#yabooks

I was pleasantly surprised by the world the author created in this book. It’s big and beautiful and full of crazy layers. This story has magic, intrigue, love and plenty of twists and turns to keep you deep in the story.

While this book took a little more then a minute to get me into it, by the end I was all in and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next one Ruthless Gods.

Happy Halloween

Anyone else working on The End and Other Beginnings by Veronica Roth?

I had a bunch of problems getting my preorder of Rebel shipped, but it’s finally on it’s way. I’m looking forward to getting back into this world.

Vacation means lazy mornings with coffee and books.

Happy Indigo Book Box day to me. I’ve been looking forward to this one for awhile. I’m already impressed that the author is only 19.

No resistance for book sales in this house

Spoiler Free Review of

The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young

Companion book to Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

Straight into this story we are introduced to the Kyrr people, and one of our dual perspectives Tova. The Kyrr people lead their lives based on their beliefs in the fates and their ability to throw and read the ruin stones. Tova has a fate that brings her people and family much pain, yet their faith in the Fates leads on. Our other POV is Halvard, who was also a character in Sky in the Deep. Halvard is part of the Nadhir people, a combination of the Aska and Riki clans from years before. He is the first generation to really live after a blood feud that lasted decades and he’s inline to be the next chieftain of his people.

What Halvard and the Nadhir people don’t realize is that another people, the Svell people, are watching and preparing for war. When news of a devastating blow to the Nadhir people comes to light, Tova and Halvard are thrust into the path the Fates have in store for them no matter the outcome. Tova is trying to make the best of a bad situation, stuck with people that are ready to kill her at every turn, she throws the ruin stones and heads down the path to where Halvard and her collide.

I struggled a tiny bit at the beginning of this book with the onslaught of information. Between names, places and the people, you can get a little lost in trying to get it all straight. However I really liked the Viking vibes and the simple life that Adrienne has in both of her books. Like in Sky in the Deep, Adrienne also has no problem getting the ladies out on the battlefield and not just in front of the fire. The Girl The Sea Gave Back is full of life lessons about fearing the unknown, betrayal, family and how horrible war can be. You’ll be crying, angry and fighting side by side on the battlefield with two great characters who are just trying to do the best they can.

I give this book 4 stars ⭐️

Thank you Candlewick Press for this gorgeous copy of

What Makes Us by Rafi Mittlefehldt

A book haul to brighten a rainy weekend.

While I had my issues with the first one, I’m still eager to get into book two.

Finally a day off. Catching up on my book The Tiger at Midnight is my first priority of the day.

Spoiler Free Review of

With the Fireon High by Elizabeth Acevedo

I’m a cook by trade, so I immediately connected with our main character Emoni in that aspect of her life. Cooking can feed your soul as well as your belly. I loved the recipes the author added within the story and have plans to try of few myself. Not everyone can understand how much food can be a part of who were are and who are families are, learning this part of the Peurto Rician culture was a great addition to the story. I thought the point that no matter how good you are at something, there’s always something to learn was incredibly valid these days and more people need to remember it going forward.

Emoni is also a mom, an incredibly young teenage mom, in the book you learn she had the baby when she was only 14. Here in the story she’s 17 and her baby girl Emma is 3, I appreciate the author for telling the other side of the pregnancy a little bit. So often in YA these days it’s the “Oops” moment. Where the 16 year old girl discovered she’s pregnant and the resulting chaos. Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world when you’re an adult, never mind when you’re just a kid yourself. I hope someone out there takes a lesson from a few of the realities Elizabeth brings out during the story.

Favourite Quotes

“The world is a turntable that never stops spinning; as humans we merely choose the tracks we want to sit out and the ones that inspire us to dance.”

“Doesnt she know I still need her? That I still wish someone would look at the pieces of my life and tell me how to make sure they all fit back together?”

There’s was another one, but my little sticky came loose and I lost it. It had to do with the first time she had sex, and with it being more about being chosen then it was about wanting. Damn. I wish I could find it. I flipped through the whole book again and had no luck. Hopefully you’ll read this book, find the quote and know which one I meant.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, full of teenage angst with all kinds of passion thrown in. Passion for family, culture and of course food.

I give this book 4 stars ⭐️

Indigo upped my points last weekend so you can bet I decided to Treat my self.