Elijah’s Mermaid is a book set in England during the Victorian era & it takes readers on a journey through both the respectable & richer parts of this setting & through to the darker, poorer areas where criminals, brothels & asylums rule the streets. I really enjoyed this book, with it’s layers & layers of themes & secrets, as well as it’s brutal honesty of England during the 1800s, but some scenes were difficult to read & left me feeling very uncomfortable.
Summer Reading
Who Runs The World by Virginia Bergin
This is going to be a review full of mixed opinions – in some ways I really enjoyed this book, but there were also some things about it that I really, really didn’t like as well. The premise of this novel was something that really interested me; who wouldn’t be curious about a world without men?! And I did find myself invested in the plot… but, the main character really annoyed me & there were some features of this version of the future that I didn’t think were right, & some which seemed a bit sexist.
This review will contain some spoilers.
You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner
I have wanted to read You’re Welcome, Universe for a while now & I’m so glad I finally did; this book is an educational one but it’s also realistic, exciting, funny & a little emotional too. The cast is realistically diverse with a Deaf protagonist, interracial F/F parents & discussions about eating disorders as well. I recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary YA because it’s honestly just a really great book.
Trigger Warnings: This book contains a character who is dealing with an eating disorder
Pax by Sara Pennypacker (Illustrated by Jon Klassen)
This book was both adorable & heartbreaking; the first chapter made me cry, as did a few toward the end, but for the most part I smiled at the cuteness of this tale. This book is listed as a children’s book (I’d say middle grade) but it’s certainly something that people of all ages can enjoy due to the depth of the characters & the beauty of the writing.
This book contains discussions of war & animal suffering
Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa & Laura L. Sullivan
Children of Eden has an interesting concept; limitation on how many children a family can have, & that is why it caught my attention… I picked up this book because of my interest in the Chinese rules on children, but also because I do quite like science-fiction. The book has been on my to-read list for a while & although I enjoyed the book I wasn’t addicted to it like I could have been – it was a good story though, with decent characters & interesting world-building, & I will be reading the sequel.
The Shadow Cipher (York #1) by Laura Ruby
This wonderful book was absolutely bloody brilliant; I was obsessed with the story & characters right from the very first page & I read most of the book in one sitting. I loved everything about this adventure & I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. Yet again I want to scream at Laura Ruby about how incredible her work is!
Crimson China by Betsy Tobin
Crimson China was a book that I wanted to keep reading, but for reasons totally different to why I picked it up; I picked up Crimson China hoping to get descriptions of characters with PTSD, but unfortunately there was very little regarding the trauma the characters had experienced… instead I got to learn about something I have a real personal interest in & got to have a nice break from all the fantasy I’ve been reading lately.
Small spoilers
The Princess Saves Herself In This One by Amanda Lovelace
I don’t read poetry but I wanted to read this book as I’d only heard good things about it & because I knew it told a story.
I was not disappointed by this book & I am glad I read it. This quick read filled me with all sorts of emotions & there were several poems that I felt a connection with. This was an incredible idea & Amanda executed it brilliantly. I have borrowed this book from the library & because I cannot afford to buy a copy, I plan to photocopy 12 of the poems, the ones that meant the most to me, so I can take them home with me.
Amanda, you are strength personified. Congratulations on this wonderful piece of art, I wish you all the luck in the world with the rest of your life.
Huntress by Malinda Lo
I had such high hopes for this book & really wanted to enjoy it; all the evidence suggested that this would be a book that I would love, but unfortunately the evidence lied.
This review contains some small spoilers.
An Extra 12
So two days ago I posted My Summer Library Reading List which consisted of 15 books that have either been on my reading list for months or have only just piqued my interest… but! These weren’t the only books that I reserved; they were just the first ones to be available for pick-up. I actually have another 12 reserved that I’m hoping to work my way through over the next couple of months – here’s what they are & why I want to read them!
