The Girl From Everywhere: score 2.5

Recommended to those who like time travel, pirate like sailors, cunning thieves, mystical lands, treasure, romance, maps, love triangles, mystery, & adventure! This novel is unique and enchanting, but the main character Nixie almost seems to have no personality. The character who really drives this story is her love interest who’s charming, clever & always saves the day! (He saves the book too.) The beginning half drags, while the 2nd half is exciting.

A charming read that while fails to fully captivate, does have some lovely hidden gems. In total, it’s somewhat underwhelming.

I‘ll Give You The Sun: Score 5

This novel was beautiful! Recommended if you like stories about teen siblings dealing with unexpected loss & love. And the ensuing struggle to find balance and forgiveness amidst heartbreak and betrayal. The characters are realistically flawed and totally lovable! The twins are delightfully written; Noah with his incredibly lyrical imagination and inner torment. And Jude with her cooky superstitions and irrational fears. These two are some of the most well written siblings I think I’ve ever read.

It would have scored a 5.5 but the beginning starts off kinda slow. Nevertheless it’s a highly recommended read, if you like contemporary coming of age novels, that take the protagonists on a heart wrenching journey to reclaim their true selves.

 When We Collided by Emery Lord: score 4.5

Recommended if you want to read a charming, contemporary novel that bravely navigates the weighty topics of grief and mental illness with understanding, poise, and a bit of panache. Also for those who like reading about whirlwind romances and teenagers dealing with difficult and realistic issues. This was an enjoyable, lovely, upbeat and endearing read.

It’s been a long time since I read something that so accurately reminded me of what it was like to be a teenager falling wildly and recklessly in love.

Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here: Score 3

Recommended for those who like contemporary coming of age novels and fan fiction. Also For those who like snarky, wise cracking 16 year olds, and for fans of Fangirl. This book portrays high school more accurately than most ya books. And all the characters are so relatable, lovable, and hilarious. However, aside from Scarlett’s great narration, the plot certainly leaves something to be desired.

Flawed: Score 4

(This book was intense and read in one sitting, My heart literally raced as I read and worried for Celestine and her family.)

So if you like watching shows like the Walking Dead because they thrill, shock and stress you with their brutality… Then this is the series for you. Recommended to those who like Mockingjay, dystopians settings, corrupt leaders and political intrigue…with a rebellion that’s fronted by a clueless, but brave teenage girl. There is a bit of romance, but luckily the ridiculous love triangle isn’t the focus of the story.

Wink Poppy Midnight: Score 3 Recommended for those who want to read something with a beautiful, lyrical prose, a cunning and manipulative protagonist, and the boy caught between two girls and their secrets. Also for those who like mysteries, suspense, well written teenagers and contemporary coming of age novels. The characters and prose are what make this story great, the plot?…Not so great.

Overall, a vividly entertaining read. But not quite worth the hype.

The Razorland Series, Enclave, Outpost & Horde: score 4.5

Recommended for those who like moving and savage post apocalyptic worlds & frighteningly mutated zombie like monsters!

It’s epic full of surprises, brutal, provocative, gory, intense & gut wrenching. While the first book isn’t as good, the next 2 get better & better. (However while some parts seem implausible & too convenient. The love triangle, sappy romance, and unnecessary brooding are what knock this down a star.)

Featuring a strong, young & fierce huntress determined to fight any odds, who slowly learns that love & gentleness isn’t weakness.

This Savage Song score 4.5

Recommended for those who like dystopian settings, flesh eating monsters, rebellious teens, territory wars & things that go bump in the night. This thrilling novel is about 2 families at war, fighting for control of the city & its ferocious monsters. It’s also about the things that make us human & the things that make us monstrous. With Great world building and complex characters, the plot is exciting, engaging and full of the unexpected.

Also…. No romance, love triangles or Insta-love, so YAY!!

The Raven Cycle Series: score 5

Recommended if you want to be immersed in a magical, imaginative, intense, unique, stirring and richly satisfying journey! This series is shocking, funny, clever, romantic, adventurous, mysterious, suspenseful, full of paranormal intrigue & incredibly well written! I mean really, the writing is truly superb. The character development & their tangible charm is what really makes this stand out…. I’ve fallen in love with all of Maggie’s lovably layered characters. Shoutout to Gansey, Ronan & Noah, they’re my favorites!! While the first book may drag a little, hang in there. The next 3 get so much better! This series would have been a 5.5 except that the pacing was a bit off, & the finale was too open ended for my taste. Regardless this is a spellbinding & powerful series that every YA reader should give a try. You might just fall in love …… or obsession.

These characters have become  embedded within my soul, I think about them, I daydream about them and miss them. Of all the characters I’ve read about in novels, these are the ones I wish were real!