The Headmaster's List by Melissa de la Cruz REVIEW

The Headmaster's List

by Melissa de la Cruz

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Blurb

When fifteen-year-old Chris Moore is tragically killed in a car crash, Argyle Prep is full of questions. Who was at the wheel? And more importantly, who was at fault?

Eighteen-year-old Spencer Sandoval wishes she knew. As rumors swirl that her ex, Ethan, was the driver that fateful night, she can’t bring herself to defend him. And their messy breakup has nothing to do with it – she can’t remember anything from that night, not even what put her in that car with Ethan, Chris, and Tabby Hill, the new loner in school. Was it just a night out that went very wrong? And is it just a coincidence they were all part of Argyle’s esteemed honor roll, the Headmaster’s List? In a place ruled by pedigree and privilege, the answers can only come at a deadly price.

Set against the glitz and glamour of an elite LA private school, Melissa de la Cruz's first YA thriller is an addictive mystery perfect for fans of Gossip Girl and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

Review

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Headmaster's List wastes no time getting into the thick of things. From the very first page it grabs your attention and drags you along on a wild ride with second guesses and secrets at every turn.

The only thing I didn't absolutely love about this was the ending. It was very YA Mystery Thriller, which is fine because that's exactly what it is, it just didn't give me anything exciting or different. It was still enjoyable, just average and predictable.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA Mystery thrillers but especially to those that enjoyed the Confessions series by James Patterson. The main characters and the storyline all give similar vibes despite the differences in the two stories.

Automated Daydreaming by William Pauley III Audiobook REVIEW

Automated Daydreaming

by William Pauley III

Narrated by Connor Brannigan

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Blurb

This is a cycle.

Unalleviated, its components are connected by electricity and fed through the rage of lightning. Insect and road monsters scour the desert. Bodies morph into new constructions, only partially human and searching for conclusion. Tongues entwine in an embrace of benthos, while mermaids and jellyfish glow in tandem.

The moon is waiting. Dream.

Review

I was given a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The following thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the story. The concept is really interesting. It's a well written weird book. BUT (yes there is a but) I did not enjoy this narrator. I did not enjoy the listening experience and couldn't wait for the book to be over. I think I would have enjoyed this so much more if I had of read it myself.

Swift the Storm, Fierce the Flame by Meg Long REVIEW

Swift the Storm, Fierce the Flame

by Meg Long

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Blurb

A girl hellbent on finding the friend she lost. A planet on the brink of total destruction. Only one way to find answers amidst the chaos: team up with a traitor to stage a revolution, in Meg Long's Swift the Storm, Fierce the Flame.

After a mission gone awry two years ago, Remy Castell has been desperately searching across worlds to find the friend she failed to save—the friend who changed her life by helping her overcome the brainwashing she was subjected to as a genetically engineered corporate agent.

Since then, she’s been chasing the only lead she has: fellow genopath Kiran Lore, the same secretive ex-squadmate who left her for dead when she compromised that mission. She nearly caught up to him on Tundar before joining the infamous sled race alongside outcast Sena and her wolf companion Iska. Now, all three of them have tracked Kiran back to Maraas, the jungle planet where Remy lost everything. But nothing on Maraas is how it was two years ago. Syndicates and scavvers alike are now trying to overthrow a megalomaniac corpo director, which Remy wants nothing to do with; fighting against corpos is as useless as trying to stay dry in the middle of the giant hellstorm that encircles the planet. But the storm—and the rebellion—are growing stronger by the minute.

When Remy finds Kiran, he doesn't run away like she expects. Instead, he offers her a deal: help with the revolution and he'll reunite her with her friend. But can she really trust the boy who betrayed her once before? With the entire planet on the edge of all-out war, Remy will have to decide just how far she's willing to go to save one girl before the impending storm drowns them all.

Review

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

To start, SWIFT THE STORM, FIERCE THE FLAME is Meg Long's second book. While the two books are related you don't need to read her first book, COLD THE NIGHT, FAST THE WOLVES, to understand what is going on in this one. I would, however, recommend reading it just because it's really good.

I love the chosen family aspect of the story. It's one of my favorite tropes in books and I think Meg Long did it so incredibly well. Another thing I enjoy is how Long is able to paint me a world I can easily picture and feel through her words without bogging down the story. I feel like it's such a delicate balance between enough detail and too much but this was great.

This was a really fun story packed with adventure and good times. In her goodreads bio it says Meg originally wanted to be a spy and I think that really comes through in this book in the best way. If you're ready for an adventure this book may be exactly what you need.

Purchase Link:
 

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No Home For Killers by E.A. Aymar REVIEW

No Home For Killers

by E.A. Aymar

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Blurb

The chilling story of two conflicted sisters, their murdered brother, and the secrets a family hoped they’d never have to face.

The murder of jazz musician and social activist Markus Peña doesn’t come as a surprise to his estranged sisters. Melinda and Emily Peña know their controversial brother had enemies. After all, even they hadn’t spoken to Markus since their mother’s funeral two years ago.

Who killed Markus? Was it someone trying to keep his latest protest song from publication? Was it the powerful and secretive uncle of his ex-girlfriend Rebecca? Or was it one of the other women Markus had callously abandoned?

To unravel the truth, Melinda and Emily must first face their own demons. Melinda, a former social worker, suffers from PTSD—haunted by the people she failed to help and unable to maintain meaningful relationships. Emily also pushes people away—afraid she’ll get hurt and afraid they’ll find out she’s Three Strikes: a masked vigilante who violently punishes abusive men.

Markus wasn’t a good man, but he was family. And it’s up to his sisters to uncover his lifetime of lies and the truth of his death.

Haunting, gripping, and relevant, No Home for Killers explores the conflicts that tear families apart—and the tragedies that force them back together.

Review

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoyed this book so much. I was completely hooked on the story to the point where I couldn't read it fast enough. There were so many aspects to it that I felt like there was always something happening to keep me focused. It had violence, revenge, family drama, cheating, breakups and so much more. I struggle with big books but this one was the perfect size for the story it told. I'd definitely read more by this author.

No Home For Killers is a really good book but it does deal with heavy topics such as violence. I suggest checking trigger warnings before reading if you are someone who requires them.