80s,

Hopes & Expectations for the "Ready Player One" Film

7:41 AM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

Photo Credits to Entertainment Weekly and Warner Bros.

Recently the first look at the film adaption of Ernest Cline's novel, "Ready Player One" was released and my level of excitement for this movie has multiplied tenfold! RPO is one of my all-time favorite books and I have been anticipating this film ever since the baby rumors about it's production began circulating the web. Now that we've actually got a little hint of what's to come next spring, I thought now would be a good time to talk a little about what I'm expecting from the movie- ready?


Sharp, Enthralling Gameplay
I'm expecting a lot of OASIS scenes with pretty epic gameplay, both visually and physically. First of all, the book really pushes how much people have turned to the OASIS since the world has gone to crap. Most of humanity spends their time here so the this virtual reality needs to be pretty awesome. Side note: I really want the colors of this film to deliever- let's see some gritty grays in the real world and vibrant video tones in the OASIS. Secondly, this is Spielberg we're talking about here- I already have high hopes and even higher expectations for him to deliver something markedly HIM. 

Pop Culture References to the MAX
The novel is jam-packed with multitudes of references to old arcade and video games, classic 80s TV, films, and music, as well as a healthy dose of D&D jokes. These references truly created a distinct tone for the novel- one of nostalgia, nerdy love, and passion for the 80s era. If I'm not being hit with a PacMan or Star Wars joke every few minutes, I don't wanna see it. ;)

Staying True to Characters "Real" Personas
Spoiler free here, but since every person who enters the OASIS can create an avatar that looks however they want, that means we get a few "reveal" moments when certain characters come face-to-face with each other. All I'm saying is that this film needs to stay true to those IRL figures. I can already see some deviation from this with Wade Watts in the promo pics. Book Wade is chubby, nonathletic, and incredibly geeky. Film Wade still has that geek look going on, but he really doesn't look like the chubby teen I imagined while reading. Guess we'll have to wait and see? 

Costuming- Do's & Don't's
For the love of all that is good, I sincerely hope no costume designer has made Art3mis's armor into some unrealistic, clingy, boob-hugging armor that is laughably impractical. Let's see some indelicately crafted armor and outfits that are creative and eye-catching...without sexualizing the females. Aside from that, I'm really looking forwards to seeing what the costuming department comes up with! The OASIS is full of possibilities, so the avatar's outfits should be pretty phenomenal.


Little to No Deviation from Riddles/Gates
The connections of each riddle and the way they each unfolded was so seamlessly done in the novel that I truly can't imagine why screenwriters would want to change them in any way. I mean, not only were they one of the most interesting parts of the novel that allowed the reader to play along to an extent, they're also the driving force of the plot in a sense. Without the riddles, there would be no hunt for Halliday's egg!

Who else is super pumped for "Ready Player One"? If you have something you're looking forwards to, comment and let me know! Until then, I'll be rereading RPO for the hundredth time...

falling kingdoms,

The 4 Book Series I Want to Finish This Summer!

11:02 AM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

a darker shade of magic,

Recent Reads: Here's What I've Loved

11:04 AM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

Hello, friends!
Today I just wanted to talk about three books (or book series!) I finished reading recently. 2017 has been such a fun reading year for me- lots of new authors discovered, good books read, and even more books that I've fallen in love with. So- let's do a little book gushing now:


1) "A Conjuring of Light" by V.E. Schwab

The finale to Schwab's Shades of Magic series came out earlier this year, and it is one action-packed behemoth of a novel! Now that I've finally finished it...I'm a little broken hearted. I'm going to miss this series so MUCH! Kell and his coat, Lila's spunk and determination, adorably swaggering Alucard- these characters have made such an impact on me and I love them (even Holland. Especially Holland. Fight me.) Also, seeing everyone on the ship together had me rocking with laughter- Schwab writes the connections and relationships between characters so well; it was incredible to see everyone clash against one another.
I'm also super pleased with how everyone's arc ended. Each one made sense and flowed well with the narrative Schwab had established throughout the previous books. Yeah, each ending made me sob but it was a solid, contented kind of sob. The ending was heartbreakingly perfect.


2) "Death Note" volumes 10, 11, & 12 by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata

Okay yes, that's technically three books right there, but I'm grouping them together because I read them all back-to-back. These three make up the final fourth of the "Death Note" story, a series I have been reading since last year. I tried to read them slowly but I finally got to the point where I needed to see how things ended!
On the whole, I definitely loved how the series wrapped up- it was dark and complicated, just like the rest of the books. My mind was racing as I tried to keep up with everyone and all the layers of deception! Despite Vol. 12 being a little bit too "let's explain everything!", the sheer amount of thought placed into the plot planning of "Death Note" had me reeling.
The only downside to these final books was that there was a disappointing lack of Ryuk or any other shinigami. Ryuk and Sidoh (bless his lil soul) are my favorite characters and I find the shinigami as a whole the most fascinating to read about.
Shinigami aside, I'm totally collecting this whole series and will be rereading it again very soon!

3) "Warcross" by Marie Lu

"Warcross" has lots of action, a healthy dose of mystery, and some very vibrant and intricate characters. This book is already incredibly hyped despite it's release date still being three months away. The hype is real! I inhaled this book in a couple days. "Warcross" is an addictive read that left me eager to find out more. Lu has created a story that effortlessly blends sci-fi and YA alongside a world that could easily be our near future. The inclusion of technology was seamless with the narrative, and I loved seeing all the cool creations Lu had written.
The only thing I wish there could have been more of was the actual gameplay. We get to see a handful of cool moments in the Warcross game (the ice world was very cool- pun intended) but when an author creates a world where so many levels of play are possible, I really expect to be WOW'ed by the game and the different worlds inside the game- but it was not as epic as I think Lu could have made it.

Those are three books I've read recently and loved- what about you? Leave me a comment with you favorite recent read so I can check it out! :)

adam silvera,

Diversity Bingo 2017: April & May Update

11:29 AM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

Square: Diverse Non-Fiction
Book: "How to be a Bawse" by Lilly Singh
Rating: 4.75/5
I have been watching Lilly's YouTube videos since YEAR and have always found her to be funny, encouraging, and honest- her book is the same! I felt more and more empowered with each chapter I read and was so inspired by Lilly's words of tough-love motivation. I have over two dozen little page tabs throughout my copy of "Bawse" that pinpoint my favorite words of wisdom. One that has been on my mind lately is, "At the end of the day, you can't learn new things if you're always the one giving the lessons."As I get more into blogging and making bookish content, it's always a good reminder to look around and listen, taking advice from other creators.
I also did what Lilly recommend and made myself a vision board to hang above my desk. It's been incredibly helpful to me to look up and see my deepest goals artfully arranged in front of me.
This is definitely a book I'll be referring to and re-reading many times!
The only downside to "Bawse" is that some of the chapters are incredibly short. There are a couple 2-3 page chapters that I feel could have been built up more, just by a couple pages.


Square: Main Character with an Underrepresented Body
Book: "The Upside of Unrequited" by Becky Albertalli
Rating: 3.75/5

Albertalli sold me on her books with the witty and heartwarming story of "Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda". The same wit comes through here as readers follow the story of Molly, a teen who has had over 25 crushes but never acted upon them or had a boyfriend. There were some very fun characters in here, and a ton of lovely diversity. Molly herself has a chubby body; her sister is a lesbian with a pansexual girlfriend; their family has two moms; and there is a chubby love interest. So that was really cool to see on the page, and I applaud Albertalli for that!
There were a few small things that didn't quite click for me in here. One of the main things is when Molly says, "I spend a lot of time thinking about love and kissing and boyfriends and all the other stuff feminists aren’t supposed to care about. And I am a  feminist. But I don’t know. I’m seventeen, and I just want to know what it feels like to kiss someone.” and that never gets corrected. Being a feminist doesn't mean you can't want to be in a relationship or have sex or even be the literal horniest person on the face of the earth. Being a feminist is simply believing that women and men are equal in every way and have equal rights.
There were a handful of other little "mehhhgg" moments like this. I'm still looking forward to Albertalli's next novel since "Simon" was so spot on- let's just hope the next smooths out these issues.
Lastly, the cameos from characters in "Simon" were a nice little nod to devoted readers, if perhaps a little unnecessary. Those who haven't read "Simon" really won't get too much out of those appearances.

Square: Own Voices Latinx Main Character
Book: "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
Rating: 5/5

So, long story short, I cried like a baby reading this book. Buuuut it's Adam Silvera (aka author of "More Happy Than Not", another book that made me tear up) so that's really no surprise.
The first 50 pages of this were, at first thought, a little slow. However, in "They Both Die at the End", society works a bit differently than what we're used to now. There is a service called DeathCast, and on the day you die, DeathCast calls to tell you. You don't know when or how, just that sometime in the next 24 hours, you're gone. And I realized those first handful of pages were really setting up how society and people go about their day now. Silvera really weaves a masterful, dual-perspective tale of how people interact, sometimes without knowing it, and how a simgle day can have the most profound effect on not only your life but the life of those around you. I'll be doing a full review on this one, so I'm not gonna say too much now, other than get those tissues ready.
(And THAT ENDING. It's nothing short of a heckin masterpiece, man.)

Square: Indian MC (Own Voices)
Book: "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sanhya Menon
Rating: 4/5

This was sweet and funny and honest- I feel like the relationship in this book is one of the more accurate ones seen in YA lit. I love how Dimple and Rishi both discuss their views/beliefs on religion, too! I can't recall ever seeing that in a YA romance (aside from dismissive lines like "Maybe fate brought up together") and it's so good to see!
Additionally, this book was a great reminder to me personally about the importance of reading diverse books and books that reach outside of my own personal experience. Dimple and Rishi both are Indian American teens whose family and heritage are deeply rooted in Indian culture. Their family lives and views were quite difference from mine, and it was absolutely wonderful to read about. This particular pressure on both teens to find a successful Indian marriage was something I have never encountered in real life or YA lit before.
My main dislike was that I felt like there was a lack of focus on the actual CONTEST- we rarely see or hear any of the technical aspects that the competitors are supposedly working on. We get to see the "fun" parts of it (the scavenger hunt, the talent show, practice for the talent show) but I feel like these took up waaay too much space in the novel. Let's see the technical stuff!


So, that's a wrap! Thanks for reading my diversity update for April & May- I swear on my bookshelves that my June one will be on time! ;)

disney,

My New Favorite YA Contemporary?? || Book Review of "The Truth About Happily Ever After"

9:15 AM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

afterworlds,

Diversity Bingo 2017: March Update

9:03 AM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

Woohoo! Three months in 2017 and I'm feeling quite good about my current progress on #DB17! After reading only 2 books towards this challenge in February, I made a point of focusing in on diverse books this month. And I read some really good ones, too! It really is a nice feeling when you can read challenge books and fall in love with them as well. :)
In the interest of avoiding making this post super long, I'm not going to give a plot summary for each, but rather just a short little blurb of my thoughts- enjoy!

Square: Main Character w/ an Invisible Disability
Book: "Under Rose-Tainted Skies" by Louise Gornall
Rating: 5/5
I had never before read a book where the main character has agoraphobia, so this was a very informative read for me. It was very clear and honest about how Norah's agoraphobia, OCD, and anxiety are part of her every day, and readers get a clear look at how she lives.
My favorite part about this novel was that the romance/love interest was not portrayed as a "cure" for Norah. Meeting a cute boy wasn't what helped her begin to overcome her mental illness. Ultimatley, Norah helps Norah. She creates her own path forwards. She is a brave young woman, but that doesn't mean she's not scared or broken sometimes. A top notch read!

Square: POC on the Cover
Book: "Lies We Tell Ourselves" by Robin Talley
Rating: 2.75/5
While this was a wholly interesting premise, set in a crucial point in American history, "Lies We Tell Ourselves" just didn't work for me. First, I think this would have been an entirely more effective novel had it been shorter. There were a lot of moments of inner dialogue where a character would just ask themselves questions over and over- a lot of  repetitive inner exposition. I felt like the romance in here, while interesting, was a little forced. It felt too instalove for me, and I truly didn't see how the main characters clicked with each other. While both mentioned how invigorating it was to have someone else to argue with and discuss things with, there just seemed to be a lack of real drive behind the relationship. 

Square: Neurodiverse MC
Book: "Queens of Geek" by Jen Wilde
Rating: 3.25/5
First of all, this was fun! I really have a soft spot for books that involve comic/pop culture conventions. Three friends from Austraila, A YouTube sensation and her two BFFs, attend SupaCon in California. Shenanigans, costume contests, super stars, anxiety, and romance ensue. In my opinion, the best part of "Queens" was its frank and open narrative on mental illness, anxiety, OCD, and sexuality. These were discussed in a natural and understanding way, and I think any young teen reading can find a friendly, relatable voice in Charlie or Taylor.
My biggest dislike about this one was that the writing felt very juvenile.It lacked lyricism and any sort of complex literary construction, and it felt like the characters were spelling out every situation verbally simply for the readers sake. There are also a lot of  heart-to-heart moments that were a bit too cheesy. And the ending, while happy, felt like I was watching a teen flick where all the main characters come together and toast their future and throw their arms around each other *cue Ben Rector's "Brand New" song for credits*. So yeah, I think this is a great book for younger teens, but Wilde could definitely step up her writing style.

Square: MC of Color in SFF
Book: "Afterworlds" by Scott Westerfeld
Rating: 5/5
I'll admit it: I've actually had this book sitting on my shelves for about two years now because, while I really like Westerfeld's writing, I had seen a couple reviews that talked about the supernatural part of this novel and it kinda turned me off. I'm just not a fan of death god/grim reaper/urban fantasy themes and I thought that was all this was.
I was WRONG.
Yeah, death is a big theme in this one, but that's not all it is. Westerfeld masterfully ties together a book within a book, creating a story about publishing, the YA community, love, the afterlife, ghosts, and death all into one great epic story that transcends the definition of "supernatural" reads. It's difficult to pin this book down in such a short review, but I will say that between the two layers of stories in "Afterworlds", I could not put this down! I would finish a Darcy chapter, and then immediately be pulled back into a Lizzie chapter. It was an addictive read!

Square: d/Deaf/Hard of Hearing MC
Book: "You're Welcome, Universe" by Whitney Gardner
Rating: 5/5
Like "Under Rose-Tainted Skies", Gardner's novel features a main character unlike any I've previously read. Julia is a Deaf teen who loves and is fascinated by graffiti. She is a refreshingly relatable character: she deals with homework, has passions she pursues, deals with friend troubles, and actually works a part time job (I don't understand how so many YA characters just...don't work? Ever? Movie studios don't count).
Anyway, I was constantly learning so much from this! Julia would mention something about Deaf culture or how she moves about in the world or some tidbit of street art rules, and I'd have a moment of, "Dude, I never thought about that." Just reading about how she deals with ignorant teachers speaking louder to her, or moments when she mentions a graffiti technique- it was all so interesting. "You're Welcome, Universe" was a very eye-opening read, and I desperately want more books about Julia!

Square: Immigrant/Refugee MC
Book: "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
Rating: 4/5
Wow! This novel definitely was not what I was expecting. Usually, I don't really enjoy books that are told within the time period of a day, or even a couple days. I find them lacking in plot and development. Yoon, however, does a marvelous job of weaving the past, present, and intangible all together to tell the story of two young teenagers on the brink of change. My favorite aspect of this novel were the threads of lives Yoon wove together using background characters and concepts (such as Natasha's hair!) to create a more robust picture.
I felt a little cheated by the ending- those moments when years suddenly are flying by and readers only get a bunch of catch-up scenes where Yoon just tells us everything that's been happening. It felt a bit rushed to me. Additionally, Natasha's father was a key figure in this book, but despite all the discussion of him, his motivations still elude me. I feel like he could have been more fleshed out or written with better motivations.

a monster calls,

The Unpopular Opinions Book Tag || (Or, "I Really Don't Love Romance Books")

3:21 PM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

5 tips for graphic novels,

Introduction to Graphic Novels || 5 Tips for Where to Start Reading

2:24 PM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

Before I started reading graphic novels, I was always a little intimidated by them- the sheer size of the selection at most stores was enough to make me skip reading them! It wasn't really until 2015 that I slowly began picking them up. "iZombie" had just premiered on TV, and I was curious to read the graphic novels that inspired the show. Then I just slowly started picking up different ones from the library, and reading ones I saw recommended from YouTube videos.

What I'm saying is that delving into the realm of graphic novels can be a little daunting. Superheroes, zombies, girl gangs, dystopian tales and more all vie for attention in splashy colors and glossy pages.
I thought I would offer up some advice on how to pick out where to start. So here are 5 tips, plus a few reading suggestions, for those who are new to graphic novels! Enjoy! :)

#1) Check out Goodreads lists

It's like browsing at the bookstore expect without the stress of seeing stuffed shelves overflowing with choices!  You can see a plot summary, reviews, and if a particular novel is part of a series or a single book. Plus, there are dozens of themed list on GR that can help you narrow in on a particular topic or theme.
HERE is a list with graphic novels that have badass women characters. HERE's one about graphic novels that are focused on (mostly) real historical events. And HERE is a list of supernatural (but not superhero) reads.

#2) Think about genre- what genres do you already like? Fantasy? Nonfiction? Contemporary? If you like a certain kind of book, say horror, then staring with similar graphic novels may be a good way to start. It's familiar grounds! You can use Tip #1 and look for lists of a certain genre, or ask a librarian or bookstore worker for a recommendation.

*Suggestion for a horror graphic novel: Try "Wytches" by Scott Snyder- very eerie and unsettling! If you like Stephen King or Josh Mallerman, I would recommend this!

If You Liked This Book, Read This Next || #1

7:20 PM Deborah Embury 1 Comments

Have you ever finished a book or series and wished the author had written more? It's one of the most frustrating things a bookworm can experience when they realize a beloved book is over. Book hangovers are a real thing, people.
I've seen a couple videos where bloggers recommend books that are similar to other titles, and I thought I'd do the same! It's a really phenomenal way to discover books that are close enough to what you like to enjoy it, but of course, each book is different so there's a whole new story to be found.
So, here are four book-to-book recommendations I hope you'll enjoy!

Similar Themes Include: Grieving; death of a loved one; loss; depression; LGBT+ main characters.

Both of these novels are multilayered stories that each move backwards and forwards in time, weaving a narrative of death and the impact death has on the ones left behind. Yes, both of these are pretty heavy and have quite a few teary moments. But they're also hopeful and lyrical in their own right.


Similar Themes Include: Main characters who cannot leave their houses; potential boy-next-door romances; dreams of traveling; close relationships with mothers.

Quite honestly, it's remarkable how two books can be so similar and yet also so different. Both deal with teenage love, illness, and acceptance. There is a great mental health narrative in "Under Rose-Tainted Skies" as it talks about OCD, self harm, and anxiety. "Everything, Everything" has a bit more of a classic contemporary feel to it. And while I won't spoil the ending I will say that both books have some pretty eye-popping twists that I did not see coming!


Similar Themes Include: Setting in Rome/Roman-inspired world; fighting and battles; threads of magic; strong female warriors; controlling empires; captured main characters; schools for battle training.

I just mentioned these two books together in my review of "The Valiant", but they're worth mentioning again! These are modern day epics, stories of bravery and heroics, of flaws and fighting. Maybe I have "a type" but I truly love books with ancient Rome vibes and badass warriors. They're never a dull read! Plus, there are really swoon-worthy soldiers in both. ;) If you want a daring, nail-biting read, these are the books for you. Just know they're a little bit graphic, what with all the sword fighting and whatnot.


Similar Themes Include: college setting; creative writing/English classes; "cute & fluffy" contemporary reads; characters placed together via class project; shy main characters.

Looking to get a little more of that slightly geeky, adorable "Fangirl" vibe? Sounds like you need "A Little Something Different" (lololol). Ahem. Truly though, both of these are fun and grin-inducing books that will make you want to start writing fanfiction or stories of your own. There are cute college boys, opportunity-filled class projects, and charming moments that will make you go "awww!" Rowell's book brings the fanfiction, and Hall's brings a whopping 14 different viewpoints to her story (even a squirrel??).


I hope you found some new books to check out from this list! I'll be making a Part #2 later in March, so stay tuned! :)

edmund pevensie,

Top 5 Wednesday: Books You Felt Betrayed By

6:11 PM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

Et tu, Brute? 

ancient rome,

"The Valiant" by Lesley Livingston || Book Review

12:30 PM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

Photo by Deborah Embury

When I about 14, I began reading historical fiction. That's not a very exciting sentence, but in the context of my reading life, it meant a big change had just happened. Up until then, fantasy was the genre that pulled me into most books and made me stay up late reading. But historical fiction quickly began pulling me into its pages. One of the historical fiction novels that sparked my interest in reading more broadly was "Cleopatra's Daughter" by Michelle Moran. It was a sprawling story of a book, set in ancient Rome and Egypt, and it was full of adventure, far off places, and settings which simply captivated me.

Since then, I have loved reading books that are set in or inspired by ancient Rome (see "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir) and am always looking out for new releases in that vein. At the end of 2016, I began to hear chatter in the YA community about an upcoming book called "The Valiant" by Lesley Livingston- and I knew I needed it. I requested it from my local library, but after reading the first few chapters, I placed an order for it, too. I was hooked.
Having now read "The Valiant" I am so ready to go buy more of Lesley Livingston's books, because this one was stupendous.

PLOT
"The Valiant" is a young adult novel that follows the story of Fallon, the daughter of a Celtic warrior
king, part of a ferocious tribe in Durovernum. Fallon wants to follow in the footsteps of her deceased sister, Sorcha, a brave and fearless warrior who died on the battlefield. But things take a turn when Fallon's father announces she it not to become a warrior, but rather be wed to a prince from another tribe. When she decides to take matters into her own hands, Fallon finds herself captured by slavers from Rome. She is taken far from her homeland and bought by an elite training school for female gladiators. And this school? It happens to be owned by the man Fallon despises most- Julius Caesar.

FALLON
Right from the beginning of the story, readers see how determined Fallon is. She attempts chariot tricks no one else dares, she speaks her mind, and she is a strong fighter who wants to be even better.
After the wedding announcement is made, we see this strength as she decides her fate:

"I would be the master of my own fate. Me and the goddess Morrigan. No one else- and certainly no man. Mael and Aeddan could fight over me until they were both bloody. My father could deny me my blade. But they couldn't force me from my warrior's path unless I let them."

Fallon refuses to let anyone tell her she cannot be who she wants to be. At first, I was a little worried that Fallon might be one of those heroines who is essentially a "Mary Jane"- no flaws (EVER), always right, and always putting other people in their place. But that's not true. As Fallon's story progresses, she finds herself in situations where her beliefs are challenged, and what follows is some beautiful character development.

Photo by Deborah Embury

Fallon doesn't want to fight in a school owned by Caesar. Her tribe has fought against him for years, and Fallon despises the thought of fighting for him. But other characters encourage Fallon to think about what she can accomplish by doing so.

"You think I should fight for Caesar?"
"I think you should fight for yourself," he said. "But those things needn't be exclusive. Temper passion with control, conviction with cunning."

"Temper passion with control" is a perfect way to describe Fallon's character arc. She is fiery, brave, and smart, but also a little stubborn. Throughout the book, she learns to use her attributes to fight for what she wants, even in bad situations.

"Be an idealist, by all means, but be a pragmatic one."

SISTERHOOD & FEMALE FRIENDSHIP
The friendship between Fallon and Elka, a fellow gladiatrix, was  by far one of the best parts of "The Valiant". What started as two captive girls at odds with one another quickly became two strong girl fighting side by side to survive. Elka is also a captive, and she and Fallon don't start out on the best terms. Both stubborn and spirited, they literally butt heads before ending their friendship truly begins.

I actually got quite emotional reading about Fallon and Elka. As much as I love reading Young Adult novels, one of the aspects I think is not very well represented is female friendship. Livingston does a marvelous job here, writing two young women whose friendship develops and grows in a genuine way.
Fallon and Elka fight for each other. They train together, each encouraging one another. They joke, they confide, and they look out for one another. After their initial fight, there is no moment when Livingston uses their true friendship as a plot device to make drama.
Yes, there is another female character, Nyx, who acts as a foil to Fallon. But even in the end, Fallon tries to do what she thinks is right and save Nyx from a horrible fate (see bottom of page 370). Fallon recognizes that she has the chance to give something better to someone who hates her, even if it may be a little difficult for Nyx to adjust.

The theme of female empowerment is strong in "The Valiant". The school in which Fallon learns is a sisterhood, where are the girls are expected to bind together and find freedom among themselves, even if it's not in the "normal" sense of the word freedom. During an oath ceremony, Livingston writes:

"This oath is the oath we all swear. Not to a god, or a master, or to the Ludu Achillea...but to our sisters who stand here with us. Our sisters. This is the oath that binds us all, one to one, all to all, so that we are no longer free. We belong to each other. We are bound to each other. In swearing to each other, we free ourselves from the outside world, from the world of men, from those who would seek to bind us to Fate and that which would make us slaves. We sacrifice our liberty so that, ultimately, we can be truly free."

At the start of the novel, Fallon believes being free to run about the forests of her home is true freedom. She doesn't understand how freedom can be found anywhere else. But throughout the book, she encounters characters who have made a life for themselves and are completely happy- even though they are slaves. One such character says to Fallon, "I've made my own freedom, and that is something I'll never give up."
Later, another female character confronts Fallon about her belief of what freedom is and what it can be. She asks Fallon is fighting over cattle back home was more honorable than what was going on in Rome. She proclaims that she is fighting for Fallon and for a sisterhood.

Photo by Deborah Embury

ROMANCE
At one point, I was really upset because I thought this was about to become a love triangle romance- but it didn't! The romance in "The Valiant" is lovely because it takes a back burner to the main story arc.
I don't want to say too much about the romance and spoil it for anyone, but I will say I very much enjoyed how Livingston brought two worlds together in the romance. She allowed both her characters and readers to learn something from the clashing of worlds, and we were allowed a look at both of the characters motivations and thoughts.
(also, the love interest is <3 <3 <3 )

OTHER
My only issue I had reading this was that, geographically, I was confused a bit at the beginning of the book. Livington uses older names of countries/cities, so I had to go and Google a couple names to find out where they were. For instance, Fallon is from Dunvernum, which I found out is actually modern day Canterbury in England. Clearly I knew where Rome was, but during the beginning of the book I needed to figure out where we were starting. I think a map would have been a good addition to the book (maybe we'll see one in the second?). It wasn't a huge factor at all, I just think it would have been helpful for the first half of the book.

CONCLUSION
If you are a fan of "An Ember in the Ashes" read this book.
If you like historical settings woven with a hint of magic, read this book.
If you like strong female characters who fight and grow, read this book.

This was a wonderful, epic read that transported me to ancient Rome in a heartbeat. It is woven with hearty descriptions, sharp dialogue, and a cast of characters that felt incredibly lifelike. I will absolutely be adding more books by Lesley Livingston to my bookshelf!
5/5 stars!!

an ember in the ashes,

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books

6:49 PM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

angie thomas,

Diversity Bingo 2017: February Update

3:28 PM Deborah Embury 0 Comments

February was a slightly slower reading month than January for me, but I did read two more books towards the #DiversityBingo2017 challenge.
I'd also like to mention that I'm going to be meeting both of the authors of these books later in March, and I'm very eager to hear them talk more about their work! Angie Thomas, author of "The Hate U Give" will be at Politics & Prose Bookstore in Washingon, DC on March 13th. Nina Lacour, author of "We Are Okay" is the keynote speaker at NOVA Teen Book Festival on March 11th. If anyone is in the area and wants to learn more about these books, I encourage you to attend!

That being said, let's get into the books:


1) Square: Black Main Character (Own Voices)
    Book: "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
    Rating: 4.75/5

This is by far one of the most important and currently relevant books to hit shelves this year. There has been quite a bit of hype and anticipation surrounding "The Hate U Give" because it was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

"The Hate U Give" is the story of Starr, a young black girl who witnesses her childhood best friend, Khalil, get shot right in front of her by an officer who pulled them over after a party. Starr is trying to hold herself together and maintain appearances in her two worlds: her private school world, where her boyfriend and best friends are and where she is only one of two black students, and her home world with her family in Garden Heights, a neighborhood with multiple gangs and bars across the windows of her dad's grocery store. But as the media and world follow Khalil's story and the court case, the world around Starr begins to cave in and she has to deal with the heartbreaking memories of what she witnessed.

Starr is a courageous, funny, and smart girl who feels so very real to the reader. Thompson did a fantastic job of creating a fully fleshed out character with passions, hobbies, and a distinct voice. The family aspect of this book is equally solid.
This is a novel that was needed. Unfortunately, while Starr's story is fictional, the inspiration behind it is not, and there is hardly a person alive in 2017 who has not heard the names Freddie Gray or Trayvon Martin or the others who have been shot down. "The Hate U Give" honors those lives and lets readers understand what is happening in the real world around them from a perspective of someone who has seen these tragedies firsthand. I think everyone should read this book- it's eye opening, comprehensible, and hopeful.

The only reason I'm docking a small chunk of rating is because Thomas skipped over writing a couple moments in this book that I think would have greatly aided in Starr's overall story. Namely, when Starr has to give her testimony before the court. There was quite a lot of build up to that moment. It would have been nice to see Starr in those moments and would have rounded out her character arc more fully.


2) Square: Free Choice
    Book: "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour
    Rating: 5/5

I selected this book for the Free Choice square because the two female main characters are both part of the LBGT+ community, and thought it fit well with the rest of the DB2017 squares.

This is a fairly short book, coming in at 234 pages, but boy does it pack a punch. From the very first chapter I was utterly engrossed by Lacour's lyrical and lonely prose. Quickly Lacour builds up the world and personality of Marin, a young college freshman who is reeling from the recent losses and discoveries in her life. Marin is attempting to keep up appearances and behave in a "normal" way- she's going through the motions of eating, reading, watching documentaries. But over Christmas break, alone in her dorm on her empty college campus, the loneliness begins to catch up to her.

One of my favorite aspects of "We Are Okay" is that the story is not wholly plot driven. There is no Point A to Point B and the story is everything in between. Readers are simply immersed in Marin's isolated world as she reflects on the past few months and tries to deal with the present and her best friend. Speaking of friends, Marin's is a young woman named Mabel who is just as equally readable and interesting as Marin. Their friendship, in all of its form, is one of the best relationships I've read in a YA novel. It's a strong tie that is tested and yanked through different situations, and Lacour doesn't hide anything from the reader. We see it all- the endearing time they buy matching dresses from Forever 21, and the emotional turmoil they face after a death has driven room between them.

This is a haunting, emotional, and modern story of depression and friendship and love. In my opinion, Lacour's writing has grown immensely from previous books, and she has found a style that is uniquely her own here.

So, here's what my Bingo chart looks like now: