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We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

Posted on January 1, 2018February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is a young adult contemporary fiction novel focus on the challenges faced by twin high school teenagers whose lives are intertwined. Stuart and Ashley are two teens who must face their own challenges and learn to get along. This book discusses divorce, family, friendships, bullying, sexual assault, and new relationships. It’s a great contemporary novel to give to any teen facing problems in school. Stuart is a friendly kid who has been bumped up a grade because he is “gifted.” His dad tells him he should not tell that to everyone. Ashley is a popular freshmen in high school who just wants to have all the attention. Her parents are divorced and her dad is gay. She wants to keep her dads sexuality a secret from her friends. As Stuart’s dad and Ashley’s mom make the decision to move in together, things start to get complicated. Can these two teens get along? Will Ashley ever accept Stuart as her step brother?

I loved the plot twist and kind of hated Ashley the entire story. In the end Ashley changed but that took the entire story. You definitely get the popular girl vibe from Ashley and the geek vibe from Stuart. Stuart wants to do what’s right and protect his new family member, while Ashley just wants to be popular. I wanted more from the title and I wanted more from the story. Overall, it had a great message but it was predictable in some places and the end was kind of cheesy. I would definitely recommend this to other teens who are interested in this book but only to older teens who are okay with LGBTQ reads. It was a bit mature for younger teens but very well written.

I give it a 4 out of 5!

Illusional Reality by Karina Kantas

Posted on December 18, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

*I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.*
This book was a very interesting read. It is a fantasy fiction YA novel that provides a bit more on the romance side. The main character Becky is transported to a new place where she is deemed to rule. In the beginning she thinks she is dreaming. The challenge this novel faces to resolve is the challenge of saving her new found land from evil. What happens if the evil is destroyed? Will peace ever be restored? This is a lot of pressure for someone who has lived a life her whole life unaware of the powers she possesses.

I liked the romance and the action but I wanted to know more about the unique power that Becky possesses. I also wanted to know more about the people and their unique powers. Why is she so strong and why aren’t their others like her.

The novel is well written and I would recommend it to others who like a contemporary fantasy YA novel. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Posted on December 4, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

*Rating:5 out of 5 stars*

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a Young Adult Fantasy Fiction Novel. The story begins with Mare, a seventeen-year-old thief, who picks pockets to feed her family. She does not have an apprentice and expects to be sent to the war on her eighteenth birthday unless she gets a job. The novel begins with a battle in the arena against the Reds and the Silvers. The Silvers have unique abilities of the high court while the Reds are left to fill servants jobs and live in unlikely conditions. Victoria Aveyard did a fantastic job with novel and explained each classes abilities extensively. As we journey through the book and learn more about Mare and the King’s court, we grow to love Mare and find out she is more than what meets the eye. Mare is given a chance to work for the Kings court as a servant, not knowing how she received the job but suspecting a connection. She is shocked when she finds out who is behind her new employment. (I am not going to spoil this for you. There are a lot of plot twists in this novel.) Mare faces many challenges as she discovers who she is and what fight is worth fighting. She must decide how many lives must be sacrificed for a more significant cause and determine if someone is an ally or an enemy. The ending is one of the best ends in a book I have read so far. It makes you question the entire novel, and it is definitely worth it.

This book is fantastic! I did not think I would love a book that focuses on class, but I do. I love the clash between the different classes and how some classes have powers while others do not. The plot twist is my favorite part. I do not want to ruin the book for anyone who has not read it, but you should read it. It has this historical fiction vibe to it, and the teens who are the main characters are portrayed well. Imagine being so rare that you present a problem and a solution. Imagine if you realized your whole life was a lie and now you are confused. If you are intrigued by this, then you should read this novel. The more I read the novel, the more I understood the title and the heavy meaning behind it. Red Queen is the first installment in the Red Queen series, and I am planning on reading the next few novels.

I did not want to provide too much information because I want you to read this book and find out more about Mare and the Kings court on your own. Just know, there is a lot of betrayal, love, loss, and defiance exhibited in this novel. If this does not entice you to read it, then nothing else will.

I give this a 5 out of 5 stars. It left me on the edge of my seat wanting to choose between sleep or finishing this novel.

Until I Break by Kara Bietz

Posted on December 4, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

*Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars*

Until I Break by Kara Bietz is a Young Adult Fiction Contemporary Novel. It takes an interesting approach to bullying. It focuses on two main characters, Ace and Sam. Both boys are in high school with bright futures ahead of them but one fateful day changed both their worlds. We journey through novel through the eyes of Sam and the struggles he faces dealing with his biggest challenge in life, Ace. This book brings light to bullying in high school, and the challenges young men face when tackling a bully. The struggle to face the problem on their own and the battle to try to ignore the problem. The fear of being seen as weak when asking for help. All of these struggles are in this compelling story of the fight for survival and the battle to ignore a bully.

This novel is the next read for my book club. I was excited to read it but had a few reservations after reading the synopsis. The entire novel I was on the edge of my seating waiting for the ball to drop. I was waiting for the plot twist in the end, and the build-up was terrific. The novel starts from the perspective of Sam and continues in his view the entire time. The one question answered is, ” how much can person physically and mentally take before they break?” I loved the way this novel is written and the plot twist, in the end, had me holding my break the entire time. I wanted to know more about the aftermath of the plot twist, but otherwise, this novel is well written. I recommend this novel to anyone willing to read a contemporary young adult fiction book. It has a lot of good parts and moments that make you want to yell at the ceiling screaming “wwwhhhhhyyyy.”

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you are interested, then you should check this contemporary novel out.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Posted on November 27, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
*Some spoilers ahead*

Turtles All The Way Down is a young adult fiction novel written by John Green. Turtles All The Way Down has been an anticipated novel since the release of his best-selling book, The Fault in Our Stars. This book brings light to mental illness and the challenges faced by those with anxiety. The story begins with Aza, the main character, in a crowded high school cafeteria lost in her thoughts. We then find out about her best friends, Daisy and mutual friend Mychal. Daisy starts discussing the disappearance of billionaire Davis Pickett and how there is a $100,000 reward for any information leading to his location. The reward money made me think the entire novel is about Davis Pickett’s disappearance. The disappearance is one of the focus points but not the main focus point. Aza and her anxiety is the primary focus of this novel. We journey through the entire novel getting know Aza. The reader gains a better understanding of her past, we become more familiar with her anxiety and how it affects her daily life, and we grow a connection with Aza. Aza learns to grow existing friendships, build relationships and learns to cope with her anxiety the best way she can.

The best way to describe her anxiety is by this quote from the book:

“…..It’s getting sucked into a whirlpool that shrinks and shrinks and shrinks your world until you’re spinning without moving, stuck inside a prison cell that is exactly the size of you, until eventually, you realize that you’re not actually in a prison cell. You are the prison cell.”

We also learn more about Davis Pickett and his estates. We journey through to find out more information about Pickett’s disappearance and build a connection between his family and Aza’s life.

I loved this book. The connection between Aza and Davis Pickett’s disappearance and his two sons is astounding. John Green builds a web connecting all the characters to one another. My favorite part of the story is finding the meaning of the title. I enjoyed the way the novel ended and the various plot twists. This book is written in a way that allowed me to connect with each character. I am a fan of John Green’s previous novels, and this one met my standards. I cried a bit reading this book, and I recommend this book to others. I didn’t want to give away too much information.

I rate this book 5 stars out of 5 stars. I loved the way the way this novel turned out.

The Ivory Rite by Johanna Hartford

Posted on November 20, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

The image was taken from the following site: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35987785-the-ivory-rite

**I was contacted by the author give an honest review of this book!** Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
The Ivory Rite by Johanna Hartford is a Young Adult Fantasy Fiction novel. It is a compelling novel that centers around the ceremony know as the Ivory Rite. The main character struggles with redefining a role she was forced into and in the process figuring out herself. She fights hard against the norms and traditions and challenges others who challenge her authority. She is an advocate for her rights and is diligent in ensuring her values are represented by the public accordingly. Diem focuses more on doing what is right versus doing what is required. I love the way Johanna portrayed Diem in this novel, and I liked how she focused on the strengths that women possess and the struggles women in power face. Margaret, Diem’s Aunt, focuses more on her becoming the person she needs to be instead of who she wants to be. Margaret despises Diem due to her skin color and hair color that is not of the Elite. She continually is showcasing her disdain for Diem every moment she can. -“Can’t you appear to be deserving of your crown for one night?”- These words and others resonate with Diem throughout the entire novel. She faces a long hard battle between love, family, birthright, and not losing her values in the process.

I do not want to give away too much information, but I do recommend you read this book. Johanna provides explanations for each act that occurs in this book. The connection between Diem and Adair, second in command of the guards, is a continually changing and it makes the novel even more interesting. I love the added romance in the book and the history of Diem. The explanations in this novel are well thought and concise with the story. There were a few plot twists that added to the overall suspense of certain aspects of the story. There is no better way for me to convince you to read this story or than telling you that is filled with exciting twists, turns, and moments of valor. Diem is a strong, witty, caring, and direct primary character who faces a great deal of turmoil the entire novel. She continues to prove her worth and stay active in her values which in turn makes her an excellent representation of women in power. It challenges the idea that women in high-ranking positions have to change their view to fit the aspects of society. She continues to forge her path with the guidance of only those she trusts the most. Diem faced many challenges, and this book is just the first. The story ends on an enticing cliffhanger that has me wondering when the next book will be released.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars due to the explanations, portrayal of a female lead character, and the focus of the family. Just because it is your birthright does not mean it has to be your only right.

If you would like to learn more about the author, please visit her site at johannahartford.com. A link to purchase your copy of this book is located on her site. Thank you for reading!

The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti

Posted on November 6, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti is a Young Adult romance/ mystery novel. The book released at the beginning of this year. This book follows the journey of Hawthorn Creely as she searches for the missing Lizzie Lovett and in the process she finds herself. Hawthorn is an eccentric character who faces the typical woes of a high school student who stands out. She tends to create elaborate stories and theories regarding people. Hawthorn once thought a teacher was a terrorist and turned him when she saw a student getting out of his car. Instead of calling the police, she called the girls mother and turned out the student, and the teacher had an inappropriate relationship. Her best friend Emily seems to go along with her schemes the entire story until she starts fixating on Lizzie Lovett. Hawthorn wants to be Lizzie that she takes her job at the diner, begins searching for her with Lizzie’s ex-boyfriend Lorenzo, and even dates Lorenzo. The entire novel you wonder if Lizzie is even alive or if she was attacked in the woods and died. The search seems to stop; people move on until something happens. All the while, Hawthorn continues to remain fixated on the life of Lizzie Lovett. As you read, you watch Hawthorn’s life unravel, and she discovers who she is and where she fits in.

I thought this story was a bit weird. There were a few times I felt uncomfortable and wanted to stop reading. I get that way with books that involve high school bullying and missing people. The whole story was a mystery that was unraveling from the beginning. I liked that it had a bit of romance and I loved that Hawthorn was an outcast trying to find her way in. She worked so hard to ignore everyone when she just wanted to fit in and be invited to things. The author did a great job telling this story. I felt real emotions while reading this book. I felt sad for Hawthorn and her lack of popularity but also proud of her for being honest with everyone. Ironically, she was never truly honest with herself, and she was entirely selfish. Hawthorn put Lizzie Lovett on a pedestal the entire story, and in the end, it was her brother who made her realize that not everything is at it seems on the outside.

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. There were a few areas that could be improved. I wanted to know what happened to Lorenzo after he discovered the news of what happened to Lizzie. I also wanted to know more about why Hawthorn’s arch nemesis existed. These are all personal preferences. This book was definitely out of my realm of books that I read. I try to steer clear of mystery’s, but I found this one to be fascinating.

Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

Posted on October 31, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

This image was taken from the following site: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23617206-phantom-limbs?ac=1&from_search=true

Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner is a Young Adult Fiction novel that focuses on how one tragedy can affect each person differently. Did he still love she held a connection to something he loses or did he love her for her? This is the question Otis must answer himself.

We follow the story, Otis, and Meg. Meg moved away when she was thirteen after the death of Otis’s little brother. Meg returned to town three and a half years later. She is not the same girl she was three years earlier, and Otis isn’t the same boy. During their separation, Meg never contacted Otis. Otis never gave up hope and knew that once Meg returned, then they could be together. Otis decided to take up swimming during Meg’s absence, and this is where Dara comes into play. Dara is a spunky, dramatic, charismatic amputee who is not only Otis’s best friend but his swim coach. Since her accident years earlier, Dara has never been the same and wants Otis to fulfill her dream of going to the Olympics. When Meg arrives, there is tension in the group between Meg and Dara. In the end, secrets are shared, the truth surfaces as to why Meg left, and decisions are made. Otis has to choose between his best friend or his first love. I left out a few details that can only be found in the book.

Overall, this book was a quality read. It is a romance novel that discusses grief and relationships. It is hard to lose someone and even harder to carry the burden of their loss on your shoulders. It is not okay to hold on to the living for fear of losing a connection with the dead. Otis has to decide when he is officially ready to move on from his little brother’s death. In the process, he gains a better understanding of the heartache his mom faces daily and the pain of losing more than a sibling. I think if my first love moved away and did not talk to me for three years, I would not have pined her. I am glad he met Dara. I am pleased that he could be there for Dara and Dara could be there for him. This story helps you realize the importance of friendship. I would recommend this book to a teen interested in romance and moving on.

I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5. I felt as though it should have been a bit longer and the ending could have been better. It was terrible how Otis’s little brother died, but I expected something different. I also like plot twist and did feel like there was a plot twist in this book. There were a few instances where there should have been a twist, but then there wasn’t.

Court of Fives by Kate Elliot

Posted on October 26, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

Court of Fives by Kate Elliot is a Fantasy, Romance Young Adult Fiction novel that is set in a different period. The general problem of this story is that Jessamy wants to participate in the Court of Fives, which is a series of complex challenges with one overall winner. The top winner is seen as the best competitor and moves on to more higher ranks in the Fives. Jessamy is birthed into a family with a mother who is a Commoner and a father who is a Patron in the army. This type of relationship is frowned upon due to the Father’s class. Jessamy has three other siblings, but she is not the attractive sibling. Her father is not aware she has been secretly training for the Fives and planned to compete. He arrives home from the war and invites them all to the competition, which is uncommon since the family is of a lower-class. Jess sneaks out of the watch party, competes in the tournament, and purposely loses. Kalliarkos is the competitor who she let win. She runs into him when she returns to the watch party, and he asks about her skills and why she threw the competition. Jessamy has made a friend that will become both her lover and her competitor. She must choose between getting her dream or letting Kalliarkos getting his.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator has a British accent that was fitting with the book. This book was an intriguing read for me. I enjoyed a lot of the content and the romance. I would have liked more information about the setting about the land they live in and how they got there. It is very intriguing how the author described Jessamy and her family as well as their traditions. There are a lot of myths and tales that are similar to old wives tales told to me as a child. The world is not filled with fairies, but there are a few unexplained instances that occur. Like shadows swallowing people whole, sparks dancing on the walls, and a baby who was given life after being declared dead. There is a lot of suspense throughout the entire book. I was on the edge of my seat, biting my fingernails, and waiting for the moment in the book when they are all safe. This book takes you on a thriller ride through love, family, honor, class, strength, and freedom. Jessamy is a sharp, witty, and smart main character of this novel serves as a role model to all of her sisters. Even though she gets teased and treated differently for her lack of beauty she still excels and manages to showcase strength instead. I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a book that has a medieval romance feel to it with young and older characters.

I rate this book a 4 out of 5 due to the lack of more background information. There were a few instances in the book where I was a bit confused. I will likely read the remaining items in the series but at a later date.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Posted on October 26, 2017February 4, 2018 by LibrAriel Book Adventures

: This image was taken from the following site: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15749186-to-all-the-boys-i-ve-loved-before

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han is a Young Adult Romance novel that tells the story of Lara Jean and her family. It discusses love, loss, coming of age, and a little bit of bickering. Lara Jean faces a dilemma after the love letters she wrote were sent to all the boys she’s ever loved. She must face her fears of being in a relationship and depending on someone other than her family. This book is a part of a series of two other books titled P.S. I Love You; Always and Forever, Lara Jean.

This book is an excellent read if you are looking for a cute, fun, young adult, romance novel that also ties family into it. The books start off a little slow, but the author does provide background information on Lara Jean and her family. Lara Jean is mostly the “main” character of the book with her family of three, which includes her dad and two sisters. Her older sister has gone away to college in Scotland, which is a bit far-fetched. Margot is the older sister that leaves and she is protective and reserved. There are a lot of characters that interact with each other in the book, and there is a love triangle most of the book. There is a little bit of family drama, and the dad is the mediator and the peacekeeper of the house.

I am curious to see what happens between Lara Jean and her pretend/not-so-pretend boyfriend Peter. Overall I had high expectations for this book but I was a bit underwhelmed. I felt like the book was missing something, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. There were a lot of moments where I made an assumption of what would happen in the book and that exact thing happened. For example, the younger sister gets angry at Lara Jean for teasing her, so she decides to mail the secret love letters Lara Jean wrote to get over the people she loved. The reader does not know until later in the book that it was the younger sister Kitty that sent the letters. The book was pretty predictable. I have read books in the past that are predictable but then there is a plot twist, and I am surprised. This book was a predictable high school romance novel. I would recommend this book to others who are interested in this type of book.

I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars because I felt like it could have been better. I am hoping the other items in this series get a higher rating from me.