The Places I’ve Cried in Public Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd. Pub Date: 3 October 2019 Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction
Panda Rating: (3.5 pandas)
๐SYNOPSIS
Amelie loved Reese. And she thought he loved her. But sheโs starting to realise love isnโt supposed to hurt like this. So now sheโs retracing their story and untangling what happened by revisiting all the places he made her cry.
Because if she works out what went wrong, perhaps she can finally learn to get over him.
TL;DR:This was such a painful read to get through. It leaves you feeling a bit helpless as you get a front-row seat to Amelie losing herself to something toxic and retracing her steps to find herself again. This is such an important story and I’m so glad that it exists, especially for young readers, as Bourne does a great job exploring what it means to be in healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to care for yourself in the aftermath. This tackles dark and heavy events that can be triggering so please do check content warnings before reading.
There There Publisher: Vintage Pub Date: 9 May 2019 Genre: Literary Fiction
Panda Rating: (3.5 pandas)
๐SYNOPSIS
Jacquie Red Feather is newly sober and hoping to reconnect with her estranged family. Thatโs why she is there. Dene is there because he has been collecting stories to honour his uncleโs death, while Edwin is looking for his true father and Opal came to watch her boy Orvil dance.
All of them are connected by bonds they may not yet understand. All of them are here for the celebration that is the Big Oakland Powwow. But Tony Loneman is also there. And Tony has come to the Powow with darker intentions.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Racism, rape, domestic violence, addiction (alcohol & drugs), alcoholism, drug use, gun violence, mass shooting, death, blood
This isn’t an easy book to review and there’s nothing I can say that others haven’t already said and done so much better than I ever could, too. This is a highly-lauded piece of literary fiction and part of me understands why but maybe this book was just too smart for me because I often struggled to really “get” it. I empathised with many of the characters and I wound up spilling tears over them by the end but, at times, it was hard to feel fully immersed in the story and to grasp what the author was trying to share.
Sea of Tranquility Publisher: Picador Pub Date: 5 April 2022 Genre: Science Fiction
Panda Rating: (5 pandas)
๐SYNOPSIS
A novel of art, time travel, love, and plague that takes the reader from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a dark colony on the moon five hundred years later, unfurling a story of humanity across centuries and space.
Edwin St. Andrew is eighteen years old when he crosses the Atlantic by steamship, exiled from polite society following an ill-conceived diatribe at a dinner party. He enters the forest, spellbound by the beauty of the Canadian wilderness, and suddenly hears the notes of a violin echoing in an airship terminal–an experience that shocks him to his core.
Two centuries later a famous writer named Olive Llewellyn is on a book tour. She’s traveling all over Earth, but her home is the second moon colony, a place of white stone, spired towers, and artificial beauty. Within the text of Olive’s best-selling pandemic novel lies a strange passage: a man plays his violin for change in the echoing corridor of an airship terminal as the trees of a forest rise around him.
When Gaspery-Jacques Roberts, a detective in the black-skied Night City, is hired to investigate an anomaly in the North American wilderness, he uncovers a series of lives upended: The exiled son of an earl driven to madness, a writer trapped far from home as a pandemic ravages Earth, and a childhood friend from the Night City who, like Gaspery himself, has glimpsed the chance to do something extraordinary that will disrupt the timeline of the universe.
A virtuoso performance that is as human and tender as it is intellectually playful, Sea of Tranquility is a novel of time travel and metaphysics that precisely captures the reality of our current moment.’
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Infidelity, suicide (recounted), drug use, COVID-19 pandemic and future global pandemics, false imprisonment, gun violence, death
Whoa. That’s how this book left me feeling by the end. I was concerned for a minute that maybe I wasn’t smart enough for this book because I found myself getting confused by what was happening around the 66% mark. The writing kept me gripped though and I’m glad that I didn’t waver because when it did click, it wasย wow. How clever and neat and entirely not what I expected! As I was reading two books of similar genres and styles came to mind: The Chronicles of St. Mary by Jodi Taylor and Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell and I think that’s what made me love this more.
Special thanks to Oni Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sheets (Sheets #1) Publisher: Oni Press Publication Date: 28 August 2018 Genre: Middle-Grade Graphic Novel
Panda Rating: (4 pandas)
๐SYNOPSIS
Marjorie Glatt feels like a ghost. A practical thirteen year old in charge of the family laundry business, her daily routine features unforgiving customers, unbearable P.E. classes, and the fastidious Mr. Saubertuck who is committed to destroying everything sheโs worked for.
Wendell is a ghost. A boy who lost his life much too young, his daily routine features ineffective death therapy, a sheet-dependent identity, and a dangerous need to seek purpose in the forbidden human world.
When their worlds collide, Marjorie is confronted by unexplainable disasters as Wendell transforms Glattโs Laundry into his midnight playground, appearing as a mere sheet during the day. While Wendell attempts to create a new afterlife for himself, he unknowingly sabotages the life that Marjorie is struggling to maintain.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Death of parent, Child death, Bullying, Grief, Depression
If you’re like me and you pick this up solely because of the cover, and you don’t look at the synopsis, you might go into this thinking it’ll be a cute story aboutโฆ Sheets? Turns out, while there are many sheets involved, it’s not at all the light-hearted cutesy story that I thought it would be. This deals with heavy themes of death, grief, belonging, and loneliness.
Hello, friends. โจ Today I’m excited to kick off the blog tour for the concluding book of an exciting Chinese mythology-inspired duology: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amรฉlie Wen Zhao! Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it.
Thanks to Delacorte Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!
The epic sequel to the book Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, is a fast-paced, riveting YA fantasy inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.
Years ago, the Elantian colonizers invaded Lanโs homeland and killed her mother in their search to uncover the Last Kingdomโs greatest the location of its legendary four Demon Gods. Lanโs mother devoted her life to destroying the Demon Gods, and Lan is determined to finish her mission. Yet, there are others searching for the gods, too.
Zen knew his soul was forfeit the moment he made a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise, but heโs willing to lose himself if it means saving the Kingdomโand the girlโhe loves. But to crush the colonizers who have invaded his land he needs more power than even a single Demon God can provide. He needs an army. And he knows exactly where he can find itโin the undead army his great grandfather lead decades ago.
The Elantians may have stolen their throne, but the battle for the Last Kingdom has only begun.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Violence, blood, death of loved one, colonial themes. Also, see romance spoiler below for younger readers.
TL;DR: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White was a satisfying conclusion to this duology. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think at the start because it took a direction that I wasn’t expecting. I thought there would be more action but this is a slower-paced fantasy that includes more intricate world-building and in-depth exploration of historical and thematic concepts. That said, the culminating battles and the way the threads tie together in the end are bittersweet but no less rewarding. Lan and Zen were great leading characters who were easy to root for and made me love the story of the Last Kingdom.
Pride and Protest Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 15 November 2022 Genre: Contemporary Romance, Retelling
Panda Rating: (4.5 pandas)
๐SYNOPSIS
Liza BโThe Only DJ That Gives a Jamโwants to take her neighborhood back from the soulless property developer dropping unaffordable condos on every street corner in DC. But her planned protest at their corporate event takes a turn after she mistakes the smoldering hot CEO for the waitstaff. When they go toe-to-toe, the sparks flyโbut her impossible-to-ignore family thwarts her every move. Liza wants Dorsey Fitzgerald out of her hood, but sheโll settle for getting him out of her head.
At first, Dorsey writes Liza Bennett off as an over-caffeinated woke weekend warrior. As the adopted Filipino son of a wealthy white family, heโs always felt a bit out of place, and knows a fraud when he sees one. But when Lizaโs protest results in a viral meme, their lives are turned upside down and Dorsey comes to realize this irresistible revolutionist is the most real woman heโs ever met.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Family death (recounted), racism, microaggressions, classism, incarceration (briefly recounted), explicit sexual content
TL;DR:ย I’ve been looking forward to reading this ever since I first heard about it and I’m glad that I finally read it. While there were elements I wanted more of I found myself enjoying this a lot! I especially loved the chemistry between Dorsey and Liza and I ate their romance up. The angst, tension, the way the atmosphere in the room changed when they came into contact, their peak horninessโhonestly, it was a fun sexual vibe! ๐ฅต The Bennett family was a mess in their usual way but I appreciated the inclusion of modern issues such as gentrification and the way the story was conveyed through alternating POVs and mixed media. Overall, this was a witty, funny, and entertaining P&P retelling and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case.
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it’s too late?
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Murder, multiple suicides (recounted), drug dealing (recounted, not in detail), dementia
TL;DR:ย Well, for a murder mystery, this was delightfully charming and cosy! I didn’t think it’d be so much fun following around four septuagenarians in a classy retirement village who are more than a little obsessed with murders but here we are. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron were wonderful characters and I loved learning more about each of them as the story progressed. There’s a host of side characters who were just as realistic and relatable, especially Chris and Donna, and colour me surprised by the reveals at the end cos I didn’t guess any of it right! ๐ Osman wove the many mysteries and storylines together so well and I can’t wait to continue with this series in the future.
Everyone says โthereโs no place like homeโโฆ well not for me.
When Iโm forced to spend the holidays at home with my family in Strawberry Hollow, I have no idea how Iโm even going to survive the week, let alone make it through my least favorite holidayโฆ Christmas.
That is until I run into my childhood crush, and my brotherโs best friend, Parker Grant.
Now, heโs the sexy, off-limits doctor in our small town, and nothing like the man I left behind six years ago.
While I hate the holidays, there is nothing that he loves more. Well, other than a good bet. Which is exactly what happens when we end up together under the mistletoe. A bet that changes everything.
He asks for the next seven days to change my mind about Christmas. But seven days alone with Parker is more than either of us bargained for. Now, thereโs much more at stake than a silly mistletoe bet.
The Mistletoe Bet is a complete standalone Christmas novella with lots of banter, even more laughter and a heartwarming HEA.
This novella is the perfect book to kick off all your holiday romance reads this season! It was a little cheesy but even for a mild Grinchie like myself, I thought it was adorable with just a light touch of steaminess.
Quinn and Parker were cute together and I enjoyed the Christmas adventures they went on as Parker tried to convince Quinn that by the end of their bet, she’d love Christmas and their hometown again. Despite Quinn’s grumpiness and her adamance that she would not be swayed by the festive dates and she would not swoon over sexy Doctor Parker, she slowly acknowledged how much she missed being around the people she loved and how things and people can and do change over time.
These two have great chemistry and I liked that there was no drama at all, especially considering Parker is Quinn’s brother’s bestie. It was refreshingly mature! This story has such a feel-good and cosy vibe and it is like a Hallmark holiday romance but with steam! ๐ If this sounds like your jam, I’d recommend checking it out. I had a lot of fun with it and I can’t wait to read more from Strawberry Hollow! ๐
From the award-winning author of the Dreamland series comes a new dark romantic fantasy about a young woman finding hope in her powers of destruction.
The Thief Kingdom is a place hidden within the world of Aadlior. Many whisper of its existence, but few have found this place, where magic and pleasure abound. There, the mysterious Thief King reigns supreme with the help of the Mousai, a trio of revered and feared sorceresses.
Larkyra Bassette may be the youngest of the Mousai, but when she sings her voice has the power to slay monsters. When itโs discovered the Duke of Lachlan is siphoning a poisonous drug from the Thief Kingdom and using it to abuse his tenants, Larkyra is offered her first solo mission to stop the duke. Eager to prove herself, Larkyra accepts by posing as the dukeโs potential bride. But her plans grow complicated when she finds herself drawn to Lord Darius Mekenna, Lachlanโs rightful heir. Soon she suspects Darius has his own motivations for ridding Lachlan of the corrupt duke. Larkyra and Darius must learn to trust each other if there is to be any hope of saving the people of Lachlanโand themselves.
Welcome to the world of Aadilor, where lords and ladies can be murderers and thieves, and the most alluring notes are often the deadliest. Dare to listen?
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Physical abuse, drug use, violence, violent death
TL;DR:ย Song of the Forever Rains is a great start to the Mousai trilogy! While this felt like a slower-paced fantasy (to me), the vivid world-building, lush atmosphere and imagery, interesting magic, wicked banter and wonderful family relationships made me not want to stop reading. Larkyra and Darius experienced steady growth throughout the story and were characters who were easy to empathise with. They had a darkly sweet romance and I loved the strength they gave each other. This is a surprisingly underrated gem and I’m excited to continue this series!
About to walk down the aisle of her Manhattan wedding, determined Priya realizes itโs impossible. After the news Greek playboy Eros has just shared about her convenient groom, she canโt go through with it. To save her fatherโs business, she flees in her white dressโฆand weds Eros instead!
To beat his brother to the family inheritance, Eros must stay married for one year. Stealing Priya as his wife was the first step. Then he discovers her deepest secretsโand a burning mutual desire. What started as convenient suddenly got very complicatedโฆ
I came across this book/author in a thread on the bird app and was immediately enticed by the paragraph she shared from this book, which led me to pick it up on a whim. I found this to be very well-written and I enjoyed it more than I anticipated, even with its slightly bonkers plot, and I’m glad that I read it!
dinipandareads 