Laura's 2019 Book Reviews
Updated: Jan 15, 2020
Hi Everyone,
I’m back and finally writing another blog post. This entry will be continued to be updated as the year goes on, and I will share here with you my thoughts on some of the books that I read throughout 2019. I will also say that all these reviews are my own opinions, and completely understand that what I enjoy may not be your cup of tea, and vice versa, but books are enjoyed differently by different people. So if you are interested in the thoughts of another bibliophile who spends way to much time in one or another fictional world, keep scrolling.
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
Okay, this book didn’t necessarily have the action that I was expecting but the crafting of the characters and their relationships with one another I think gave me more than if there was more action. I especially enjoyed the sibling love and rivalry between Rhy and Kell and felt my heart breaking for Kell during his interaction with the King and Queen. I honestly loved this book and this series is quickly becoming one of my favourites. Now to begin the third book because I need to know how this series ends!
Series: Shades of Magic (#2)
ISBN: 9781783295425
Publisher: Titan Books
A Conjuring of Light by V. E. Schwab
I did enjoy this book and it did keep my interest. However, I found myself skimming through more than I thought I should be, especially after how much I enjoyed the first two books. And maybe because of that I found that for such a large book, the actual story could have been condensed into a few less pages and kept my attention better.
I still love the relationships between all the different characters though and my heart wasn’t breaking as hard for Kell this time around.
Series: Shades of Magic (#3)
ISBN: 9781785652448
Publisher: Titan Books
Heels Over Head by Elyse Springer
I enjoyed this book way more than I expected, and it will likely be one of the stories that I come back to reading when I'm in need of a sports romance (my guilty pleasure) at some ridiculous time in the morning.
This story has diving, Olympic dreams and emotional angst, all which combined with wonderful writing, had me pretty much reading cover to cover (only interrupted by nap breaks on the account of the cold I had whilst reading)
ISBN: 9781626495678
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
The Wicked King by Holly Black
As much as I love this world and these characters, I wanted more from this book, one of the rare occasions where I would rather have action and conflict than emotional angst and one-sided monologues. I also think that I am loving the character of Cardan more and more, and really wish there was a version of this story from his perspective, rather than Jude’s. But that ending, another long wait to see what happens next and how this wonderful trilogy concludes.
Series: Folk of the Air (#3)
ISBN: 9781471408038
Publisher: Hot Key Books (Allen & Unwin)
Legacy by Nikki McWatters
Being the history nerd that I am, I really loved the premise of this book and am absolutely delighted that there is a book focusing on specifically the women’s point of view through different periods and events in history.
That being said, I found that I had a bit of a difficult time getting into the book, and then when I did, found that I wanted more. Especially with the characters, I wanted them to have a bit more depth and really thought that their individual stories could have been delved into just a little bit more.
We need more YA books (and adult fiction) that explore the idea of ‘herstory’, and for that reason I really loved what this book presented to its audience.
ISBN: 9780702260292
Publisher: University of Queensland Press
Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
I was so badly looking forward to reading this book and yes, there’s a reason why there is so much hype.
I loved the elements of fantasy and technology weaved together and it had one of the best plot twists that I’ve read in a long time (even if I guessed part of it, there was more I wouldn’t have predicted). I also really enjoyed the changing POVs, it added depth to the story and significantly helped to understand the world building.
That being said, though necessary to explain the premise of the book, I found that the start was a bit slow. Further, there were times that this book was prone to some cliches that without probably would have added to my enjoyment.
Still, a thoroughly enjoyable read and a book I certainly encourage you to read.
ISBN: 9781760524417
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Release Date: March 1, 2019
The Last Days of the Romanov Dancers by Kerri Turner
I absolutely adored this book! My full review can be found on a seperate post here:
https://lauratheowlreader.wixsite.com/theowlreader/home/review-the-last-days-of-the-romanov-dancers-turner
ISBN: 9781489256706
Publisher: HQ Fiction
Enchantée by Gita Trelease
This book was an enjoyable read, though it took me a little while to start getting into the story. I found that the start was a bit slow and could have delved a little deeper into what was happening in Paris during the time rather than focusing solely on Camille and her family. However, by about halfway through I wanted to know what was happening next, this is when the action was happening, the magic and the tensions leading up to and created by the French Revolution started to become very evident. There was a lot that I really enjoyed about this book, but also a lot that I think would have made it better, but on the whole, a book that I would recommend if you’re looking for YA historical fiction.
ISBN: 9781509895977
Publisher: MacMillan
Release Date: 26 February 2019
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
A Beauty and the Beast retelling? You instantly have my attention. Throw in modern twists, engaging writing and a storyline that still manages to stay true to the original story whilst seeming new and fresh, and I will struggle to put the book down. One key reason why I loved this particular retelling so much was representation. I saw myself in the characters, particularly in Harper who doesn’t hide the fact she has Cerebal Palsy, but still keeps going and fighting and doesn’t let her disability stop her from exceeding everyone’s expectations. And more, those around her don’t judge her for her illness. This is true for all the characters who each have something that makes them vulnerable and yet they still all manage to work together to achieve a common goal. This was one of the books I couldn’t wait to be published in 2019 and its sequel is already one of my most anticipated for 2020.
ISBN: 9781408884614
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Heartless by Marrissa Meyer
I am the first to admit that my knowledge of Alice in Wonderland is very limited to my memory of what I read when I was a child, but I really loved this book. It is a prologue that explains the backstory of the Queen of Hearts. This story humanises her and made me see her through a perspective I’d never considered before (especially to someone who was petrified to meet the actress who played the character in a play I saw when I was 9). A very enjoyable book that I highly recommend if you want to read a different version of the classics.
ISBN: 9781925479478
Publisher: Pan Australia
I am out with Lanterns by Emily Gale
High school is full of so many perceptions and perspectives and it was very refreshing to find a book that explored so many. This book stealt With so many of the emotions and social issues that teenagers are facing. I couldn’t stop reading this exquisitely nuanced book and beautiful writing to know all the characters’ stories.
ISBN: 9780143782766
Publisher: Random House Australia
Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu
High school me relates so much to Alice Dyson - the bookishness, the whispering and gossip behind my back, even the smell of salt in the school hallways. This book was a wonderful coming-of-age story that I felt was entriely realistic. The writing was so satisfying and the characters were full of so much depth. A very enjoyable and heartfelt read.
ISBN: 9781743056127
Publisher: Wakefield Press
What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume
There was so much about this book that I really loved.
It's been a while since I read a book that truly hooked and enthralled me, and had me laughing out loud on a crowded train no matter how much I tried to contain my response.
Firstly, I see so much of myself in Maisie, and I bet every teenager can relate in someway to one or another of the characters, the journey of discovering what you like about yourself, where your relationships with others stand and even trying to navigate parental drama.
Secondly, this book was so well written. It was humorous and entertaining, and yet all the deep, heavy emotional scenes felt just as real.
There is so much I could say about this book, but I'll finish by saying this, if you choose to read it, I highly doubt you will regret it!
ISBN: 9781760559120
Publisher: MacMillan
The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews
This book was absolutely beautiful and is one of my favourites that I have read so far in 2019 (and I have a feeling it would take a hell of a lot to surpass it!). My full review of the book can be found here: https://lauratheowlreader.wixsite.com/theowlreader/home/review-the-boy-who-steals-houses-c-g-drews
ISBN: 9781408349922
Publisher: Orchard Books (an imprint of Hachette Children's Group)
Release Date: April 2019
Lovely War by Julie Berry
Some books throw themselves at you from the bookshelf, and this was definitely one of them.
Whilst I love historical fiction, I often struggle to find books that I think are accurate, but this book was just so darn good.
I was initially very skeptical, but by about 80 pages in I was already wanting to yell at the author for keeping me in such suspense, wanting to know what happens next (btw, that's a feeling that didn't go away for the entirety of this book)! And furthermore, every time I hoped for something happy to happen it seemed to be followed up by the realities of World War 1, and it both simultaneously broke my heart but made the historian in me very satisfied at the truth it was depicting.
If you are looking for a good historical fiction book, then I highly recommend picking this one up!
ISBN: 9781984836236
Publisher: Viking (an imprint of Penguin Random House)
A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood
I was getting so many Great Gatsby/Agatha Christie-esque vibes from this book. Going in, I knew that it was going to be a romance novel, and I had already guessed the ending as soon as Robert was introduced, but this was still an enjoyable read. The quality of writing for this book was generally very pleasurable and I found that many of the scenes seemed very quaint and cosy (which I really like). This was a great book in highlighting that you don't always need a large ensemble of characters to make the plot work.
The world building was usually good, but I would have liked to have seen the characters in a few more locations than just the few that were continually used through the story.
But, as a debut YA historical romance, it was a very nice read.
ISBN: 9781407180205
Publisher: Scholastic Children's Books
Queendom of the Seven Lakes by A. B. Endacott
Firstly, I must say that I was completely surprised by this book and since finishing it have been recommending it to everyone that I know (and to you reading this. Seriously, if you haven't read it already, source a copy immediately because it is amazing). The societal structure in this book was not only original and fresh, but it was extremely well done. Unfortunately we live in a world largely dominated by men and so, where authors have tried to create a matriarchal power base in their stories, they often fail. However, that was the complete opposite for this book. If all fictional female driven societies were as wonderfully crafted as this one was then I believe our world would be a much better place. This brings me to the writing. It was an easy read to get through and yet the words painted such vivid images that I honestly thought I was watching a television show, not reading. The characters were complex and their relationships with one another didn't feel rushed or weak, but very honest. I can't wait until the sequel to this book finally arrives in the mail and I'm looking forward to entering this world and engaging with these characters once again!
ISBN: 9780648187509
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