For What It's Worth


Monday, May 4, 2020

Monday Minis…



I need to do a little bookish housekeeping…I’ve barely been reading, or when I do, it takes me a month to finish a book (as opposed to my usual 4-6 hours). But here’s a quick round up of the books I’ve managed to clear off the shelf with mini-ish reviews.

The Life Below (the Final Six #2) by Alexandra Monir ~ Goodreads Good for fans of dystopian with a sci-fi twist that uses the timely subject of Earth’s climate change as a catalyst to ask…what if Earth was being destroyed and we HAD to leave to save humanity? And what if where we’re going is even more dangerous?

Earth is being destroyed by violent storms and rising water. Nations have banded together to find another planet to relocate everyone. In book #1, The Final Six – there is a competition and training program to find 6 teens who will make the mission to Europa to see if it’s inhabitable.

In The Life Below, the Final Six is on their mission, while one of the failed finalists is left behind to unravel the secrets that endanger the crew and the human race.

I enjoyed this series (I believe it’s just this dulogy) but there’s nothing too groundbreaking. Teens competing, romance, betrayal, government secrets.

TBH, I forgot most of book #1 and spent a good amount of time trying to remember things. Most of the crew doesn’t really stand out but there are several really tense scenes in this one - both psychological and physical because there’s other life in space…and it’s not very nice. And I was impressed by the pretty solid, mature romance – not a lot of drama on that front.

* Finished copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Gotham High by Melissa de la Cruz & illustrations by Thomas Pitilli ~ Goodreads Gotham High is  a new graphic novel series that reimagines the Batman universe with the characters in high school.

The artwork and colors are vibrant and fun, de la Cruz added as much needed dose of diversity in her telling, Bruce is Asian American, Uncle Alfred is gay and married, the story itself is a bit bland high school drama.

We get a glimpse of Batman, The Joker & Catwoman as teens, well before they embody those personas – as Bruce, Jack and Selina with a bit of insight into who they will become - but overall this felt like generic teen drama and any character could have been used interchangeably. But maybe this is a case of needing to read the next one in order for it to all come together or possibly being more attractive to new comic book readers or teens that want their drama more high school focused with just a touch of super hero/villain dynamics.

*Finished copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review


Crave (Crave #1) by Tracy Wolff ~ Goodreads Unpopular opinion – I DNF’d this at page 50 & I’ll just repeat here what I said on goodreads about this “feminist update of Twilight* – This book was everything I expected it to be. Take that as you will.











Pax by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Jon Klassen ~ Goodreads I’ve had this book on my shelf since I got it at ALA in 2016. It is a GORGEOUS book and I have it signed (complete with a little fox drawing) by both the author and illustrator.

Peter and Pax get separated and try to find their way back to each other while encountering others (people and in Pax's case - foxes).

This is a beautiful story about the bond between animal and boy, trying to change expectations for yourself, dealing with anger and to some degree, war and its impact on both humans and nature.

Pax and his fox friends are in frequent danger and there are multiple animal deaths. SPOILER –> Pax lives and is not hurt in any way <- The pain both Peter and Pax went through missing each other hurt my heart but I'm a wimp with animal stories.

It was written very well though, especially Pax's pov, discovering his senses and wild side, missing his boy. Their ending is bittersweet but perfect.

If I have any complaints, it would be with how it handles the war and father/son aspect. While the war and encroaching soldiers is a constant drumbeat and danger to the foxes, the story never really fleshes that out. Same with Peter and his father (who is serving in that war) who have a very angry and abrupt conclusion.

Otherwise, this was a really sweet story.

So that brings me up to speed and I read 2 books this week that I really enjoyed and have coming up for review so yay!

I also got approved on Netgalley and bought a few fun books so I might post about that soon too.

What are you all reading/doing, watching?

32 comments:

  1. Good for you with getting in a few good reads, and love your reviews. Hugs, RO

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    1. Thanks Ro. I feel like barely doing anything but I am - it's just not what I usually do lol

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  2. Glad you're getting some books read! I liked Gotham High, but I did find the overall mysteries throughout a bit obvious - I'm curious about what comes next though.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It felt more like generic high school drama with just a touch of super hero/villain but I really loved the art. I'd be curious if it gets better as the characters develop some.

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  3. Right now I am watching some teen movie on netflix. Better than I thought it would be.

    But yay for good reads comign this week

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    1. I had a few good ones that I hope will jump start me!

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  4. Okay despite the pretty book boxes, I've heard mediocre things about Crave.

    Also wasn't Gotham High a show??

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    1. I mean...it depends what you like. I'm kind of over brooding love interests with obsidian eyes and skyscraper sharp cheekbones. But if that's your jam then it could be fun I guess.

      I think Gotham was a show but the characters were older.

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  5. I have Pax on my TBR, because everyone reads it and loves it. Oooh. I did not realize the fox had a POV. I could use this for a reading challenge. Fantastic!

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  6. I've been seeing Crave like everywhere. "Take that as you will" lolol.

    The Monir one sounds okay.

    I'm watching Riverdale season three (or trying to) and I did start War of the Worlds (I'm only one episode in) and Project Blue Book. My reading still sucks but I started girls With Razor Hearts so maybe that'll be a good one??

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    1. I haven't heard great things about Razor Hearts and I think that's why I've been putting it off.

      I think you might like The Life Below series.

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  7. I am so sorry to hear that your reading has been such a struggle. Looks like you grabbed up some goodies here though.

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    1. I think I'm coming around but who knows lol

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  8. I'm struggling too! Just trying to find things that hold my attention is hard. I have a couple review books that I really don't feel like reading.

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    1. The struggle is real Jen. The struggle is real.

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  9. Pax! I bought that one several months ago and really need to read it. I'm happy to see you enjoyed it! <3 I am worried the bittersweet ending though... And we'll see how Crave goes! ;)

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?😷 💬

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    1. Don't be! It's bittersweet in a good way that is right for the story. I would not steer you wrong on an animal book lol

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  10. I do want to read The Final Six series. Even if it isn't groundbreaking, it seems decent enough. I am actually really glad I never bothered with Crave because... yeah, how I assumed it would be 😂 I am currently reading... crap Idk the name let me look it up. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin. (I am over these titles that are A Blank of Blank and Blank tbh. No wonder I can't remember them!) And I am watching.... wait for it... The 100 for the millionth time, woooo, shocked you I bet haha.

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    1. It is! And it has some fun things that make it unique too. Sci-fi isn't totally my jam so I'm not really the target audience but I still enjoyed it overall.

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  11. I have heard that about the final six series. That is good but not mind blowing and because of that I don't think it is going to particularly be one for me at all. I do like the sound of Pax and now you have me curious to try it. I am sorry that Crave was so awful :((

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    1. I think you might like Pax! It's MG and kind of thought provoking.

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  12. Sorry to hear Crave was a struggle! To be honest, with the movie rights being sold before publication, I thought it would be absolutely amazing and mind blowing and kind of had high expectations? The reviews I've read so far from everyone else have been pretty negative and I'm super hesitant to check it out for myself or put it on my TBR. (The synopsis didn't even sell me.) 😔

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    1. I think Crave is going to have pretty divided reviews. If you want that old school YA vampire/supernatural fix this is it! If you are over it (me) then pass. I, personally, didn't feel like it was an updated, feminist spin on it like they promised so I found it disappointing.

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  13. Ugh, I've been having a mixed reading time lately so don't feel bad that you're not reading as much. I've not actually heard of any of these books but Gotham High sounds fun. it doesn't sound like a groundbreaking story within but I kind of always enjoy a high school retelling so I'd be there to see how the whole Batman one would work.

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    1. A lot of readers LOVE Crave! I definitely wouldn't just go by my thoughts on that one.

      So many people are struggling with reading right now.

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  14. Oh no, Pax would be way too sad for me! Watership Down broke my heart as a kid and I'm so soft I have to stay away from stuff like that!

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    1. It's not sad though. But it was hard for me just knowing they were't together. I have such a hard time reading animal things.

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  15. Gothem High sounds fun! I'm always hesitant with the mention of generic teen drama but I'd still give it a try. :)

    Crave is one I've been curious about but the reviews have been so mixed I think I'll be waiting until it goes on an uber sale before giving it a read... I'm in no rush.

    I'm currently debating what to read next. I really kinda want to re-read The Beginners Guide to Necromancy series but that seems insane seeing how I only finished the series a couple of weeks ago. I'm just not in the mood for new and I really enjoyed it, lol.

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    1. I feel like the sequel to Gotham High might be better now that we have the intro.

      I think at this point we should just read whatever can keep our attention.

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