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TagYoung Adult

The Last Namsara (Iskari, #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
November 9, 2017
T

Series: Iskari

Release Date: October 3rd, 2017

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.

These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.

Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.

<strong>Ending</strong>
• Plot: Cliffhanger
• Couple: HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters (No definitive descriptions of non-white people)
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• PTSD
• Murder
• Violence (Blood and gore)
• Allusions to sexual assault
• Domestic abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Slavery
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• Does have brief OW drama
– The Heroine reads more into the Hero’s interaction with an OW and gets jealous.
– The Hero is never into the OW.
• Does have OM drama
– The Heroine is engaged to the OM
– The Hero is a slave to the OM
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5

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Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1) by Tricia Levenseller

By Sarah
In 3-stars, Book Review
October 26, 2017
D

Series: The Daughter of the Pirate King

Release Date: February 28th, 2017

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Violence
• (Attempted) Murder
• Casual attitude towards death
• Torture (Off-page: Heroine’s “training” from her father included torture)
• No OTT sad parts
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Sexual references
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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Stalk Me (The Keatyn Chronicles, #1) by Jillian Dodd

By Sarah
In 3-stars, Book Review
October 5, 2017
S

Series: The Keatyn Chronicles

Release Date: January 7th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Gossip Girl meets Hollywood in this steamy new series by That Boy author, Jillian Dodd.

Keatyn has everything she ever dreamed. Her life is following the script she wrote for the perfect high school experience. She’s popular, goes to the best parties, dates the hottest guy, and sits at the most-coveted lunch table.

She’s just not sure she wants it anymore. Because, really, things aren’t all that perfect. Her best friend is threatening to tell everyone her perfect relationship is a scam. Her perfect boyfriend gets drunk at every party they go to. It’s exhausting always trying to look and act perfect. And, deep down, she isn’t sure if she has any true friends.

To add to the drama, her movie star mom has a creepy stalker. A hot, older man flirts with her and tells her they should make a movie together.

And she’s crushing on an adorable surfer. Dating him would mean committing social suicide.

So she writes a new script. One where all the pieces of her life will come together in perfect harmony.
But little does she know, there’s someone who will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.

<strong>Ending</strong>

Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Stalking, including predation of children (16 yo girl)
• Stalker of the Heroine is in his late 20s, early 30s – he flirts with her. The Heroine doesn’t realize how creepy he is.
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• (Non-descriptive) sex scenes
• Underage drinking
• Severe lack of parental supervision–teenagers vacation without their parents
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

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The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia, #1) by Sarah Beth Durst

By Sarah
In 3-stars, Book Review
September 28, 2017
T

Series: The Queens of Renthia

Release Date: September 20th, 2016

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms.

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks.

Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Addresses ageism
• BIPOC side characters
• Matriarchal community
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Violence
• Murder
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Allusions to sex (no descriptive sex scenes)
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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Black City (Black City, #1) by Elizabeth Richards

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
December 6, 2014
B

Series: Black City

Release Date: November 13th, 2012

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tension between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-old Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable – they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed – but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their dreams.

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Drug abuse
• Oppression
• Torture
• Attempted rape
• Gruesome death
• Violence
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe with Exceptions
• Does have OW drama
– The OW is the true soulmate to the Hero–the Heroine had a heart transplant when she was younger… she received the OW’s heart, which made it seem like the Heroine and Hero were soulmates.
– The Hero is then confused whether he should be with the Hero or Heroine
• Kinda has cheating
– After finding out about the OW being the Hero’s true soulmate, he kisses the OW
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

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Secret Catch by Cassie Mae and Jessica Salyer

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
November 24, 2014
S

Series: Standalone

Release Date: October 7th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Tyler Koontz is Trojan gold all the way. There’s nowhere he loves to be more than on the football field.

Sam Nolan is Skyhawk red born and raised. With her mom’s alcohol problem and her dad’s recent death, she lives for her little brother who is a big football fanatic.

There’s one rule in this town …

Trojans and Skyhawks don’t date. EVER.

So when Tyler and Sam fall fast and hard for each other, what are they to do? Keep it a secret of course.

The problem is in a town this small, secrets don’t stay secret for long.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Death (Heroine’s father dies and the Heroine becomes the primary caretaker to her younger brother because her mother has checked out)
• Violence
• Allusions to physical abuse
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• Both the Hero and Heroine are virgins
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have the Hero pushing away
– This is what made the book Safe with Exceptions for me. Most would find this book completely safe but it really bugged me how the Hero purposefully broke his promise to the Heroine to “protect her.” For someone who’s been repeatedly abandoned by the people she loves, it was not a well thought out move. The good intention was there, but the Hero just ended up hurting the Heroine that much worse.
– And then, worse than that, he didn’t have the courage to stand up for his relationship when the Heroine asked him to during their separation. It took until the end of the novel.
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

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Count On Me (Count on Me, #1) by Melyssa Winchester

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
November 12, 2014
C

Series: Count On Me*

Release Date: April 19th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
There are people that tell you high school is the best time of your life.

They lied.

High school is horrible when you’re like me and you’re autistic.

They think that because I don’t talk and I seem to always be lost in my own world, I’m stupid or deaf. Some even think I’m retarded. i’m none of those things and I don’t like that word.

Just because I’ve got issues, doesn’t mean it’s all I am. There’s a lot more to me, but no one really takes the time to get to know t. St least that’s how it was until Kayden.

Kayden Walker is bad news. he spends his time making people that are different, like me, feel even worse about themselves and he does it with a smile. He’s everything I don’t need in my life, yet he’s the one person I can’t seem to live without.

Underneath, there’s more to him that he’s afraid to let the rest of the world see. I’ve seen it and as I’m finding out, we’re not so different after all.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Main character is autistic
• Supporting character has Asperger’s Syndrome
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Allusions to alcoholism
• Warning: The bullying of Bella is detailed and includes intense psychological as well as physical abuse.
• Note: The Hero is a very cruel bully of the Heroine–he is never physical with her.
[/mks_accordion_item]
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• Kind of OW drama
– The Hero dated-in the past-the Heroine’s main tormentor. But, there was no drama in relation to the OW wanting Kayden back.
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

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He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander

By Sarah
In 3-stars, Book Review
November 3, 2014
H

Series: Standalone

Release Date: November 19th, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>

Insert Here

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Black main and supporting characters
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Gun violence
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Not Safe
• Does have cheating
– The Heroine finds out from someone else that the Hero cheated on her
• Does have a descriptive sex scene with OW
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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The Dark World (Dark World, #1) by Cara Lynn Shultz

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
October 31, 2014
T

Series: Dark World

Release Date: May 27th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Paige Kelly is used to weird–in fact, she probably corners the market on weird, considering that her best friend, Dottie, has been dead since the 1950s.

But when a fire demon attacks Paige in detention, she has to admit that things have gotten out of her league. Luckily, the cute new boy in school, Logan Bradley, is a practiced demon slayer-and he isn’t fazed by Paige’s propensity to chat with the dead.

Suddenly, Paige is smack in the middle of a centuries-old battle between warlocks and demons, learning to fight with a magic sword so that she can defend herself. And if she makes one wrong move, she’ll be pulled into the Dark World, an alternate version of our world that’s overrun by demons-and she might never make it home.

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Violence
• Killing/murder
• Death
• Bullying
• Girl-hating
• Sex-shaming
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Allusions to sex
• Training to kill
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

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