Review: Imprison the Sky

Imprison the Sky by A.C. Gaughen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aspasia might have been a slave as a child, but she has earned the right to be the captain of her own ship, even if she isn’t truly free. One of her goals is to free as many women and children from slavery, yet she also tries to free Elementae when she can. Aspasia needs to keep her Elementa powers a secret and she must also not let Cyrus know she is searching for her family. These secrets can be used against her and then she would never be free. As war seems imminent, Aspasia must face her own demons and determine which lines she is unwilling to cross. Will she find her siblings? Will her powers be enough to save those she loves?

Imprison the Sky is the second book in The Elementae series. This fantasy novel has all the components of a good read: adventure, magical powers, internal conflict and a little bit of romance. Although the main character is a strong teen female, this series will appeal to readers of both genders and all age groups. It has been a while since I read the first book, yet I quickly fell into this story and was able to become completely emerged and vested. Some small storylines have been completed, but this series is far from finished and I look forward to the next installment to be released.


View all my reviews

Review: Only a Breath Apart

Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jesse’s grandmother has recently died, but she had a stipulation in her will. In order for him to inherit the land, he must get the approval of a few people, including a childhood friend he hasn’t spoken to in years. Scarlett is dealing with a troubled home life and the need to leave her family to go to college. Her father has always been controlling, but as she approaches high school graduation, these fears are escalating. Scarlett might be able to follow her dreams and go away for college, but in order for this to happen, she will need to trust Jesse again. Will Jesse and Scarlett be able to help each other achieve their dreams? What obstacles will they need to overcome along the way?

Only a Breath Apart is a stand-alone novel told in the alternating voices of Jesse and Scarlett. Readers will easily discover that this story must be told and will enjoy the connection between these two teens. McGarry has designed an overarching story that is easy to relate to but has also included several smaller tangents that will keep the reader deeply involved. The supporting characters are just as vital as the two protagonists and this gives the story, even more, meaning and worth. I recommend Only a Breath Apart to everyone who enjoys a good coming of age story.


View all my reviews

Review: Station Zero

Station Zero by Philip Reeve
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Zen is now living a relaxed life with everything he could want, except for the adventure he craves. He also would like to see Nova, but she is in a different part of the universe and out of reach. After Zen receives a crazy message, he gets his heart’s desire with another adventure traveling the rails. Station Zero is the end of the Railhead trilogy and readers will be excited to see some returning characters. As with most series, please don’t read this book if you haven’t read the first two. You will just be completely confused and not get as much enjoyment out of the story. This finale is one wild adventure followed by another and readers will be pulled along as the pages almost turn themselves.

View all my reviews

Review: 29 Dates

29 Dates by Melissa de la Cruz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jisu’s parents are not happy with her grades or her plans for college. They have been working with a matchmaker to find her the right boyfriend in order to set her up for a successful future. After Jisu gets a C on a test and skips one of her dates to be with her friends, her parents decide to send her to San Francisco to finish her senior year. They hope the change in scenery will be just what Jisu needs to strengthen her academics and find the perfect boy. Will Jisu get into an acceptable college and find a boy that she likes and her parents will accept? What will Jisu learn about herself along the way?

29 Dates is a stand-alone romance novel that was challenging and enjoyable. I will admit that I am not Korean or Korean American and it was interesting to read about the various cultural nuances within this community. De La Cruz did a wonderful job introducing these various Korean viewpoints while also not making the book feel like a cultural lesson. The romance that is included is very superficial and is more of a secondary story to the overall story of finding out who Jisu really is. I recommend 29 Dates to anyone who likes a good relationship story, especially those who liked To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.


View all my reviews

Review: What You Hide

What You Hide by Natalie D. Richards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Spencer has a really good place to complete his community service, the library he accidentally damaged while scaling it. Mallory is suddenly homeless and is trying to stay under the radar, but it is hard to stay unnoticed when her favorite safe place is the library and Spencer seems to always be there. When a person is found dead in the stacks and crazy messages are found throughout the library, the people in charge bring in the police and Mallory's safe place is no longer safe. Who is the other mystery person in the library? Will Mallory’s home life be straightened out?

What You Hide is a stand-alone mystery that will be quickly devoured by those who choose to read it. Richards tells the story through the alternating voices of Spencer and Mallory, so readers are privy to a larger story than if only one of them was the narrator. The events that happen throughout are completely believable which will enable most readers to sit back and just enjoy the adventure. I recommend What You Hide to everyone who wants an easy read with a satisfactory ending.

View all my reviews

Review: My Almost Flawless Tokyo Dream Life

My Almost Flawless Tokyo Dream Life by Rachel Cohn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Elle Zoellner is not looking forward to celebrating her sixteenth birthday in foster care, but she never expected the father she never met to ask her to come live with him in Tokyo. Elle can’t believe she is traveling first class and that she will get to live the high life with the Tokyo elite. That is until she actually meets her father, who doesn’t want to spend time with her, and her grandmother who wishes she didn’t even exist. Elle makes friends with the Ex-Brats who love to spend their parent’s money, but are these fellow students really her friends? Can she follow all of the expected customs and be accepted into the family?

My Almost Flawless Tokyo Dream Life is a stand-alone novel that is quick to read and also quick to move past. The overall storyline is plausible but not believable. Cohn has a variety of characters for readers to explore, but most follow the typical mean girl/quiet boy conventions. I did enjoy reading about this change in life circumstance story and will recommend it to my students, but readers should look at this as a fun escape read and not high literature with a lot of talking points.


View all my reviews