Mini Reviews #7

 

More mini reviews for y'all! I love making these!

 

 

What is a hero? Paige Nolan knows.

Sean Raynes, the young man who exposed America’s unconstitutional spying techniques, is a hero, even if half the dum-dums in the country think he’s a traitor. And her journalist parents, who were captured by terrorists while telling stories of the endangered and oppressed—they were heroes, too. Or are—no one has ever told Paige if they’re still alive, or dead.

Not heroes? Anyone in the government who abandoned her parents, letting them rot somewhere halfway across the world.

And certainly not Paige herself, who, despite her fluency in five languages and mastery of several obscure martial arts (thanks, Mom!), could do nothing to save them.

Couldn’t, that is, until she’s approached by Madden Carter, an undercover operative who gives her a mission: fly to Russia, find Raynes, and discover what other government secrets he’s stockpiled. In exchange, he’ll reopen the case on her missing parents.

She’s given a code name and a cover as a foreign exchange student.

Who is a hero? Not Paige Nolan, but maybe, just maybe, Liberty is.

If you are looking for a YA version of Spy Kids, here it is! It's cheesy and you have to have a certain suspension of disbelief, but it's really fun and enjoyable to read. I was also really happy with the slightly more mature tone of the book, with a protagonist in college instead of high school. The ending was really a let down for me though.

 

Janie and Micah, Micah and Janie. That’s how it’s been ever since elementary school, when Janie Vivien moved next door. Janie says Micah is everything she is not. Where Micah is shy, Janie is outgoing. Where Micah loves music, Janie loves art. It’s the perfect friendship—as long as no one finds out about it. But then Janie goes missing and everything Micah thought he knew about his best friend is colored with doubt.

Using a nonlinear writing style and dual narrators, Amy Zhang reveals the circumstances surrounding Janie’s disappearance in a second novel.

Okay. I really did not like this one. It reminded me strongly of Looking For Alaska, which (if you did not know) is one of my least favourite books of all time. Janie was a self-pitying, unkind character and Micah a total push over - it was Alaska and Miles all over again! But if you did enjoy LfA... maybe this one will be for you? It just wasn't for me.

This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerising) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

This series is original and so much fun to read. I enjoyed this sequel almost as much as the first book and I was hooked all the way through. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

 

Addison Sullivan has been in an accident. In its aftermath, she has memory lapses and starts talking to a boy that no one else can see. It gets so bad that she’s worried she’s going crazy.

Addie takes drastic measures to fill in the blanks and visits a shadowy medical facility that promises to “help with your memory.” But at the clinic, Addie unwittingly discovers it is not her first visit. And when she presses, she finds out that she had certain memories erased. She had a boy erased.

But why? Who was that boy, and what happened that was too devastating to live with? And even if she gets the answers she’s looking for, will she ever be able to feel like a whole person again?

This book was enguaging when I was readingit  but ultimately forgettable for me. Within hours of reading it, I couldn't even remeber the main character's name and I knew I wouldn't be rereading it. Maybe it was just a timing thing though... you should let me know your thoughts!

 

When Lily Michaels-Ryan ditches her ADHD meds and lands in detention with Abelard, who has Asperger’s, she’s intrigued—Abelard seems thirty seconds behind, while she feels thirty seconds ahead. It doesn't hurt that he’s brilliant and beautiful.

When Abelard posts a quote from The Letters of Abelard and Heloise online, their mutual affinity for ancient love letters connects them. The two fall for each other. Hard. But is it enough to bridge their differences in person?

This hilarious, heartbreaking story of human connection between two neurodivergent teens creates characters that will stay with you long after you finish reading.

As someone with Aspergers I appreciated the Aspergers rep in this story so much, but I really was not a fan of Lily at times. She messed Abelard around and lied to him so much, which really affected my enjoyment of the story. Although the issues in the book were tackled well, and the plot was enguaging, my dislike of the protagonist prevented this from becoming a new favourite.

Have you guys read any of these? Please let me know!

Love,