kaceyjaceyxd's reviews
10 reviews

Backlash by Sarah Darer Littman

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challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

In this multi-POV story, we see how bullying can unfold many lives - not just those of the bullies or bullied. This novel explores a lot of heavy topics including bullying, fat shaming, self harm, and suicide. It is a very realistic approach to what high school can really be like, and gives great insight to how sometimes the politics of families have an effect on impressionable teens. While the overall tone of the book is quite tense and sad, it does come with a bit of a feel good ending. Not all things are wrapped up perfectly by the end, but that almost feels like an intentional allusion to the fact that rarely ever in life do things get neatly wrapped up - rather we are constantly working to improve ourselves and work towards a greater good. Overall a solid 4.5/5 for an emotionally charged, can’t put it down YA novel. Read in one sitting despite being over 300 pages. 

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Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

In this dual-POV, swapping between the depths of Libby’s and Jack’s minds, the reader is immersed in the struggles of a teen trying to find out the “why” behind who they are, and learning to accept themselves and others. Jack faces a rare neurological disorder with no cure in sight, and Libby faces an eating disorder she developed after a great loss. They each have their coping mechanisms, but they learn that sometimes coping mechanisms aren’t everything - you need community and to trust yourself. As they each work through their own struggles, relationships, and character flaws, they begin to see each other for who they truly are. A great book for readers looking for a realistic happy ending. The ending brings closure to the story while still leaving ends open enough for the reader to imagine a future, or for Niven to give us a sequel. 

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The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Following along Molly’s journey to “get a boyfriend” is more of a journey of self discovery, acceptance, understanding, and grace. The storyline touches often on the unique family dynamic, from her fraternal twin Cassie, to her two moms, to the extended family of each. Despite this, they remain a close-knit unit which is why it is so startling when Molly and Cassie take a step away from their usual bond. We explore turmoil, self doubt, and the importance of communication for relationships of all kinds to flourish. We see Molly learn that making assumptions isn’t always the best approach, and that being yourself truly is. The books wraps up with a satisfying feel-good ending on nearly all fronts, overall a very heartwarming and enjoyable read. 

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The Teacher by Freida McFadden

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Another great McFadden book! This one follows the life of Eve and her husband, Nate, both teachers at Caseham High School, as well as a student at the school named Addie. The novel is a multi POV swapping regularly between Eve and Addie and on rarer occasion Nate. We are brought on a uniquely thrilling multifaceted journey as we discover who all three “main characters” really are, their motives, and the truth behind the rumors that have been spreading around the high school like a wild fire. Between a budding relationship between Nate and Addie, a rivalry between Addie and classmate Kenzie, Eve’s growing boredom and disappointment with her own relationship with Nate, and a secret of Eve’s she holds all her own, the reader is left to piece together who’s telling the truth, who needs an alibi, and who may or may not be caught in the crossfire. The truth always comes out in the end though, and in typical McFadden fashion, down to the last page has the reader piecing the puzzle together. The last page even includes a nice little Easter egg that, while it doesn’t necessarily perpetuate the plot line, does make everything sort of snap into place and truly connects the storyline between Eve and Addie in a fairly unpredictable way. 

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Trigger Warning: Life with Multiple Identities by Annika Rose

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

A great walk through Annika’s life as she discovers she has a unique mental illness - as well as how she has learned to cope. A great insight into the mind of a very dedicated and amazing woman and well worth the read! 
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Suzette is a stay-at-home mom with as much disdain for her child as love, but for good reason: Hanna (who has been mute her entire 7 years of life) has started talking only to Suzette, and she has some very unsettling things to say. As Suzette pushes though despite lack of true support from her husband, her troubles with Hanna escalate until undeniable evidence forces Hanna’s father to come to terms with the fact that his perfect little princess may not be the girl he thinks she is. This novel is an alternating POV, switching between being told from Suzette’s and Hanna’s minds. We get a deep dive view into the trenches of young Hanna and her prevailing mental illnesses as well as Suzette and her faltering sense of reality.  The ending is not entirely satisfying, as it doesn’t give full closure to Hanna’s future, but it does close up other aspects of Suzette’s trials. 

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The first of the ACOTAR books, this installment focuses on the background development of Feyre and her relationship with the High Lord Tamlin. After making a grave mistake while working to protect and provide for her cold-shouldered family, Feyre is faced with a choice to fight a losing battle or transition into the faerie world. The Spring Court seems to treat her well, although seeming to put her in an overprotective bubble. After a turn of events that leads Feyre to put her very human skills up against some of the strongest fae-made tests, she will soon learn though that mind games in the world of fae are very real, a much bigger war is being wagered, and not everyone is exactly who they seem. 

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High and Dry by Sarah Skilton

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Very fast paced from the word go. The reader is immediately drawn a picture of Charlie Dixon’s very low-point in life, and we follow that low throughout the book by navigating an on-again-off-again romantic relationship, a questionable loyalty to an old friend, a series of crimes (one of which Charlie himself is being framed for), the hunt for a flash drive with unknown-to-Charlie significance, and of course the usual hum drum of being a senior in high school with an uncertain future. There are very graphic depictions numerous times of alcohol, alcoholism, drugs, drug use, addiction, selling/buying/making drugs, and the complications that come from illicit substance use, as well as a recurrent theme of forced drug use. We also follow the story of Maria Salvador whose dose of LSD leaves her hospitalized, uncertain if she will recover. Skilton is adept at giving clues that at first glance lead the reader in the very wrong direction, but at the end of the book click in to place to reveal the truth about many of the horror stories that have become Charlie’s life. The resolution is not entirely satisfying, leaving some if not most of the “end” up to interpretation of the reader. A short-story styled sequel could wrap this novel up well, or the door has been left open for a full-length second part following either Charlie, his not-so-girlfriend Ellie, or his comrade Ryder - especially if their paths were to cross again in a post-high school setting. 

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This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

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emotional hopeful 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

4.5

This Summer Will Be Different follows a story line of (sort of) forbidden love, friendship lost and found, self reflection and self development, and life lessons like standing up for yourself and your dreams as well as learning how to let go of what isn’t serving you so that you can grasp what will serve you. The storyline also follows a lot of relatable content from the hustle bustle of a 9-5 to the stress of both romantic and platonic relationship maintenance. This novel is not written in chronological order, giving the reader glimpses into the past that will set up the background for the main character while still giving  a taste of the action to keep development from feeling “slow.” There are multiple storylines within the main story that run side by side developing each character and their relationship(s) with other characters, and more than one “big plot line” to go with. There is no lack of tastefully written “spicy” scenes between seemingly star crossed lovers. The amount of detail will transport the reader straight to the streets of Toronto, the coast of Prince Edward’s Island, and many places in between. Overall it is well written and to the last page keeps the reader wondering if we’ll be left broken hearted or with a fairytale ending - and truthfully it’s a little bit of both. 

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