Mini Reviews. Long Time no See!

October 05, 2017

Reviews are back up!








Orangeboy - Patrice Lawrence
Image result for orangeboy book
source


Genre: UKYA, Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: Sixteen-year-old Marlon has made his mum a promise - he'll never follow his big brother, Andre, down the wrong path. So far, it's been easy, but when a date ends in tragedy, Marlon finds himself hunted. They're after the mysterious Mr Orange, and they're going to use Marlon to get to him. Marlon's out of choices - can he become the person he never wanted to be, to protect everyone he loves?

Intermission: At first, I thought the author's name was Patrick Lawrence but it turns out the author is Patrice Lawrence!

This book was really different from a lot of the contemporaries I've read. I thought that I would like it but eh, I managed to finish it. 

Everything was pretty much all over the place but I felt that it really suited this book. 

I didn't know what I thought of Marlon. He seemed like a regular guy. He was definitely smart and interesting but my feelings toward him were mainly neutral.


3 stars out of five







Wing Jones - Katherine Webber


Genre: YA, Contemporary

Blurb: With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. When tragedy strikes, she discovers an extraordinary talent she never knew she had. Wing's running could bring her family everything it needs. It could also keep Wing from the one thing she truly wants.

I thought this book was going to be a UKYA book. However it isn't even set in the UK? It was published in the UK first but I feel like I'm being lied to when people say it's UKYA.

Now back to the story.

Wing was a fascinating character. Her voice really suited her age and I admired her persistent passion and energy to run.

Since Wing is biracial and one grandmother was Ghanaian while the other was Chinese, I was curious about how the cultures would be explored in this novel.

The romance was eh.

3.5 stars out of five

The Inconceivable Life of Quinn - Marianna Baer


Genre: Contemporary, YA, Magical Realism, Mystery

Blurb: Quinn Cutler is sixteen and the daughter of a high profile Brooklyn politician. She's also pregnant, a crisis made infinitely more shocking by the fact that she has no memory of ever having sex. Before Quinn can solve this deeply troubling mystery, her story becomes public. Rumours spread, jeopardising her reputation, her relationship with a boyfriend she adores, and her father's campaign for Congress. Religious fanatics gather at the Cutler's home, believing Quinn is a virgin, pregnant with the next messiah. Quinn's desperate search for answers uncovers lies and family secrets - strange, possibly supernatural ones. Might she, in fact, be a virgin?
(from goodreads)

I've never read anything quite like this book. Then again, I usually don't often indulge into the magical realism genre because I thought the genre would be creepy.

I found the writing refreshing and appreciated how despite the small font there were short chapters. I liked how the POV would change to random people in different chapters.

I thought Quinn was okay, though I wish she were a little older. I felt that she and her classmates were a little too mature for their age. 

I was glad the author made a distinct difference between the religious fanatics and the regular Christians. I felt that she managed a pretty objective viewpoint even though she probably might not necessarily agree with religion (I don't know for sure, though).

3.5 stars out of 5


Challenger Deep - Neal Shusterman


Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mental Health

Blurb: Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.
Caden Bosch is brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behaviour.
Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.
Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.
Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.
Caden Bosch is torn.


Like many people, I found this book confusing. I don't necessarily find that a bad thing in this case because I felt it was meant to be that way.

Though there was a lot in this book that honestly flew over my head, I was able to grasp onto a few things such as Caden's bonds with people and his reflections on his past.

There is also no romance in this novel. Which is obviously awesome.

4 stars out of five




I'm finally back! I hope you enjoyed these mini reviews! I have a post on recent updates coming soon! And the full versions of these reviews are all on Goodreads of course!





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4 comments

  1. I'm glad you're back! I didn't know you were on Goodreads.

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    1. Thanks! I guess I need to learn how to attach my social media icons!

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  2. Nice reviews! That Wing Jones one sounds interesting, especially since I have a grandmother from Ghana!


    Alexa
    thessalexa.blogspot.com
    verbosityreviews.com

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    1. It really is! And it's pretty cool that you're part Ghanaian :)

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Keep it all clean, man. Well, if you really wanna curse, use minor swear words. And I mean the minorest of minor ones.

"Or what?" you ask in indignation.

"Or else."