Tag Archive for: YA

XOXO

XOXOTitle: XOXO
Author: Axie Oh
Series: XOXO #1
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 337
Length: 9h 13m
Narrator: Greta Jung
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

XOXO was a really cute YA romance. I’m surprised by how much I liked it because 1) I don’t read a lot of YA anymore unless it’s an old favorite, and 2) I thought any book about someone dating a K-pop idol would be super cheesy and fanfic-ish. Fortunately, the first one was a non-issue and this story was really well done.

The Wild Huntress

The Wild HuntressTitle: The Wild Huntress
Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 432
Length: 11h 49m
Narrator: Moira Quirk
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE WILD HUNTRESS was awesome. I loved the story and the characters so much, especially Palug. He reminded me of my cats, Cassie and Izzy. (I’m so glad the dedication let me know he survives so I didn’t have to worry about him.) I also loved the mythology. The author’s twist on the Welsh folklore was so intriguing and the magical elements were fun to read and experience. I also really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. As an American not accustomed to Celtic languages, it was awesome to hear all the correct pronunciations of the Welsh words and names. My only hangup is that I wish the last chapter didn’t feel as rushed as it did. I would’ve preferred an epilogue instead of an overview of future happenings.

Our Infinite Fates

Our Infinite FatesTitle: Our Infinite Fates
Author: Laura Steven
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 343
Length: 11h 12m
Narrator: Sofia Oxenham
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

OUR INFINITE FATES is a star-crossed lovers romance about love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. The concept is such a unique idea and different from anything I’ve read before. I loved the concept and I loved Evelyn and Arden and all their personas. I loved Evelyn and Arden, their connection, chemistry, and love. I loved each of their iterations. I thought it was interesting that they could reincarnate as a different gender. 

It was such an enjoyable story to read. I absolutely adored it until the last chapter. I was fine with them reincarnating as a different gender and I really disliked Evelyn’s last iteration. I wanted her to be a woman like she was in her first life.

There’s Someone Inside Your House

There’s Someone Inside Your HouseTitle: There's Someone Inside Your House
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Genre: Horror
Format: Audio
Pages: 304
Length: 9h 26m
Narrator: Bahni Turpin
Source: Owned
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

While I thought THERE’S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE was a fun slasher story, I’ve decided that I like this genre better in movie form. The story definitely felt reminiscent of some of my favorite slasher movies (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, etc.), but I feel like the written aspect of the story slowed the slasher aspect down. Also, since I watched the Netflix adaptation last year, I thought the reason for the killing spree was more interesting than what happened in the book.

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Tress of the Emerald SeaTitle: Tress of the Emerald Sea
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 369
Length: 12h 27m
Narrator: Michael Kramer
Source: Owned
Reason: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m glad I had a chance to read TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t love it. Part of the issue for me was Hoid, the narrator. I didn’t like his way of telling the story. I’m not a huge fan of 4th-wall-breaking, unless it’s in movies or TV shows, because it usually takes me out of the story and I want to be immersed.

I did like Tress and most of the other characters. I also liked the overall story of her defying the king’s order to not leave her little island to search for her lost love and travel through the dangerous spore oceans. I also liked the ending and the fact that Sanderson left it open so he can write more stories about Tress and her planet.

After doing some research, I’ve now realized that this book is part of Sanderson’s Cosmere universe. While TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA is a standalone novel, it has connections and some shared characters to his other series and books.