convey information about the world. Magic doesn't have time to be much of an aspect, so the one scene that heavily involves magic comes more out of the blue. It also would be unclear to readers why there is already a lady knight when Kel is the first one allowed to be trained if you don't have the benefit of the book's explanations or knowledge of Alanna's story. I do wonder if readers not familiar with the series would be confused at times reading this.
This graphic novel captures the essence of the story and characters that are loved by so many. Current fans are likely to enjoy this, and I hope this format brings more readers into the world of Tortall.
The Extraordinary Curiosities of Ixworth and Maddox by J D Grolic
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
On one of her many days alone, Chloe wanders into a curiosities shop in London when she wasn't supposed to. She discovers that the shop's owners, Mr. Ixworth and Mr. Maddox, sell real magic. When Ixworth disappears, Chloe and Maddox get swept into a world of strange magic, kidnappings, and magic thefts to discover what happened to their friend.
This is the kind of book that I craved as a kid. Fun magical items, strange magical creatures and an almost found family aspect when discovering a magic world were all things I loved finding in books. However, as a grown-up, I couldn't stop thinking about how two middle-aged men were hanging out alone with and calling an eleven-year-old girl. Curse my adult sensibilities. Beyond that, the book was charming overall.
The characters in the book are one of the highlights. Chloe, Ixworth, and Maddox are a little different, but how they get along and understand each other is delightful. The curiosity shop is as whimsical and fun as the people who inhabit it. The descriptions make me feel like I could follow the general directions and find my way to the shop if I were visiting London.
The book lacks a little in terms of plot. There isn't a lot of tension, and there was so much foreshadowing in some parts that it felt like a drag to get to the part that was foreshadowed. The story picks up slowly. While it's fun to enjoy the whimsy of the magical situation, it was harder to get invested in the storyline. At the end, the darker elements didn't match up the rest of the book.
The book reminded me of books like Alice and Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but with toned-down whimsy and danger. The characters reminded me of books like The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Chrestomanci series, although I wouldn't say this book has the same quality as any of the books I've listed. If you're wanting something with a similar feel, however, this might be worth picking up.
Overall, I thought it was a fun book that unfortunately fell a little short of being truly great, although it's an enjoyable read nonetheless. If you're looking for a cozy, magical read with a touch of humor and an interesting mystery, this book might be a good fit for you.
This is the kind of book that I craved as a kid. Fun magical items, strange magical creatures and an almost found family aspect when discovering a magic world were all things I loved finding in books. However, as a grown-up, I couldn't stop thinking about how two middle-aged men were hanging out alone with and calling an eleven-year-old girl. Curse my adult sensibilities. Beyond that, the book was charming overall.
The characters in the book are one of the highlights. Chloe, Ixworth, and Maddox are a little different, but how they get along and understand each other is delightful. The curiosity shop is as whimsical and fun as the people who inhabit it. The descriptions make me feel like I could follow the general directions and find my way to the shop if I were visiting London.
The book lacks a little in terms of plot. There isn't a lot of tension, and there was so much foreshadowing in some parts that it felt like a drag to get to the part that was foreshadowed. The story picks up slowly. While it's fun to enjoy the whimsy of the magical situation, it was harder to get invested in the storyline. At the end, the darker elements didn't match up the rest of the book.
The book reminded me of books like Alice and Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but with toned-down whimsy and danger. The characters reminded me of books like The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Chrestomanci series, although I wouldn't say this book has the same quality as any of the books I've listed. If you're wanting something with a similar feel, however, this might be worth picking up.
Overall, I thought it was a fun book that unfortunately fell a little short of being truly great, although it's an enjoyable read nonetheless. If you're looking for a cozy, magical read with a touch of humor and an interesting mystery, this book might be a good fit for you.
Her Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Corey was inseparable with her best friend Bree -- until Corey's boyfriend cheated on her with Bree. Corey hates both of them for what they did to her, even when Bree suddenly dies. Things get more complicated when she realizes that she's gotten the attention of Hades, lord of the death, and Bree's death might have resulted from Corey's hatred of her. Corey finds herself in the underworld getting to know both Hades and the Furies, who want Corey to embrace the rage she feels at the betrayal she experienced. The more time she spends in the underworld, the more she learns and her powers grow.
I haven't read very many Hades and Persephone stories, but I love Greek mythology, so I was excited to give this one a try. I wanted to like this book more than I did. While I thought it had some interesting ideas for retelling this story in a modern way, it was hard to connect to the characters, and I think I would have struggled to finish it if I hadn't read it on an airplane flight.
Corey is hard to like. While her rage and feelings of betrayal are understandable, it's hard to like her when she spends the whole time feeling so angry and doing things that don't make her look like a good person. Even as angry as she is, it's hard to justify her actions or even how destructive she is willing to be in her life before she goes to the underworld. Although I enjoyed a character who is dark and angry, it's also just difficult to root for her.
The furies are more interesting as characters. I don't think I've ever seen such an interesting take. Usually, the furies are just general bad guys or all the same. I liked their different personalities and how they are both incredibly protective of Corey while being vicious.
The setting was a little confusing. It's hard to tell what kind of time period it was when they were using cell phones but also still actively worshipping the Greek gods. There aren't any answers to this. Why do these people still believe in Greek gods? What does worshipping them actually look like in the day-to-day, and if she actively worships the gods, why wasn't she a LOT more freaked out when they started showing up in her life? The underworld was also difficult to picture for the most part. When the entire world is described as gray and boring, it's, well, boring to picture.
The "romance" also falls flat. It feels more like Hades is more interested in her for a science experiment than anything else. Corey doesn't even think he's particularly attractive. The romance is less about her wanting to love him and more about deciding which side of the fight she will take. Unfortunately, that makes the book's ending feel flat. It's less about her choosing him and more about her not choosing the other option.
The most vivid aspect of this book is Corey's rage and betrayal. It is dark and strong. I did like the closure of their relationship and how Corey has to come to terms with what her best friend and her boyfriend did. Corey and Bree's relationship alone is the book's best part. While a lot of other things were lackluster, and while I don't even like either of the girls, the relationship is raw and complex and real. That and the furies made me give this book three stars.
If you're looking for a great Hades and Persephone romance, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a story about the complications of friendship and betrayal with a Greek mythology backdrop, this might be more your kind of thing.
I haven't read very many Hades and Persephone stories, but I love Greek mythology, so I was excited to give this one a try. I wanted to like this book more than I did. While I thought it had some interesting ideas for retelling this story in a modern way, it was hard to connect to the characters, and I think I would have struggled to finish it if I hadn't read it on an airplane flight.
Corey is hard to like. While her rage and feelings of betrayal are understandable, it's hard to like her when she spends the whole time feeling so angry and doing things that don't make her look like a good person. Even as angry as she is, it's hard to justify her actions or even how destructive she is willing to be in her life before she goes to the underworld. Although I enjoyed a character who is dark and angry, it's also just difficult to root for her.
The furies are more interesting as characters. I don't think I've ever seen such an interesting take. Usually, the furies are just general bad guys or all the same. I liked their different personalities and how they are both incredibly protective of Corey while being vicious.
The setting was a little confusing. It's hard to tell what kind of time period it was when they were using cell phones but also still actively worshipping the Greek gods. There aren't any answers to this. Why do these people still believe in Greek gods? What does worshipping them actually look like in the day-to-day, and if she actively worships the gods, why wasn't she a LOT more freaked out when they started showing up in her life? The underworld was also difficult to picture for the most part. When the entire world is described as gray and boring, it's, well, boring to picture.
The "romance" also falls flat. It feels more like Hades is more interested in her for a science experiment than anything else. Corey doesn't even think he's particularly attractive. The romance is less about her wanting to love him and more about deciding which side of the fight she will take. Unfortunately, that makes the book's ending feel flat. It's less about her choosing him and more about her not choosing the other option.
The most vivid aspect of this book is Corey's rage and betrayal. It is dark and strong. I did like the closure of their relationship and how Corey has to come to terms with what her best friend and her boyfriend did. Corey and Bree's relationship alone is the book's best part. While a lot of other things were lackluster, and while I don't even like either of the girls, the relationship is raw and complex and real. That and the furies made me give this book three stars.
If you're looking for a great Hades and Persephone romance, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a story about the complications of friendship and betrayal with a Greek mythology backdrop, this might be more your kind of thing.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0