The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Release Date:  November 1, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: ARC
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Ratings:   

The Basics

The Sun Is Also a Star is told in two perspectives, Natasha’s and Daniel’s. Natasha is a Jamaican immigrant who is set to be deported that night. While making one last attempt to save her family from being sent away from their home, she runs into Daniel. Daniel has an Ivy League interview he doesn’t want to go to set for later that day when he becomes curious about Natasha, who he spots swaying to music from her headphones.

The teenagers’ chance, or fated, meeting inspires poetic Daniel to convince scientific Natasha that falling in love is possible, by using an experiment he read about. This involves a list of personal questions that they both answer throughout the day. The result? You’ll have to read, but neither of them comes out of the experience unchanged.

My Thoughts

This book is massively cute, but also tackles larger issues. So if you want to get emotional, you’re going to get emotional. Adorable romance? Check. Time sensitive dilemma? Check. Contemporary societal problems? That, too.

Of course illegal immigration is one of the major problems this book represents. Natasha is facing having to leave her home and also her future behind, all because of the actions of others. And she’s determined to try to take control of her own life. Another side of immigration is shown through Daniel. His parents were Korean immigrants who left a hard life behind. So a lot of pressure is put on him and his brother. His aspirations are not in line with his parents’.

As a result, Natasha and Daniel are on opposite sides when it comes with how they view their futures. What’s in your control? Does fate exist? Their discussions lead them both to new perspectives. And that’s where this book’s magic is. Their differences are how the dynamic works. Natasha believes in the scientific method. Daniel is a dreamer and hopeless romantic. Reality falls somewhere in the middle. Their separate experiences weave together as they get to know each other and a complex portrait of simply being human comes out of it.

I loved every second of reading it. Yoon creates such vibrant characters and strays away from a generic love story. This simultaneously warmed my heart and tore it apart. It also caused me to think a lot about where I land on the fate vs. conicidence scale.

Positives/Negatives

+ Realistic look at immigration
+ Exploration of racism within communities
+ Depiction of difficulties in family life
+ Cuteness
+++ EVERYTHING

In Summary

This book is cute, but goes beyond just cuteness. Romantic moments will warm your heart, but it goes beyond that. Immigration, racism, fate, and love are all other areas Yoon’s story delves into. It’s a must read. While you’re at it, read Yoon’s debut Everything, Everything if you haven’t already.

Sidenote

Whether coincidence or fate, I decided to clean out my Pocket list and came across an article from January 2015 about the study this book references (and uses.) I have no recollection of saving it, but rediscovered it at the right time. It’s worth reading. Perhaps after you read The Sun Is Also a Star.

Note: An advanced copy of this book was provided free by the publisher for review consideration. This in no way influenced my opinion.

Iron Cast by Destiny Soria
Release Date:  October 11, 2016
Publisher: Amulet Books
Format: e-arc
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Ratings:   

The Basics
Ada and Corinne are hemopaths, meaning they have the power to create illusions with art. Ada, with a violin, and Corinne, with poetry. In 1919 Boston, it’s of course illegal to create these illusions and the two girls participate in underground shows at Iron Cast where they entertain patrons with their illusions. They also sometimes use their gift to con some of the less deserving members of society out of some money, under the guidance of Iron Cast owner and gangster, Johnny Dervish.

Naturally, things start to go awry. Boston has a force to capture hemopaths to take to an asylum that is supposedly there to help the “afflicted.” While Ada and Corinne try to avoid being locked up, there are deaths and disappearances and a lot more going on that threatens the life they made for themselves.

My Thoughts
First and foremost, I adore the friendship between Ada and Corinne. Which shouldn’t be a surprise if you’ve read any of my other reviews talking about female friendships. What I love about Iron Cast in particular is how distinctive their characters are. Because they are both main characters, there’s an exploration of both their backgrounds and their personalities. Soria does perfectly at showing how their friendship works, from its strengths to its faults. Descriptions of how in sync they are and how they work as partners in their craft as well as their lives, build up the power of their relationship.

Their friendship is also an interracial one, Ada is black and Corinne is white. Ada is working to support her family while Corinne is working to escape hers. While friendships found between those from extremely different economical backgrounds is common in stories, the way it is handled is not. Neither girl is a complete stereotype and racism isn’t ignored. It’s weaved throughout the story as it would be in real life. Corinne also isn’t a Good White Girl who has never been guilty of racism. It’s acknowledged that she had to learn. There’s a lot happening throughout the story, so none of this is a huge focus, but it’s there as it should be. Fantastical things are going on, but the reality of race in 1919 isn’t overlooked.

Outside of our reality, is the ability that both friends have to create illusions. I love how it works and the conflict behind people having these powers. I won’t go into detail about how this all comes into play so you can discover that all on your own, but there’s fun and suspense tied into it all. Some of the twists and turns are easily spotted as the plot hits some of the typical markers when it comes to “illegal powers” in stories, but the story still manages to hold its own.

Positives/Negatives
+female friendships being the focus forever
+the uniqueness of the powers
+diversity done well
+layers to the mystery
-takes a little to get into the gut of the story because of the explanation of how the the fantasy functions
-some of the plot falls into the typical cliches (but recovers)

In Summary
Ada and Corinne’s relationship is what shines for me. Their characters are well developed and they are wonderfully devoted friends. Once the book reaches further into the conflict, the story is packed with drama. As the two girls use their abilities to navigate through a dangerous historical Boston, suspense (and a little horror) drive the plot to its conclusion.

Note: An advanced copy of this book was provided free by the publisher for review consideration. This in no way influenced my opinion.

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
Release Date:  September 6, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: e-arc
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Fantasy
Ratings:    

So I told you to put this on your TBR list back in June. Now it’s HERE. And with a kickass trailer.

If you aren’t already convinced this is a book you should read, here are things I loved about it.

• Alex: Alex is the MC and I love her a lot. She’s witty and determined and when she makes a massive mistake (trying to get rid of her powers which makes her family disappear) she spends the book trying to make it right while she tries to figure herself out. She’s also a bisexual Latina bruja which is not exactly common in YA literature.
• Love: This book is excellent at exploring love beyond romantic love. The primary focus of the book is Alex finding love for herself. The main conflict is because she rejects an essential part of herself, her magic, so a lot of her growth is learning to care for her own qualities. She also has tremendous love for her family that only expands as she embarks on her rescue mission.
• Magic: I adored the magical elements in this. Everything from the in-between land Alex has to travel through to the minor spells. Córdova used inspiration from Latin American traditions and added in her own creations. The world she created within our real world (Brooklyn) is enchanting. She talks about developing the world here and it’s well worth the read.
• The Atmosphere: This book is creepy and funny and serious and light-hearted and everything at once. I became completely immersed in a story that manages to balance so many different moods.

Go forth and read, brujas.

[EDIT]
The publisher sent over a contest to win the book as well as bookmarks so enter!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

They also sent over a coloring page I intend on printing and coloring.

 

Note: An advanced copy of this book was provided free by the publisher for review consideration. This in no way influenced my opinion.

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Paperback ARC
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance
Ratings:       

I talked a little bit about this book back when I first read it. Now that the release date is upon us, I have some more thoughts about the things I liked. In list form. Because this is my blog and I can do what I want.

• More action: There’s a lot more going on in this second book. Boy, did I feel a lot of emotions. Sometimes multiple emotions all on one page. The main emotion being STRESS. Which shouldn’t be surprising considering how the first book ended. Elias and Laia and the Empire as a whole have problems and then even more problems and it’s a whirlwind. Brace yourself.
• More Supernatural Elements: The first book brushes on powers and the supernatural, but Torch explores that more extensively so there’s an extra touch of fantasy to the series (! “series” because there are now going to be 2 more books. HELL YEAH.) There are some answers to a few things that showed up Ember.
• Pure Evil: Sometimes the exploration of the grey area between good and evil is important. (There’s some of that in this book.) But there’s also a pure evil element that added some horror to the events unfolding. Some things are just completely devoid of goodness, which helps up the stakes for characters. The moral complexity when it comes to Laia and Elias is much more distinct when it’s up against the terribleness that surrounds them.
• More Helene: I wasn’t sure I wanted more Helene before reading this, but turns out her perspective adds a lot to the story. Through her the reader learns more about how the Empire functions and how brainwashed the Martial soldiers are. While I didn’t feel much for Helene in the first book, I understand her so much better now. As well as the decisions many in the Empire are faced with.
• Laia: Laia was a refreshing character to me from the start. In the first book she is terrified and somewhat cowardly. She isn’t instantly good at everything. She’s realistic. This gives her so much room to grow. In Torch, she still isn’t perfect and still isn’t magically great at fighting and everything else. Which is good because her character development feels natural. In Ember, I liked that her strengths were much different than Elias’s. That contrast come through even more in this book and is part of the fabric of the story.

The ending to this is satisfying as there wasn’t a promise that anything else would come next. But now we get two more books! Which is great, but now I’m in agony again because I have to wait.

 

Girl In Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Release Date:  August 30, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: ARC
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Ratings:   

Trigger Warning: Discussion of self-harm, abuse

My Thoughts

This was one of the hardest books ever to read. Not because it wasn’t well written, but because it was and about a difficult topic. The novel is from the perspective of Charlotte “Charlie” Davis, who ended up in a hospital because of self-harm. She cut up her arms so badly, she almost died, but friends bring her to the hospital and then she is admitted to a psych hospital for girls. So the book starts in that hospital and is instantly heavy.

The author of the book also struggled with self-harm so it’s a very raw and real telling of what it’s like to cope with a mental illness. Charlie’s story is unique, but many of her thoughts are in line with what it’s like for anyone to deal with poor mental health.

Girl In Pieces deals with a range of tough topics aside from self-harm. Domestic violence, loss, love, homelessness, and abuse are among some of the areas brushed upon. All of it made my heart ache. Not because of the nature of the topics alone, but because of how incredibly well Glasgow brings Charlie to life. Her voice is clear and it’s loud. It’s Charlie’s unfiltered thoughts as she tries to navigate a world that has mostly just hurt her. She’s lost a father and a best friend. Her mother isn’t much of a mother. She finds herself in a damaging relationship. A hospital doesn’t magically heal her and she feels broken, but she’s trying to get better. As a reader you feel her pain deeply. You also feel her joy. You feel her hope and her hopelessness.

The world needs more books with a honest portrayal of mental illness. There’s nothing beautiful about it. There isn’t a magical cure. Girl In Pieces does well to show all of that. It doesn’t glamorize something horrible. There aren’t any sudden revelations. The book is about girl who is sick, but is still a girl trying to get by like anyone else. I have a feeling I’ll be carrying Charlie’s story with me forever.

Positives/Negatives
+ Realistic portrayal of mental illness/self-harm
+ The depiction of the sheer complexity of living
– Some little things that are spoilery

In Summary
This book is one of the rawest depictions of mental illness I’ve read. It doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of it all and it’s going to crush you a bit.

Note: An advanced copy of this book was provided free by the publisher for review consideration. This in no way influenced my opinion.