Beware the Night: NetGalley Review

 

Title: Beware the Night
Author: Jessika Fleck
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication: March 12th, 2019
Rating: 4 stars

eARC provided by publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

->Click for Synopsis<-

On an island called Bellona, the night is something to fear. The Sun is to be worshipped and with sacrificial offerings, it will protect them from any harm. Veda’s world gets thrown upside down when her grandfather becomes an offering. A young man has the answers she is looking and she must decide if what she has been told her whole life is a lie.

I was hoping since this book had a beautiful cover and an interesting synopsis that it wouldn’t disappoint and thankfully it didn’t!

The main character of this book, Veda, is a young girl that is easy to connect with. She comes from a troubled background of losing her parents and growing up in her grandfather’s house. They live in a society of sacrificial offerings and through all of this she remains strong. The other characters, Dorian and Nico, are also interesting characters and add to the issues that Veda faces. At times it felt like there was going to be a love triangle but one never emerges so I am happy about that. My one complaint when it comes to the characters is that in some ways they felt a bit flat but it didn’t take away from the plot so it wasn’t a huge deal breaker for me.

Usually I am not one that enjoys first person point of views but I really liked the author’s writing style and it kept me interested the whole way through. I read it in one sitting so that says a lot! The plot twists were ones I weren’t expecting and made for a great fast pace read! Although the world building was a little bland I still fell into the world and it didn’t take away from the overall plot.

Even though I had a couple minor issues, I still enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the second book since this one left on a cliffhanger!

 

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Four Dead Queens (Sneak Peek): NetGalley Review

Title: Four Dead Queens
Author: Astrid Scholte
Publication Date: February 26th, 2019

Sneak Peek provided by publisher through NetGalley

->Click for Synopsis<-

I am so glad that NetGalley had a sneak peek of this because I have been dying to here more about this book and make up my mind whether or not to preorder. The sneak peek had a few chapters and within those chapters you are thrown into the plot of murder and backstabbers! Honestly, this got me pumped for the release and I just can’t wait to read the whole thing!

Arc Review: Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok

Title: Spectacle
Author: Jodie Lynn Zdrok
Genre: YA Historical Fiction / Mystery
Publication Date: February 12th, 2019
Rating: 5 stars

eARC provided by publisher through NetGalley

->Click for Synopsis<-

Spectacle follows a sixteen-year-old named Nathalie Baudin who writes the morgue column for a journal in Paris. Murders start happening and she soon starts seeing visions of their murder through the eyes of the killer. She can only hope that they will be enough to help catch the person responsible before its too late.

When I found out I was approved for this I literally screamed. I loved Stalking Jack the Ripper and needed more murder mystery in my life. This book was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Although it may be similar to the previous book mentioned, the author adds a dash of paranormal and magic that lures you in and gives it its own spin.

From the first page you are swept into this eerie plot. There were no slow spots for me as it left me engaged and guessing the whole way through. Although I had my suspects, I wasn’t expecting the outcome and its always refreshing to be surprised!

Nathalie is a wonderful character that grows a lot throughout the book and really tries to find out who she is. Some of the other characters weren’t as fleshed out as some but it didn’t deter me from enjoying the back. One thing that stood out for me was that there was no romance. Nathalie may have liked someone but they were never together and not much was said about it and its great to find a book that doesn’t need all that for a great plot.

Nathalie’s visions are a unique way at looking at the murders and add a more eerie feel to the book. There is some background to her visions and how it may be tied to her family but for the most part the magic (not sure what other word to use) is subtle with most other characters and hopefully there will be another book that delves more into it!

Overall, this was a wonderfully fantastic read and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author!

Arc Review: The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson

Title: The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried
Author: Shaun David Hutchinson
Publication Date: February 19th, 2019
Rating: 2 stars

eARC provided by publisher through NetGalley

->Click for Synopsis<-

The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried follows Dino who’s family owns a funeral home and as a result he has to take care of an ex-best friend named July who died recently. Although she is supposed to be dead, weird things begin to happen and now that she is up and moving no one is dying like they should.

The cover and synopsis pulled me in but the story fell short. Although the plot was interesting and unique, the characters were flat and the friendship between Dino and July didn’t really seem like much since they hadn’t been friends for awhile and seemed to have moved on before her death. I am sure the author had a point in a lot of the death talk since their was a significant scene but it was lost since I felt no connection towards the characters.

The book is also filled with a lot of fart jokes, rotting flesh smells, and just weird disgusting things decaying bodies do. I am sure others would find these things to be hilarious but I am not one of those people.

It may have fallen short in numerous areas but the relationship between Rafi and Dino was cute even if their characters lacked a bit of development. Overall, it just wasn’t for me but I am sure others will love what this book offers.