Sophie Reads YA: 2018 Debut Author Challenge

2018 Debut Author Challenge

ARC Review: The Accidental Bad Girl by Maxine Kaplan

10:00

The Accidental Bad Girl
Series: None
Author: Maxine Kaplan
Published May 15th 2018 by Harry N. Abrams

Goodreads Synopsis
After getting caught hooking up with her best friend’s ex on the last day of junior year, Kendall starts senior year friendless and ostracized. She plans to keep her head down until she graduates. But after discovering her online identity has been hacked and she’s being framed for stealing from a dealer, Kendall is drawn into a tenuous partnership with the mastermind of a drug ring lurking in the shadows of her Brooklyn private school. If she wants to repair her tattered reputation and save her neck, she’ll have to decide who she really is—and own it. The longer she plays the role of “bad girl,” the more she becomes her new reputation. Friends and enemies, detectives and drug dealers—no one is who they appear to be. Least of all Kendall.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

This book was a strange one, I will admit it. Kendall has been ostracised at school for getting with her once best friend's ex boyfriend, and now no one will talk to her. She's got all of senior year ahead of her, and is trying to just get through it with no issue. However, it's soon became clear that someone is out to get her - her social media has been hacked, and everything there does not recommend her to colleges who will be looking. She's also now got drug dealers on her back, who think she stole from them, as she's been framed. Now she needs to work with Mason, the mastermind of a drug ring, and finds herself carrying drugs in order to recover her reputation. With police on her back, and a whole range of difficulties to overcome, can Kendall get to the end of Senior year?

I liked this book, but there were times when I felt it dragged, and I kept putting it down. I never really clicked with the main character, or got overly invested in the plot. People have compared it to Veronica Mars, which I love, and there is an element of that in it, but not enough to make me love the book. I did like the twists and turns, and the conclusion, but otherwise, I was probably just reading the book to find out whether it would tie everything up, or not. All in all, not a memorable book, and not one I would be jumping at re-reading or recommending.

Dates Read:

April 12-May 7, 2018

Rating
3 Stars

2018 Debut Author Challenge

Review: Sky in the Deep (Sky and Sea #1) by Adrienne Young

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Sky in the Deep
Series: Sky and Sea #1
Author: Adrienne Young
Published April 24th 2018 by Wednesday Books

Goodreads Synopsis
Part Wonder Woman, part Vikings—and all heart.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.
Goodreads

Review
I've always liked books that have historical elements to it, and when early reviews came in for this one, I thought it seemed up my street, and that I better check it out. When I first read the book, it had no UK publisher, and was billed as a standalone book, but since then, a sequel/companion book has been released, both in the UK as well.

In Sky in the Deep, our main character, Eelyn, is training to be a warrior in her clan, the Aska, against their enemies, the Riki people. Since the dawn of time, both tribes have been at odds with each other, and when the weather is right, the fighting season always plays out the same way - each tribe launches an attack against the other, there are losses, and then they mourn the dead, and regroup for winter. When she was 12, she witnessed one of her first battles, and even saw her brother, Iri, die. So, now at 17, seeing that long thought dead brother, on the side of the Riki, is a deep betrayal, and she can't let it lie. She's been captured by the Riki, and taken to be a slave for Fiske, her brother's new friend and fighting partner, when she starts to realise that perhaps both tribes should just regroup together, as they have more in common than not. It also helps that her growing feelings for Fiske make her want them to be friends, and focus on the common enemy, the Herja people, who have killed both Aska and Riki indiscriminately.

One thing I can plainly say is that this is not an easy going book. There are so many dark themes in the book, and violence plays a crucial role. It's brutal, the description of the death scenes, and all of the threats that get bandied about, but even so, it was an enjoyable read. I think this is partly down to the fact that the themes of friendship, sibling love, and romance are interwoven with the violent scenes, that it's not always so heavy. Because of how Eelyn had seen Iri being killed - or she thought she had - she really had to reconcile herself to the fact that he was still alive, and reconnect with him in that respect, and then deal with the hatred she felt towards the Riki, and Fiske in particular, for taking him from her. It's a complicated relationship, and it progresses naturally, rather that it being all sunshine and lightness that all bygones are forgotten.

Honestly, the same goes with Fiske too. He - to Eelyn - is the reason she's been injured, captured, lost her brother, and is enslaved. It's not as if she will immediately fall for him, or he for her, but when we understand his character more (everything is from Eelyn's PoV) and see him be redeemed in her eyes, we start to see him as someone suited to Eelyn, and honestly good for her. Even so, the chemistry was there from the get go, which may have led to so much of the hatred from the beginning, but also the whole fact that they were enemies was an issue too.

The plot, and especially the way the book concluded, was so good. There weren't any moments that felt unnecessary, even the times when we have descriptions of the camp or cooking, etc. Having the Herja be introduced as they were, and the way they were dealt with was the perfect conclusion to the book, and I would've been happy if it had stayed a standalone, but I guess when I pick up The Girl the Sea Gave Back, I'll see if I change my mind.

Dates Read:

May 23-25, 2018

Rating
4 Stars

2018 Debut Author Challenge

ARC Review: Blood and Sand (Blood and Sand #1) by C.V. Wyk

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Blood and Sand
Series: Blood and Sand #1
Author: C.V. Wyk
Published January 16th 2018 by Tor Teen

Goodreads Synopsis
Forged in battle, from the dust of the arena, a legend will rise...

Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.

Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.

Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus...
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Any and all books about Ancient Rome will automatically be on my radar, and this was no different. In a genderbent retelling of Spartacus, we follow Attia, once princess of Thrace, after she, and her people, have been enslaved by Rome. She is given to Xanthus, the champion of Rome, and once of the greatest gladiators the empire has ever seen. Attia has her own training, and will not just submit to the might of Rome, or to Xanthus. Her main aim = to escape, rise up, and reclaim her lost kingdom. As both she and Xanthus understand what it is to be enslaved, they form an agreement, and soon grow closer. However, their agreement will lead to one of the greatest uprisings Rome ever saw, and Attia will do just about anything to get what she wants.

I loved this book so much! Attia and Xanthus were both expertly written and researched. Thrace was one of the greatest kingdoms in the Ancient World, famed for its strength and warriors - both male and female. Attia perfectly embodied a princess and warriormaiden from this kingdom, and I loved reading her thoughts and processes throughout the book. When she decides to masquerade as one of the gladiators, known as Spartacus, she isn't faking her skill or resilience - it's all inherent in her from the get go. Xanthus, too, doesn't hide what he's been trained for, and all of the fight scenes, etc., are so details, but not overly graphic is if to provide a 'shock factor'. Attia and Xanthus together, I didn't think would work, because of the whole 'being gifted to him' arc. However, Xanthus never forces Attia into anything, and finds the notion of being gifted a girl abhorrent. The chemistry was undeniable, though, and I loved them together!

All in all, this was a fantastic debut, and I can't wait for book 2 to be published!

Dates Read:

January 9-10, 2018

Rating
5 Stars

2018 Debut Author Challenge

ARC Review: Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry

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Heretics Anonymous
Series: None
Author: Katie Henry
Published August 7th 2018 by Katherine Tegen Books

Goodreads Synopsis
Michael is an atheist. So as he walks through the doors at St. Clare’s—a strict Catholic school—sporting a plaid tie, things can’t get much worse. His dad has just made the family move again, and Michael needs a friend. When a girl challenges their teacher in class, Michael thinks he might have found one, and a fellow nonbeliever at that. Only this girl, Lucy, is not just Catholic . . . she wants to be a priest.

But Lucy introduces Michael to other St. Clare’s outcasts, and he officially joins Heretics Anonymous, where he can be an atheist, Lucy can be an outspoken feminist, Avi can be Jewish and gay, Max can wear whatever he wants, and Eden can practice paganism. After an incident in theology class, Michael encourages the Heretics to go from secret society to rebels intent on exposing the school’s hypocrisies. When Michael takes one mission too far—putting the other Heretics at risk—he must decide whether to fight for his own freedom, or rely on faith, whatever that means, in God, his friends, or himself.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

I honestly hadn't heard anything about this book before it landed on my doorstep, and I'm glad I went in blind, because books with a religious theme aren't usually ones I enjoy, but this book just blew me away! Michael is being sent to St Clare's, an ultra-strict catholic school, when he is a staunch atheist. His very first friend at school is Lucy, who he thinks is just like him, an atheist in a catholic setting, but he soon discovers that couldn't be further from the truth - she actually wants to be a priest one day. However, she is part of this group of misfits, known as the Heretics Anonymous, where everyone can be themselves, no matter of their religion, sexual orientation, or anything else. As the group embrace Michael as one of their own, they start to push boundaries, denouncing the hypocrisies of the school, but are they going too far. What could they be risking?

Like I said, if I had known was this book was about, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. That being said, I did really enjoy it, even with the religious undertones. The characters were all fantastic, from Michael's dry wit, to Lucy's feminism, to Avi's snark. The funniness and humour is there from the get go, and I can't remember the last time I laughed like this at a book before. The book was so inclusive and diverse, with prejudices challenged on page, and all the characters seemed real, and not forced at all. Nobody was trying to get anyone to be someone they weren't, all they wanted was to show others that it was alright being individual, and not having to follow the status quo, just because that's what is expected from you.

The only reason this book isn't a five star for me was some of the decisions Michael made later on really got on my nerves, and I felt like it was sort of put in there to automatically add tension. However, I felt this was an excellent debut, and I look forward to reading more from Katie in future.

Dates Read:

August 9-10, 2018

Rating
4 Stars

2018 Contemporary Romance Challenge

ARC Review: Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka

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Always Never Yours
Series: None
Author: Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
Published May 22nd 2018 by Speak

Goodreads Synopsis
Shouldn't a girl get to star in her own love story?

Seventeen-year-old Megan Harper is about due for her next sweeping romance. It's inevitable—each of her relationships starts with the perfect guy and ends with him falling in love . . . with someone else. But instead of feeling sorry for herself, Megan focuses on pursuing her next fling, directing theater, and fulfilling her dream college's acting requirement in the smallest role possible.

So when she’s cast as Juliet (yes, that Juliet) in her high school’s production, it’s a complete nightmare. Megan’s not an actress, and she’s used to being upstaged—both in and out of the theater. In fact, with her mom off in Texas and her dad remarried and on to baby #2 with his new wife, Megan worries that, just like her exes, her family is moving on without her.

Then she meets Owen Okita, an aspiring playwright inspired by Rosaline from Shakespeare's R+J. A character who, like Megan, knows a thing or two about short-lived relationships. Megan agrees to help Owen with his play in exchange for help catching the eye of a sexy stagehand/potential new boyfriend. Yet Megan finds herself growing closer to Owen, and wonders if he could be the Romeo she never expected.

In their fresh and funny debut, Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka break down the high school drama to find there's always room for familial love, romantic love, and—most importantly—self-love.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

I won a copy of this book by the authors on twitter, and was I happy for that! This book, as a debut, blew me away, and I think that without that giveaway, I might not have discovered both authors, due to their being no UK publisher.

Megan has been crossed in love before - every time she thinks she's found the perfect leading man, he just happens to fall for someone else. She's done with that, and wants a sweeping romance of her own. Throwing herself into school, and her future of directing at college, she finds herself cast as Juliet in the upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. That wasn't part of the plan, she'd just wanted a small role to fulfil the requirement for her application, but Megan decides to go with the flow, even though she really isn't suited for the limelight. Megan later becomes close to aspiring script-writer Owen, and in return for helping her get close to the cute set designer, Megan will help him in his characterisation of Rosalind, whom she identifies with. But, is it really the other guy she wants, or has she been waiting for Owen

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. All of them seemed real, and flawed, and exactly like I would imagine them to be. Megan was unabashed in her flirtiness, and still she hardly saw the attraction between herself and Owen until towards the end. The slow burning friends to lovers trope is one I'll always love, and in this book, it was done perfectly! Yes some parts of the plot were predictable, but that didn't take away from any of the enjoyment, and I can't wait to see what's next from these two authors.

Dates Read:

June 1-3, 2018

Rating
4 Stars

2018 Debut Author Challenge

ARC Review: The President's Daughter (The President's Daughter #1) by Micky O'Brady

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The President's Daughter
Series: The President's Daughter #1
Author: Micky O'Brady
Published April 24th 2018 by Curiosity Quills Press

Goodreads Synopsis
When her father is elected President, seventeen-year-old brainiac Alix Forrester is recruited into a covert branch of the Secret Service. They expect geeky, socially awkward Alix to be their inside girl, keeping an additional eye on her father without his knowledge—even though she and the President barely get along after a car accident that left her on crutches and kept her out of Harvard. If it wasn’t for Sam, Alix’s long-term crush and her father’s young personal assistant, her life would suck at an epic level—at least until she starts training with twenty-one-year-old Secret Service-genius Ian.

Their geeky connection over all things science has Alix crushing hard. As her injuries heal, Ian molds Alix into an elite spy. Their attraction grows, while the relationship with her father is going down hill: he even throws her out of the Oval Office in front of everyone. No matter what, when a series of assassination attempts threatens the President’s life, Alix and Ian get activated.

Rejected by the man she’s trying to save Alix hunts for the assassin, inadvertently handing Ian evidence pointing to Sam as the perpetrator. Despite her protests and pleas Ian has Sam arrested, ordering Alix to drop the case. Hurt by Ian’s actions Alix goes rogue to prove it can’t have been Sam. The boy who kissed her for the very first time cannot be out to kill her father. Racing against time Alix must overcome her own inadequacies and find the true assassin before Sam gets convicted for something he didn’t do—or before the President gets killed.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

When I first saw this book on NetGalley, I wasn't too sure what it would be like, but hoped it would be similar to Ally Carter's books, as I love them so much, and need so many other books like that. Being the daughter of the President, Alix's life has been quite sheltered, even more so when she is involved in a car accident that leaves her on crutches. Now, her father babies her, and won't let her even go to university, rather she is given a tutor for homeschooling. However, her tutor isn't just anyone, but rather a genius working with the Secret-Service, who is helping to recruit new agents, and thinks Alix would be the perfect recruit. With her intellect, and personal involvement and wish to protect the president, she is the perfect choice, though her father can never know, and neither can her crush and friend, Sam.

I really liked Alix. She was extremely clever, and had used her time after the accident to improve her intellect and try and prove to her dad she deserved to go to university. However, when he still won't let her go, she doesn't back down, and throws herself into her training under Ian. She seems to think her dad is embarrassed of her, and wants to do anything she can to prove she is 'worthy' of him, when the opportunity falls right into her lap. When her father is nearly killed in a series of attempts, Alix, rather than being worried/concern, throws herself into finding the culprit, and make sure the right person is caught. Ian was a fantastic character as well, all snarky and didn't let Alix use her privilege when she wasn't really trying. He and Alix connect as soon as they meet, and I loved how their relationship developed.

The plot was slightly predictable at times, but it was a really fast paced read, and I was definitely blown away by my previous expectations. I hadn't heard of the author until now, but I would be happy to read more of their work in the future.

Dates Read:

April 13-14, 2018

Rating
5 Stars

2018 Debut Author Challenge

ARC Review: Everless (Everless #1) by Sara Holland

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Everless
Series: Everless #1
Author: Sara Holland
Published January 4th 2018 by Orchard Books

Goodreads Synopsis
Time is a prison. She is the key. Packed with danger, temptation and desire - a perfect read for fans of The Red Queen.

In the land of Sempera, the rich control everything - even time. Ever since the age of alchemy and sorcery, hours, days and years have been extracted from blood and bound to iron coins. The rich live for centuries; the poor bleed themselves dry.

Jules and her father are behind on their rent and low on hours. To stop him from draining himself to clear their debts, Jules takes a job at Everless, the grand estate of the cruel Gerling family.

There, Jules encounters danger and temptation in the guise of the Gerling heir, Roan, who is soon to be married. But the web of secrets at Everless stretches beyond her desire, and the truths Jules must uncover will change her life for ever ... and possibly the future of time itself.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

This book was a debut that I'd heard a lot about, and when I was approved for an ARC, I dove right in. Everless is the story Jules, who has had to go on the run with her father from the palace of Everless, after saving the life of prince Roan. After struggling for so long to earn time - as time is a currency in this world - Jules agrees to take a job at the palace, hoping that the Gerling family don't remember her from her youth, in order to save her father from sacrificing himself. Roan is getting married to the daughter of the queen, Ina, and Jules is hired to help work the wedding. When Jules is chosen to be the queen's handmaiden, she soon finds herself at risk of being discovered, especially once she discovers her true identity. As she works to remember her true childhood, and not what she's been told, Jules realises that no one is quite how they appear, and she must learn who she can trust.

I really enjoyed the world building and premise of this book. Jules character was a bit weak at first, but as she started to come into her own, and really discover herself, I found myself enjoying her, and the story, a lot more. There were a lot of twists and turns in the book, some I saw a mile off, and others which I didn't realise until the very end. I am looking forward to book 2, Evermore, which I have preordered, so here's hoping that will be a good one!

Dates Read:

January 3, 2018

Rating
5 Stars

2018 Contemporary Romance Challenge

ARC Review: You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn

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You'd Be Mine
Series: None
Author: Erin Hahn
Published April 2nd 2019 by Wednesday Books

Goodreads Synopsis
Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things.

But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen.

Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. From the start fans want them to be more than just tour mates, and Annie and Clay can’t help but wonder if the fans are right. But if there’s one part of fame Annie wants nothing to do with, it’s a high-profile relationship. She had a front row seat to her parents’ volatile marriage and isn’t interested in repeating history. If only she could convince her heart that Clay, with his painful past and head over heels inducing tenor, isn’t worth the risk.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

This was a book that I hadn't initially heard much about, but will admit that the gorgeous cover is one of the main reasons I sent in the NetGalley request, and I'm really glad I did, as You'd Be Mine was such a quick and enjoyable read, especially considering I read this in November, when the weather wasn't the best, and was looking for a book somewhat similar to A Star is Born.

In You'd Be Mine, Annie, who's parents had both been country music stars, is America's Sweetheart, but just because she comes from such a musical family, doesn't mean everything is handed to her on a platter. She has to work for her career, and it's a good thing she loves singing and performing. However, she knows exactly what that lifestyle can do to a person, and she needs to do anything to avoid making the same mistakes her parents did. Clay, on the other hand, is not a sweetheart, but rather a bad boy, who's fallen to the vices that can plague stars, and he seriously needs to clean up his act. When the record label decides that their two biggest acts - Annie and Clay - should perform and tour together, it's as if its a train wreck waiting to happen, but instead, magic and chemistry could save the day.

I really liked both characters, Annie more than Clay, and enjoyed how they were complex people, with difficult backstories that we began to see as they grow closer to each other. From the off, there is chemistry between the two, and they both try to fight it, for different reasons, but it's just too much and, honestly, they're better people together. Facing their difficult pasts, and knowing that the other person understands the pressure they're under, allows each character to grow, and they are really realistic in the way they face each issue.

Now, country music has never really been a big genre for me - I don't know if it's just because it doesn't exactly have a huge following here in the UK - but I did like the way the music was fully integrated into the plot, and it felt natural to be reading the lyrics on the page. I'm definitely glad I requested this book, and am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Dates Read:
November 24-25, 2018

Rating
4 Stars

2018 Debut Author Challenge

ARC Review: The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) by S.A. Chakraborty

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The City of Brass
Series: The Daevabad Trilogy #1
Author: S.A. Chakraborty
Published March 8th 2018 by HarperVoyager

Goodreads Synopsis
Step into The City of Brass, the spellbinding debut from S. A. Chakraborty—an imaginative alchemy of The Golem and the Jinni, The Grace of Kings, and One Thousand and One Nights, in which the future of a magical Middle Eastern kingdom rests in the hands of a clever and defiant young con artist with miraculous healing gifts

Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles.

But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire, and rivers where the mythical marid sleep; past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises, and mountains where the circling hawks are not what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass, a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound.

In that city, behind gilded brass walls laced with enchantments, behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments are simmering. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, she learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.

After all, there is a reason they say be careful what you wish for . . .
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

This book was one of mine, and most other bloggers, most anticipated debuts for 2018. When I learnt that I would be receiving a review copy from the publisher, I was overjoyed, and dove right into the book. The City of Brass follows our two heroes, and is told in dual PoV. The first narrator is Nahri, living on the streets in Cairo, running cons and odd jobs to get by, but eventually it all comes back to her, and she has to flee. The other narrator is Ali, a prince of Daevabad (the City of Brass), who wants to do right by his family, and by his role as prince, but also to help those in Daevabad who has suffering under his family's rule. Both PoV's were distinct, and original, and I loved both of the main characters. The plot of the book was immense, with many different subplots interwoven into the main tale. Nahri, after trying her hand at a bit of magic - that she didn't really believe in anyway - and accidentally calls forth one of the daeva warriors, and a djinn warrior - Dara. Because of her new discovery of magic, and her own powers, Nahri is in danger, and the only safe place for her would be in Daevabad. Dara has to use his own powers to protect her and get her their safely, and along the way, they grow close, even if their is an aspect of animosity there too.

Ali, as the younger prince, knows he won't inherit the crown, but still has to abide by all the rules as if he would be. His role in life is to protect his older brother, Muntadhir, and self thought is not required for that. Most of the elite, and that includes his family, think that those living in and around the city for mixed descent don't deserved to be treated properly, and that's tough for Ali to cope with. He spends time in the slums, and tries to support those struggling however he can, but even he is at risk of punishment if he is caught.

The world building and history in the book was fantastic. Chakraborty spent so much effort and time to weave everything into a truly wonderful fantasy debut, and though the book may be daunting at first glance - being over 500 pages - it honestly didn't feel like that as you were reading. From the get go, you were invested in the plot, and as you discover more about all of the characters, you need to read on to find out just what happens to them.

All in all, I was just blown away by this book, and if I hadn't known any better, I would not have expected this to be a debut. I'm so looking forward to The Kingdom of Copper, and can not recommend this book enough!

Dates Read:

February 18-22, 2018

Rating
5 Stars

2018 Contemporary Romance Challenge

Review: American Panda by Gloria Chao

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American Panda
Series: None
Author: Gloria Chao
Published February 6th 2018 by Simon Pulse

Goodreads Synopsis
At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents' master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.

With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can't bring herself to tell them the truth--that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.

But when Mei reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?
Goodreads

Review
American Panda follows Mei as she navigates being a 17 year old freshman at MIT, trying to pave her way in the world, while overcoming the intense pressure her parents are putting on her. She's studying to be a doctor, even though she hates the thought of ever having to do anything remotely medical, and falls asleep in class when she should be concentrating. Instead, Mei loves to dance, even teaching some school kids how to dance too. When her parent's find out about that, she uses the excuse that an extra-curricular would look good to a prospective husband - another thing her parents are adamant about - when she knows very well that if they had any idea that it was for anything else, they would deny it. She's also struggling with the fact that she has a crush on Darren, who would not be approved by her parents, who want her only to marry an approved Taiwanese boy. As if this wasn't bad enough, Mei's older brother Xing, has been estranged from the family for being with a woman who is wrong for him - simply because she can't have children. Xing wants to marry her, and doesn't care what his parents think, but wants more than anything for Mei to be involved in the wedding, and in his life.

I loved this book! Mei was a fantastic protagonist, and I loved experiencing her world from her point of view. Struggling with what she wants, and wanting to please her parents - who've done everything for her, and to make her life easy - really endeared Mei to me, and I thought you just couldn't have a better characterisation for the book. Being younger than most of her classmates, she felt divided from everyone, until she met Darren. Since Xing was disowned, Mei had to be even more perfect, and falling for a Japanese boy would not be the right thing, as far as her parents were concerned. However, the more pressure Mei feels under by her parents, the more she rebels, pushing her towards her dancing, towards Darren, and towards reconciliation with Xing. She grew from a naive, shy young girl, who wouldn't put a foot wrong, to a strong character, who knows what she wants, and is willing to do anything to get there.

As much as Mei's parents pilled the pressure on her, I did love them. I'm not going to try and imagine what it must be like for someone in Mei's situation, but as you learnt from about Mei's mother in particular, and how her life had been since marrying Mei's father, you felt sympathetic towards her, and appreciated how she was starting to try and change, but it would just take a bit longer than for most. Another thing I loved about the book as a whole was learning more about Taiwanese culture, the history, and parts of the language, all interwoven with the story.

Family was such a large part to the story, and the scenes between Mei and Xing were so sweet, and I loved how their relationship managed to overcome the pressure from their family, and become brother and sister again, depending on each other whenever they were needed. Romance, on the other hand, wasn't as big a part to the story, though the chemistry between Mei and Darren was cute, and I loved how they learnt about each other and themselves throughout the story.

For YA Contemporary lovers, this is definitely one for you. Family driven, with the romance on the back burner, it was more a coming of age story about Mei accepting herself, and what she wants from life, and one I can't recommend enough.

Dates Read:

October 8-10, 2018

Rating
4 Stars