I don't have access to the book anymore. I have been using a new email for kindle for the last year. I will focus on new books instead of digging for the old files. I apologize for the inconvenience. It's not my intention to not review like this.

Thank you Netgalley for my review copy of this book.

Unfortunately, I did not finish this title as I found it to be a bit dull and the main character infuriating. It was quite gothic in it's descriptions but very staid and uneventful through the first 10 chapters I read. Bit disappointing as I have liked others by this author.

YA MINI REVIEWS
SEPTEMBER 29, 2019 LEAVE A COMMENT
I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

YA Mini ReviewsHow the Light Gets In by Katy Upperman
Also by this author: Kissing Max Holden
Published by Feiwel & Friends on August 6, 2019
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover, eARC
Source: Library, Publisher
Buy on Amazon
ISBN: 9781250305688
Goodreads
four-stars
Katy Upperman's How the Light Gets In is a haunting YA novel about a teen coping with the loss of her sibling.

Since her sister’s tragic death, seventeen-year-old Callie Ryan has basically given up. Her grades have plummeted, she’s quit her swim team, and she barely recognizes the people her parents once were.

When she returns to her aunt’s run-down coastal Victorian one year after Chloe’s death, Callie resigns herself to a summer of guilt and home renovations. She doesn’t expect to be charmed by the tiny coastal town or by Tucker Morgan, a local boy brimming with sunshine.

But even as her days begin to brighten, Callie’s nights are crowded with chilling dreams, unanswered questions, and eerie phenomenon that have her convinced she’s being haunted. Will Callie be able to figure out what her sister is trying to communicate before it’s too late?

I feel like I find myself somewhat on the fence with regards to some of Katy Upperman’s books. I loved her debut but wasn’t all that into The Impossibility Of Us. And now, I just finished up How The Light Gets In and absolutely enjoyed it. So, 2/3 is a pretty good track record. I find myself now looking forward to whatever is next for Upperman. How The Light Gets In has excellent characterization and at heart, an unflinching look at sisterhood – good, bad, and ugly – through the lens of grief.

Callie is struggling. She’s turned to getting high and all but quit swim team. Her grades suck. And she’s distanced herself from her friends. Naturally, she is in the grieving process. After all, everyone reacts differently to the loss of a loved one. In Callie’s case, the tragic loss of her younger sister Chloe has shaken her world. And so, Callie’s father sends her to her aunt Lucy’s to assist with the renovation of her Victorian house by the sea. Her aunt Lucy hires a 19 year old named Tucker to handle the landscaping. Tucker is full of light and upbeat and exactly what Callie needs. Throughout the summer, the two develop a trust between them – especially as Callie unravels Tucker’s family history. Meanwhile, Callie is also seeing the ghost of her sister Chloe and looking for closure.

This book was just really easy to gel with. Callie doesn’t come off as TOO MUCH. In fact, she’s someone that you come to care for deeply as a reader. Plus, the relationship between her and Tucker is sweet and seems pretty realistic. Also, Tucker’s friends are wonderful to read about. The only real thing that I’d have to say I didn’t love about How The Light Gets In is just the lack of friends for Callie – like in the time before Chloe dies or even the time after. How The Light Gets In is a very quick read about grief, family, and picking yourself back up after a fall.

How The Light Gets In is a very quick read about grief, family, and picking yourself back up after a fall.



I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

YA Mini ReviewsVow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
Also by this author: The Kiss of Deception, The Heart of Betrayal, Dance of Thieves
Published by Henry Holt and Company (BYR) on August 6, 2019
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Dystopian
Pages: 496
Format: Hardcover, eARC
Source: Library, Publisher
Buy on Amazon
ISBN: 9781250162663
Goodreads
four-stars
Vow of Thieves is the thrilling sequel to Dance of Thieves, set in the same world as Mary E. Pearson's New York Times-bestselling Remnant Chronicles.

Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them—the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and Kazi and Jase will meet all challenges side by side, together at last.

But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and they soon find themselves captured in a tangled web of deceit woven by their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies, a place where betrayals run deeper and more deadly than either had thought possible, and where timeless ambitions threaten to destroy them both.

You might remember that time I was like YOU NEED TO READ DANCE OF THIEVES and had all of the excitement over Mary E. Pearson’s companion book to The Remnant Chronicles series. After reading Dance Of Thieves, I felt like the story seemed wrapped up but was well aware that Vow Of Thieves was coming and would actually wrap the series.

7 REASON TO READ VOW OF THIEVES:
As my favorite president, Jed Bartlett says “What’s Next?” Friends, this book delivers entirely on what’s next. We get to see even more of the ultimate fates of characters from the Remnant Chronicles. We also finally see how all plays out for Kazi and Jase and get a solid conclusion.
In which Kazi lives up to her nickname Ten. Okay, so we know that Kazi has the nickname Ten because she essentially stole a tiger from under someone’s nose in basically broad daylight. What she steals in Vow of Thieves is much, much more precious.
The stakes are so high. I was actually worried for Kazi and Jase. They go through some horrific things and through some serious pain. At one point I genuinely thought at least one would die. This book is actually a nail biter if you are actually a person who bites your nails.
No matter the pace at which you read this, you’re consuming excellence. I had expected to get through this book in like 2 days, but it actually took me 11. Life happens, but no matter. I always found myself looking forward to more time in Pearson’s world.
The struggle is worth it. I’ll keep saying this but the ending is so perfect. All the persistence on behalf of the characters really plays out for the best. I liked that we actually got some payoff instead of being subjected to difficult situations for naught.
Oh, and the beginning few chapters are right out of left field. I had no idea to expect THAT. You’re dropped right in to a situation and are like really, THAT GUY? That freakin’ guy. Okay then, I guess it’s going to be that way.
You just can’t go wrong with Mary E. Pearson. I am a pretty big fantasy consumer. And so, the market is big and it can be hard to pick a book. Straight up though, all the books by Mary E. Pearson deliver. Always. I have yet to read one of her fantasy books and be let down. If you run in taste that is similar to me, I guarantee you’ll enjoy this book as well as all the Remnant Chronicles and Dance Of Thieves.
7 Reason To Read Vow Of Thieves: As my favorite president, Jed Bartlett says "What's Next?" Friends, this book delivers entirely on what's next. We get to see even more of the ultimate fates of characters from the Remnant Chronicles. We also finally see how all plays out for Kazi and Jase and get a solid conclusion.



I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
Published by Abrams on April 19, 2016
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Mysteries & Detective Stories
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover, eARC
Source: Library, Publisher
Buy on Amazon
ISBN: 9781613128992
Goodreads
three-stars
Read this thought-provoking, critically acclaimed novel (6 starred reviews!!!) from Frances Hardinge, winner of the Costa Book of the Year, Costa Children's Book Award, and Horn Book-Boston Globe Award.

Faith Sunderly leads a double life. To most people, she is reliable, dull, trustworthy—a proper young lady who knows her place as inferior to men. But inside, Faith is full of questions and curiosity, and she cannot resist mysteries: an unattended envelope, an unlocked door. She knows secrets no one suspects her of knowing. She knows that her family moved to the close-knit island of Vane because her famous scientist father was fleeing a reputation-destroying scandal. And she knows, when her father is discovered dead shortly thereafter, that he was murdered. In pursuit of justice and revenge, Faith hunts through her father’s possessions and discovers a strange tree. The tree bears fruit only when she whispers a lie to it. The fruit of the tree, when eaten, delivers a hidden truth. The tree might hold the key to her father’s murder—or it may lure the murderer directly to Faith herself. Frances Hardinge is the author of many acclaimed novels, including Cuckoo Song, which earned five starred reviews.

I had really been looking forward to The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge. After all, I was obsessed with Fly Trap. So, I had walked into this book with EXPECTATIONS. As it turns out though, I probably just did not read this book at the right time for me.

The Lie Tree follows Faith Sunderly whose father is the subject of controversy. You see, he allegedly faked a fossil specimen – a nephilim. And so, the Sunderly family has fallen from grace in Kent and so they run away to the island of Vane where the Reverend Sutherly has been invited to provide his expertise during an excavation. Unfortunately, he is murdered. Only, everyone thinks he died by suicide except for Faith.

So, Faith uses this tree that her father was hiding — the Lie Tree — and she feeds it these lies that grow to the point that the murderer takes notice of Faith. When you feed the tree lies, it drops a fruit that will reveal a truth to you. For Faith, she just wants the truth about her father’s death.

Ultimately, this book is about the roles of women in society and the Victorian era. You could almost say it’s about women in STEM and draw parallels to how women are treated in STEM today (not as well as men). But yeah, it just didn’t hit me quite as hard as The Grace Year when it comes to books about the subjugation of women.

I think if I had read The Lie Tree back when it first came out and not concurrently with an audio on a similar theme, I would have enjoyed it more. For the most part though, the pacing just felt slow and I had such a hard time caring or connecting.

There is power in the lie tree. However, the power lies not within its magical bearing of fruit/truth but in yielding strong emotions from the user. No, the lie tree itself is powerful because gave Faith power to dictate her emotions and actions. And as the epiphanies and truths are revealed, Faith becomes intoxicated with her power and begins abusing it. As the lines of good and evil blur, the lie tree stands steadfast throughout time regardless of the results of havoc wreaked. Without relying heavily on this symbolism, the author was able to craft a compelling journey on humans' moral development as they take hold of their own circumstances to live for the good or evil that they understand.

This was an original story with some interesting characters. It wasn't a life-changing read, but it sure did keep me on the edge of my seat!

I did not realize that the setting for this book was the 1860's. Needless to say, I didn't really enjoy it.

Honestly I was quite confused with this story, not going to write a review.

Interesting story that deals with women's rights, scientific ethics and small town life in a Victorian-era setting. Slow paced, but thoroughly readable for fans of Gothic or speculative fiction.

This period piece lacks appeal to its targeted audience--young adults. Some will stick with it but others will give up due to the slow pace of the story.

Truly a lovely story whose only real fault is starting off a bit slow. A bit of patience paid off, however, because after sticking with it, I found a main character (Faith) with excellent character development and a murder mystery that added a uniqueness to the story over all. As a bonus, there were these beautiful feminist moments peppered throughout the text that just made my heart sing. I loved the ending and how satisfying it was in terms of the story that was told. At the same time, I felt said to be leaving the story and the world behind.

Let's Build it Up!
As much as everyone loves backstory and knowing how the characters got to where they are, there is just too much of it in this book. The first half was spent introducing characters and getting you comfortable with them. Only in the second half of the book do you finally learn what the plot is. Had the plot been introduced sooner, the character intros could have been woven into the plot instead of separating them in one half the book each.

Nonsensical
To be honest, even when the plot did start going and become clear, much of what was going on was rather confusing. Perhaps it's just my unfamiliarity with reading mystery novels, however, I found myself lost on more than one occasion.

The train of thought for the main character seemed a bit... scattered and illogical at times. Thus, making it near impossible to follow. And some of the conversations between characters were designed to release information, but left me wondering what on earth they were talking about. The lack of clarity made it quite difficult to follow the last half of the book and to feel any conclusion had been reached.

A Darkness Within
There is definitely a dark aspect to this story what with the tree needing to be told lies. Thus, the person telling the lies must agree that telling lies is okay and spreading them widely is acceptable. Not only that, but there is quite a bit of secret intrigue going on in this story (I just felt like I missed quite a bit of it because it was so subtle.) The entire story has a very dark, mysterious vibe to it, but... I'm not sure it ever quite reached its full potential before the story ended. Thus, I was left feeling unsatisfied with the ending.

This book had a painfully slow start, so much so that some readers may put it down before it finally picks up in pace a third of the way through. Historical fiction fans who also enjoy fantasy are best bet for an audience, however the pacing may discourage some from finishing.