bookreview – notabooktuber

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing — Hank Green

My first review of 2020! Here we go.

RATING: ✖✖

Initially, I was enticed by the lure of sci-fi/’young-ish’ adult in the spotlight of modern media frenzy, but found the plot dissolved into minor intrigue and petty drama rather than the focus on the viral dramatics.

SYNOPSIS: The Carls just appeared.

Roaming through New York City at three a.m., twenty-three-year-old April May stumbles

raderasenaresop — Book cover, pic from Goodreads.

across a giant sculpture. Delighted by its appearance and craftsmanship–like a ten-foot-tall Transformer wearing a suit of samurai armor–April and her best friend, Andy, make a video with it, which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day, April wakes up to a viral video and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world–from Beijing to Buenos Aires–and April, as their first documentarian, finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight.

Okay, most of us are probably familiar with the other Green’s work. The John Green of the Vlogbrothers, the other half of the CrashCourse founder-squad (I think? Don’t quote me on this.) Anyway, I was all about the John Green hype a few years ago, as a mere tween, engulfed by the awkward teen romances and quote-worthy Pinterest boards his books entailed. As a slighter older awkward teen, I was excited about Hank Green venturing into the writing universe with a debut novel of his own, titled ‘An Absolutely Remarkable Thing’. As I read the initial blurb + first saw the cover design, I was thrilled. Delighted. Absolutely, positively happy.

But then I read the book — and, well … it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. I’ll let you know why.

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November — Want To Read

NOVEMBER – WANT TO READ

Every month, I cycle through an obsession with a number of books I convince myself I will read, then inevitably end up abandoning because of x,y,z reasons. Sure, I still read, but it usually ends up as a pick from my pre-existing library, or something free off of the Internet (because I’m a student, and though I wish I could spend 18$ per every new, fresh hardcover fantasy release, I can’t.)

So, without further ado, I present a segment of my blog which I will dedicate solely to the books I have been interested in reading. Maybe I’ll read them, maybe I won’t. Maybe they’ll end up just as segments on this blog, but OH WELL.

Here we go.

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Lady Midnight (#1) – Cassandra Clare

RATING: ✖✖✖✖

A thrilling extension of the Shadowhunter universe, we follow the Los Angeles Institute as they grapple with Shadowhunter law, the faeries running amok in L.A and the feelings that start to intensify between them. A terrific read for fans of Cassandra Clare’s work, and for anyone looking for exciting YA Fantasy without the stuffy, forced romance or overpowered MCs.

SYNOPSIS: In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight

demons, parabatai is a sacred word.
A parabatai is your partner in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other—but they can never fall in love.
Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter, and the best in her generation. She lives for battle. Shoulder to shoulder with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols the streets of Los Angeles, where vampires party on the Sunset Strip, and faeries—the most powerful of supernatural creatures—teeter on the edge of open war with Shadowhunters. When the bodies of humans and faeries turn up murdered in the same way Emma’s parents were when she was a child, an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma’s chance for revenge—and Julian’s chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held prisoner by the faerie Courts. All Emma, Mark, and Julian have to do is solve the murders within two weeks…and before the murderer targets them.
Their search takes Emma from sea caves full of sorcery to a dark lottery where death is dispensed. And each clue she unravels uncovers more secrets. What has Julian been hiding from her all these years? Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love? Who really killed her parents—and can she bear to know the truth?

Hey! I’m back – with another review! So, Lady Midnight is the first book in an upcoming trilogy (I think it’s a trilogy, since that’s what it’s listed as on Goodreads.) anywho, for Christmas Santa dropped by with a copy of this book, which made me very excited as it’s been on my TBR ever since it was announced. As someone who devoured pretty much all of Cassie Clare’s books when I was but a mere tween’, I was happy to get back in the Shadowhunter universe.

I have to admit I didn’t remember all of it since it has been a hot minute since I last engrossed myself in these books, and there were some cameos from old characters that were supposed to make me jump out of my seat and positively shriek with delight, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen as I don’t quite remember them with the same tornado of delight as I would’ve done if I had read this a few years back. Unsurprising ~~unemotional~~ cameos aside, I devoured this book in ~~seven hours~~ a day which is proof as to how enjoyable it is – with that said, let’s hop into the review!

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The Red Labyrinth – Meredith Tate

RATING: ✖✖✖

A swift YA read with a fast-moving plot and intriguing storyline. A worthwhile read for fans of ‘The Maze Runner’, ‘Red Queen’ and ‘The Hunger Games’.

SYNOPSIS: The massive labyrinth was built to protect Zadie Kalvers’ isolated desert town. Unfortunately, living in the maze’s shadow makes her feel anything but safe. Even without its enchanted deathtraps and illusions, a mysterious killer named Dex lurks in its corridors, terrorizing anyone in his path … But when Zadie’s best friend vanishes into the labyrinth-and everyone mysteriously forgets he exists- completing the maze becomes her only hope of saving him.

In desperation, Zadie bribes the only person who knows the safe path through-Dex-into forming a tenuous alliance. Navigating a deadly garden, a lethal blood-filled hourglass, and other traps-with an untrustworthy murderer for her guide-Zadie’s one wrong step from certain death. But with time running out before her friend (and secret crush) is lost forever, Zadie must reach the exit and find him. If Dex and the labyrinth don’t kill her first.

A free ARC copy was provided to me by NetGalley (thank you, NetGalley!) – the book will be officially published in 2019 (04 Jun). Setting that aside for now – let’s get into the review!

The Red Labyrinth promised to be filled with wonder, danger and excitement – and the cover speaks volumes for itself (yes, I fell for the cover trap. I always do.) but instead, the reader is faced with a slightly different reality.

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Ready Player One – Ernest Cline

RATING. ✖✖✖✖

A breezy, thrilling YA sci-fi read whose 80s nostalgia is enough to make anyone weep for a pair of leg warmers. I’m not kidding.

SYNPOSIS: In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

Well. It’s only fair I get into the review! I devoured this book over a weekend when I really should’ve been studying, so saying it kept me interest piqued during each and every page is an understatement, to say the least.

Ready Player One is the perfect mix of Ender’s Game sci-fi, a tribute to 80s memorabilia and a homage to gaming culture in general. As someone who’s spent her fair share of her childhood on the internet, all of the above makes me positively giddy with excitement. Since the book was a fairly quick read (clocking in at ca 390 pages.) it was a no-brainer for me to enjoy it!

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Reincarnation Blues – Michael Poore

RATING: ✖✖✖✖

The kind of book you need to read to cleanse your palate from generic YA but also to actually read something that makes you think.

SYNPOSIS: What if you could live forever—but without your one true love? Reincarnation Blues is the story of a man who has been reincarnated nearly 10,000 times, in search of the secret to immortality so that he can be with his beloved, the incarnation of Death. Neil Gaiman meets Kurt Vonnegut in this darkly whimsical, hilariously profound, and wildly imaginative comedy of the secrets of life and love. Transporting us from ancient India to outer space to Renaissance Italy to the present day, is a journey through time, space, and the human heart.

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