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.

The Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard

The world is divided into two groups- the Silvers and the Reds. The Silvers rule and make all of the decisions, they also possess special abilities that range from controlling the mind, Fire, and water; to manipulating metal or commanding animals. The Silvers are the elite, including the ruling royals. The Reds possess no powers, they are the oppressed. They make up the system of labor, as well as the army. The lives of the Reds are hard, toiling, and often short. But what could they possibly do to fight the powerful Silvers?

Mare Barrow is a peculiarity amongst her people. Her blood runs red, just like everyone else in her family, but it also allows her to control, and even summon lightning. This series follows Mare as she walks the very narrow tightrope of trying to free her people from the oppression of the Silvers inflict, all the while trying to deal with her conflicting feelings for the two princes who desire her- the perfect prince Cal and the maniacal Maven. Both hope to claim not only the throne- but Mare as well. Who is Mare in the chaos of a civil war? Is she a hero? A captive? A politician? Or a red queen?

Well this is one of those series that hooks you and draws you in, each book is incredibly difficult to put down. Aveyard is brilliant in her craft. Her characters are multidimensional, and very complicated. Mare is the heroine but she is also very dark, bitter, and often selfish. Cal is heroic, decisive and strong, but he isn’t a natural politician, nor is he one to keep his promises if his crown is on the line. Maven…. ugh….. this character. Honestly his only plus is cleverness, everything else is just straight from the pit of hell. This series is very dark and intense, definitely not something to pick up if you want a light or fluffy read.

Ok I had a number of problems with this series. First is Maven….. he commits atrocities, and I am not exaggerating, horrific things happen with his approval. Let’s name a few- murder, kidnapping, blackmail, torture, and he basically allows his cousin to mind rape Mare, whom he claims to love (obsessed with would be more of an apt description, seriously it was never described but I am sure he had a creepy-stalker wall of her.) My second huge issue with the character is that he’s portrayed as a poor, tortured soul. His mommy was mean to him, being a Royal is hard, he “has” to do these awful things

Honestly it really creeped me out that we were supposed to feel bad for this ridiculous villain. I think narratives like this are super dangerous for young readers “he treats me badly, but he’s a tortured soul” this narrative helps absolutely no one. Romanticizing villains like Maven is just irresponsible, in my opinion. It sets an example that can lead young people into thinking that they can help or fix an abusive partner. Just, here’s my PSA- if your boyfriend or girlfriend (because women can be abusive too) is showing abusive behavior, get away and pray for their healing, that’s how you can help.

There’s also a very casual view of sex, and marriage is treated like a cage. There are almost no examples of healthy relationships (there’s like one, but it doesn’t last long) it really bothered me. Mare is very selfish in her relationship with Cal, at one point we find out that a “princess” has a mistress that becomes her brother’s wife, while maintaining their affair (that her brother is fully aware of.) There’s just very little in the healthy relationship department.

Personally I wouldn’t easily recommend this series. I feel like Aveyard really just doesn’t care about fan reactions to her story, which will probably hurt her career in the end.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

This could just be me, but I feel like if you want to maintain a fan following and a continued career in literature (especially if young adult is your target audience) you have a number of choices- you can torture your characters throughout your dark and broody series and give them a happy ending, or you can give them a (for the most part) happy life (or at least a fulfilling one) and a sad ending. I feel like Aveyard was just like “mmmm yeah no, I just to destroy people’s dreams” and made her story dark and broody, then left at such a terrible spot. I get that an immediate happy ending isn’t always organic or plausible, and staying true to the characters is necessary, I get that. BUT (!!!!!) that’s what time jumps are for! Rowling and Collins implemented these when they tortured their characters, because we needed to see that they were ok. (I don’t think we’ll ever know if George RR Martin will ever do this, cuz he ain’t writing, that’s for dang sure) so if you feel compelled to read this series that’s your prerogative, just know it’ll all end in tears, needing chocolate, and throwing the book (not specifically in that order.)

I would not wanting a child of mine reading this series. For violence, unhealthy examples of relationships, and casual views of sex I give this book 9 out of 10 on the cootie meter; for emotional stress I give it 13,482 out of 10 on the cootie meter

Legion by Julie Kagawa

After Garret put his life and freedom on the line in order to prove the corruption at the heart of the Order of St George, it hangs in the balance as they head out on the run, again. Ember watches helplessly at his side, watching the man she loves fight for his life. She’s finally made her choice- Ember loves Garret, but is it too late?

Dante, Talons heir apparent, prepares for the biggest battle in the war between The Order of St George and Talon, the battle that will decide the fate of all dragonkind, and with his army of clone dragons he will find it all too easily. But first he must return his sister Ember to the most powerful dragon in Talon, their mother the Elder Wyrm, the oldest dragon and CEO of Talon. But Ember has slipped through every trap he has ever set for her, could he possibly bring her home?

Garret has struggled and fought to live, he’s been willing to lay his life down for a greater cause since he was a boy, it’s only recently that he’s discovered something (or someone) worth living for. His dragon girl. In an effort to save his life, Garret received a blood transfusion from Riley, a dragon. Since receiving his blood Garret now feels changed, alien in his own skin. He’s stronger, able to heal quickly, and almost seeing things when he looks at his dragon friends. It’s almost like Garret can see the dragons, even they’re in their human form. Now he has to work to protect his dragon girl, and save his friends, those within and without the Order of St George.

You’re probably going to guess what I am going to say here, so I will give the Cliff notes version. It’s still fun, it’s still like one really long book, it’s still a fun read, just not for kiddos. My one issue is the other reviews for this book give the impression that Garret died in the third installment of this series, and since I was trying to get a feel for the series when I first started it I read the reviews for the later books and was so upset as I was already so attached to Garret (I honestly cannot stand Riley as a romantic option, he’s a jerk, he’s honest about it too.) I understand that the point is to try and avoid spoilers, but honestly its just at plain mean, and I won’t do that to you.

I wouldn’t want a child of mine reading this. For course language and some violence I give this book 7 out of 10 on the cootie meter.

Last Star by Rick Yancey

What’s the answer to the question? Why do these alien invaders attack as they have done? If extinction of the human race was their goal a large rock would do, so why infiltrate? Why cause disorder? Why kill everyone and sow distrust within earth’s small population?

As their numbers dwindle our small band of young survivors feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. They cannot let the invaders make murderers of the young 5th Wave army. They cannot allow the mothership to bomb every city in the world. They now know that every person left standing (save 12) on the planets surface is a victim too. Zombie, Cassie, Ringer, Evan, Nugget, and Meghan, these are the young, wounded saviors left. The earth is their inheritance, and they are it’s caretakers. But how can they defeat an enemy they have never seen?

My husband made an excellent point, this isn’t a series of books, the 5th Wave is one long book broken up into three separate parts. I can only describe the writing and story as brilliant, and masterful. Every single character felt real, tangible, and terribly flawed. The mental warfare in this is what gets me (don’t get me wrong, the actual warfare is terrible and visceral) but this was like one large chess game in story form. There were so many moments of humanity in the face of inhumanity, it really made the story grounded for me. This is one of those terribly wonderful stories that I wish I could recommend to everyone simply because this is clearly a masterpiece.

It is, however, full of violence and profanity, this is a story about war, and despite the soldiers young ages, there is a ton of profanity. This book is not meant for children, and if you are sensitive to violent imagery and foul language, this is not the book for you.

I do not recommend this book for teenagers. For violence and profanity I give this book 9 out 10 on the cootie meter.

The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins

The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins 

This books ends the duology started by the book The Great Hunt, which is great cuz that cliffhanger needed to be wrapped up. 

Princess Aerrity is now engaged to the man who killed the beast, a philandering north man who has no illusions about marrying for love. She also can’t help but notice his interest in not only her cousin but also the castles female staff. It doesn’t matter to her, the man she loves, Paxton Seabolt, has left as his secret can’t be hidden anymore. He gave up the right to claim her hand in marriage in order to save his dying brother. It’s something that Aerrity can’t help but respect, but that doesn’t ease her broken heart. 

In his travels Paxton learns of a plot to takeover his homeland, and to dispatch his love’s family from their rightful place on the throne. It’s not Paxton’s right to protect Aerrity in person, so he decides to lie to protect her, to join the Army of Lashed (those with magical abilities) and seduce it’s crazy leader Rozario Roccoto in order to secretly send information back to Aerrity and their people. 

Ok so I will start with the good first- this book was so enjoyable. I am currently incredibly busy, and I still couldn’t put this book done. It’s written very well, there’s intrigue, danger, battles, magical beasts (both good and bad), crazy plots, and very in-depth characters. It’s all around a good time.

In spite of that, I really can’t recommend this book. It’s published by TeenHarper, so it’s a fair assumption that it’s meant for teens, right? All I can say is that I really hope not. Yes there’s violence, people die and whereas their deaths aren’t overly gruesome, they’re still violent. That’s not the worst of it though- it’s the sex. Seriously, the general attitude towards sex casual at best, Aerrity catches her maid coming out of her fiancés bedchamber and is just like “could you not do that here?” then has a giggly talk about sex with her maid. Paxton tries to get information from a crazy woman who clearly wants him for only one thing, and whereas he starts out a willing participant, on two occasions he narrowly escapes being raped. Later in the book Aerrity and Paxton have sex, and it’s not implied at all. It’s a straight up sex scene. I was shocked to say the least. Books like this is the main reason we wanted to start this blog in the first place, it’s clearly aimed at children, and definitely shouldn’t be. The author even quotes the Bible in her acknowledgments section. 

If a child of one asked to read this I would give a straight up “no” then have a talk on sex, purity in literature, and abstinence (just for good measure.) For sex and violence I give this book 10 out of 10 on the cootie meter.