Stand Alone & A bit Odd, but I loved it!
593336
Letters in Transit is Season 4's odd, "stand alone" episode. I thought it was very well done and offers a VERY different view of the observers than we have seen before. However, you could kind of guess that not all the observers were "good" due to September's ominous yet vague warnings (earlier in Season 4).

This episode introduces a lot of new characters as well as a very different Walter, but I have a feeling that this episode's storyline will be picked up/ explained/ continued/ flashed forward to... in Season 5 (the final season).
I found it to be a really fun look into one of the possible futures for our Fringe Team.
This is not a "standard" episode and if those tend to be your favorites, then this is most likely not going to be an episode you'll love, but it does offer some interesting things to think about and might create some great story lines for Season 5.

Give it a chance, just don't expect to see Olivia or much of Peter.
109584
Hush, Hush kind of blew my mind. I had no idea what to suspect from the description and the opening, but I genuinely loved it. I can't say that I loved it while I was reading it - it was frustrating and confusing and sometimes I didn't know what was going on (in the best way possible), but also incredibly addicting. I just had to know what would happen next. Nora was an interesting protagonist and Vee drove me crazy, but was loveable. I was incredibly attracted to Patch, because he was just so bad. He definitely fit with the book, and with Nora, no matter how much they argued and pretended to hate each other. One of the earlier scenes really freaked me out, which just goes to show how well-done Fitzpatrick's writing is. I loved all the twists because they kept me interested and and confused and guessing until the very end (and even then some). I can't wait for the sequel, Crescendo, which comes out pretty soon!
3706602
First off, before I start my review, let me say that those of you looking at this and thinking "Oh, ANOTHER start to a trilogy.", take that thought back. This book reads like a stand-alone with series potential. I seriously thought it was a stand-alone until I saw the Amazon description (I left out that part because it's a blurb rather than summary) just now while making this post. Also, it makes me happy that there will be two more books because I really enjoyed reading this one.

It's been a while since I've read a fantasy and god, I've missed them! I relished every page of this book. Oh does a really good job setting up this world and taking the reader through it all. There's lot of journeying going on, which should be boring but isn't. Oh breaks up the monotony with revealing secrets, action scenes, and playful banter. The last part is mainly due to Jaewon, a traveler the group picks up while on their journey. I LOVED Jaewon and his interactions with Kira, and I really want a Jaewon of my own. But there's a lot of wit and sarcasm in this book, which made it fun.

The action scenes are handled with a deft hand and I could really see it happening in my head. The climax in particular has a lot going on, and there's a lot of jumping around, but I was never confused and also on the edge of my seat. When there's anything really bad happening in a book, I get a bit irrationally angry. They're only fictional characters, but I get so riled up when evil gains an upper hand (and not just in sci-fi/fantasy, it happens in contemporary too). It's a bit unsettling, but good for the author because it means they've done their job and made their characters seem real. It means I've connected with them in some way and I want them to come out of it all triumphing over evil; I don't like seeing them being picked on.

I also liked that it took place in an Asian-inspired setting. It's great to see non-white characters for once. I also like stuff like anime and manga, so that made it even better. In fact, whenever they mentioned the Seven Kingdoms, I kept thinking she was referencing an anime of the same name, but it turns out the anime is Twelve Kingdoms, not Seven. I was close though!

Overall, get this book now! It's really good and just a fantastic debut. I can't wait to see what adventures Kira and everyone get up to in the next two books!
3800097
Hmmmm, surprise ending for me?? Anyway, it was great!
893385
I don't like to give a synopsis of a book I'm reviewing. I'm also a person who hates movie trailers. I want to be surprised.

All I can tell you is that this book is quirky, with interesting and relatable characters. I laughed my butt off through most of it. One night, it was 4AM before I realized it. After that, I was afraid to start reading the book after 10PM!

Okay, the ending was wrapped neatly with a bow, but that's okay, it was such a fun ride.

I've tried so many books lately and most are mediocre to God-awful. The Bette Davis Club was a pleasant, hilarious surprise. Just read it. :-)
2300577
I love how unusual this book is. It takes the standard young peasant boy destined for greatness theme, and twists it around with a really intriguing mix of humor and darkness. Seeing the world through Murgatroyd's perspective gave me a curious anxiety - in spite of his incredibly unusual circumstances, I felt like his ignorance was plausible. I don't know how to describe this book, which makes me very happy. It made me feel things, and I had connections to some of the characters, and I want to read the next one. As far as I'm concerned, those three things mean this book is a success.

If you're tired of the same genre tropes, try this book. It was a breath of strange fresh air.
943695
A little confusing in the beginning, but overall I really enjoyed it!
279130
REVIEWED BY KINDLE GAL (originally posted on Kindles & Wine Book Blog)

So, as is my usual way, I didn't read the blurb before reading the book, which made the first few chapters in this story rather surprising! I didn't expect to start in the present, then travel back in time 20 years earlier to that pivotal moment when Cupids bow struck, but I loved the way this story unfolded. Dont worry  I promise it isn't confusing at all. (Also, Id like to officially beg Higgins to write a YA romance!)

It was next to impossible to not love the hero, Connor. Even when I wanted to smack him upside the back of his headand make no mistake, I definitely did! he was lovable. He was so earnest and vulnerable because of his feelings for Jessica, and while it was difficult to see him flounder at times and get rejected, repeatedly, it somehow made their eventual happily-ever-after all the more rewarding.

Jessica Dunn  She was definitely not what Id expected after her brief appearances in earlier stories in the series. But ANYTHING FOR YOU was really her story, her romance, and as Higginss books tend to do, it gave me all the feels. Yes, the back and forth between her and Connor was a tad tiresome and things got repetitive, but overall, it worked. I did wish Jess had to fight harder for Connor at the end (I do love me a good grovel!), but as far as endings go, this was one of the more satisfying ones in the series for me.

Connor and Jess were secondary characters throughout the series, but ANYTHING FOR YOU could be read as a stand-alone story. The epilogue might not be as satisfying for a new-to-the-series reader, though. 

One more thing: I have a lot of respect for Higgins tackling some bigger issues in this story. She does a great job portraying certain aspects of alcoholism and cognitive disabilities and how they can affect families, all while keeping her trademark humor and heart ever-present. Such a gift!

BOTTOM LINE
ANYTHING FOR YOU was a great end to a fun series! It can be read as a stand-alone story, but like Connor and Jesss romance, its more rewarding if you start from the beginning. 

RATING: B+ (4 stars)

NOTE: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.
3445942
Okay, y'all. I have had this books sitting unread on my shelves for freaking years, and that was such a mistake. I'm not sure why I was hesitant to read it, but I'm glad I finally did. Wither is different than a lot of the books you'll find on the shelves these days. I will say there are some areas where this novel fell flat, but the writing and the premise had me flying through this book in one sitting.

Guys let's just talk about some of the awesome ideas in this novel. It takes place mostly in a dystopian Florida (my home state, what what) with flashbacks to dystopian New York (my future state, what what). What made this especially interesting, though, is that New York is this, run-down, dilapidated state, and Florida is thriving. It's the opposite of what you might expect, and that's just really cool to me. And then there's the phrase "sold as a bride." It's super creepy to think about and that's what makes it such a fascinating thing to read about. Oh, and that whole thing where basically everyone knows exactly when and how they're going to die. All of this is actually quite chilling. It's gritty and sucked me right in.

However, I feel like this story was still lacking some of the darkness and creepiness it promised. I feel like not enough happened. A lot of the story was merely Rhine thinking about how much she wanted to escape and how much she hates the mansion. There were a few parts when she took action, but she mostly just let things happen to her, rather than making them happen. Like, I wish Rhine would have dug deeper to find out some secrets of the mansion and Vaughn, her father-in-law that gives everyone the heebie-jeebies. I mean, we find out some pretty crappy things he has done, but I just wanted more. He's the villain of the book, but I just wasn't appalled by him enough.

Now, about the other characters. The thing is, I don't really have strong feelings about any of them, which makes me sad because I am a character-focused reader. Rhine is a good narrator, and I was rooting for her, but I wouldn't say I necessarily like her. If anything, I was more a fan of the secondary characters, namely Linden and Cecily. Linden was just so sweet and clueless, it was hard not to love him. And Cecily was a lot of fun. I loved watching the way she developed over the course of the novel.

As far as the romance goes, it was nothing spectacular. It could have been, but Gabriel, the main love interest, is basically absent for half the novel. The chemistry that was building between them kind of fizzled, in my opinion.

My absolute favorite part of book is the writing style. DeStefano has such a beautiful way with words. Some of her descriptions sent a pang to my heart because they were so good. I think her writing is the primary thing that sets this book apart and makes it feel different from the things I usually read. Even if this book had nothing else going for it, I would have still read it until the very end because I was so enthralled by the writing.

I know there seems to be a lot of negativity in this review, but I really had a hard time putting this book down. I immediately picked up the second book when I was finished with it. I will probably be recommending this to my friends because I think it is extremely interesting. I don't think you'll regret reading this.
2283334
This was an odd but uplifting little story about a girl who breaks away from her strange father in an isolated life and journeys out on her own to the big city and does a lot of growing up.  I found it very endearing.  And I really enjoyed the New York setting.  All the settings, really. I guess I just really enjoy these sorts of journeys that involve travel and changes in setting.  And it made me miss NYC.  I'm glad I gave it a chance.  The women I read it with didn't love it as much as I did and thought it was just okay... but I enjoyed it quite a bit.  :)
3665288
I was drawn into this book immediately. I mean, a doctor in a women's prison finds decades old love letters and travels to a small seaside town to return them to their rightful owner, stumbling upon love along the way? That is not only up my alley, but it's basically exactly where I live. Meaning, this book was a sure thing for me and I was sucked into it almost immediately.

Then...I sort of lost my way in the middle a bit. There's a lot of exposition, a lot of characters introduced, and a lot of set-up for the continuation of the series, and I sometimes felt like the main points of this story got buried in all that. I loved the relationship between Jessica and Cooper, though I didn't always feel connected to it emotionallyand I'm not sure if it's because there were so many wonderful new relationships forged here, or if I found myself too drawn to the lovable secondary characters (Bailey and Vaughn, sparking all over the place). So, while I found their story interesting and fun to read, I didn't really feel it on a deep emotional level.

At least, not until very late in the game. Because while the middle may have dragged a bit, the ending brought me right back into the story and I was completely on board. So, perhaps a little uneven in its pacing, but still a wonderful story that more than delivered in the end.

I am excited to get peeks at where Cooper and Jessica go from here, and learn more about the other wonderful characters that were introduced in this story. Hart's Boardwalk is a quirky, fascinating place, and I really feel like there's a foundation for a really fantastic series here. I can't wait to see the adventures Ms. Young has in store for us! - 3.5 Stars
2744001
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book, other than hopefully a charming MG story. I was also pleased to discover that there were illustrations included as I read through this weird tale.

Josephine has just moved to Awkward Falls, location of an insane asylum housing cannibal Fetid Stenchley, who manages to escape through a very poorly planned event. That is unknown to her when she stumbles upon the titular orphan, Thaddeus, a mad scientist who lives with his grandfather's robot servant (awesome!) and a talking reanimated cat, among other oddities. These people and more collide in a crazy adventure.

I have to say that I was somewhat reminded of the Series of Unfortunate Events while reading this. I'm not sure if it's because of the presence of an orphan, the presence of a sauerkraut factory in the town, or if it's the odd happenings or something else. But, whatever it was, I liked it.

Josephine and Thaddeus are sweet kids with understandable motivations and desires. The aforementioned robot servant is wonderful: loyal and brave. And Josephine's parents even get to play an important role in the book-yay for parents who care about their children, who believe and trust even when the truth sounds crazy!

Boo on mad scientists as Thaddeus' grandfather is revealed to be. Boo on cannibals, even though Fetid is revealed to be a bit more complicated than that. He does have his own loyalty system but he spares no hurt for innocent people and too singlemindedly pursues his own desires instead of considering others.

Don't worry though! In the end, our heroes will end well while the cannibals receive a just punishment. A quirky story with good characters and some imaginative escapades.
4761231
I really enjoyed this story. The writing is fantastic, style-wise, and I was fascinated by the clock magic. I loved when Marco showed up and thought he was LARPing (live action role play). The two of them had great chemistry, and their banter was fun.

The story was a bit slower paced than I expected, and there were times when it felt a bit confusing. I realize a short story doesn't have much space for world-building, but some of the stuff about the clocks left me puzzled. Even so, the mix of mechanism and magic was intriguing, and I loved the mystery angle.

While I was glad to have a story featuring an asexual character, one thing which stood out to me was that it was basically unnecessary. The whole story could have been exactly the same with any two people of any orientation, in fact. And the romance could have been eliminated entirely. Not that I think asexuality (or any orientation) needs to be at the forefront, but I kind of feel like if it's not necessary to advancing the plot, and the only reason to mention it is because there's not going to be any sex (which wasn't needed in this story anyway), then it comes across kind of as "Hey, look! An asexual [or whatever orientation] character!" That's okay, but it's not really my cup of tea.

I liked this a lot, but the fantasy was way more interesting than the love story part. So it gets 5 stars for the plot (really cool and unique) and 3 stars for the romance (cute and sweet but unnecessary), averaging out to 4.
4047317
I had absolutely no idea going into this that it wasn't a stand-alone title. No, that has nothing to do with my actual review, but I really just wanted to get that out there. Now that I got that out of the way, let me just say that I quite enjoyed Bumped. There were so many things that made it unique!

First, I love dystopia writing like no other. I have a serious problem/obsession with it. That being said, this was totally different than any other dystopian I've read. The quirkiness and comedy was something I've never encountered before and I LOVED it! That's not to say I like one better than the other, but this was such a refreshing change of pace. I enjoyed the world itself as well. The concept of teens needing to have sex and make babies just to keep the world populated really makes you think. If it's a necessity for life when is it wrong?

I really enjoyed the alternating Melody and Harmony chapters. It was nice to get into each characters' head (as always) and it was extra interesting since the two were so seemingly opposite. I especially liked Harmony's point of view. I really enjoyed watching her grow and go through her thinking process. Another great think about the alternating chapters was the way it kept me on the edge of my seat. Something crazy would happen but then we'd switch back to the other girl and I'd get sucked into her problem's all over again. I loved how both Melody's and Harmony's personalities were obvious right from the start and I didn't have to puzzle them out.

Final Thoughts: This is a great starting point and I look forward to the sequel. The characters are strong and the writing is fun. The humor is fantastic and makes for a totally different take on dystopian. This is a must read if your in for a fun, light dystopian that always gets in your head a little and makes you think.
535338
I truly don't understand how people can praise BookTubers for talking about books but as soon as one of them actually writes one, people hate it for no reason?! I personally had a lot of fun reading Zenith. I think the writing was very easy to become immersed in and the world was very imaginative! It reminds me a lot of a mix between the Six of Crows duology and The Lunar Chronicles (two series I absolutely love!) while being unique enough to stand on it's own. While I didn't hate this book, I also didn't love it. There were some pieces awkward dialogues and some plot points that I really didn't understand the significance of.
I remember the authors mentioning how they wanted all of their characters to have depth and there to not be any defined good/bad guys. I think in some aspects they were successful, like Andy, while others fell kind of flat for me, like Dex. I really could not connect to any of his chapters and I personally didn't feel like any of his emotional statements were genuine.
I really loved how we had such a badass group of female characters! Strong friendships, like between the entire crew of the Marauders, is not something we get often in YA fiction but I think it was such a strong addition to this novel!
The ending of the story was really entertaining and sets of the conclusion to the duology up really nicely! Although this wasn't my favorite book I've ever read, I think the second book as a lot of potential and I am definitely looking forward to reading it!
4165472
There are a 1001 thoughts racing through my mind about this book. I cant, for the life of me, get my S together.

What drew me into this book was obviously, the premise, and Nikkis synesthesia. Its quite extraordinary yet scary. I couldn't even imagine. So I loved that Nikki had something so different, so rare, and I do feel like her struggles are very similar to those that do have synesthesia.

Now, Nikkis character as a whole is one that I love to read, and respect. She was Different. She has a foul mouth, is stubborn, has a serious attitude, open about her sexuality, and just does her thing. While it didn't make her character always likable, she was relate-able and real.  Admittedly, I felt things were easy for Nikki when it came to solving the mystery. Maybe her character portrayed it as too easy, but I felt like everything fell into her lap.

As for the mystery itself, I thought it was well done and thought out. Sure, Nikki seemed to get the clues pretty fast, but I loved how intricate it all was. I was only slightly surprised by the resolution, simply because well, spoilers. Part of me feels its over the top, while another part of me finds it all to make a hell of a lot of sense.

Thoughts = Jumbled = moving on.

As far as the romance goes? Well, hmm. I wouldnt call it a romance, per se but its something. And YES for not having the romance consume EVERYTHING. However. I have a feeling her relationship with someone specific will develop into.. something, as the series continues. It had this weird, awkward undertone throughout the book, creating this nagging sensation that things are not what they seem.

I also applaud the ending. Its unconventional in a way that tells me Jennifer Brown is not loyal to her characters, which I love. It also opens up so much more for the next book. There are many questions left unanswered, which typically grates on my nerves, but it was well written and well done it didn't in the slightest.

All in all  I really enjoyed Shade Me. It may not be a read for everyone  but I do recommend it. Especially if you love mystery/thrillers with a side of unconventional characters.
1086185
I thought the concept of this book sounded really interesting and unique. The merging of fantasy world and real world gave it quite a nice little enticing edge to it. I thought the characters were very well written and layered in such a way that really brought them to life.

This was not a light and fluffy tale. Yes there was humor and fun, but also a lot of darkness. I thought the characters teetered on the edge of that darkness very well. Definitely kept me plowing through and anxiously waiting to see where this wild ride went.

*Hint: It went to very cool places!*

 I really liked this strange tale.

Also, I laugh every time I see the name Paddlelump Stonemonger! I just can't help it!