literarycherub's reviews
80 reviews

 Y’all ready for my jumbled thoughts?

WHERE DO I BEGIN?! I had high expectations for this novel and it somehow exceeded them?!

Our main focus is August and of course Jane, but we have quite the ensemble of characters and I adored every single one. The romance? Incredible. The plot? Intriguing. The pop culture references? Obsessed!

I am so excited I understood everything that was referenced. There is a Lost reference about being a constant and wow way to make my heart ache years later 😭

The first half of the book drops us into August’s new life in New York. Soon she meets Jane on the subway and her life changes. The first half really set up the second half without being too in your face. We learn everything the same time as August. The second half is just a rollercoaster of emotions. I would be sad then happy then crying then freaking out! This book is definitely a new all time favourite and it has been so long since I wanted to scream about a book 😩

I am still processing to be honest. I am just gonna have some pancakes or a chocolate bagel and watch Say Anything. Maybe listen to an oldies radio station. Read the book to understand and feel what I’m feeling. Please!

Also, August is bisexual and wow we are just WINNING aren’t we? 

 This was such a quick read, coming under 200 pages, but wow it really packed a lot in! We are reading from the perspective of Amanda who is slowly becoming possessed.

Throughout the story we witness the subtle changes in her behaviour and eventually the not so subtle. The details in the writing created such vivid imagery. The pacing was perfect and could easily be read in one sitting. I will definitely be visiting this novella again and again!

Thank you again to @faberbooks for my copy. 

 
I want to start off by saying this is not a fantasy retelling. This is contemporary. A lot of people have been marketing this as a fantasy and then get let down expecting an entirely different book which is unfair to the author.

Luckily, I knew what I was getting into to and I really enjoyed this novel! It was a fun twist to read a fairytale in a modern setting without any magic. It was a dark thriller perfect for a young adult audience. The representation was amazing! Our main character, Wendy, is black and we have side characters who are Black, Korean, and Ojibwe. There is also amazing lgbtq+ representation such as lesbian rep, ace rep, and bi rep! I also appreciated the disability rep we had with a character hard of hearing and of course, our Hook with his amputated hand.

This was a refreshing and quick ride that took place over one night. Don’t know what else to say without giving spoilers since it being a retelling already gives so much away.

Thank you to Netgalley and Imprint for the e-arc. This title was released June 22, 2021. 

 Ace of Spades is described as Get Out meets Gossip Girl and that was enough to reel me in! It only took me a couple chapters to fall in love with Devon and Chiamaka. This story was so well paced and the commentary on today’s society was perfectly woven in. It was modern while tackling heavy issues that go back decades and centuries. Can I just say how perfect technology and social media was handled without being cringey or unrealistic? Because it was amazing. I was never taken out of my reading experience thinking about how “nobody uses social media like that”.

I also loved the queer representation in this. Both of the characters have natural relationships with the opposite sex and while it is mostly accepted, you do get a bit of homophobia. The characters are both outed in a way because even though they weren’t hiding it, they didn’t come out on their own terms. Aces would posts blasts about their “hookups”. Just wanted to mention in case outing is a trigger for anyone.

The racism was the main focus of this book and it illustrates anyone can be hiding their racism. The main characters are black and spend days and years with their peers only to find out those around them had a deep hatred all along. It was so horrible but I am sure this is reality for a lot of people. I was of course rooting for Devon and Chiamaka the whole time. I loved how they came together from different social circles to take down their racist academy.

This is a ya thriller novel but any age would enjoy this ride. It was just done so well and I am going to be thinking about it for a long time.

Thank you to Usborne Publishing and Netgalley for the arc! This title was released in the UK on June 10, 2021. 

As a millennial born in the early 90s, I really enjoyed these essays. A lot of them come from a place of privilege that I don’t possess, but the commentary on being a woman in this society is interesting to read. I found it to be a pretty good read overall! Definitely give it a try.

 Thank you @windmillbooks @penguinukbooks for my gifted copy! 

 This stunning story is set in the regency era with a light fantasy twist. Henry and Nina have some telekinetic powers, but it is never the focus of the story.

Henry comes back to town in hopes of seeing his old flame, Valérie. Instead, he runs into Nina. Soon he finds out she is actually the cousin of his former lover and takes this opportunity to get close to Valérie again. Of course, drama and scandal ensues.

Nina has a lot of social faux pas, but it adds to her charm because she is just being unapologetically herself. Valérie is her beautiful cousin who is seen in high regard. I really felt for her after reading her past and what she had to sacrifice for her family but my goodness her actions escalated quite quickly!

Hector was an interesting character and I really did root for him and Nina. Some of his choices were questionable but he always redeemed himself.

If you enjoy a good regency romance with beautiful prose, then definitely pick this one up!

Thank you to Quercus Books and Netgalley for the arc! 

 This was a powerful read. A stunning blend of horror and fantasy that created the perfect gothic atmosphere.

The writing blew me away, but I did read at a very slow pace to make sure I took everything in. There are very heavy themes such as racism while exploring motherhood and identity.

I actually accompanied this book with the audiobook and I highly recommend it! The narration was gorgeous and helped keep me in the story.

Thank you to Merky Books Pride Book Tours for my gifted copy. This title was released May 6, 2021.