Skye's Scribblings: Farrar Straus and Giroux

Showing posts with label Farrar Straus and Giroux. Show all posts

Friday, May 1, 2020

The #FridayReads Review (5/1/20)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendson (PBK)

Needed a light read I'd already reviewed (feeling a bit burned out this week) so I grabbed this with possible plans to try the sequel afterwards. The beginning was a little rough to get into, but it didn't take long before I was totally engrossed thanks to the entertaining characters and quick plot. Now I'm quite enjoying this alternate historical intrigue of magic and romance, and am reluctant to put it down. You can read my original review here.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Cross X Break vol. 2 by Duo Brand. (PBK)

3.5 Stars. Interesting isekai story with unique world and magic elements, although the artwork is somewhat amateurish with laughably skewed proportions. Intrigued to see where the plot is going, wish I had more...

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe (ARC)

Won an early ARC (yes, I squealed) of this Kiki's Delivery Service-esque MG story, so I plan to devour it as soon as it's out of quarantine!

So what are you reading this week?

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Review: I Believe in a Thing Called Love (Maurene Goo)

Title: I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Series: standalone
Author: Maurene Goo
Publisher: FSG
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Told: First Person (Desi), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (some language, sensuality, innuendo, teen partying and mention of drugs)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Desi Lee believes anything is possible if you have a plan. That’s how she became student body president. Varsity soccer star. And it’s how she’ll get into Stanford. But—she’s never had a boyfriend. In fact, she’s a disaster in romance, a clumsy, stammering humiliation magnet whose botched attempts at flirting have become legendary with her friends. So when the hottest human specimen to have ever lived walks into her life one day, Desi decides to tackle her flirting failures with the same zest she’s applied to everything else in her life. She finds guidance in the Korean dramas her father has been obsessively watching for years—where the hapless heroine always seems to end up in the arms of her true love by episode ten. It’s a simple formula, and Desi is a quick study. Armed with her “K Drama Steps to True Love,” Desi goes after the moody, elusive artist Luca Drakos—and boat rescues, love triangles, and staged car crashes ensue. But when the fun and games turn to true feels, Desi finds out that real love is about way more than just drama.

* * *

Confession: I've never seen a Korean drama. Never even been intrigued by them. What little snippets I've caught on social media were too over-the-top for my tastes, and without an easy way to watch them (I'm old-school, no streaming) I decided not to even try.

After reading this book: I'll be trying even less.

Because if K-dramas are anything remotely like this story, I couldn't handle all the cringing. An opening scene involving vomiting and phlegm-hawking, followed a few chapters later by the main character accidentally dropping her pants at school in front of her new crush? *shudder* But despite all the cringing this book produced, I couldn't not see it to the end. Why?

I wish I knew.

This is a hard book for me to review, just as it was a hard book for me to read. The writing and story were just engaging enough to keep me interested, but I almost gave up half a dozen times after one too many cringes and had to force myself to continue. The light voice and playful plot reminded me so much of favorite author Kasie West, but the non-Kasie older content (language, sensuality/innuendo, teen partying, etc.) put me off. Despite the negatives outweighing the positives though, I still had to see how it ended. But again, why?

I think it was because I was hoping the romance would fail. I wanted this to be the story I've been craving for years: a contemporary romance that ends with the girl not getting the boy. After Desi's dangerous manipulation (she almost killed him 3 times!), I wanted her to lose and learn from her mistakes, to realize she didn't have to go to such extreme lengths to get the guy and be better prepared for the next time.

Did this happen? No. Was I disappointed with the happy ending, despite being a romantic? Yes. Does that make sense? Probably not to most, so apologies.

Despite my disappointment, I must admit it was a rather adorable romance. And I understood Desi's desperate need for structure after her seriously epic flailures (flirting failures) in the past. But she went way overboard and crossed some dangerous lines, and I think it would've been better for both of them if they hadn't ended up together. But that's the power of love, right? It surpasses all understanding, most especially mine in this particular case.

Conclusion: A sweet if ridiculous teen romance that just wasn't for me, but I would easily recommend it to those who enjoy their romances over-the-top. Definitely recommend for K-drama junkies.

A Note about Future Maurene Goo Novels: After struggling with this book and DNFing the author's latest novel, Somewhere Only We Know, I sadly think I'll be passing on any other novels by Ms. Goo.

Scribble Rating:

2.5 of 5 Scribbles

Monday, February 13, 2017

Paragraph Reviews: The Shadow Society (Marie Rutkoski) | Countdown (Michelle Rowen)

The Shadow Society (The Shadow Society #1)

Title: The Shadow Society
Series: standalone
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Science Fiction
Told: First Person (Darcy), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, minor torture, some sensuality, a few words of language)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Darcy Jones doesn't remember anything before the day she was abandoned as a child outside a Chicago firehouse. She has never really belonged anywhere—but she couldn't have guessed that she comes from an alternate world where the Great Chicago Fire didn't happen and deadly creatures called Shades terrorize the human population.

Memories begin to haunt Darcy when a new boy arrives at her high school, and he makes her feel both desire and desired in a way she hadn't thought possible. But Conn's interest in her is confusing. It doesn't line up with the way he first looked at her.

As if she were his enemy.

When Conn betrays Darcy, she realizes that she can't rely on anything—not herself, not the laws of nature, and certainly not him. Darcy decides to infiltrate the Shadow Society and uncover the Shades' latest terrorist plot. What she finds out will change her world forever . . .

In this smart, compulsively readable novel, master storyteller Marie Rutkoski has crafted an utterly original world, characters you won't soon forget, and a tale full of intrigue and suspense.

* * *

This book turned out to be nothing like what I expected going in. I hadn't been impressed with The Winner's Curse so I didn't expect much of this earlier work, but it was surprisingly quite good! Although it began with the extremely overused "girl who appears normal but has a dark secret is drawn to a new mysterious boy at school" opening, after some rather shocking violence and alternate world twists it turned out to be an exciting read with engaging intrigue and action and a really strong female lead. I even rather liked the romance - messy and somewhat intense with a lot of baggage though it was - which is rare for me. The writing wasn't too descriptive with good dialogue and banter, and while not particularly visual I didn't have much difficulty following the movement. If I think about it too hard the parallel universes and Shades didn't make complete sense - neither are explained in great detail, and what details we did get were vague and kind of waved off for the sake of the plot - but it was an interesting and unique idea. Recommend for Contemporary Science Fiction readers as long as they're willing to let the setting slide and just enjoy the story.

Scribble Rating:

4 of 5 Scribbles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title: Countdown

Series: standalone

Author: Michelle Rowen

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Thriller

Told: First Person (Kira), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, sensuality, some language, life/death situations)
Format Read: Paperback (purchase)

Find On: Goodreads

Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Summary:

3 seconds left to live. Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped.

2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game.

Kira Jordan survived her family's murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis.

1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it.

Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira's psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan's secrets prove evermore deadly, Kira's only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can't escape.

GAME OVER

* * *

With its surprise Psi abilities, advanced AI, and dystopian world, this book was nothing like the straight thriller I anticipated. Middling characters and a subpar world left me wanting, and when the deadly game I was reading for ended with still over 100 pages to go I found what little interest I had floundering in too long a rest and romantics period before the teens headed off to "save the world." At Page 245 (of 367), after not picking the book up for almost a week I started a new book instead and pretty much threw in the towel, but after skimming the last chapter I gave it a few weeks distance and then decided I was curious enough to polish it off. Overall not quite engaging enough for my tastes, but lovers of teen dystopian thrillers might enjoy it as a guilty pleasure read.

Scribble Rating:

2 of 5 Scribbles

Friday, December 9, 2016

The #FridayReads Review (12/9/16)

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Countdown by Michelle Rowen (PBK)
Finally picked this up as inspiration for Project P edits, but it turned out to be not quite what I expected. It was pretty interesting and engaging to start, but now halfway through I'm rather tired of the main character's slowly lowering intelligence in the face of her slowly elevating mental powers, which I had not anticipated and feel kind of ruin the thriller story. Currently struggling to maintain interest.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski (ARC)
4 Stars. I wasn't impressed with Winner's Curse so I didn't expect much of this earlier work, but it was surprisingly quite good! Although it began with the extremely overused "girl who appears normal but has a dark secret is drawn to a new mysterious boy at school" opening, after some rather shocking violence and alternate world twists it turned out to be an exciting read with engaging intrigue and action and a really strong female lead. I even rather liked the romance, which is very rare for me. Review to come.

>> DNF <<

Dream a Little Dream (The Silver Trilogy, #1)

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier (ARC)
DNF at Page 37. Opened with too much normal living (not even a hint of the magic to come) and too many character introductions (I couldn't keep anyone straight) for too long. The writing was a bit dense (which admittedly can happen with translations), the main character read younger than I believe she was supposed to be, I really can't stand selfish parents, and I just couldn't find enough interest in the story to keep going. Might just be my current mood, but I'm going to pass. Other dream fantasy lovers would probably really enjoy it though, if they don't mind a probably 50+ page wait for the fantasy part to begin.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Black Butler vol. 22 by Yana Toboso (PBK)
Finally got my hands on this! Hopefully this volume will finally finish up the latest plot arc.

So what are you reading this week?

Friday, December 2, 2016

The #FridayReads Review (12/2/16)

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski (ARC)
Although it began with the extremely overused "girl who appears normal but has a dark secret is drawn to a new mysterious boy at school" opening, after some rather shocking violence and alternate world twists it has turned out to be a pretty good read with engaging intrigue and a strong female lead. Currently halfway through and quite enjoying it.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (ARC)
2 Stars. Although I did enjoy the world and game reminiscent of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there was way too much description, Scarlett was too reluctant and overthought everything to the point of frustration, and I never truly felt the sisterly bond. While the mystery of Julian was intriguing, after way too many switchbacks I lost interest before the final conclusion, and while the end was satisfying for the most part it left me feeling disappointed and a little gypped. Review to come.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins (ARC)
I have both books in the duology so I think I'll give it a try!

So what are you reading this week?

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Release Spotlight: Rebel Magisters (Shanna Swendson)

Today sees the release of Rebel Magisters, the sequel to Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendson! I really enjoyed the first book (see my review here) and have been eagerly awaiting the sequel for some time. If you haven't yet, given these books a look!

Title: Rebel Magisters
Series: Rebel Mechanics #2
Author: Shanna Swendson
Release Date: 7/12/16

Tea, Love ... and Revolution!

The Rebel Mechanics aren’t the only group plotting revolution against the magical British Empire. There are rebel magisters, as well, and Verity Newton and her magister employer, Lord Henry, know that the only way for the revolution to succeed is if both groups work together. A diplomatic mission seems like the perfect opportunity for them to meet with rebels in other colonies and gather support—right under the governor’s nose.

From drawing rooms, ballrooms, and the harbor in Boston to the streets of Charleston, Verity and Henry find themselves up against stubborn factions of both magisters and Mechanics and increasingly aware that they can only really count on each other as their relationship deepens. It may take a real crisis to unite the rebel movements and rally them to the cause—but could such a crisis also tear them apart?