Category: YA Review

Caitsbooks Reviews: Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin (5 Stars)

Serpent and Dove (Serpent and Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin – My New Obsession (ARC Review)

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Quick Stats:

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Serpent and Dove felt like it was made for me. From the characters to the setting, everything was well crafted and absolutely addictive. 

“A witch and a witch hunter bound in holy matrimony. There was only one way such a story could end–a stake and a match.”

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// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, Mature Content, Suicide Mention, Self Harm (for magic), Rape Mention, Murder, Illness //

“They might’ve all been hypocrites, but I was the biggest of all.”

Release Date: 9/3/2019
Publisher: HarperTeen 
Page Count: 528
Premise:

Serpent and Dove follows Louise la Blanc, a witch who fled her coven, and Reid Diggory, a witch hunter. After a chaotic second meeting, Lou and Reid must marry to save his reputation, and Lou would rather face the pyre than the enemies chasing her. However, when feelings grow, what was first a simple arrangement becomes infinitely more complicated.

Read more to see why I adore Serpent and Dove!

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Caitsbooks Reviews: Well Met by Jen DeLuca - 5 Stars

Well Met by Jen DeLuca – Not Your Typical Fairytale Romance (ARC Review)

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*Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own. Quotes are from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication.*

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Well Met is just pure fun. This book is adorable, entertaining, and full of heart. 

“I didn’t choose the wench life. The wench life chose me.”

[ Related: 12 Summer Romances (6 YA + 6 Adult) ]

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// Content Warning: Insecurities around not being enough, depression//

“Birthday wishes were allowed to be lofty. I blew out the candles and let those wishes fly away with the wisps of smoke. The ones that were meant to be would come back.” 

Release Date: 9/3/2019
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count: 336
Premise:

When Emily’s sister got in an accident, she dropped everything to help her and her niece. So when said niece needs an adult to volunteer with her at the Renaissance Faire, she agrees. However, what she didn’t expect was to make an enemy of the man running it, Simon, so quick. He has no patience for Emily and is quick with a critique, but once they get on Faire grounds, he changes completely. He turns into a suave pirate and flirts constantly with Emily’s character, but is it real, or is it just the characters they have to play?

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Caitsbooks Reviews: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson - 5 Stars

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson – Did It Survive the Hype? (Review)

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Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Sorcery of Thorns reminded me why I love standalone fantasies. With a unique world and magic system, great characters, and a fun plot, you won’t want to put this book down.

“It was always wise to be polite to books, whether or not they could hear you.”

[ Related: An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson (Review) ]

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// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Panic Attacks, Imprisonment, Murder, Sexual Assault (Mention), Mental Illness, Forced Hospitalization, PTSD, Misogyny //

“She wasn’t a wielder of chains; she was a breaker of them. She was the library’s will made flesh.”

Release Date: 6/4/2019
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)
Page Count: 456 
Premise:

Elizabeth is a child of the library. Growing up in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, she has always dreamed of becoming a Warden, guarding the living grimoires that line the shelves and protecting the kingdom from Maleficts- monsters that arise from damaged grimoires. She has also been raised to hate the Sorcerers that use the grimoires. But when the library is sabotaged and Elizabeth tries to save the kingdom from a Malefict, she is accused of being the saboteur. She is sent with Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer, and his companion, Silas, to face justice, but instead, she uncovers a conspiracy that only the three of them together can stop.

Read more to see why I gave Sorcery of Thorns 5 Stars!

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Caitsbooks Reviews: Rage ARC by Cora Carmack (3 Stars)

Rage (Stormheart #2) by Cora Carmack – The Sequel Slump (ARC Review)

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*Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication*

Overall: 3/5 Stars
Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 2.5/5
Plot and Themes: 3/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3/5
Review in a Nutshell: Rage was a good read, but it may not be worthwhile if you didn’t really love Roar.

“I wanted to choose my own life, rather than having it chosen for me.”

[ Related: Roar by Cora Carmack – Fun, but Nothing Special (Review) ]

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// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, War Themes, Murder, Kidnapping/Abduction //

“Life happens how it happens, and you can either move with the maelstrom or die wallowing about the change in the winds.”

Release Date: 8/27/2019
Publisher: Tor Teen
Page Count: 460
Premise:

Rage takes place shortly after the ending of Roar. There isn’t really much I can say without spoiling the plot of the first book, but this one deals more with the politics of the world, including a rebellion that has risen up.

Read more for all of my thoughts on Rage!

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Caitsbooks Reviews: Roar Cora Carmack (3.5 Stars)

Roar (Stormheart #1) by Cora Carmack – Fun, but Nothing Special

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Overall: 3.5/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Plot and Themes: 3/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3/5
Review in a Nutshell: Roar is a fun fantasy, with plenty of romance and a unique world. However, if you’re only a mild fantasy fan with a big TBR, I would understand skipping this one in favor of others.

“Perhaps death is all that waits for me across the great waters, but better to know death than to choose fear of the unknown.” 

[ Related: July Favorites, The Reading Rush Wrap-Up, and My August TBR ]

// Content Warning: Violence, Sexual Assault (Attempt), Anxiety, Murder, Illness, Imprisonment //

“If there’s one thing I know it’s that freedom shouldn’t feel like a noose around your neck.”

Release Date: 6/13/2017
Publisher: Tor Teen
Page Count: 380
Premise:
Roar follows Princess Aurora, who comes from a long line of powerful Stormlings, but holds no Stormling power herself. Desperate to protect her kingdom and her secret, Aurora agrees to her mother’s plan of marrying her off to a Stormling prince from another kingdom, but the more she learns about him, the more her future terrifies her. Disguising herself, Aurora flees the palace and joins group of storm hunters who promise her a way to gain storm magic for herself.

Read more for all of my thoughts on Roar!

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We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal. Caitsbooks Review: 5 Stars

We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) by Hafsah Faizal – I’ll Never Recover (Review)

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[ We Hunt the Flame cover (girl with arrows standing on a cliff overlooking a desert ]

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 4.5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: We Hunt the Flame is a stunning debut. This book is absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. You do not want to miss out on this one of a kind read.

“We hunt the flame, the light in the darkness, the good this world deserves.”

(I know this is the quote everyone is using in their reviews but HOW COULD YOU NOT?? It’s so perfect)

[ Related: Currently Reading – We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal (Thoughts & Predictions) ]

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// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, Torture, Suicide Mention, Child Abuse, Animal Death, War Themes, Murder, Misogyny //

“A life without purpose may be no life, but a life without love is nothing but an existence.”

Release Date: 5/14/2019
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Page Count: 472
Premise:
We Hunt the Flame takes place in Arawiya, a kingdom divided into five caliphates, inspired by ancient Arabia. Zafira is one of the only people able to venture into the Arz, a magical forest, and come back unaffected. Disguised as The Hunter, she uses this ability to feed her village. But when she is told of a way she might be able to get rid of the Arz forever, she travels to the mysterious island of Sharr. Nasir is an assassin, son of the Sultan and Prince of Death. When his father sends him after The Hunter with orders to find what The Hunter is after then kill him, Nasir does not hesitate. But Sharr is full of ancient magic and forgotten powers, and with old threats rising, their quests, and their lives, are in jeopardy.

Read more for all of my thoughts on this amazing book!!

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Caitsbooks Reviews Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Rigaud - 3 Stars

Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Rigaud – A Cute Read (Review)

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Overall: 3/5 Stars
Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Plot and Themes: 3/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3/5
Review in a Nutshell: Truly Madly Royally would be great if you’re looking for something easy to read and basic. It’s not great, but it’s fun.

[ Related: 12 Summer Romances (6 YA + 6 Adult) ]

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Release Date: 7/30/2019
Publisher: Point Paperbacks
Page Count: 304
Premise:
When Zora goes to a prestigious summer college program, she never expects to meet an actual prince. She also didn’t expect the instant chemistry they would share. But dating a prince comes with attention, and being in the spotlight isn’t always fun.



Read more for all of my thoughts on Truly Madly Royally!

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Wicked Fox (Gumiho #1) by Kat Cho - Caitsbooks Review: 3.5 stars

Wicked Fox (Gumiho #1) by Kat Cho – Was It As Good As I Hoped? (Review)

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Overall: 3.25/5 Stars
Characters: 3.5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Plot and Themes: 3/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3/5
Review in a Nutshell: Wicked Fox is a fun read, great for fans of k-dramas or paranormal romance, but otherwise may not be worth it.

“Night and darkness made a believer of everyone.”

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// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Abuse, Murder, Illness //

“The rest of the night, all Jihoon thought about were myths and fables. The lessons they taught and the price they came with.”

Release Date: 6/26/2019
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 429 
Premise:
Wicked Fox follows Miyoung, who is half-human, half gumiho (nine-tailed fox). To survive, she must feed off of men’s gi every full moon, but Miyoung doesn’t want to be a killer. When she sees a stranger, Jihoon, being attacked by a goblin, she saves him, but in the process, she loses her fox bead- a magical bead that grants control over who to whoever holds it. However, when she tries to reunite with her bead, the results only cause more problems.

Read more for all of my thoughts on Wicked Fox!

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Caitsbooks Reviews Soul of Stars (Heart of Iron #2( by Ashley Poston - 4.5 Stars

Soul of Stars (Heart of Iron #2) by Ashley Poston – One Of My Most Anticipated 2019 Releases (Review)

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Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 4/5
Awesomeness Factor: 4.5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Soul of Stars is an out-of-this-world sequel. And I’m not sorry for that pun.

[ Related: Heart of Iron (Heart of Iron #1) by Ashley Poston – Review ]

// Content Warning: Violence, Death //

“Love was stubborn, and love was impatient, and thoughtless and self-centered and vainglorius. It hid in the crevices of your soul when you thought it had run away, and it never left– like a scar: deep and ugly and enduring.”

Release Date: 7/23/2019
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Page Count: 400 pages
Premise:
Soul of Stars takes place several months after the heartbreaking events of Heart of Iron. Our main characters are still trying to deal with what happened (honestly, so am I), all while trying to save their friend and the kingdom. 

Read more for all of my thoughts on this book!

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Caitsboosk.com 3 late summer/fall 2019 Review Teasers- The Lady Rogue, Rage, Well Met

Summer & Fall 2019 Releases – 3 Review Teasers

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I usually try to write full reviews on Tuesdays, but this past month, I haven’t read anything that I can review. I’ve been focusing a lot on getting ahead and making my way through my BookCon/BEA ARC pile, but because these books won’t be released until later this year, I don’t want to write full reviews just yet.

That said, I still want to talk about them. So while we wait for their release dates to grow closer, here are some quick teasers for a few of the ARCs I’ve been reading.

Read more to hear about some Late Summer/Fall 2019 releases!

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