September Mini-Reviews

I thought I’d share all my mini-reviews for the month! I enjoyed all of these book to varying degrees – some I really loved, others weren’t for me – but I still wanted to give you my thoughts on them! So here are some mini-reviews from books I’ve read this month.

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The Goblins of Bellwater by Molly Ringle

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Release Date: October 1, 2017

Overall this book was a miss for me, but I did like some of the story elements. The premise was unique, and I loved the inclusion of different types of fae folk and magic, but the characters and the slow beginning made this a disappointment. And I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romances in the story.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Release by Patrick Ness

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Release Date: September 19, 2017

I honestly don’t even know where to start with this? I feel like I have all these thoughts flying around in my head, but nothing concrete it can grab onto. This books was a strange and emotional experience which I’m sure Adam could relate to. I liked the relationships (romantic and platonic) in the story and the emotional journey, but the parallel semi-supernatural sideplot completely threw me and I didn’t connect with it.  I think I need to give another Patrick Ness book a try and see if I have a different experience.

I received a copy of the book from HarperTeen via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

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Far From the Tree by Robin Benway

Rating: ★★★★★

Release Date: October 3, 2017

This was such a beautifully character driven story. It’s all about who is family and what it means to be a family. I LOVED Grace, Maya, and Joaquin. All three siblings were so easy to connect to. Each one is so resilient and strong, while allowed to be emotional and upset. The family dynamics we get to see were also great – I loved that there was a wide representation of family experiences. Each character is going through such an emotional journey, that it’s so easy to become invested in these characters and I loved seeing their sibling relationship develop! And while romance was very much on the backburner for the story, there was some really cute (and real) moments between Maya and her girlfriend, Claire, and Grace’s budding relationship with Rafe.

I received a copy of the book from HarperTeen via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

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That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (DNF @ 43%)

Release Date: October 3, 2017

I DNF’d this at the 43% mark. I wanted to like this book – it’s so pretty and the premise sounded really cool. But this is just is one of those situations where the book just isn’t for me. Victorian London is my least favorite time period for historical books, but I wanted to give this one a try because I’ve liked E.K. Johnston’s previous books and thought the premise of an alternate Victorian  setting would hook me enough to get me into the time period. But I was just so bored and didn’t really connect with the characters at all. I like the friendship we see start to develop but  do not feel compelled to read this at all, it’s not grabbing me. I think many people will like this, it’s just not for me.

I received a copy of the book from Dutton BFYR via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

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Have you read any of these books? Are you excited for them? Share below!