Getting Your Read On: Clean YA

Showing posts with label Clean YA. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Warriors of Wing and Flame (Sisters of Shadow and Light #2) by Sara B. Larson

The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.

In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.

* Amazon * Goodreads *

After reading the first book in this duology, I was anxiously awaiting this book. The first book left off in a cliff hanger place so it felt like a rough place to end and a long time to wait. You really must read the first book before you read this book.

This book picks up pretty much where the last book leaves off. It has excellent pacing and plenty going on that kept me interested in the story and invested in the characters. I loved the mix of adventure, action, romance and magic. I also loved how all the characters came together to fight against Barloc. It was satisfying to watch both Zuhra and Inara grow into power and confidence while the people around them support and build them up.

The only little glitch I had was telling the sisters apart. Their voices became very similar in this book and because the author changes the character narrative with each chapter, I found I had to go back and remind myself who was talking. Not always, but a few times for sure.

This is a fun young adult fantasy duology and I really enjoyed it.

Content: peril, violence, death, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Springback (Ring of Time #1) by Jana Miller

Ever since discovering her ability to rewind time seven years ago, Chloe has been reaching—for a worthy use of her ability, for redemption from her past, and for the kind of validation she’ll never find as long as she has to keep this secret.

By the time she’s sixteen, Chloe has decided that rewinding is not a gift at all, but punishment for her part in the tragedy that has shaped her life for so many years. And when she discovers others who possess the same ability, she has no idea whether she can trust them--or the information they offer about her own history.

Secrets of the past combine with rivalries of the present to set off a series of painful events and impossible discoveries, and soon Chloe finds herself in a race to piece together a puzzle of ancient relics, family feuds, and strands of time as she seeks to defuse the threat to her family, her powers, and the fabric of time itself.

*Note: This is a standalone novel; while there will be a sequel, the story comes to an end with no cliffhanger.

* Goodreads * Amazon *

I think it's important as a reader, to step outside your usual genres and throw in something a little different. It helps keep things fresh and balanced. This book was definitely outside my usual genres and probably not something I would gravitate to on my own. This is a YA book, on the younger side of YA and probably even fitting for a middle grade reader. It is clean- no swearing, no sexual content. There isn't even any type of romance at all.

So, there were some things I really liked, some that were okay and some things I didn't like. I really liked the "rewinding" idea. Being able to go back in time to fix something or alter something. I can think of many times I wish I could've had that power! The author did a great job of creating a visual for me of how the characters were accomplishing that. I also really liked that there were rules of sorts- parameters set within that ability. Consequences even. It made the idea seem more valid and possible because of those things.

I was so interested in the first bit of the book. It was new and fresh and I was wholly invested in Chloe and Jake meeting, rewinding, meeting, rewinding etc.. The middle part of the book got a bit slow. There isn't a lot happening and the forward progression is, for lack of a better word, slow. The last handful of chapters of the book pick up and things start happening faster which was good. The story needed some climactic build up. Most of it is at an even level.

I think the thing I had the hardest time with was the emotion. When you don't have strong emotional connections happening, it's harder to invest your own emotions. I didn't feel an emotional pull to any of the characters. They were likable but nothing really drew me into them. If you don't have strong characters with lots of emotion, you better have a gripping, fast moving plot to make up for it. I didn't really get either of those things. BUT, I think this book would be great in the hands of the younger crowd or for parents to read with their tweens. It sparks the imagination and gives plenty of room for conversation about what you might "rewind" and why.

Content: mild peril

- I picked this book up on KU

Monday, July 29, 2019

Don't Fall for Trouble (Rockford High #2) by Victorine E. Lieske

Jessica knew he was trouble. Too bad her heart didn't get the message.

Christian Black was the ultimate bad boy. He'd spent time in juvie. And Jessica's father was the deputy county attorney. He would freak if he knew she was spending time with him. Too bad she has no choice. Being paired up with him for a science project wasn't her idea.

But when he touches her the world spins and her heart melts. She's got it bad for the bad boy.

Christian likes Jessica, but can't allow himself to fall for her. He's leaving Rockford as soon as he can get his sister to a safe place. He's got plans, and they don't include falling in love.

* Amazon * Goodreads *

Do you believe that opposites attract? Christian and Jessica appear to be opposites in every way but cannot deny an interest and attraction especially as they start working together on a school project. I loved how Jessica realizes there is more to Christian than she believes and begins to understand his motivations. Christian is definitely misunderstood. It made him the underdog all the way through and I love to root for a good underdog. Apparently, so does Jessica who is an excellent supporter and defender of Christian once she comes to know him- despite her overprotective father!

This is a fun (and quick) young adult high school age romance. Christian and Jessica are great characters and I enjoyed their story. I kind of wish it would have lasted a bit longer!

Content: some sneaking out, kissing, mention of physical abuse

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Falling for My Best Friend: A Sweet YA Romance by Victorine E. Lieske

It was just a fake kiss. It wasn't supposed to make my heart stop.

He was my best friend since...forever. Parker was just, Parker. Dependable. A little geeky but so was I. And we weren't supposed to have chemistry. I was in love with Lucas. Dreamy, hot Lucas. But Lucas was in love with Charlotte, which stunk.

And then I kissed Parker and my world shifted and I started to wonder, was Lucas the one for me? Or was I chasing after the wrong guy?

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Really Cute!

It's high school and Hannah and Parker have been best friends for most of their lives. They know each other well. Hannah decides to shake things up when she asks Parker to fake date her to get the attention of her crush. That's where things start to shift because one kiss later, Hannah starts to wonder and see Parker in a different way. The awareness came gradually for Hannah and I enjoyed watching the progression. I wish I knew more about what Parker was feeling because I feel like I didn't really get to know him as well but what a great best friend he was to Hannah. Especially when she was pitching her fits. This book definitely has the teenage high school vibe going on which is perfect for this series. I'm loving this recreation of the Sweet Valley High type books. It's so much fun.

Content: kissing

- I picked this book up on Kindle Unlimited.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

The Windfall App by Teresa Richards + Three Book Giveaway

Marina Berghman is a classical piano prodigy with parents who’ve had her life mapped out since she was in diapers. But their plan leaves no room for her secret love of alternative rock, or Sean, the edgy guitarist who recently moved to town.

When Marina buys a lottery ticket on her eighteenth birthday via the new Windfall app, she expects it to be nothing more than a rite of passage. But she wins—the grand prize of five thousand dollars a day, for life. Suddenly given the means to break free from a life she never felt in control of, she’s quick to cut her family ties and turn her back on everything she knows.

But her lottery win was no lucky break. Her prize comes with strings attached, and Marina soon finds herself at the center of someone else’s life or death game. When she discovers evidence linking her dad to the intrigue, she turns to Sean for help. But he’s harboring secrets of his own.

Now Marina must sort out who to trust and who’s pulling the strings, before her prize turns into a noose.

* Goodreads * Amazon *

What a cute book! This story was really just easy, breezy fun to read. I loved the quirky Marina, coming into her own and trying to figure life out. She is talented and smart but definitely not used to making her own decisions. Spreading her wings under such unusual and dynamic circumstances (winning the lottery!!) leads to a few big bumps in her road. Yes, Marina makes some mistakes but I thought she handled herself fairly well all things considered. Marina is kind and a bit fearless. I think I loved that about her the most.

What would you do with $5000/day for the rest of your life? It's crazy to think about, right?

This book was a little bit teenage drama, a little bit romance and a little bit mystery. It had moments where the sweetness of a new romance had me sighing happily and moments where my heart was speeding up because DANGER! It was just a good balance of all the good stuff a young adult novel should be filled with. It was fun and I really enjoyed reading it.

Content: underage drinking (party), peril

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.