Category: Teen/YA Fiction Review

REVIEW: The Last Word by Samantha Hastings

REVIEW: The Last Word by Samantha Hastings

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

She Knew She Was Right was one of Lucinda Leavitt’s few joys in life. She lost her mother at a young age. Because of his grief, her father dismantled any reminders of her and tucked them away. Rather than relate to his teenage daughter,  who looked more like her mother every day, he sent Lucy to finishing school. Her days were spent on “proper” pursuits like calling on society families and embroidery. Despite her giftedness for numbers and finance, Lucy wasn’t even allowed to work at her father’s business even though she had helped there as a kid.

Wheathill’s Magazine carried the serialized She Knew She Was Right by Mrs. Smith. And Lucinda read it faithfully. In fact, she’s been eagerly anticipating the final pages so she can find out which suitor the protagonist chooses. But the last entry is unfinished. Mrs. Smith apparently died, and the publisher didn’t receive the full finale. Lucy won’t ever know who Miss Emerson chose. Well, that’s unacceptable!

Lucy is determined to track down this Mrs. Smith, find her family and final papers, and learn Miss Emerson’s fictional fate. And she knows just the gentleman to escort her – her childhood friend David Randall. He has to help her. After all, it’s all his fault she ended up at finishing school!

Review

This was a delightful, quick story of 1860s London and a young woman of some wealth but no title trying to make her way in the world. Lucy is a treat. She’s spunky and smart. She knows how to use her position and her wit to get what she wants a lot of the time. David is a great character, too. He gets to tell part of the story, which I enjoyed.

This is a story of Lucy’s quest for independence and the freedom to be herself in a man’s world. It’s also the story of Lucy and David which was lovely. But it was the quest for the end of Mrs. Smith’s story that tied it all together and kept me reading this straight through to the end.

I enjoyed the author’s note at the close of the book. She describes real life serials that weren’t finished due to the deaths of their authors. Other story events were anchored in real historic people and experiences, too. I loved those little details.

Over all, this was a delight! If you enjoy historical fiction or dual perspective storytelling, along with light romance and a little bit of mystery, don’t miss this terrific story!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: American Royals by Katharine McGee

REVIEW: American Royals by Katharine McGee

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

An alternate history where General Washington was offered a crown at the end of the American Revolution – and he accepted, becoming King George I.

Now, two-and-a-half centuries later, his descendant, King George IV sits on the throne, and his oldest, Princess Beatrice, is in line to be the first Washington Queen of America. Beatrice’s grandfather changed the succession rules so instead of her younger brother, Jeff, being groomed for the throne, that is Beatrice’s path.

The pressure on Beatrice is enormous. And it doesn’t get better when her parents tell her she has to find a husband soon so she has a partner to help shoulder the load when it’s her turn to rule.

Beatrice isn’t the only member of the royal family struggling. Beatrice’s sister, Sam (Jeff’s twin) is watching the young man she has feelings for slip through her fingers. And Jeff is keeping a secret girlfriend from his twin and the rest of the family. The king himself is keeping the biggest secret of all – one that will have ripple-effects on each member of his family.

Review

It took me awhile to find the “why” of this book – why is this story being told? The alternate history angle was fascinating to me, so that kept me turning pages until I understood where the story of this family was going.

There are a series of love triangles at  play in the book among the royal siblings. Normally I don’t care for love triangles. But these were interwoven and intriguing enough to pull me forward through the story to see how things would play out.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like any of the characters. Maybe I’m not supposed to like the royals. I don’t know. I actively disliked the manipulative, back-stabbing character, but the rest were rather “meh.” I kept reading to see how the circumstances changed, but not because I wanted to know what happened to the people. I’m not sure I will try the sequel since I didn’t actually like any of the characters in this.

It wasn’t until after I finished this that I saw some online criticism of the concept of this book. Some readers are bothered by a story that would have the first George choose a crown – something they were fighting against in the Revolution. Another complaint was that a colonized country, built on slavery and stolen land and abuse of native populations, would have a monarchy. These are not factors that occurred to me as I read or before I picked the book up. Readers will have to decide on their own where they stand on those issues. (Language, sex, drinking)

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: The Humiliations of Pipi McGee by Beth Vrabel

REVIEW: The Humiliations of Pipi McGee by Beth Vrabel

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Running Press Kids in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Pipi’s humiliations are legendary. And no one at her middle school is going to let her forget them. From her kindergarten self-portrait (as a strip of bacon with boobs) shown on the first day of 8th grade to her reputation for picking her nose (an unfortunate school picture fiasco) and starting a vomiting epidemic on the school bus, Pipi can’t catch a break. If anyone touches her, they treat their hand as if they have the plague, trying to pass the “Pipi touch” to other students. But Pipi is convinced THIS will be the year everything changes. This will be the year of revenge and redemption!

Pipi has a plan to reinvent herself, undo all of her humiliations, and to strike back at those who hurt her the most when she was vulnerable. Her single-minded focus on changing her life before high school ends up causing more trouble than it fixes. In fact, her quest for reinvention could cost her the parts of her current life she actually enjoys.

Review

There are some truly delightful moments in this story. But there are also plenty of painful ones for Pipi. This is the second “revenge” story line I’ve read recently, and both were a bit painful to read. This isn’t the good-will-triumph-over-evil sort of revenge where you identify with the oppressed and cheer for them to rise up. It tends to look more like good-kid-temporarily-becomes-a-jerk-to-get-back-at-the-jerks.  And as the reader, you have to sit back and watch it all fall apart while you hope Pipi will learn from everything and find some redemption in the end.

Pipi’s family really helps offset the more awkward and painful parts of the book. They are spectacular! My favorite scene is a birthday party in the middle of the book – it’s an absolute treat. There’s also a couple brief appearances of characters from the author’s 2018 book The Reckless Club (which I ADORED). The tie in was terrific.

I am loving the publishing trend of producing books for older middle grade readers – the 10 to 14-year-olds, the middle schoolers who are ready for more complicated and intricate stories but still young enough to steer away from some YA themes. This is a perfect example of a story for that audience – complicated friendships and relationships, lessons to be learned, and identity to develop. Be sure to check out Pipi McGee! (LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir

REVIEW: Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Three girls bounced from institutions to asylums find themselves at a boarding school called Cheshire Crossing. The girls are the only residents – and they have a history of “dissociative psychosis.” But Dr. Rutherford doesn’t think they are crazy. He believes every story Alice Liddell (Wonderland), Wendy Darling (Neverland) and Dorothy Gale (Oz) have ever told.  And he’s going to research how the girls have been able to travel between worlds.

Alice’s bad attitude starts the trouble. Determined to escape the boarding school, she steals Dorothy’s silver slippers to go to Oz. Wendy tries to stop her and is pulled along. Their sudden arrival in Oz catches the attention of the resurrected Wicked Witch of the West and kicks off a universe-crossing adventure for all three girls and their nanny.

[Illustrations by Sarah Andersen]

Review

I have never been a fan of Wonderland or Neverland, but the premise of this one felt like something I had to check out. I’m so glad I did because it was a ton of fun! Alice has the most distinct personality of the three girls. She’s abrasive from the first moment, but I warmed to her over time. Each of the girls has a basic understanding of her world, but when the others visit, it creates a lot of fun scenarios. And there are even some things they can learn about their magic and their lands from one another.

The final page sets up a possible sequel – and I am here for it! I’m curious to see more of Cheshire Crossing and to see how Dr. Rutherford’s research impacts the girls and where their magical abilities and artifacts take them next.

One site says this is for teen readers (12-17) while some other places have this with middle grade graphic novels. I don’t know that I would go below 10 years old with this – that “older middle grade” designation might be the best fit for this story.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

REVIEW: Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Marvel Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Loki knows he doesn’t fit in in Asgard. He might be a prince, but Asgardians are warriors, not sorcerers.

Odin has a royal sorceress, Karnilla, Queen of Norns. Even though she is training an apprentice, Amora, she is officially the only magic-wielder for Odin’s court. Even Odin’s wife, Frigga, mostly kept her magic small and to herself.

In Amora, Loki found a peer. They did magic together and understood each other. (And he thought she had the most magnificent high heeled boots!) But an act of magic – desperation on Loki’s part – left a magical artifact destroyed and Amora banished to Midgard where her magic would dry up completely. And Loki was left in Asgard, without the one friend who understood him and with Odin’s constant disapproval, living in Thor’s everpresent shadow.

Years later, after a disastrous diplomatic mission, Loki himself is sent to Midgard. It’s supposed to be an important task for Odin, but Loki knows when he is being dumped somewhere. Something magical, though, is going on on Midgard, a place where there should be no magic. People are dying. This is Loki’s chance to redeem himself by helping some allies look into these deaths in 19th century London.

Review

I wanted to love this. I love the MCU version of Loki played by Tom Hiddleston. And there are some great moments early in the book where I could “hear” that Loki. It’s mostly in the interplay with Thor. But that’s lost in the second part of the book when those characters aren’t together.

Fans were promised a Loki from the comics in terms of sexuality. And it’s here. This Loki is genderfluid (although that’s mostly stated in a single line in the book). He also kisses both a male character and a female character in the book. This sexuality piece, though, wasn’t a huge part of the story, so it felt “there” rather than integrated. Readers who have strong feelings about this aspect of the character’s history will have a better take on this than me. For me, it felt tacked on, but with no emotional weight or punch.

I think antiheroes must be hard to write. A character like Loki is beloved, but he isn’t the hero. And as a young man here, part of Loki WANTS to be the hero. He wants to earn real praise from Odin. He wants the choice of successor to at least demand some thought and debate. This could have been a much stronger exploration of identity; I would have loved that. But it never went as far in that direction as I wanted.

I wanted to get to the end of the book and believe it couldn’t have worked out any other way – that Loki HAD to give in to his darker side and become the villain. But I didn’t feel the story here was compelling on that piece. There’s more “I’m a trickster, I guess I have to just lean all the way in” than circumstances that drive him there. There’s a bit of the Odin situation that didn’t leave Loki some of the options he wants, but he lets that eliminate everything else, too. I was disappointed by this. If this piece had been stronger, I would have liked the book a lot more.

The story was solid. I had plenty of questions so I kept turning pages, waiting for it all to become clear. And it did. It was more violent and gruesome in parts than I generally prefer. But none of the story grabbed me emotionally. I wasn’t in suspense or connected to any character other than Loki for the Earth-bound portions of the book. It was fine but it wasn’t fantastic. I wanted fantastic.

Fans of the character should check this out for themselves and see what they think. And readers who enjoy historical fiction might enjoy that angle on the story as well. (Violence; some language; some horror features – zombies; LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Marvel Champions: Change the World by Mark Waid

REVIEW: Marvel Champions: Change the World by Mark Waid

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

After the events of Civil War II (Marvel comics), Ms. Marvel is fed up! The adult heroes don’t seem to care about the destruction they leave in their wake. There’s always an excuse for why they can’t help clean things up. And they’re losing some of their good will with the people.

She seeks out Nova and Miles Morales – two other heroes who left the larger hero team for the same reason. They add in Amadeus Cho (Totally Awesome Hulk) and Viv Vision to the team and try to right wrongs and be heroes without becoming vigilantes.

Those goals are put to the test as they confront human trafficking and bigoted, power-mad law enforcement officers who are breaking the laws they are supposed to enforce.

Review

I liked this graphic novel introduction to these heroes (and others) as a team. I would have liked some more substance from Miles. And Amadeus Cho’s attitude can get tiring at times. And I could have done without Gwenpool all together.

But I liked that the characters faced some of today’s real issues. And that they had to wrestle with what’s an appropriate use of their power. And the heroes weren’t the only ones wrestling with that question.

I would read more of these to see how the characters develop. Volume 2 is The Freelance Lifestyle (issues 6-11). Volume 3 is Champion for a Day (issues 16-21). Avengers and Champions: Worlds Collide includes issues 13-15.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Technically You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson

REVIEW: Technically You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

It starts with a text message.

Haley gets a text about her AP history essay from Martin Nathaniel Munroe II, a guy in her class.

Believe it or not, there are TWO Martin Nathaniel Munroe IIs in her class (cousins – it’s a long story). But this Martin says he’s “the good one.” And Haley assumes that means he’s the one she doesn’t hate.

Next comes the mistake text. She thought she was texting someone else, but she starts another text exchange with Martin. And that turns into a regular exchange of texts – about school, parents, quirks, TV shows, books, friends, and all manner of things as they get to know one another. A real friendship starts to form. But there are hints in their exchange that clue Martin in on the fact that Haley thinks she’s talking to his cousin. He’s actually the Martin she hates. But their new relationship is so important – and too fragile – for him to spring the truth on her. So they keep texting. And he keeps hoping Haley will catch on.

Review

This was so cute! I was reading two text-exchange books at the same time. One I finally had to put down because I just didn’t care. But I was captivated by this one from the beginning!

For 300+ pages of text messages, the conversation was full of sass and bantering, which I loved. And the progression of the messages from reserved and shallow to vulnerable and rich felt honest and real. And the author did a great job with subtext and inference (like when Martin figures out who Haley thinks she is texting) with such a sparse medium like text messages.

There are a couple conversations about sexuality in the book – the Kinsey scale, bisexuality, and demisexuality – that drove me to Google for more information. So I felt like I learned some things along the way as well as enjoying a good story.

If you are a fan of teen/young adult rom-coms, don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Screen Queens by Lori Goldstein

REVIEW: Screen Queens by Lori Goldstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

ValleyStart is a summer tech incubator program. The winners of the summer competition would secure an internship at Pulse, the hottest influencer rating app. Lucy is hoping to win ValleyStart to get her off the wait list for Standford. She’s gotten Ryan Thompson, founder of Pulse, as her mentor. Her whole life has been leading her to this moment. She’s ready to crush ValleyStart.

Maddie isn’t happy about leaving her brother Danny to go to ValleyStart. But he’ll be at summer camp while she’s gone, and that will keep him out of the War of the Worlds going on between their parents. But really, ValleyStart is just something else to put on her resumé to help her build her graphic design business. Win or lose, she’ll be fine.

Delia is feeling out of her depth at ValleyStart. She’s more than capable of handling the coding. But she’s working part time while she’s there, and she’s self-conscious about all her parents sacrificed to get her there. If she can win, she can get a tech job. And then that money can save her parents’ theater. No pressure.

ValleyStart has never had an all-female team win the competition before. Tech tends to be a boys club. And all three of these girls are aware of that. But this summer at ValleyStart will be their chance to show what they can do to stand out in the crowd.

Review

I loved this!! In the beginning, the girls are a little prickly, and it takes awhile for them to thaw to one another. But once they started clicking as a team, I was in it until the final page. (And I actually would have been happy to have another couple chapters!)

I loved the core characters. And I loved them even more when they stepped away from ValleyStart and engaged with a middle school tech day camp. It was a fantastic example of what can be gained when you take your eyes off yourself and your situation for awhile and focus on someone else.

There’s an excellent female empowerment message through the whole book – from celebrating the history of women in technology to looking out for the next generation of coders, designers and developers. I can’t recommend this highly enough. Do not miss this one!! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: I'm Not Dying With You Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones

REVIEW: I’m Not Dying With You Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

It was just a Friday night football game. Lena was there with her best friend to watch the dance team perform. Then she was going to catch up with her boyfriend, Black, before her curfew. Her grandpa would not be a fan of her relationship with the 20-year-old rapper, so it was best to keep it quiet.

Campbell’s only been in town for a few months. Her mom has left the country for work, leaving Campbell with her dad. For the game, she’s working the concessions stand. She let one of her teachers guilt her into helping. Her two “co-workers” have been completely useless. And she’s stuck going out with the dance team – a group of strangers – after the game so her teacher can give her a ride home. How pathetic does that sound?

Not only are the two schools in the game rivals, but there’s also been racial tension between them recently. Maybe tensions are running too high. All it takes is one racist guy mouthing off in the concessions line. Then fists start flying. Then the sound of gun fire. This is NOT how Lena or Campbell saw this night going.

Review

This is a fast-moving story about a riot and two girls caught in the middle – one White, one Black. Their differences are seen from the beginning with their expectations when the police first show up at the fight at the game. Campbell is relieved when they show up, thinking they will stop the fight and everyone will be safe. Lena expects their arrival will lead to escalation. And she’s right.

The girls have assumptions about each other that get explored a little. And I guess that is how I feel about the whole story. Lots of things get touched on a little. There’s not as much depth here as I wanted. The action pushes the reader forward; I didn’t want to put this down. But I was left wanting more – more depth to the two girls, more depth to the race conversation, more depth to the rationale for why they ended up in two riots (weren’t there other routes through town?). And then the ending. What happens next for these two characters and for their community?

If this is your first foray into YA that explores racial tensions, or if you are looking for an action-packed, fast-paced story, don’t miss this one. If you feel like you want something that digs deeper, try The Hate U Give or Dear Martin instead. (Language, violence)

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: No Place Like Here by Christina June

REVIEW: No Place Like Here by Christina June

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ashlynn has finished her junior year at boarding school – punishment for some trouble she got in the year before. But she’s followed the rules, and her grades have been top notch. Now she’s ready to go home for the summer and to convince her father to let her stay home for her senior year.

But in typical fashion, Ashlynn’s father has his own plan in place. He’s being arrested for tax evasion. He’s going to prison, and Ashlynn’s mom is going into treatment for depression. Ashlynn has to stay with her aunt and uncle and work at a retreat center for the summer. And in the fall, her dad tells her, she will be going back to boarding school. He leaves no room for discussion. And Ashlynn accepts her fate as she always does.

So Ashlynn heads to Sweetwater Overlook Retreat Center with a cousin she barely knows. She only hears from her parents through letters, approved phone calls from the prison or the treatment center, and occasional trips to see her father in person.  She’s working for a careless, disorganized boss who is only too happy to dump tasks on Ashlynn who never speaks up for herself. But maybe a summer at Sweetwater is just what Ashlynn needs for this season in her life.

Review

This was terrific! The author does an amazing job with the descriptions of Ashlynn’s life under her father’s thumb – his ultra critical voice in her ear, his high expectations, and his crippling demands. But the summer away – free in a way she hasn’t experienced even with a year of boarding school – really lets Ashlynn examine her life and her choices in a new way. This thread was my favorite part of the book!

The retreat center pieces and the relationships Ashlynn experiences there are a great context for all of the personal work Ashlynn is doing. I expected the conflict with her boss would be bigger and uglier, but this isn’t that sort of story. This is a look at Ashlynn’s personal journey. The rest is setting and context and support. And it really works well!

I loved the quotes Ashlynn uses for her own comfort, growth and encouragement. It’s a fun angle to the story. It’s a nice contrast for Ashlynn’s quest to find – and use – her own words and her own voice. Fantastic!! Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥