Sky in the deep by Adrienne Young

Seventeen year old Eelyn has been raised to be one thing- a warrior. She’s a member of the proud Aska clan, who wages in battle once every five years with the monstrous Riki clan. They are mortal enemies, having fought for generations. This is Eelyn’s second chance to wage war on her enemies, but this time she has a taste for vengeance. Last season, five years before, she lost her brother, he had been her closest friend and the best the Aska clan had to offer, and he died at the bottom of a canyon, at the hands of the Riki.

But as Eelyn fights ferociously in battle she sees a hallucination, what surely must be a hallucination- her brother, alive, and in Riki armor. Desperate to make sure that it’s really her brother she follows him, only to be captured by the Riki. Now she’s a captive of her brother and his best friend Fiske. Her people, the Aska believe death would be better than dishonor, so when she’s sold as a slave to Fiske, Eelyn believes death would have been preferable. She’s told if she can only wait until the snow thaws then Fiske will return her home himself. But can she survive her stay in a village full of Riki who hate her? Can she maintain her hatred of these people when she Ives among them?

But all of their plans are for not, as the Riki village is attacked by a ferocious clan, one so terrible they live in the nightmares of children. Can the Riki and Aska survive alone? Or can they get past their differences and work together to defend their lands?

This was a fantastic story. Watching characters outgrow their prejudices is beautiful. This story shows us how hate turns to love, and enemy turns family, when perspectives change. Eelyn was a flawed, uncomplicated character who held her hatred close to her heart. It was amazing as the story unfolded and she grew to care for those around her, as her eyes were opened up to their humanity. Fiske was such a fantastic mix of strong and gentle, he did what he needed to do in order to protect those he loves. Their love story was fierce and beautiful. It was one I enjoyed thoroughly.

I will say that I cannot recommend the sequel to this book The Girl The Sea Gave Back

The main character in the sequel is a fortune teller and she uses ritualistic magic to tell the future for her people, including necromancy. I cannot in good conscience recommend the sequel at all.

This falls more into the young adult spectrum, more towards ages 17-19. For some pretty gruesome violence, an implied sex scene (not graphic or descriptive) and intense scenes where it seems like Eelyn might be raped (she wasn’t but she was left naked, tied up in the snow) I give this book 7 out of 10 on the cootie meter

Supernova

Supernova is the conclusion to Meyer’s latest trilogy series the Renegades. It follows the story of Nova (aka Nightmare/Insomnia) and Adrian (aka Sketch/The Sentinel) as they deal with the fall out of the events that transpired within the second book- Archenemies.

When Nova (as Nightmare) retrieves her uncle’s helmet, which helps channel his telekinetic powers, she thinks the Anarchists have finally won. Her uncle will regain power and finally take down the pompous Renegades and their superhero run government. Only life is never that simple or easy- her uncle has been captured and imprisoned in Cragmoor, a prison specifically built for those with superpowers.

Nova scrambles as she tries to maintain her unraveling lies, get her uncle out of jail, and keep her growing affections for her boyfriend and poster boy Renegade Adrian in check. But even the best of jugglers drop balls sometimes.

Adrian’s brother is in the hospital, having been stabbed in a vicious attack by Nightmare. That’s when he decides- Nightmare must be taken down. But as Adrian studies the evidence he comes to an awful conclusion- could Nightmare be a spy amongst the ranks of the Renegades? But how could someone work amongst them and not believe in the Renegades cause? But Adrian’s world comes crashing down when all the evidence, including a witness, points to his own girlfriend Nova being the infamous Nightmare. What’s a good Renegade supposed to do?

This was an excellent conclusion to the Renegades trilogy. Fast paced and fun to read I was engrossed and texting my best friend all day long about it. There’s danger, humor, romance, betrayal, and redemption. I will say throughout the first two books I wanted to root for Adrian and Nova’s growing feelings for one another, but couldn’t fully get gung ho about it simply because they had so many lies and secrets from each other. However in this book *SPOILERS* all of those are stripped away, and they finally get to see one another for who they really are. So then I was able to be excited to see their relationship strengthen

Yes I know it’s fiction, but I just love seeing healthy relationships in fiction. I stuck through this not only because I just loved the story but I know Meyer’s previous writings and they have very healthy relationships in them, so I held out for the end and I was not disappointed. I was genuinely surprised by the ending and loved it. I can easily recommend this book.

If a child of mine wanted to read this book I would be ok with 15-17. There is violence throughout, for that I give this book 3.5 out of 10 on the cootie meter.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

If you’re familiar with Holly Black or know anything about her career, you know that she’s gifted with her fairy world imagination. She’s also a supremely talented writer. She took a few books “off” that explored other kinds of worlds, and made her return with this one.

Hazel and Ben are just kids, living with their artist parents in the city of Fairfold. What’s so special about that? In Fairfold, the fae and fairy folk don’t stay hidden. Their magic, once harmless, is used to lure in tourists. As well as a mysterious sleeping prince in a glass case in the forest. Just like the bit in Snow White when she eats the poison apple.

Hazel and Ben spend their childhood hunting the bad fairy folk, the ones that eat tourists and kill dogs, and protecting their beloved sleeping prince. When one of their hunting expeditions goes wrong, they give it up. They resign to only gazing upon the prince and telling romantical stories about his waking up, one day, someday. As all good stories move forward, the prince does wake, and Hazel and Ben must choose if they can trust him, or each other.

So, while this book was what I would consider a page turner, it had some issues that have to be made known. My biggest issue was that Hazel and Ben start out the novel in love with the sleeping prince. Both of them. Now, Holly Black has always been consistent with her gay main characters. She was doing it before it was trendy. So it was expected. It didn’t change the weirdness, however, that the brother and sister had a thing for the same dude.

There’s also a lot of making out, underage drinking, violence, swearing, and somewhat absent parents who issue no consequences for bad behavior. The characters all felt ridiculously selfish the whole time, too.

And to top it off, the climax was, well, anti-climactic. I was thoroughly disappointed. 3/4 of the books plot was awesome, kept me going. I don’t know if Holly got tired at the end or thought she was making a good choice, but it was a huge let down.

Because of all the content that’s just not necessary, and the glorifying of behaviors that don’t align with scripture, I have to say this is a 7 out of 10 on the cootie meter. Sixteen and over could read it, but it’s probably not worth the read. If you’re going to let you child read the less than stellar content, at least give them a good plot and characters that might teach them something.

A Dream of Ebony and White by Melanie Cellier

Blanche has returned from the princess tourney to find her father’s health has continued to decline. Soon she will be all alone. After her father finally dies, Snow’s best friend, Alexander the royal huntsman, has returned from his assignment abroad. No longer alone, yet still her life is in danger.

As Blanche’s stepmother assumes the throne, she dispatches Alexander to murder the fair and young princess. The queen means to test the young huntsman’s loyalty, only the huntsman’s loyalty has been irrevocably placed with the young princess. So they run away, deep into the woods, far away from the usurper queen and her guards.

Blanche finds safety deep within the woods, in the home of seven young children. They work together within an abandoned mine, completely independent. But Snow knows she can’t hide with them forever, she needs to reclaim her throne. Blanche’s people need her to reclaim her throne. So with the help of her best friend Alexander the huntsman, the seven young children, and a grandfather she never knew before. Will it all be enough to reclaim her throne?

I’m a huge fan of Cellier, she’s a master of balancing tension. This story is no different, you’re left reading this book in one seating because you simply must know how it ends. Blanche was a wonderful princess, awkward and uncertain in her ascension to the throne. I can easily recommend this book.

If a child of mine wanted to read this I would be ok with them reading it between 13-15 years old. For Disney level magic and mild danger I give this book 1.5 out of 10 on the cootie meter

A Crown of Snow and Ice by Melanie Cellier

Princess Celine has never backed away from a challenge or an adventure. So when she’s invited to explore the mysterious and icy country of Eldon by its cold princesses, Celine jumps at the chance. As the Royal entourage grows closer to their icy homeland Celine begins to wonder at how strange the royals of Eldon are. Also how strange it is for the country of Eldon to be still covered in ice and snow.

But after Celine is blessed by her fairy godmother with the very unprincesslike gift of fire, Celine is even more confused. What is wrong with this country, it’s royals, and why can she shoot hot air out of her hands when pressed?

Celine discovers the country of Eldon is under an enchantment. She does her best to awaken the coldly handsome Prince Oliver and his sisters, but only managed to awaken him and his youngest sister. Together the three of them work to discover the limits of the enchantment, and the limits of Celine’s new gift of fire. Will they be able to save Eldon from the icy clutches of its enchantment? Or will it’s people be imprisoned in a forever winter?

This was such a fun read. I really enjoyed Princess Celine in the earlier books in the series, and seeing her come to shine in the spotlight of her own story was a delight. Cellier is a master at maintaining tension within a story and keeping the reader wanting more. The more I read the more I love her stories. This is one I can easily recommend.

If a child of mine wanted to read this I would be ok with ages 13-15. For Disney level magic and danger I give this book 1 out of 10 on the cootie meter.

Merry Christmas

We hope your Christmas and New Year are going to be wonderful and bright. Us reviewers are going to spend the next few weeks with our families, so there won’t be any reviews or social media posts. We’re so honored to serve you all, and to share our love of reading with you. We will see you in the new year, praying we will all have a safe and wonderful Christmas.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand

Holly is 16 years old and has the exact life she wants- she lives almost completely alone, her father is a movie director off in New Zealand, filming his newest movie. Her housekeeper Elena tends to her every need. Following the example of her now deceased stepmother Yvonne, she knows that image is everything and it’s her job to set the trends. She has the 50,000 followers on social media to prove it.

On Christmas Eve Holly is visited by the ghost of her stepmother Yvonne, she’ll soon be visited by three ghosts- ghost of Christmas past, present, and future. You’ve all heard the tale

But what happens when Scrooge doesn’t learn his (or in our case her) lesson? Well Holly finds out. She doesn’t learn her lesson, she mocks the ghosts and continues her cruelty towards her dad, housekeeper, and former best friend. So a few days later, after yoga class she’s hit by a car, and wakes up as the newest member of a corporation with a singular goal- change the hearts of the Scrooges of the world. Holly now works out of the New York branch. She’s the newest ghost of Christmas past.

But after five years as the ghost of Christmas past Holly’s job becomes more complicated with this year’s Scrooge. Instead of an elderly Scrooge, this year’s scrooge is young, handsome, and complicated. As Holly delves into Evans memories to determine which ones will most likely change his heart she realizes how much she has changed, and how much she still needs to change. Can Holly be offered a second chance? Will she actually change?

This was such a fun book, I’ve come to really enjoy the writing of Cynthia Hand. In this standalone novel there’s wit, classical references to the works of Dickens, empathy and compassion. This story breathed new life into the story that we all know. A company that’s sole purpose is the heart of a Scrooge, but also cares about incident reports and the ethical implications of when and where to set up surveillance on a Scrooge, it just was entertaining from beginning to end. Holly was a perfect modern era Scrooge, even pointing out that saying “whatever” is just a modern way of saying “bah humbug” this is an enjoyable read that I can easily recommend.

If a child of mine wanted to read this I would be ok with 14 years old. For a little underage drinking I give this book 1 out of 10 on the cootie meter

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz

Darcy Fitzwilliams is a successful businesswoman, at eighteen years old she set out on her own to make a name for herself. Darcy’s father disowned her when she decided to she couldn’t marry the man he had picked out for her, Carl Donavan. So instead Darcy is a self-made millionaire in New York City. She doesn’t have a lot of close friends, people assume she’s a snob. Darcy doesn’t have a boyfriend, but an on and off again fling with Carl.

Just when Darcy starts to really feel alone, she gets called back home to Pemberly, Ohio. Her mother suffered a heart attack and asked for Darcy to come home. Just in time for Christmas.

Back home in time for her family’s annual Christmas party, Darcy reunites with her best friend Bingley. But when Darcy notices that he meets and almost immediately falls for Jim Bennet, the oldest of the Bennet boys, she knows her only friend has left the party, leaving her at the mercy of her parents famous egg nog, mistletoe, and her old high school rival Luke Bennet. Which leaves Darcy, somehow, making out with Luke under the mistletoe.

Darcy shrugs off her experience as a drunken mistake. But as Darcy navigates the complexities of coming back home, she finds herself being drawn to the judgemental carpenter more than she’s ever been drawn to anyone. But will their prideful natures ever be overcome? Can they get past their original prejudices, and learn to love one another?

Well this was an interesting take on Pride and Prejudice, making it modern and swapping the genders. I have to say though, if this wasn’t a tiny novel I probably would have enjoyed it more. As it was there was very little time to get to know these new versions of the old characters (some of my favorite characters in fiction.) Darcy came off as a drunken, snobby feminist who constantly talked about her wealth. Luke came across as a jerk. And they both used people badly, getting quickly engaged to other people then just as quickly calling it off. Honestly I was not a fan of this book. It didn’t feel like a young adult novel, nor did it feel like a Christmas one either. Honestly do yourself a favor and cozy up with some hot chocolate, a blanket, and the Hallmark movie version of this book, which in almost no way resembles this book.

I wouldn’t let my child read this book because I would much rather watch the movie with them, along with eating a bunch of Christmas cookies. For sex, drinking, and honestly bad writing I give this book 8 out of 10 on the cootie meter.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We love the holidays here at Trust us, we’re nerds, and we hope that yours is a wonder holiday. May it be filled with thanksgiving, joy, family, fantastic potatoes

and the best post feast nap that we all look forward to

We won’t be posting a review this week or anything on social media. So please take this week to enjoy the holiday, read a book, and gain at least three pounds from delicious food. Happy Thanksgiving 🍁🍽🦃

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

If you’re looking for a book full of names you have never heard of before, and quite possibly have zero idea how to pronounce- I have the book for you.

I confess, I usually listen to audio books because of the basic convenience factor. I can sew, clean, or paint while getting a good story in. Carve the Mark, however, I listened to out of necessity. You see, I purchased this novel over one year ago, excited to read Veronica Roth’s latest work, since I enjoyed Divergent so very much. I read a chapter or two and my brain was completely uncooperative at understanding how to pronounce the words I was reading. I couldn’t sound out names, or geographical locations comfortably and it really bugged me. It was similar to reading Harry Potter books and not knowing for sure how “Hermione” was said until the movie came out. Ha! but imagine an entire novel of that.

So I waited for it to come out on Hoopla (super awesome FREE ebook/audiobook app that uses a local library card number for instant rentals!!!!!!)

The audio book process saved me. Once I learned how all the words should sound, I was able to listen to the story and enjoy it.

My shortcomings aside, this novel was really enjoyable, though with many predictable moments. Veronica Roth is skilled in the art of creating interesting plots, solid relationship dynamics without the love triangle nonsense, and her prose is fluid.

Carve the Mark is just as action packed as Roth’s debut series. There aren’t too many moments that lack. The novel instantly introduces us to an interesting scene that involves fates, prophecies, kidnappings, and a few murders.

The story is set in a futuristic world. There’s space travel and many planets that are colonized and a unique-ish thing called the current. I say unique-ish, because once I explain, its definitely comparable to the Shatter Me series created by Taherah Mafi.

The current is a type of energy. It’s not something seen but is manifested in all the people that inhabit the planet our story is on. Each child discovers their current gift at some point. Our main girl, Cyra, the sister of a tyrant rule who happens to be her brother, has an unfortunate gift that makes her hands a weapon. If she touches people, she causes them pain because of the current traveling within her. Because of this rare ability, her brother uses her as a weapon against his enemies.

It’s when she meets a prisoner, Akos, that she learns more about herself, her loyalties, and her brother. Akos’s current gift is one that cancels out Cyra’s. When Akos touches her, he mutes the current.

When Cyra is faced with making choices that go against everything she’s known, we see her strengths.

I’m not one for giving away too many plot spoilers, unless necessary. There aren’t any necessary ones you need to know ahead of time. This time.

What I will say is that there was a lot of hubbub over this book that I didn’t realize was happening at first. Apparently a lot of readers felt Veronica Roth wrote a racist novel. I never once took that from this book. To me, she was world building and some of those materials looked like things from our modern world.  Some people read it as racists stereotypes. I don’t know. I don’t see it.

This book is well written, different enough from others that have similar tropes to be enjoyable, and it’s relatively “clean”.

I give this book, Carve the Mark, a 5 out of 10 on the cootie meter. For violence and passionate kissing, and mild swearing. Recommending this read for a mature 14 and up.