#he showed it to me and like it hitttt it seemed so good | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bookaddict24-7 · 8 months

Text

REVIEWS OF THE WEEK!

Books I’ve read so far in 2023!

Friend me on Goodreads here to follow my more up to date reading journey for the year!

___

124. Animorphs #1: The Invasion by Katherine Applegate--⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've somehow gone my whole life without reading an ANIMORPHS book, even though I used to watch this show when I was a kid.

I have to say that I was so pleasantly surprised with this book. From the beginning, I was hooked. The simple writing cut to the chase and held my interest. I also like how this isn't like those MGLit older series where you get one different story per book. It seems like you definitely have to read this in order and I'm excited for it.

Also, these villains are hella creepy. I don't know how my generation didn't have more nightmares as kids. Especially with the retro covers of this series.

___

125. Indigo Ridge by Devney Perry--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The way this book had a chokehold on me when I first started it and realized how much I was going to enjoy it.

I've been meaning to pick up INDIGO RIDGE because I read another book by Perry and while it wasn't a favourite, it was still a pretty enjoyable read. INDIGO RIDGE, however, was a whole other experience.

I loved the small town aspect of it and how humble and kind this family is. I also loved this enemies to lovers with a heavy dose of sexual tension trope. Ugh, I'm putty for this kind of romance because I'm just waiting for one of them to cave. I'm torn on whether I love or feel eh about how the author didn't do smutty until about mid-book (like there were many fade to black scenes until more detailed scenes were introduced.)

The intriguing part of this book was the mystery at the core of the story. I don't read a lot of romantic thrillers and I was pleasantly surprised to actually really enjoy this sub-genre. I wanted the MC to prove everyone wrong with her skills.

Anyway, this was a great start to the series and I'm loving it so far! Such a pleasant surprise!

___

126. The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE GIRL IN THE LAKE is definitely a young reader's horror book, but it was strangely adorable, too? Especially with the twist. But there were definitely creepy moments. With a cover like that, I would expect nothing less.

One of the shining stars in this book, however, is the commentary on the history of racism and the stereotypes (rooted in racism) that have plagued the Black community for decades--like the belief that "Black people can't swim". When one explores the history behind this one particular stereotype, they'll find some pretty eye-opening and heartbreaking truths. The exploration of this generational trauma made this book all the more special.

I really enjoyed this one and if you have a little reader who likes a good horror story with a dose of life lessons and historical lessons and commentary on racism, then I highly recommend THE GIRL IN THE LAKE.

___

127. Juniper Hill by Devney Perry--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Okay, this one hitttt. I am such a sucker for these single parent tropes, especially when theres a gruff someone who can't help but fall for the parent and the baby.

While I thought the romance was a little too quick in this one, I did love how the MMC was with the FMC. He assured her and remained her strong support system. One of the things I love about these books is the communication that happens between the couples. That alone has me coming back for more.

There were definitely some allusions to the main suspenseful twist in this book. I loved all of it, as twisted as that sounds--it was so fascinating and had me hooked. Maybe I need to read more romantic suspense books...

This was great and I devoured it! Can't recommend this series enough!!

___

128. I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 by Lauren Tarshis--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a fun and quick little read.

Sharks scare the living crap out of me, but I've always been so fascinated by them. I knew that a lot of the fears we have of sharks now are based on the events of the 1916 attacks (which spawned the JAWS book and then, the movie).

While I've seen a lot of shows about the attacks and read various allusions to the attacks, it was still interesting and entertaining to read the story from the (fictional) perspective of a child living in that time.

Straight to the point and quick, this was enjoyable and I definitely want to read more of the books in this series!

___

129. Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins--⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've been wanting to read this book since a clock app reviewer mentioned how at the end of the series Gregor is covered in scars that will follow him for the rest of his life. The reason why this grabbed me was because you don't always see these middle grade fantasy books where the realities of the trauma faced by these children follows them into the real world and have real world consequences.

From the get-go, I knew I was going to enjoy this book because the MC, Gregor, has such a jaded perspective on the world because of his father's disappearance. This is definitely one of those characters who would fit perfectly in a YA novel because of the way he views the world. His character is complex and I'm curious to see how he evolves as a character as the series progresses.

I loved the addition of his baby sister. She was stinking adorable and listening to the audiobook added to her adorableness. I just wanted to protect her with my life. Such a cute and great little addition to a story full of adventure and a situation that, to be completely honest, would probably be too much for a regular pre-teen.

While it wasn't a favourite, it was a pretty great read full of surprisingly dark themes and imagery. I'm definitely going to have to check out the sequel!

___

130. Her Good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I went into this book not knowing what to expect. I never expected to find a story that was so cute!! This had so much going for it: Great communication between friends, healthy af relationships with said friends, and an MC with a passion for something that even though she wasn't a pro, she still wanted to learn.

The {fake} relationship was so cute and even I forgot at times that it was fake. The chemistry between the characters was great and I couldn't help but cheer them on. I just wanted the best for them. Even though they had some rocky moments, I loved seeing them grow together and help each other out.

I want only the best for this couple and their adorable selves. Wouldn't mind reading another book set in this school!

___

131. The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Big TW for anyone who wants to read this book--the author does a wonderful job of explaining the title of the book at the beginning of the book!

I was a huge fan of Reyes's debut novel, so when I saw this new book, I knew I had to pick it up. Much like the debut, this one didn't disappoint!

This was a heartbreakingly honest and raw portrayal of a teenager who has just experienced a sexual assault. This already traumatic experience is made even more heartbreaking when you learn that she is autistic and has a hard time communicating with those around her. The powerlessness and the confusion surrounding the guilt she feels made me want to reach through the pages and absolutely destroy Luis Ortega.

I think that while the budding sapphic relationship between the MC and her love interest was sweet, and her growing friendships of the other girls who were also survivors of Luis Ortega's predatory assaults, the strongest message (for me) is what goes through the MC's mind after her rape. The guilt. the downplaying, the questioning, the denial--readers who may have experienced something similar, or may have had that mindset at one point in their lives may be able to relate.

This was an incredibly heavy book and it really hits you with those emotional punches, but it's also so incredibly important. It's also a perfect example that SAs can happen to any one, no matter the age--the devastation and the violation has no age.

I highly recommend this book, but please proceed with care.

___

Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts!

___

Happy reading!

#books #reviews #review #book reviews #book list #Features #on books #on reading #read #reader #reading #my writing #my opinion #books read #book blog #book blogger

4 notes · View notes