Review: Twenty-Four Seconds from Now...

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now... by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Neon is now in Aria’s bathroom having a breakdown.  They are about to take their relationship to the next level … that is if he can get out of his head and back into her bedroom.  Twenty-four minutes ago Neon was leaving work; twenty-four days ago Neon’s mom found her bra in his bedroom; twenty-four weeks ago …; twenty-four months ago …. 

Twenty-Four Second From Now is a novel told in reverse.  This book starts with now and slowly backs up to show the reader what was happening in Neon’s life to get him to that point.  Reynolds did a wonderful job leading readers into the thoughts and actions of Neon and the people in his life.  It was a little confusing at first, but once I understood what the story was trying to do, it was great.  This is a short read that can be completed in one sitting.

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Review: The Glass Girl

The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bella has a lot of responsibilities.  Her parents are divorced, she seems to be raising her younger sister, and working too.  Bella is also the go-between with her parents and she can’t turn to her grandmother anymore … because she is dead.  She has started self-medicating with alcohol but doesn’t believe she has a problem … until she goes to a party on Thanksgiving and wakes up in the hospital.  Now she must face the consequences of her drinking and go to rehab.

The Glass Girl is a realistic fiction story that takes an issue that plagues humans of every age and puts it into a story that is easily relatable and easy to read.  Glasgow was able to build the story in such a way that readers will know where it is going next and still stick around for the ride.  The Glass Girl is a heart-wrenching story that would be a good fit for teens and adults alike.

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Review: Ruin Road

Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cade is playing football at a great high school, but his home is in the wrong neighborhood.  No matter where he goes, people steer clear of him … he is a large, black, teenage boy.  One night after his game is canceled, he ducks into a pawn shop and feels drawn to buy a ring.  A statement told in jest is taken as a wish and Cade’s life is turned upside down.  Will Cade be able to get out of his wish?  What price is too high?

Ruin Road is a stand-alone blend of fantasy and thriller as readers try and discover where the story is going next and what side stories are related to the main tale.  Giles has created relatable characters that pull at threads that link to issues in the news today and the story explores dark twists to many of our thoughts.  A fast-paced read for all thriller fans.

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Review: The Heart of the World

The Heart of the World by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Selly and Leander have been through a lot and the result is love.  He is now the Messenger for the goddess Barrica and Leander is the only thing keeping him from being taken over by the dark magic.  Unfortunately, Barrica wasn’t the only goddess who woke up and this new god is trying to start a war.  Will these two be able to stop the evil in the world, both immortal and human?  Will their new bond survive what they must go through next?

The Heart of the World is the second book in The Isles of Gods fantasy series.  The beginning of the book has a refresher of the first book so those who have a space of time between novels will be reminded.  This might be too much if you are reading the books close together, though.  Kaufman has taken the world-building from the first book and expanded on these dynamic characters.  A good fantasy read for those who enjoyed the first part.

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Review: Lucy Undying

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lucy is known as one of Dracula’s first victims.  For over 100 years, she has been trying to keep one step ahead of him and his control.  It is now 2024 and she discovers Iris, a woman with her own family secrets.  They are quickly drawn to each other, but neither knows what the other is grappling with.  Will Lucy and Iris find happiness?  Will Dracula catch up to her after all this time? 

Lucy Undying is a stand-alone supernatural story that pulls many elements of the original Dracula tale into the twenty-first century.  I have always loved the original Dracula story and the many variations throughout the years, and I was looking forward to this new addition.  Although I enjoyed the story overall, many places had me rolling my eyes as the story felt contrived and predictable.  Lucy Undying was a good story, but not one that must be rushed to the top of a TBR list.

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Review: Tiger's Tale

Tiger's Tale by Colleen Houck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anastasia and Verusha are the only children of the tsar but prefer their time with the guards instead of state affairs.  They know their parents won’t live forever and one of them must take the throne.  When their mother’s illness gets worse, the sisters look far and wide for a cure.  When they refuse a stranger’s help, he releases a curse that has the sisters fleeing their home.   Will they be able to break the curse?  Will their country survive without them?

Tiger’s Tale is the sixth book in The Tiger Saga series.  This book can be read by itself or out of order since the narrator at the beginning and end are the only references to the original series.  With that being said, this story was a wonderful escape and I was happy to explore a new world with tigers in the forefront.  I will warn readers that this book is not a one-and-done for this tale.  There is a cliffhanger and we must wait to learn more about Anastasia and Verusha.

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Review: One Last Chance to Live

One Last Chance to Live by Francisco X. Stork
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nico wants to be a writer.  He is taking a creative writing class at school and can feel the book inside him.  After having a dream about his funeral, he begins to wonder if he is going to die young.  It doesn’t help that his best friend’s girlfriend died the year before, especially since he was secretly crushing on her.  Now his mom is sick, and his brother is getting too close to a local gang.  What will Nico learn about himself and his family? 

One Last Chance to Live is a stand-alone realistic story that is short and sweet.  It was easy to get into but also very easy to forget.  The characters were enjoyable while reading, but I didn’t feel pulled back into the story after sitting it down for a while.  This would be a good book for reluctant readers, but avid readers will find it lacking.

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