Icarus – book tour + review

Author: K. Ancrum
Publication date: March 26, 2024
Genre: YA contemporary/romance
My rating: 4.5/5 stars

Icarus is a forger and an art thief. Helios is a boy under house arrest…and the son of the man Icarus steals from. These two lonely souls on the cusp of adulthood, both struggling to resist their oppressive fathers, are brought together in a star-crossed friendship-turned-romance in this dazzling novel, loosely a contemporary retelling of its mythological namesake. The story also features Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome representation, which is very close to my heart, as well as various queer identities, found family, and so much more. Read on for my full thoughts (and a splash of literary analysis–when you have a mythology retelling, how could you not?).

House of Roots and Ruin – book tour (ARC review, favorite quotes, and giveaway!)

Author: Erin A. Craig
Series: Sisters of the Salt (#2)
Publication date: July 25, 2023
Genre: YA fantasy thriller
My rating: 4.5/5 stars

This book is, in the best way possible, Spooky Girl Summer. Brimming with lush flowers (some benign, some poisonous, all meaningful), a heady first romance, twists and betrayals, and the gothic gloom and glamor of a noble family’s fantasy manor, this is a story that will keep you rooted in place (pun intended) and unable to stop turning the pages, particularly as it barrels toward an explosive finale. And though it is a sequel–or perhaps, more accurately, a companion novel–to House of Salt and Sorrows, it can just as easily be read on its own, as it takes place twelve years later and follows a different main character. (That said, if you read it on its own and decide to read book one later, you will have picked up some rather large plot spoilers. You’ve been warned.)

Now, read on for a full review, as well as some of my favorite quotes and a giveaway!

Flip Turns – blog tour (ARC review)

Author: Catherine Arguelles
Publication date: September 12, 2022
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary/Mystery
My rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summer may be over, but that’s no reason we can’t enjoy a middle-grade summer swim team mystery! Flip Turns is an easy read, replete with humor, the casual bluntness of young teenagers, and the trappings of a classic whodunnit, but also deals with serious topics (including stalking-like behavior and anxiety) in a context that’s approachable for younger audiences. I’m so glad to have been a part of TBR and Beyond’s tour for this book–read on for my thoughts on the book!

The Dragon’s Promise – blog tour

Author: Elizabeth Lim
Series: Six Crimson Cranes (#2) (review of #1 available here)
Publication date: August 30, 2022
Genre: YA fantasy

After absolutely loving Six Crimson Cranes last year–it was in my top 10 reads of the 2021–I was beyond thrilled to be chosen as part of the blog and Bookstagram tour for the sequel. I haven’t had a chance to read this one yet–back-to-school season caught up with me–but I am so excited for it! My pre-ordered copy from my local indie is currently staring at me from my living room table, begging me to pick it up, so…that will definitely happen soon. In the meantime, here’s some info on the book for you, dear reader:

Violet Made of Thorns – blog tour (ARC review + awesome quotes!)

Author: Gina Chen
Series: Violet Made of Thorns duology (#1)
Publication date: July 26, 2022
Genre: YA fantasy
My rating: 4.5/5 stars

Fantasy politics. Morally questionable main character. Lies and prophecies and the blurry lines between the two. The girl who wants to kill Prince Charming instead of flirt with him. Enemies-to-lovers romance. Have I convinced you yet? Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen was one of my most-anticipated books of 2022, and reader, it delivered. This is the sort of debut that makes me incredibly excited about this author’s future works (and has me chomping at the bit for the sequel!). Read on for my review of this riveting title, along with a (somewhat lengthy) list of quotes I loved from it.

Not Good for Maidens – blog tour (review, quotes, and ace rep!)

Author: Tori Bovalino
Publication date: June 21, 2022
Genre: YA fantasy horror
My rating: 4/5 stars

A modern take on the Goblin Market fairytale. Queer rep galore. Themes of belonging, family, duty, bonds, and bargains. Old English villages. Witches. Creepy-as-heck body horror. You’ll find it all in Not Good for Maidens, a dark YA fantasy full of bargains gone wrong, temptations too strong, and yearning to belong, unfolding over two timelines and two continents.. Read on for more of my thoughts, including some favorite quotes of mine from the book!

Game of Strength and Storm – blog tour

Author: Rachel Menard
Publication date: June 7, 2022
Genre: YA fantasy

Look, I may not have had time to read this one yet (if you knew how many hours I have spent on editing school- and work-related things this past week, you’d see why), but I am quite excited for when I do get the chance. I mean, come on–it is a gender-bent retelling of the labors of Hercules, featuring badass girls and cool magic. Plus, it has sapphic and demisexual characters (perfect for Pride month!), as well as anxiety rep. I’m tremendously looking forward to it. In the meantime, perhaps my posting here will encourage you to give this one a look as well. Read on for a synopsis and more info on the book!

The Words We Keep – blog tour (ARC review + quotes + mental health rep)

Author: Erin Stewart
Publication date: March 15, 2022
Genre: YA contemporary
My rating: 4.5/5 stars

By turns painfully real and softly hopeful, The Words We Keep is a striking exploration of the effects of mental illness not just on an individual, but on an entire family. It addresses the pervasiveness of mental health struggles across all types of individuals–social butterflies, high-achieving academic types, and nonconformist artists. And it does so through the eyes of anxious girl doing her best not to come unraveled even as her world seems to be falling apart around her. I couldn’t get over how much this story resonated with my own memories of high school and college–through those years of my life, so much of this main character’s experience could have been my own–and I sincerely hope this book is picked up by students working their way through high school today, as the stakes and anxieties have only gotten higher the past few years. Read on for a full review, as well as some quotes from this book that I really appreciated.

Sundial – blog tour (feat. giveaway!)

Author: Catriona Ward
Publication date: March 1, 2022
Genre: horror

As some of you may recall (at least those of you who follow me on other platforms–I’ll admit, I’ve been slacking somewhat on this blog, though my Bookstagram and Goodreads are far more lively), The Last House on Needless Street was one of my favorite books of 2021. With its creepy atmosphere, shocking twists, and psychological complexity, I was completely hooked–so, of course, when I heard that the author had a new book coming this year, I had to read it and promote it as widely as possible. School has been absolutely destroying me lately, so this is just a promo post, but it does have a giveaway at the end, and more info on what is sure to be a chilling, mind-bending read. Stay tuned for a review from me in the very near future, too–I just started the book, and I’m already hooked!

All the Right Reasons – blog tour (ARC review + EDS rep!)

Author: Bethany Mangle
Publication date: February 15, 2022
Genre: YA Contemporary
My rating: 4/5 stars

Fans of Gilmore Girls, this book was basically made for you. A story of a single mother and her daughter, both struggling to find love, propelled by hefty doses of sarcasm and coffee, this is a great read if you’re looking for something sweet, fast, and fun. And, more importantly, it has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome representation! Read on for more about the book and my thoughts on it.