Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover

Title: Verity 

Author: Colleen Hoover 

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Publisher: Hoover Ink, Inc. 

Publication Date: December 7th 2018

Summary: 

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her. A standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.

Verity is simply a thrill ride from the first page to the very last. I recently subscribed to Kindle Unlimited and downloaded Verity because I thought it sounded interesting, fast forward a few days and I watched a TikTok about the book that had me intrigued. Having been in book slump for a few weeks, I was nervous that Verity wasn't going to live up to its hype for me. I was wrong. I devoured Verity in a day, staying up way too late to finish those chilling final scenes. 

Verity is not a novel for the faint of heart. It discusses some very dark themes and content. (Trigger Warnings: Death, attempted self abortion,  attempted murder of a newborn, discussion of death) When Lowen discovered Verity's unfinished autobiography, I never imagined it would be as dark as it was. The autobiography paints the portrait of a woman who is prideful and intensely obsessed with her husband, doing anything in her power to make sure she remains at the center of his attention. 

I really enjoyed Lowen's character. She was relatable and felt real to me. She moved to New York and pursue her writing career when she can remain unknown. Early on in the book Lowen disclosures that she had previously had a relationship with her agent, and that it was missing something vital. When she meets Jeremey she is instantly intrigued by him, something about him drawing her in. We watch Lowen go from being decently level headed to someone who has reached their sanity's edge with in the length of Verity. 

Overall I really loved Verity and could talk about it endlessly if given the opportunity to do so. I know this review was super vague but there is so much that can be spoiled by discussing everything that happened. If you love romantic thrillers that will leave you craving more, Verity is the book for you. 

Mini Reviews: The Famoux by Kassandra Tate & The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: The Famoux // Author: Kassandra Tate // Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian // Source: Wattpad Books via NetGalley // Publisher: Wattpad Books // Publication Date: January 19th 2021 // Add it to Goodreads

Summary: Fame can be deadly. Out of the wreckage of environmental collapse, the country of Delicatum emerged. Its most popular celebrities are the Famoux, uniquely beautiful stars of a reality TV show called the Fishbowl. In a world still recovering from catastrophe, they provide a 24/7 distraction. Sixteen-year-old Emilee Laurence is obsessed with the Famoux—they provide a refuge from her troubled home life and the bullies at school. When she receives an unimaginable offer to become a member herself, she takes it. Leaving behind everything she’s ever known, Emilee enters a world of high glamour and even higher stakes. Because behind their perfect image lies an ugly truth—an anonymous stalker has been dictating the Famoux’s every move, and being popular really is a matter of life or death.

I think it is safe to say the first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover to The Famoux and then when I read the synopsis I was sold. The Famoux was a fresh taste to the dystopian genre, that we haven't seen in so long. My only complaint is that I feel as if the pacing was off in some points and that the climax of the story sort of stemmed from something that could have been introduced earlier in the book. But other then that I did really enjoy The Famoux and I am eager to see what is next.  

Title: The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep // Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz // Genre: Contemporary,  // Source: Wednesday Books via NetGalley // Publisher: Wednesday Books // Publication Date: March 16th 2021 // Add it to Goodreads

Summary: Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz returns with a thrilling novel where an eighteen-year-old girl's search for answers lands her in one of the most terrifying situations imaginable. Four days… Trapped in a well, surrounded by dirt, scratching at the walls trying to find a way out. Four days of a thirst so strong, that when it finally rains, I drink as much as possible from the dripping walls, not even caring how much dirt comes with it. Six months… Since my escape. Since no one believed I was taken to begin with – from my own bed, after a party, when no one else was home. Six months of trying to find answers and being told instead that I made the whole incident up. One month... Since I logged on to the Jane Anonymous site for the first time and found a community of survivors who listen without judgment, provide advice, and console each other when needed. A month of chatting with a survivor whose story eerily mirrors my own: a girl who’s been receiving triggering clues, just like me, and who could help me find the answers I’m searching for. Three days… Since she mysteriously disappears, and since I’m forced to ask the questions: will my chance to find out what happened to me vanish with her? And will I be next?

When I learned that this was set in the same world as Jane Anonymous I was really excited to see how the two were going to have to do with each other, but I really love how Stolarz brought up the familiar elements of Jane Anonymous with a whole new story. 

This book is full of twist and turns, things you never saw coming and things that make you second guess yourself over and over again. Terra's story is told in the present and the before. Before being when she was abducted. Throughout the entire story everything that we learn and see Terra do makes you question if she is a reliable character or not (I am not spoiling anything, I am going to leave that up to you to find out!) 

But overall this was one of my favorite books of 2020 and I am excited to see what everyone else is going to think of it and if there will be more novels set in the Jane Anonymous world. 

Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Title: The Host 
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: May 6th 2008

Summary: 

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

I think we are at a point in time that everyone has either heard of or read The Host. I first read The Host before we created The Book Bratz (which was almost 8 years ago!) so I never actually reviewed it, so I decided that when I was rereading it that it was going to get a proper review. Being 22 and reading it versus when I was 14 and reading it gave me a very different perspective on a lot of things with in this novel but also took away lessons that I didn't realize were there previously. 

I always love a good science fiction novel. Especially ones with aliens, rebellions and romance. That will always be my weak point. Stephenie Meyer whipped up just that. The world building in the novel was amazing and I could see everything clearly as if I was in Meyer's head as she was writing. The world isn't  unlike our own, the Souls (the aliens) didn't change much, all they did was take over their Host (the humans) bodies and establish peace and a world with no violence or conflict. Wanda even says several times through out the novel that humans were on a collision path to destroying their planet if the Souls hadn't stepped in. 

I loved the complexity of Wanda and Melanie's character(s.) Typically when a Soul takes over a Host, the Host's mind disappears, leaving room for the Soul. But in Wanda and Melanie's case both minds are there. Melanie refuses to disappear, desperate to protect Jared and Jamie from the hands of the Seeker who is so desperate to crush the Human rebellion. Seeing the development of Wanda and Melanie's relationship throughout the book is incredible, they go from enemies, to two minds that are on the same sides to almost sisters. It teaches an important lesson that sometimes your enemies can become your best friends. (Not in all cases, but in this one.)

The biggest lesson in this book that I didn't take away the first time is: Finding the place in where you belong. The whole novel we watch as Wanda struggles to fit in with Jeb and his people. Find the right balance with her friendship with Ian and blooming friendship with Jared. Because she is an outsider she constantly struggles with the thought of whether she actually belongs there, no matter how many times she is reassured that she is. It isn't until the last hundred or so pages of the novel does this lesson really hit hard. Wanda learns she is accepted and with being accepted she knows she has to make an incredibly hard choice. (I won't lie, I was crying like a baby at this.) 

Overall I loved The Host even more the second time around! Though I would love to see more of these characters and what would be in store next for them, I believe Meyer left this book off the way she did because the ending gives hope to the rebellion. All the loose ends are tied up neatly and I couldn't have asked for a better ending. I am so grateful that I decided to pick this book up again. I definitely plan on rewatching the movie now! 

ARC Review: Of Silver and Shadow by Jennifer Gruenke

Title: Of Silver and Shadow
Author: Jennifer Gruenke
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Flux via NetGalley
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: May 26th 2020
Summary: 

Ren Kolins is a silver wielder—a dangerous thing to be in the kingdom of Erdis, where magic has been outlawed for a century. Ren is just trying to survive, sticking to a life of petty thievery, card games, and pit fighting to get by. But when a wealthy rebel leader discovers her secret, he offers her a fortune to join his revolution. The caveat: she won’t see a single coin until they overthrow the King. Behind the castle walls, a brutal group of warriors known as the King’s Children is engaged in a competition: the first to find the rebel leader will be made King’s Fang, the right hand of the King of Erdis. And Adley Farre is hunting down the rebels one by one, torturing her way to Ren and the rebel leader, and the coveted King’s Fang title. But time is running out for all of them, including the youngest Prince of Erdis, who finds himself pulled into the rebellion. Political tensions have reached a boiling point, and Ren and the rebels must take the throne before war breaks out.

Of Silver and Shadow is an almost 500 page book, (480 pages if we want to be exact) and I read this book in one sitting. One moment I was sitting down to start this book and then suddenly it was 2 a.m. and my kindle wouldn't flip to a new page. Gruenke's debut novel is not one to missed! Full of action, suspense and tons of plot twists Of Silver and Shadows will have you hooked from page one. 

Of Silver and Shadow alternates in POVs which gives us an all around view of this rebellion and what everyone's driving motive is. 

Ren - Ren posses Silver, a magic that was outlawed hundred of years earlier after the purge of all Silver wielders, leaving the magic strictly to those of the royal bloodline. A few years earlier Ren escaped a fire set to her house by the King, leaving her scared and her parents dead. Something she blames herself for everyday. On night she is cornered by Darek and his brother with the offer of a life time: Help them dethrone the King and in return they will pay her 700,000 coins. Ren doesn't care about this so called rebellion but the coins will free her from her debts, finally giving her the freedom she has been craving. Teaming up with these brothers Ren is thrown into a plan that is going to put an unexpected person on the throne if they win. 

Darek - Literally tall, dark and moody. Darek is leading the rebellion that he promised his mother he would finished when she was killed many years earlier. He never counted on Ren being the person who was going to end this rebellion for good. Ren is a thorn in his side, she is snarky, rude and doesn't know how to follow directions and not a challenge he was expecting to have to deal with as well. But soon Darek is warming up to the the street girl who tests his every very being. 

Kellen - Kellen is one of the Princes of Edris. He has a reputation of sharing the bed of many woman and when he can he keeps his head down and avoids his duties. Why act like a prince when his father looks down on him, his mother can't be bothered and his older brother Heath is next in line for the throne? Kellen runs one of the fighting rings with in the kingdom and one night meets Ren when she comes to fight in his ring. With his search for Ren and his involvement with Holland, another key player in the Rebellion, Prince Kellen has no idea what he is getting himself into, but he does know one thing. He is ready for change. 

Adley - Part of the King's Children, an elite guard of the King, Adley's job is to hunt down the rebels. When the King offers the position of the King's Fang up to anyone who can bring the leaders of the rebellion in, Adley jumps on the chance. Adley has a secret though, she has fallen in love with her best friend and the King's Children are not allowed to fall in love, it is an act of treason. But after her service of Fang is over she will be allowed to leave and live a free life with Lesa by her side and not having to hide their love for each other. But soon Adley is in a position she never thought she would be in. 

There is a lot that happens in this book and for the sake of spoilers I am not going to discuss most of it because I want you all the find out for yourself. But the plot twists, the actions and the romance will have you on the edge of your seat. Though all of the characters are on different sides, each have redeeming qualities about them that make you love them, no matter how much you don't want to.

The one thing I will put out there is that I recommend this book for an upper YA audience. Darek is twenty two, making him the oldest in the cast of characters, which wouldn't necessarily bother me for it was easy for me to connect with characters because of their ages. But I can see this being a problem for younger readers. The romance aspect is a little steamy, (which I explain in the next paragraph) making the upper YA audience a better fit rather then a younger YA audience. This book doesn't fall into NA or adult though, it reads as a YA novel would, just with character who are slightly older.

The romance was one of my favorite aspects on this story. Darek and Ren start out hating each other and slowly through the pages we watch what starts out as their partnership in a rebellion turn into something much much more. The tension between these two characters is intense, though they both "hate" each other, they both face the feelings that they want each other and that the want more from the other person, whether they are going to admit it to each other or not. When they finally kiss? Damn. Gruenke did not disappoint on Darek and Ren's part as well as the reader. (I'm always here for a steamy scene though.) But more then just the kissing, watching Ren who is use to being on her own and not letting anyone in, let Darek in which was what made this romance so satisfying to me. The romance didn't take over the whole plot of the story, but it gave it the push it needed in those final scenes on the book. (Once you read you will know exactly what I am talking about!) 

Overall I loved Of Silver and Shadow and I am sad that it is over. I have't heard any news on a sequel but Gruenke did wrap up the story nicely if this book does end up being a stand alone, but I would love to see how their characters make do with the result their actions had given them. 

ARC Review: The Project by Courtney Summers

Title: The Project 

Author: Courtney Summers

Genre: Cults, Horror, Thriller 

Source: Wednesday Books via NetGalley

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication Date: February 2nd, 2021

Summary: "The Unity Project saved my life." Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died, Lo's sister, Bea, joined The Unity Project, leaving Lo in the care of their great aunt. Thanks to its extensive charitable work and community outreach, The Unity Project has won the hearts and minds of most in the Upstate New York region, but Lo knows there's more to the group than meets the eye. She's spent the last six years of her life trying--and failing--to prove it. "The Unity Project murdered my son." When a man shows up at the magazine Lo works for claiming The Unity Project killed his son, Lo sees the perfect opportunity to expose the group and reunite with Bea once and for all. When her investigation puts her in the direct path of its charismatic and mysterious leader, Lev Warren, he proposes a deal: if she can prove the worst of her suspicions about The Unity Project, she may expose them. If she can't, she must finally leave them alone. But as Lo delves deeper into The Project, the lives of its members, and spends more time with Lev, it upends everything she thought she knew about her sister, herself, cults, and the world around her--to the point she can no longer tell what's real or true. Lo never thought she could afford to believe in Lev Warren . . . but now she doesn't know if she can afford not to. Welcome to The Unity Project.The next pulls-no-punches thriller from New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author Courtney Summers, about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister from a cult. 

It’s still been a few days since I finished The Project and all I can say is this: Courtney, why did you put me through such pain? I loved Sadie so when I heard news of The Project I was instantly interested. Especially that this book is centered around a cult was a selling point for me, something about these kinds of books just trap me in. I can’t give The Project enough praise, but I’m hoping this review is a little drop in the tons of love it will get.

I love Courtney’s writing style. It’s easy to follow, imaginative and leaves the reading sitting on the edge of their seat eager for more. She did not disappoint on the twists and turns in The Project. There would many times through out this book that I would have to stop and process what happened.

I loved Lo’s character and her dedication to finding her sister and finding is place in the world after something horrific happened to her. I especially loved seeing how as the story went on how Courtney subtlety shifted certain aspects of Lo’s beliefs and actions to meet those of The Project, it was masterfully done. This whole entire book is masterful.

The Project left me crying in my room at 1a.m. because the ending is unlike anything I predicted it to be, especially having read Sadie and knowing how that ended. But as much as it emotionally destroyed me I loved every moment of this book and I hope everyone else who reads it does too. As I said, this review won’t do The Project justice so You have to read it for yourself to see!

   

Review: Memento by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Title: Memento (The Illuminae Files #.5)

Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: October 20th, 2020

eBook, 84 pages

Summary: From New York Times bestselling authors Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff comes an Illuminae prequel digital novella that gives readers a hair-raising glimpse into the calamity that befell the invincible AI system known as AIDAN–and the daring young programmer who would risk her life to keep it from crashing. AIDAN is the AI you’ll love to hate. The advanced AI system was supposed to protect a fleet of survivors who’d escaped the deadly attack on Kerenza IV. AIDAN was supposed to be infallible. But in the chaotic weeks and months that followed, it became clear that something was terribly, terribly wrong with AIDAN…

WHAT. HOW. NO. ADIAN. *internal screaming*

The Illumimae Files is one of my favorite series of all times so I was super bummed when I missed the preorder incentive for Aurora Rising and didn’t get Memento. I was thrilled when I heard that they would be publishing it!

Memento is a story all on its own. We learn things about ADIAN we never knew before. I was always curious at what point AIDAN had developed a sense of self awareness and we finally get that answer in this novella.

We also get to see the beginning of the attack on the Kerenza colony and how everyone including ADIAN reacts, especially after the damage it sustains.

Overall I really loved this novella and I can’t talk about much more without spoiling it. But it’s a great introduction or addition to an already amazing series.

ARC Review: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Title: The Gilded Ones (Deathless #1)
Author: Namina Forna
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Delacorte Press via NetGalley
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: May 26th 2020

Summary: 

The start of a bold and immersive West African-inspired, feminist fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther. In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice. Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat. Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.

I've been excited about The Gilded Ones since the moment I heard about it and the moment they revealed the cover and my excitement only increased. Look at that beautiful cover, the colors, the art it all captures the feel of this book beautifully. Forna created a cast of characters you couldn't help but love, a world you can't help but want to know more about and a story that will leave you longing for more.

Deka has been looked down upon all her life because of the color of her skin and she believes that proving she is pure at the blood ceremony she would finally fit into her village. But when Deathshrieks, creatures that are reeking havoc on the kingdom launch an attack, leaving several members of her Deka's village dead. Deka stops these creatures but at the price of unknowingly revealing that she bleeds gold. Bleeding gold means she is impure and will be sentenced to death. When a mysterious woman comes to town, she saves Deka from a series of horrible deaths and gives her a choice: go capital where she will fight for the emperor in the war against the Deathshrieks and learn how to use her abilities an Alaki to defeat them or stay in her village and suffer until the village Elders find what will bring her to her True Death. The choice is an obvious one. But when Deka arrives at the capital the secrets of her life and that of the Alaki begin to unravel before her, no one is safe and nothing is what it seems. 

I love Deka's character and her evolution through out this novel. She goes from being a meek, head down and quiet village girl to their fierce warrior who will do anything to protect the ones she cares about. Through out the novel we see the hard decisions that Deka has to make and the things she has to sacrifice. But we also get to watch as she learns shocking and life changing revelations about herself and who she truly is. 

The world building in The Gilded Ones is beautiful and amazingly done. Forna managed to create a complex world with monsters, a corrupt kingdom and a detailed history of the Alaki and the culture of several different regions of the world. Though the world is complex, it isn't hard to understand it and grasp it. Forna doesn't give readers that dreaded info dump but gives information through out the novel on this world. The second half of the book is a wild ride. Secret after secret comes to light, one more shocking than the other. There is a huge plot twist, one that I never saw coming and I am so excited to see more of this in the next book. 

Overall I can't give The Gilded One enough praise. It's beautiful, heart breaking and powerful all in one. I can't wait to read more from Forna in the future and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. 

ARC Review: Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards

Title: Five Total Strangers
Author: Natalie D. Richards
Genre: Thriller, Mystery 
Source: Sourcebooks via NetGalley
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire 
Publication Date: October 6th 2020

Summary: 

A hitched ride home in a snow storm turns sinister when one of the passengers is plotting for the ride to end in disaster. When Mira flies home to spend Christmas with her mother in Pittsburgh, a record-breaking blizzard results in a cancelled layover. Desperate to get to her grief-ridden mother in the wake of a family death, Mira hitches a ride with a group of friendly college kids who were on her initial flight. As the drive progresses and weather conditions become more treacherous, Mira realizes that the four other passengers she's stuck in the car with don't actually know one another. Soon, they're not just dealing with heavy snowfall and ice-slick roads, but the fact that somebody will stop at nothing to ensure their trip ends in a deadly disaster.

Content Warnings: Death, stalking, talks about drug use, drugs, car accidents, near death experiences

I want to take a moment to appreciate the cover of this book. It is quite simple, but at the same time the contrast of the red font against the snowy background makes it stand out. The cover matches the vibe of Five Total Strangers perfectly. I know if I passed it in the bookstore, I would be inclined to pick it up. 

What happens when you are stranded at an airport on Christmas Eve, desperate to get home in time to spend the holiday with your grieving mother? Mira is desperate to get home, the kind of desperate that she takes up an offer from her seatmate Harper and her "friends" to travel home by car in a snowstorm with them. But not everyone is who they seem to be and soon Mira is in a fight for her life. 

I really want to call Mira stupid for accepting the ride with people she barley knew, but desperate times call for desperate measures. A year ago her aunt Phoebe passed away, who happened to be her mother's twin. Mira's mom hasn't handled her death well and with the anniversary approaching and their favorite holiday happening Mira is desperate to be there. I understood Mira's desperation, Harper had given her a sense of security and she felt as if she took this ride it would get her to her mother quicker. She never expected to storm to thicken and for the events that would unfold to happen. I enjoyed that the story takes place in such a super short time frame. 

Five Total Strangers was a quick read, it flowed nicely and it had enough surprises and thrills to keep you wanting more. As a thriller lover, the story didn't stand out as different, but it was entertaining nonetheless.