Book Review: The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

Thank you to Netgalley and Daphne Press for the advance reader copy of The Luminaries by Susan Dennard.

I have to start by saying that I really enjoyed this book, the story gave me a lot of nostalgia for the 2014 dystopian era when the Hunger Games and Divergent were incredibly popular.

The Luminaries are an ancient order who protect the town of Hemlock Falls from the monsters and nightmares that are in the forest. The book follows Winnie Wednesday who wants nothing more to join the Luminaries and become a hunter like her mother and grandmother before. 

Unfortunately Winnie's family are outcasts after her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor. However on her 16th birthday she can take the luminary hunter trials to restore her family's name. 

Winnie enlists the help of ex best friend Jay Friday to train her to survive. However the two uncover a dangerous new nightmare in the forest that no one has ever seen before one that can traverse all the boundaries put into place and does not fit the rules of any of the nightmares they know of. 

I really enjoyed the concept of this book, the writing style was easy to follow meaning I completed it in a few days when I did happen to sit down to read. The story was well paced and the characters were likeable. The ending while a little lackluster (I was hoping for a larger cliffhanger or reveal than what we received) sets the story up well for a sequel. This I will definitely read as there are many questions and theories I have that have been left unanswered. 

Overall if you are a fan of the dystopian/fantasy type genre this was a really fun read with a new take on an old concept. As mentioned above I really enjoyed the themes that reminded me of the dystopian YA era of reading. I would definitely recommend giving this book a read. 

Book Review: Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder Books for the advance arc of Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen.

This book had been on my radar for awhile and as it was suggested for fans of The Cruel Prince it was one of my highly anticipated releases of this year and I have to say it did not disappoint.

The story follows Violet a prophet to the king who earned her place by saving the prince's life when they were both children. Under the Kings command Violet has spun many lies based on her visions while growing up. However Prince Cyrus who she saved plans to have her stripped of her title once he is crowned King.

Following previous predictions of a curse only to be broken by the Prince finding his one true love, Violet is tasked to weave her greatest lie of all and as the line between love and hate blurs between Violet and Cyrus the curse and the right path forward become much more complicated.

This book was definitely one for the fairytale lovers out there it had everything magic, prophecy and a curse only to be broken by the prince finding his true love. It had many themes similar to the sleeping beauty tale but with an entertaining enemies to lovers trope added in.

The characters were all well crafted and I could feel myself getting lost in the story the more that I read. Based on the ending and the questions left unanswered I am hoping this book will become a series.

If you are thinking about picking up this book to read do not hesitate it was great escapism from the mundane day to day and I struggled to put it down once I started reading.

Thanks for Reading! 

Ski Weekend by Rektok Ross

The premise of this book and its tagline captured my interest immediately. Six teens and one dog versus a major snowstorm. Who will win? 

I was provided an advance copy of this story for an honest review. Thank you to the author Rektok Ross and Spark Press for the opportunity to read and review this story before its release. 

The story begins after our characters take a shortcut while heading on a ski holiday. The poor weather conditions and snow lead to them crashing the car in a snowy embankment in the mountains. The six teens must then use their wits and survival skills to keep themselves and their dog champion alive while attempting to find rescue. 

The characters all started with their own trope; Hunter is the stereotypical jock, Britney the popular mean girl, Lily the smart girl, Gavin the love interest for Sam, Stuart her brother who is overcoming his long term scoliosis and finally Sam portrayed as the loner, the 'final girl' of the group so to speak. 

Our main protagonist is Sam who volunteers in her spare time at an animal shelter. We see the story unfold through her eyes and are introduced to the 5 other characters from her perspective of them. 

It was a fascinating addition to the story about how her prejudices of each character changed as the story and the peril of the situation they were all in progressed. Also how the tropes of each character were broken down once you could see the depth to who they really were. It really showed how every characters personalities affected Sam and changed her way of thinking. 

The setting is haunting with eeirie silence, snow filled landscapes and no other person to be seen for miles. The writing really made me feel as if I was there within this landscape going through the trials with the characters. 

During their attempts to find help many characters sustain injuries leading to an increase in the tension and fear building within the group as the days progress without help appearing. How they overcome these trials and tribulations I found fascinating to read. 

This really added to the suspense and thrill of the story leading to a race against time to try and find rescue and to overcome the harsh mountain elements. 

The story itself was unlike any YA that I have read before. I was fascinated by the slow burn horror that gradually increased in intensity as the teenagers situation progressively gets worse. 

A simple premise that was executed well resulting in a thrilling and suspenseful survivalist thriller. 

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys YA Thrillers, it was the perfect wintery read while I was tucked up cosy at home on a cold autumn day. 

Thank you again to the author Rektok Ross and Spark Press for the opportunity to read this story before it's release.

Thanks for Reading! 

What I Plan to Read Next

What I Plan to Read Next

Finale - Stephanie Garber

The 3rd and final installment in the Caraval Series, I have already read the first two and I love the fantasy and magical elements of this series. It has similar aspects to the Night Circus and I love the way both share the imagery of the magical arenas.

'It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist.

With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time—only those who will win, and those who will lose everything.

Welcome, welcome to Finale. All games must come to an end…'

Book Review: Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill

Working in a library I am constantly finding new books to read but it has been awhile since I have read a book that has really gripped me! One that has made me feel every emotion under the sun including annoyance, frustration, even awe!

I just knew once I had finished this book I would have to review it! For those of you who haven't read it the synopsis is:

'Freida and Isabel have been best friends their whole lives. Now, aged sixteen and in their final year at the School, they expect to be selected as companions - wives to wealthy and powerful men. The alternative - life as a concubine - is too horrible to contemplate. But as the intensity of the final year takes hold, the pressure to be perfect mounts. Isabel starts to self-destruct, putting her beauty - her only asset - in peril. And then into this sealed female environment, the boys arrive, eager to choose a bride. Freida must fight for her future - even if it means betraying the only friend, the only love, she has ever known..'