Clean by Juno Dawson

 

Book: Clean by Juno Dawson

Read From: 18th June - 24th June 2021

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: Lexi Volkov is sent to an exclusive rehab facility by her brother following a near overdose on drugs. As Lexi faces her demons, she realises love is the most powerful drug of all.

Before I get into this review I do want to give a couple of disclaimers. Firstly, this book comes with a plethora of trigger warnings - obviously for drug use/misuse and overdose but also for eating disorders, death, suicide and self harm. Whilst these are the main themes, there are potentially other triggers within the text so please do approach this book with caution. If you feel the subject matter could be triggering to you then I would definitely encourage you to avoid this one, particularly as the content is extremely heavy. Secondly, I am aware that addiction (in every sense) is an extremely sensitive topic and for this reason, I won’t be touching upon this element in my review. Not only am I unqualified to speak on how well these were represented in the novel, it also has no sway in why I rated this book 2 stars. I don’t want anybody to get the wrong idea in thinking that my low rating was due to an inadequate portrayal of mental illness/addiction because, in my opinion, Dawson handled them with a great level of sensitivity.

Just because I didn’t personally get on with this book, doesn’t mean that it had no redeemable features. In fact, I want to start this review with the things I did like - the last thing I would want is for anyone to be put off reading this because I didn’t like it. It’s by no means a bad book, just not my cup of tea. This is an extremely well written novel - as already touched upon, the issues are handled with extreme care but even so, Dawson does not shy away from or gloss over the harsh and gritty reality of addiction. For this reason, I think this story will leave a lasting impact on you whether you liked it or not and I know that I, for one, will definitely remember this book.

Despite this, there were some issues I personally had with Clean that I can't overlook when giving a star rating. Firstly there was use of the R slur, which was completely unnecessary given the context in which it was used. I absolutely loathe the use of this word, and I've even DNF'ed books that use it before just because in the majority of instances, there is no need for it. Had the slur been used in a context where a character was being ableist, followed by undertones in the text that using the word is never okay, I would have appreciated and accepted why it was included. But in this instance, it would have been so much more beneficial to use another word or not at all. I feel like when this novel tackles such important topics, they should not be placed alongside the use of ableist slurs that have no need to be there - particularly as it wasn't used to educate readers and/or characters. 

Another issue that I had with this book, albeit a relatively minor one, is the arcs of the sided characters. I recognise and appreciate that Dawson tried to cover as many bases as possible with this novel - including a trans character who struggles with an eating disorder and a fat character for example. I think it was important that a diverse cast was represented, particularly in terms of recovery as it's a different experience for everybody and it's definitely not linear. However, I do feel that some of these side characters did get pushed to the side at the end. Understandable, given that they are not the sole focus of the book - our protagonist Lexi is. Despite that, it did seem as though they were treated as loose ends that were very briefly touched upon at the end which appeared to me as an attempt to round off the story succinctly. I don't want to give too much away as I want to keep this review spoiler free but if you've read this, I particularly felt this way about Guy, Sasha and Ruby. 

All in all, I can fully appreciate why so many people like this book; I'm sad that I didn't personally vibe with it. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in reading, and feel that you wouldn't be affected by the potential triggers, I would definitely encourage you to give this one a go (especially as I think I'm in the minority with my thoughts on this one)!

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

 

Book: Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Read From: 20th June - 21st June 2021

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Summary: Eve can't hold down a job, and her parents have had enough. When she is told that she must keep a steady career for a year, she finds herself at Jacob's Air B&B interviewing for a chef position. Jacob expects nothing less than perfection, so turns Eve away where she somehow manages to run him over with her car - supposedly by accident. Now Eve is forced help Jacob prepare for the upcoming Gingerbread Festival while his arm is broken and the B&B is severely understaffed.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown is easily up there with my absolute favourite books of all time. I don’t think any book will have my heart quite like Get A Life, Chloe Brown, the first instalment of the Brown Sisters trilogy, but Eve definitely comes very close. There was not one thing I didn’t like about this book - it was so addictive, so much fun and the love interest (and just relationship in general) was TO DIE FOR. 

Eve and Jacob are such unforgettable characters. Eve is quirky and witty, Jacob is charming and sweet but most importantly, both of them are totally hilarious and loveable. Their chemistry is written SO well it was extremely difficult to actually put the book down. My love for these characters runs so deep that it becomes really difficult to explain in writing - it's more of a feeling where they both completely and utterly have my heart; I genuinely feel like I know them personally after reading this.

Hibbert just manages to hit the nail on the head every single time with perfect chemistry, immaculate representation and some very steamy smut. I think that Eve Brown was the spiciest book of the series and I’m definitely not complaining. This book was absolute perfection in paperback form and will definitely be sliding it’s way into my favourite books of 2021. I already cannot wait to reread this series and I’m fully aware that I desperately need to invest in Hibbert’s other works, especially if they’re as good as the Brown Sisters series. I have definitely discovered a new auto-buy author and I’m so excited to see what she writes in the future!

Sheets by Brenna Thummler

 

Book: Sheets by Brenna Thummler 

Read From: 16th June - 17th June 2021

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Thirteen year old Marjorie is a little different from her classmates as she is tasked with the running of her family laundromat. Wendell is also different - he is a ghost who escapes from the Land of the Dead and ends up in Marjorie's laundromat. Worlds collide when the two become unlikely friends.

This book was SO cute. The art style was absolutely gorgeous, the story was in equal parts heart-warming and adorable, and don’t even get me started on Marjorie and Wendell! I loved both of these characters so much and they have my whole heart. This is a gorgeous middle grade graphic novel that shows the importance of friendship, even when it is found in the most unlikely of places.

I find it difficult to write lengthier reviews for graphic novels, just because they are generally shorter in terms of length and plot. Because of that, this post will be a lot shorter than my other reviews but please know that if you do decide to pick up this book, it's filled with loveable characters, the sweetest friendship and stunning illustrations with a homely colour palette to die for! I can't wait to read the sequel and will definitely be picking it up ASAP!

Bunny by Mona Awad

 Book: Bunny by Mona Awad

Read From: 12th June - 16th June 2021

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Samantha Mackey is an outsider in her small University programme, repelled by her writing cohort - a group of twee rich girls who call each other 'Bunny'. When Samantha receives an invitation from the Bunnies, her intrigue takes over and she is inexplicably drawn to their front door, across the threshold and down their rabbit hole.

This book is without a doubt the weirdest thing I have ever read in my life. I am still to this day thinking about it, trying to work out what on earth actually happened... and I don’t know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing!? For that reason, I feel like this review is extremely hard to write - the weirdness is not something you’ll be able to fully appreciate unless you give this book a go for yourself. Regardless, I’m going to try my absolute best to put my jumbled thoughts into a somewhat coherent review...

It’s clear from the outset that Samantha is, and feels like, an ‘outcast’ in her class. Awad immediately transports us into Samantha’s mind where we see her wicked humour and utter resentment towards the Bunnies - dubbed by Samantha as ‘The Duchess’, ‘Creepy Doll’, ‘Cupcake’ and ‘Vignette’. She is an extremely unreliable narrator and we begin seeing this when she falls under the Bunnies' spell - Samantha's life from then on clearly feels like a hallucination to her which is even reflected in the narrative of this book and began to feel like a hallucination to myself as the reader. Honestly, I didn't know which parts were real or which parts even made sense. Closing the novel after the final sentence felt like waking up from a fever dream and I can't get it out of my head!

You were warned that I would struggle writing this book review, I have absolutely no idea what else to talk about! I genuinely think that if Bunny sounds like your cup of tea from the summary, it’s a book that would be better appreciated from first-hand reading. Expect to be confused, expect to be weirded out and expect to make faces at the book because you have absolutely no idea what is going on... because that is essentially this book in a nutshell. I feel like this novel should be a ‘love it or hate it’, but I honestly can’t work out what category I fit in. Please try Bunny out for yourself, I desperately need somebody to discuss it with!

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

 

Book: Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Read From: 13th July - 14th July 2021

Rating: 4/5 stars 

Summary: Thirteen year old Genesis has 96 reasons to hate herself - she knows the exact number because she keeps a list. When she reaches number 100, will she continue on? Or will she find the strength to begin again?

Please, please do not be fooled by the fact I read this in two days. This book is extremely hard hitting and uncomfortable to read, but it is also such an important book. ‘Genesis Begins Again’ explores colourism within the black community - something I haven't personally come across in my reading before. It was extremely emotional and eye-opening to follow Genesis’ story, my heart absolutely ached for her the whole way through.

No person deserves to feel this way about themselves, let alone a thirteen year old girl. The narrative was so haunting - the writing style felt as though you were truly inside the mind of a young teenager which was incredibly heart-breaking because this is the reality for many young people who feel they don’t ‘fit in’ with society’s beauty standards. Genesis is such a loveable character, there were so many times I wanted to reach through the book and shake her, telling her that she is beautiful inside and out just the way she is. Particularly because where she should have had a support network, she had to suffer in self-loathing due to horrifically racist ‘friends’ and family who thought she wasn’t good enough because she was too dark.

I am genuinely struggling for words with this book because it completely blew me away. Yes it's a middle grade, but it's one of the most impactful and heart-breaking books I think I've ever read. Being inside Genesis' mind is far from pleasant, even less so when you remind yourself that this is real life for a whole host of Black children in modern society. Instead of giving this book to your child, read it to them. This is a novel that should be read by everybody - adults and young people alike. I don't think I will ever forget reading this book.

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

 

Book: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Read From: 9th June - 12th June 2021

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Tully and Kate have been best friends for over 30 years - since 1974. Their friendship is unlikely but is the most important thing to both of the girls, particularly as they navigate their school life, ambitions, careers, relationships and families.

Wow, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. It’s no surprise that I feel so strongly towards Tully and Kate considering this 400+ page novel follows their journey, but I wasn’t prepared to still be thinking about them this much after finishing the book!

Both girls are strong protagonists in their own right. Tully and Kate come from very different backgrounds and have had extremely different upbringings, yet their loyalty and love for one another is consistent right from day one. Particularly in the beginning of the book, it was really interesting to see the stereotypical childhood 'jealousy' of wanting what the other had. This was very relatable but was also interesting as the reader to have an insiders perspective that shows the importance of not judging a book by it's cover. In the age of social media and 'influencer' culture, this is just as applicable in adulthood as it is in childhood - you never know what goes on behind closed doors; other people will only show you what they want you to see.

As Tully and Kate get older, their life aspirations become reality and the girls need to start juggling their careers and relationships with their friendship. This made up the biggest chunk of the book, and whilst I enjoyed the reading experience I couldn't help but get increasingly frustrated with Tully in particular. I felt like she only cared about herself and was pretty selfish despite her insistence on how much she loved Kate. However, I can't knock the book for this - it could well have been done on purpose to ensure the final 100 pages were as impactful as they were.

If this was the case, then the desired effect was 10000% achieved. Without giving too much away, I absolutely bawled my eyes out. I binge-read the majority of this book whilst waiting for my boyfriend to fix his car and I vividly remember trying (and miserably failing) to contain all of my tears, particularly as it was hitting very close to home. It’s books such as Firefly Lane that cause you to really reflect on, and appreciate, who and what you have around you - especially friends and family. This novel taught me to be grateful for everyone and to not take my support network for granted. I will definitely be getting around to the sequel ‘Fly Away’ at some point, and I’m also looking forward to giving the Netflix adaptation a try - although I have been told that it’s very different! 

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

 

Book: Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley 

Read From: 7th June - 12th June 2021

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Daunis is a Native teen, tasked by the FBI to root out the corruption in her community by secretly investigating a series of drug-related deaths. 

This novel was put onto my June TBR following the ‘Bookstagram picks my TBR experiment’ I decided to try out on my Instagram. Shortly after my choices had been selected, I saw that Daisy (@readbydaisy) had recently finished reading this book and had absolutely loved it. Whilst this didn’t necessarily make my expectations any higher, I was definitely excited to give it a try especially considering that I had literally no idea what to expect, even after reading the blurb. 

It’s safe to say that this book BLEW. ME. AWAY. The writing style is absolutely gorgeous and had me hooked from the very first page. I was so engrossed to the point I got the ‘5 star feeling’ within the first 50 pages, where nothing was even really happening. There were so many poignant interactions and moments that really stood out to me, with one of my favourite quotes being “my girl, some boats are for the river and some are for the ocean”. This quote really made me think about how everyone in life is on a different path and how people are destined for different things, and I feel like this is a constant theme throughout the course of this book.

It will come as no surprise that Daunis is an extremely strong character - not only is she a total badass, she also carries a lot of unresolved trauma on her back and is trying to navigate her identity as a biracial and unenrolled tribal member. However, alongside her strength as an individual I really appreciated how this novel emphasised the importance of a community and a safe support network with the Elders. Despite being somewhat minor characters, they were pivotal in Daunis’ journey and Boulley did such a great job of conveying their personalities through little quirks and mannerisms!

All in all, this book was incredible. It was a fun, action packed and exciting read filled with plot twists, but at the same time it was extremely educational about Native American history, traditions and tribal culture. I took away a lot from this book and I am still thinking about it to this day. I’m genuinely shocked that this is a debut novel - the writing was STUNNING and completely captivating. This is a book I definitely won’t hesitate to reread in the future, and the impact it has had on me is so great it would be a discredit to rate it anything other than a big fat 5 stars!

Authority by Jeff Vandermeer

 

Book: Authority by Jeff Vandermeer

Read From: 5th June - 11th June 2021

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: The first book in this series saw the twelfth expedition into Area X, a foreboding entity that defies all explanation. Authority is based in the Southern Reach, the organisation overseeing Area X, where we see the new director ‘Control’ attempt to navigate the aftermath of expedition twelve.

I knew before going into Authority that it tends to be people’s least favourite of the Southern Reach trilogy - mainly because we’re no longer inside the mysteriously captivating Area X. Despite my love for Annihilation being for that very reason, I made sure to approach this with an open mind but I still sadly came away feeling very disappointed.

The main feeling I experienced when reading this novel was primarily boredom. Whilst the concept of Area X and the Southern Reach is undoubtedly interesting, Vandermeer has a very distinct writing style that benefits from a lot of concentration whilst reading. Because of this, I read slowly and attentively which ended up being my downfall, as the descriptions and the atmosphere started to become slightly repetitive (particularly during the middle section of the book). It felt like one of those instances where three paragraphs were used to explain something that could have been achieved in a single sentence.

Whilst Control was a complex character with many layers, I found it really difficult to connect with him. Considering that you are essentially in his head for a lot of the book to the point it almost reads as a monologue, connection to Control (or even intrigue at the very least) would have made the reading experience a lot more valuable for me. Instead, the pages and pages of his office drama and family history that had absolutely no correlation to the story left a lot to be desired. As for the other characters, I couldn’t help but feel that they were unnecessary. Whilst there are some interesting interactions, I feel as though their presence was again, much like many other aspects of this book, irrelevant to the progression of the plot and we’re only included for the build up of an uncertain atmosphere where everyone seems to be working against each other.

Although this second instalment to the Southern Reach trilogy missed the mark for myself personally, I do think that one day I will end up reading the final book, particularly as it returns to Area X. I’m very curious as to how this series ends, but I can’t say that I’m in any great rush to pick up Acceptance for now.

Cursebreakers Trilogy by Brigid Kemmerer

 

Book: A Vow so Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Read From: 6th June - 10th June 2021

Rating: 3/5 stars

Other ratings for this trilogy include 'A Curse so Dark and Lonely' (3/5 stars) and 'A Heart so Fierce and Broken' (4/5 stars).

Series Summary: In this Beauty and the Beast retelling, Harper is whisked away from Washington DC to Emberfall - home of Rhen, a cursed heir doomed to turn into a vicious beast and repeat his 18th year until a girl falls for him. As powerful forces stand against Emberfall, Harper and Rhen realise it will take more than a broken curse to save the kingdom from utter ruin.

When I think about this series, the first word that springs to mind is FUN. All three books are relatively quick and easy to read, include just the right amount of action balanced with kingdom/royal politics and have likeable and interesting characters. This trilogy would be perfect for getting out of a reading slump or if you're looking for an exciting young adult fantasy without majorly complex world building and/or magic systems. The first book, A Curse so Dark and Lonely, is very heavily inspired by Beauty and the Beast. But as the series progresses, so does the plot and so the subsequent books start to deviate from the original fairy tale - introducing new characters, new allies and new enemies.

As with any trilogy, it's inevitable that there is substantial character development. However, Harper really stood out to me because she is literally the same character throughout. Kemmerer has done such a fantastic job of separating Harper's development from her morals - whilst she clearly becomes stronger and more sure of herself as the series continues, she never once shies away from what she believes in and what she thinks is right. Not to mention the fact she is a total badass, regardless of the struggles she faces with her cerebral palsy... I absolutely LOVE to see disability representation in books and this is an aspect about this series that I really appreciated - particularly as the representation was so casual and there wasn't a big deal made out of it.

I found the other characters to be a little hit or miss. Grey and Lia Maria, particularly in book 2 and book 3, really stood out to me. I loved them as characters, I loved their interactions and their friendships with Isak and Tycho. Rhen on the other hand, I never really connected with and this was extremely noticeable for me due to the fact he is one of the main characters. There was just something about him that I found rather unlikeable and as the series continued, I felt like his character regressed rather than developed. I thought he was so nasty to those around him for no reason (this was very noticeable in the third book) and this really didn't appeal to me, especially as I wasn't the biggest fan of his character from the start.

Other than my very minor issues with Rhen, this trilogy was brilliant. It's one I would recommend to someone wanting to get into fantasy, or someone who wants a fun and exciting series to binge read. I loved the concept of the retelling and I thought it was executed really well, but I also liked how it developed into its own story in the second and third books.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

 

Book: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

Read From: 5th June - 7th June 2021

Rating: 4/5 stars 

THIS REVIEW INCLUDES SPOILERS FOR 'A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES' AND POTENTIAL SPOILERS FOR 'A COURT OF MIST AND FURY'.

Summary: After the wild ride that was 'A Court of Wings and Ruin', our characters come back together for Winter Solstice in this short novella. 

A pretty unsubstantial summary, right? It’s hard to find the words to describe what happens in a book where there is literally no plot... and yet I absolutely loved reading this! I adored seeing the characters really interact with each other, and the lack of nail-biting action allowed me to focus on their relationships and individual personalities. It is no surprise that over the four books (two of which being over 600 pages), Maas has done an incredible job of fully fleshing out each of these main characters, developing their personal quirks and mannerisms. By this point, you really feel like you know these characters which makes this novella so wholesome.

Whilst I love myself some tension, it was nice and refreshing that noting actually went drastically wrong in this book. It makes you appreciate these characters for who they really are, rather than how they respond so powerfully when placed under pressure. I’ve read some negative reviews about this book where people feel it wasn’t really necessary - whilst I do agree to an extent that it doesn’t advance the progression of the series’ plot, it’s definitely needed after everything that went down in A Court of Wings and Ruin. Whilst the characters haven't necessarily recovered from the turmoil of the previous book, I think it's great in setting up the scene for what could potentially happen in A Court of Silver Flames, which incidentally I can't wait to read!

Whilst I did really love this book, I do wish that there was a deeper dive into the other characters as well as, or instead of, a focus on Feyre and Rhysand's relationship. We already know that they're a great couple - we saw 700 pages of them being icons in the previous book! I hope that the book(s) following A Court of Frost and Starlight begin to explore some of the side characters' challenges a little more, particularly Mor and Elain. Without spoiling anything, I think that despite their extremely in-depth character development throughout the series, there is still room to explore the issues these characters are quietly grappling with and I hope this is the case in future books.

As I patiently wait for the release of A Court of Silver Flames, my journey with this series has come to a temporary end. I will miss this world and its characters a lot, and it goes without saying that I highly recommend these books. The fact it's the only series exceeding a trilogy that I've managed to, and wanted to, keep up with speaks volumes about how obsessed I am at this point. I am now unapologetically a Sarah J Maas lover!

This is My America by Kim Johnson

 

Book: This is My America by Kim Johnson

Read From: 4th June - 6th June 2021 

Rating: 4/5 stars 

Summary: Tracy’s dad has been incarcerated for 7 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. Every week she writes letters to Innocence X, an organisation she believes can get her father the retrial he deserves. However, when Tracy’s brother Jamal is accused of a heinous crime, Tracy must face the deep rooted racism within her small town head-on in her fight for justice.

THIS IS EXACTLY HOW YOU WRITE A DEBUT YA NOVEL!! I absolutely adored this book, I was so engrossed the whole way through and the characters are so well written you can't help but root for them. I normally find that YA contemporaries can occasionally be hit or miss with regards to the writing style, where it can sometimes seem rather immature (although in these cases, I do recognise that as a 20 year old I am not necessarily the book's targeted readership). However, This Is My America is a book that can be appreciated by both young adults and adults alike. The writing is sophisticated for it's intended audience and is also simultaneously immersive and completely accessible which is so important considering that the novel centres around such significant and topical issues, exploring these on both a personal and systemic level.

Our main character Tracy has so many admirable qualities that make her an incredible protagonist, such as her resilience, determination, confidence and strength. I also really enjoyed reading about the different side characters - Quincy and Tasha in particular both had fascinating character arcs that not only deepened the layers to unpick within this novel, but also cleverly depicted the ‘snowball effect’ as a consequence of the justice system failing those close to them.

This is a book that completely blew me away, so I’m pretty much at a loss for words. Even the information at the end of the book in the authors note is just as powerful as the novel itself. Johnson has put so much effort into crafting this story, and you can tell that her in-depth knowledge and research on the topics explored in this book has enabled the execution of this story to be incredibly well done. It goes without saying that I would recommend this to anyone - this is a truly powerful story and should be required reading. 

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

 

Book: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Read From: 31st May - 5th June 2021

Rating: 5/5 stars 

THIS REVIEW INCLUDES SPOILERS FOR 'A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES' AND 'A COURT OF MIST AND FURY'.

Summary: Following Feyre’s ascent to High Lady of the Night Court, she begins to adjust to her new role and harness her new powers. However, war is on the horizon and Feyre must scheme, plan and betray her around potential allies and enemies.

After not particularly loving A Court of Mist and Fury, I didn’t go into this book with high hopes. Especially as a lot of people say this one is their least favourite of the series. Well... I think my five star rating says it all. Never did I ever think I would turn into a Sarah J Maas stan but if I’m being completely honest, this book completely blew me away! It exceeded every single one of my expectations and those 700 pages went by way too quickly. I haven’t ben able to stop thinking about this book since I put it down, there were plot twists galore and my love for (most of) these characters has done a complete 180 from being pretty impartial to their existence all the way to being unapologetically obsessed with them.

The character development definitely speaks for itself. With Feyre’s new High Lady status, it’s pretty obvious that she turns into a total badass and I was HERE FOR IT. In this book, Feyre is literally the definition of a strong female character - I loved how her relationship with Rhysand developed and how they were never overshadowing one another. They could effectively work together and protect each other while still being their own person and I loved that. It was also great to see more of Nesta and Elain - who admittedly I hated at the beginning of this series. Mor, Cassian, Azriel and Amren... I love them all and absolutely adored how this book explored their character arc’s a bit deeper.

All of this character development was accompanied by an extremely action packed plot. There were many times that I couldn’t actually tear my eyes away to put the book down because I was itching to know what happened next. Even where the action momentarily lulled, there was always something going on to build up tension where you just KNOW that something drastic is soon going to happen. I would be lying if I said there weren’t times that I audibly gasped or widened my eyes in shock at certain things that went on over the course of the novel.

I have absolutely zero criticisms of this book. It takes a lot for me to give a five star rating in the first place, let alone when it follows a slightly disappointing previous book in a series. Everything I felt hyped up into feeling about A Court of Mist and Fury, I actually felt about A Court of Wings and Ruin. I’m not going to say I recommend this - mainly because this review has been filled with spoilers for the previous books in the ACOTAR series and chances are if you’re reading this, you’ve either already read this book or have read up to it. So, if you still have this book to go - stop what you’re doing and READ IT NOW! And if you have already read it, I hope that you loved it just as much as I did.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

 

Book: House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Read From: 1st June - 3rd June 2021

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Three sisters mysteriously disappear for one month with no explanation. When they return, strange and eerie things begin happening around them. When the eldest sister disappears for the second time, the others must try to uncover the mystery. However, they are not the only ones looking for her.

What an enjoyable read this was! If you're a fan of Stranger Things then this is definitely the book for you. It’s creepy, eerie, disturbing, foreboding and everything in between - Sutherland has done such an incredible job of building up the atmosphere in this novel which still somehow leaves room for heaps of character development and a gripping plot... all in less than 300 pages.

I found all three of the sisters (Iris, Vivi and Gray) just as fascinating as they were intriguing. Despite being fully fleshed-out characters, there remains an underlying element of mystery where you still can’t quite put a finger on who they really are which works incredibly well, particularly as the book progresses. Iris is the conventionally brilliant protagonist that we usually see in YA novels, who finds her strength and courage throughout. Vivi is a total badass and Gray is suspiciously enigmatic despite her fame and popularity. Although the sisters are an eclectic bunch, Sutherland does a great job in crafting their strong relationship and showing just how deep their bond and loyalty to one another really goes.

However, I can’t help but feel a little... unfulfilled by the ending? Admittedly, the plot twist was brilliant and for me it was definitely unpredictable. But my first thought when finishing this book wasn’t ‘that was amazing’, it was more of a ‘oh... so that’s how it ends’ reaction. Another minor issue I had with this novel was the portrayal of unrealistic beauty standards. There was a A LOT of reference to the beauty of our characters but more often than not, this was accompanied by a reference to how thin and pale they are. Whilst it was amazing to see the inclusion of sapphic and casual bisexual representation, I can’t help but feel that the idealistic representation of beauty could be harmful to the novel’s intended readership.

Overall, this was a spooky and gruesome, yet incredibly enjoyable read. This book is a perfect page turner and you’re sure to be sucked right into this world, however disgusted you may be by it. I will not be surprised if a certain bull-headed skull begins to appear in my nightmares (if you know, you know).

Welcome To My Book Blog!

 Hi! I'm Lucie, I'm 20 years old, I'm currently a second year Law student at University and I am from Cornwall! Now that my exams have finished for the summer and I have plenty of free time on my hands, I figured that now is as good a time as any to start my very own book blog, which is something I had been considering doing for a while. 

It will come as no surprise that I am pretty much OBSESSED with books given the nature of this blog. Despite my growing Bookstagram account where I post a myriad of book-related content (you can find me here), I'm guilty of having a massive backlog of reviews and not enough time to upload them to Instagram. I don't really use my Goodreads account for reviews, hence my creation of this blog where I hope to share reviews for every book I finish, not just the select few that make it to Bookstagram. 

Somehow I have managed to finish 73 books already in 2021(!) and I don't particularly trust myself to back-track and publish reviews for every single one of those. However, as it's the start of June and I have not yet finished a book this month, I figured that a clean slate in a brand new month is perfect timing to help me get back on track with reviews. 

Whether I'll be able to keep on track of this blog however is another matter... either way, if you're reading this thank you so much for being here! Hopefully there will be some reviews coming soon, but in the meantime please be patient with me as I have absolutely no clue how to do all of this blogging stuff!😅