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Author: Melissa Bashardoust
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Source: Amazon Canada
Pages: 336
Buy: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Indigo Canada|Book Depository
Rating: 5/5
"A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse... There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story. As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison. Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming...human or demon. Princess or monster."-Goodreads
I loved this book so much!! I can tell that a lot of research went into this book. Initially, this was a cover-buy for me. However, the story itself did not disappoint. Bashardoust's writing style quickly engulfed me into this fairytale-like-world.
The author did an excellent job of not only bring this world alive but also in writing complex characters. Soraya's journey is one of self-love and self-acceptance. As a reader, I could see, and pinpoint, her growth clearly throughout the novel. She went from being ashamed of herself to being proud of who she stands for as a person. She also went from being alone and craving acceptance, to finding people who accept her for who she is as a person. I also felt a lot of the side characters, and the antagonist was fleshed out well. I felt that most of these characters were very much 3d in writing. They all made choices, both good and bad, that affected those around them. My only critique is that I wished Ramin had a little bit more page-time and was fleshed out better.
The plot was fast-paced and the chapters flowed nicely. I felt it wrapped up nicely at the end. This is the first time I've read a sleeping-beauty retelling. This book even has hints of Rapunzel in it.
Overall, this book did disappoint me. Its plot, character and fairytale world were as enchanting as the cover itself.
7 July 2020 Saskatchewan, Canada
A Spectacle of Souls (Circus of the Stolen #1) by Jessica Julien
Publisher:Bleeding Ink Publishing
Source:NetGalley
Buy:Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Indigo Canada|Book Depository
Rating:4/5
"Caitlyn always thought she was just your average small-town waitress, but she’s anything but average. Suffering from frequent headaches and vivid daydreams, her oddities mask a secret hidden deep within her mind—one that could defeat even the cleverest of psychics. When a mysterious circus arrives in town, Caitlyn is immediately drawn to it. While visiting the hypnotic show, she meets a seer who warns her of a gruesome future and urges her to stay away. But soon, Caitlyn finds herself ensnared in the show and the Ringmaster himself. Recognizing Caitlyn’s powers for what they are, and believing they are the ones he has been searching for, the Ringmaster is determined to claim them as his own. Trapped within the circus and the Ringmaster’s devious grip, Caitlyn realizes that to escape the seer’s foretold fate, her only choice is to fight. Banding together with Bevier, an imprisoned psychic, Meg, an eccentric seamstress, and Daniel, a handsome magician, Caitlyn falls into the Psychic Realm to thwart the Ringmaster and stop the show before they succumb to his control and are trapped forever in his spectacle of souls."
I loved the overall concept and plot of A Spectacle of Souls by Jessica Julien. Normally, it takes me a week to finish a book. Whereas, with A Spectacle of Souls, I was able to complete it within 72 hours. It took me about five or six chapters to get fully invested in the story but, after that, I was hooked. I kept wanting to know what would happen next in the story. I also found the romance, between Cat and Daniel, to be cute.
I liked the idea of a circus that is run on illusions and the workers' supernatural ability. Past YA books have shown readers that the circus can be a mysterious and fantastical setting. The circus has this grand appeal of being unique and exploring the world. I would say that A Spectacle of Souls has a darker feel to it. This book, based on the characters' ages, almost feels more New Adult than Young Adult. I don't think we ever learn Cat's age but, based on a conversation with another character, I am guessing around 20-21. Daniel, I think, is around 24 years old. The only complaint I have is that I wish the circus workers' abilities were given more page time. I would have liked to learn more in depth about the troupes' abilities before the climax of the novel. But, that being said, I thought Cat's ability and how it is connected to a different realm was something new and refreshing. I also felt the author brought the Cirque des Volés to life. I would have liked a little more description in the surrounding areas (ex; the scene where they were driving to the next tour stop).
I enjoyed the overall storyline of A Spectacle of Souls. I am curious to see how book 2 will turn out in this series. The middle half and the ending were what intrigued me most about this story. The beginning, for me, started off a bit slow. It took me, as I said earlier, about five or six chapters to get into the storyline. The writing flows pretty consistently throughout the novel. There were a few times when I noticed more of a "telling" than "showing" approach. I also noticed a few times where other characters' point of views were present during other characters' narration. This left me a bit confused, at times, of who was telling the story. Especially when each chapter would tell you, with the character's name, who was narrating the story. Also, I would have liked Cat's visions to be described in more length and description.
Daniel was, by far, my favourite character in this book. I shipped his and Cat's romance from the start. Did I think his feelings, and overprotective nature towards Cat, developed a little too fast? Yes. But I am ok with that!! I also loved the friendship between Vanessa and Cat.
How old is the Ringmaster? I'm guessing he is in his late twenties to mid-thirties. I would have liked to know this piece of information while reading the book. At first, I found the Ringmaster to be cliche evil. He came off, at first, as being evil without a cause. However, as the plot progresses the readers learn more about his motivation and backstory.
The ending wraps up pretty neatly with the events of the first book. For a minute, I was wondering how this would turn into a second book. But the author was cruel, haha, and left us, readers, with a cliffhanger/big question.
Overall, A Spectacle of Souls was a fun read. The storyline got me hooked, and the ending left me curious for more from this author.
Author: Kalynn BayronThank you Bloomsbury YA and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this E-ARC.
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 400
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Indigo Canada|Book Depository
Rating: 3/5
"It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again. Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . . This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them."-Goodreads
Kalynn Bayron has created a unique twist on the tale of Cinderella. I enjoyed the overall premise of this novel. I also love the diversity presented in this book. My favourite characters were Constance and the fairy godmother. I was fond of the interactions between the two of them and Sophia.
Bayron did a good job of plotting and unravelling the truth behind Cinderella's story. I thought Cinderella's story was well thought out in this standalone The author has also created a scary dystopian world for women. Mersailles is a highly patriarchal kingdom where women are oppressed and forced into marriages at annual balls.
I did not like Sophia at the very beginning of this story. However, she started to grow on me by the end. She is a very strong female lead and she starts off that way. She is not afraid to speak her mind and notice all that is wrong within Lille's society.
This book was a bit slow, in pace, for me. The story, including the ending, was also a bit predictable.
I felt the romance and character development could have been a bit stronger. The romance, that appears later in the book, was a bit rushed. The characters fall in love, almost, instantaneously without really getting to know one another.
I also felt that Sophia's relationships with her friends (Erin and in particular Liv) could have been stronger. I felt Liv, Luke, and even Erin to some extent were characters who were important one minute to Sophia and then forgotten a second later.
Overall, I encourage fans of fairytale retellings to check out Cinderella is Dead on July 7, 2020.
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