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Review: If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich

Apr7

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

Review: If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale DietrichIf This Gets Out by Cale Dietrich, Sophie Gonzales
Published by Wednesday Books on December 7, 2021
Pages: 404
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
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five-stars

Eighteen-year-olds Ruben Montez and Zach Knight are two members of the boy-band Saturday, one of the biggest acts in America. Along with their bandmates, Angel Phan and Jon Braxton, the four are teen heartbreakers in front of the cameras and best friends backstage. But privately, cracks are starting to form: their once-easy rapport is straining under the pressures of fame, and Ruben confides in Zach that he’s feeling smothered by management’s pressure to stay in the closet.

On a whirlwind tour through Europe, with both an unrelenting schedule and minimal supervision, Ruben and Zach come to rely on each other more and more, and their already close friendship evolves into a romance. But when they decide they’re ready to tell their fans and live freely, Zach and Ruben start to truly realize that they will never have the support of their management. How can they hold tight to each other when the whole world seems to want to come between them?

I was so engrossed in this book, I really didn’t take enough notes to properly write this review, so I’m sorry if it’s not long enough or good enough. I just… REALLY loved it, so much. Even if I HAD taken proper notes, I don’t know if I’d be able to properly put into words how much I loved it. It was just beautifully written, and the characters were incredibly relatable. The plot was intriguing. There were moments where it was just fun and entertaining, seeing this group of friends live their dream, traveling across Europe and performing for their fans. And then there were moments that were incredibly heartbreaking, watching these characters try to live as their authentic selves while fighting against their management team and public image.

I absolutely loved Ruben and Zach and their dynamic. I loved that Ruben was a musical theater nerd, and I loved how down to earth and relatable Zach was. Zach’s confusion was relatable, and I loved watching his journey and seeing his growth from beginning to end. The way his and Ruben’s relationship unfolded just felt so authentic. I loved the band as a whole, and how each member interacted with each other. My heart broke for Angel, especially.

The ending was just… Absolute perfection. I don’t want to spoil anything, but… It was just absolute and utter perfection. This was my first Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich book, but it definitely won’t be my last. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who loves queer romance, coming-of-age stories, and books about characters living in the spotlight. I know words are kinda failing me on this review, but seriously, go buy this book! You won’t be disappointed!

five-stars

Review: Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

Apr13

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

Review: Wicked Saints by Emily A. DuncanWicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan
Series: Something Dark and Holy #1
Published by Wednesday Books on April 2, 2019
Pages: 385
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
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five-stars

A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself.

A prince in danger must decide who to trust.

A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings.

Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light. Wicked Saints is the thrilling start to Emily A. Duncan’s devastatingly Gothic Something Dark and Holy trilogy..

“We’re all monsters… Some of us just hide it better than others.”

“A witch is just a girl who has realized her power is her own.”

Holy WOW this book was EPIC. I’ve been super excited for this one ever since it was announced, and it did NOT disappoint! I remember hearing – early on when it was first announced – that it was being compared to the Grisha trilogy, and I DEFINITELY felt those Grisha Vibes. Not to get too crazy about it, but Nadya DEFINITELY reminded me of Alina, Kostya was comparable to Mal, and Serefin was for sure like the Darkling.

I also had major Kingdom of Fire trilogy vibes – I think because of the dark, lush, atmospheric tone of the book. Also, the Vultures in Wicked Saints reminded me of the Ancients in the Kingdom of Fire trilogy. There were also moments when I had Throne of Glass vibes because of things like the salt mines and the mention of assassins and all that. And for some reason, Nehemia (from Crown of Midnight) kept randomly coming to mind, but I’m not sure why.

I LOVED Nadya. She was an epic badass. Malachiasz had me intrigued from the beginning, and only got better and better as the story went on – until the end because WTF OMG?!?!?!?!?!?!??! Serefin was… Wow. I don’t even know, honestly. By his own admission, he said, “I’m heartless, but I’m not cruel.” And he definitely had some heartless moments, but he also had some… interesting things going on… (vague descriptions are vague.. But spoilers..!! So.. JUST READ IT AND YOU SHALL SEE WHAT I MEAN!!). Plus, the way his story ended was…!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was just so dark and creepy and delicious.. I can’t even put it into words or do it justice. The ending was INTENSE and EPIC and CRAZY and I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!!!!!! (Okay, maybe I did a little, but also I didn’t so… WTF?!?!?!?!?)

I HIGHLY recommend this one for those who loved the Grisha trilogy, and for those who like dark, creepy books with epic characters and incredible world-building. Emily A. Duncan is a fantastic writer, and I’m already SO PUMPED for the second book in this trilogy – plus anything and everything else that she writes!

five-stars

Review: Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

Feb5

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

Review: Shadowsong by S. Jae-JonesShadowsong by S. Jae-Jones
Series: Wintersong #2
Published by Wednesday Books on February 6, 2018
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
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three-stars

Six months after the end of Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her.

When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?

I don’t even know how to start this review. My heart is broken – this book BROKE my heart. But not in a good way. It physically pains me to say that. I haven’t felt this crushed over a book since I read The Crown’s Fate last July – though One Dark Throne comes in at a close second. I mean.. Those of you who follow my blog know how much I LOVED Wintersong. Words can’t even describe my feelings for Wintersong – it was gorgeous and left me feeling breathless and dizzy. It spoke to me in ways no book ever has.

Shadowsong did none of that. It was.. confusing. I mean, like, Alyxandra Harvey-level confusing. For over half the book, I had no idea what was going on. I’ve seen other bloggers complain about the formatting of the US ARC (which is what I read), and that DEFINITELY contributed to the confusion. There were like… three (???) different stories happening and the breaks between sections/stories were super confusing. Maybe it’s less confusing in the finished copy? I can only hope…

I was completely detached from the characters in Shadowsong, which is weird and sucky because I LOVED them and felt for them in Wintersong, but in Shadowsong I just… didn’t. All the characters just fell flat in Shadowsong. The biggest disappointment was the Goblin King. I really didn’t care about the Goblin King’s past, and found those scenes so beyond boring, I almost started skimming them. And that makes me sad because I WANTED to care. But I just didn’t.

I can appreciate – and relate to (some of) the metaphors to mental illness (like Page 313). My detachment had nothing to do with that. It was just in general. I just didn’t care what happened to anyone. And I saw the ending coming a mile away – it was interesting, but completely predictable.

The writing was still elegant and lush, and the tone still had an old-time feel to it. And the book was intriguing enough at times that it kept me reading until the end. But overall, it just wasn’t what I expected or hoped for. I have a few other thoughts, but I don’t want to drag this review out anymore – it hurts too much. This book hasn’t changed my feelings about Wintersong, and I’ll still always love and support Wintersong and S. Jae-Jones. I think she’s an amazing writer and I can’t wait to see what she does next!

three-stars