Bruja Born (Brooklyn Brujas #2) by Zoraida Córdova

Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova

My Rating: ★★★★

Lula is struggling with the aftermath of her sister, Alex, attempted to get rid of her magic and accidentally banished her entire family from the mortal world instead. Left with facial scars and a fear of noises and shadows, Lula has become bitter and very unlike herself. She still has the love of her life, Maks, in her life… or so she thought. She and Maks become two victims of a terrible bus crash that kills nearly everyone on the bus. Lula survives, but Maks is left in a coma marked for Death herself, but Lula has other plans. Defying the rules of magic and the balance between life and death, she defies Death by bringing Maks back to life with a terrible cost.

I absolutely love the first book in the series, so I was extremely excited when I finally picked up the second one. I love the characters, the story, and the world they live in. One of the most notable differences between the first and the second book is that they’re narrated by different sisters. The first book was narrated by Alex, and now we’re following her sister Lula as she struggles with the events of the first book. She struggles a lot with the physical scars that she’s been left with and talks a lot about how she was always considered very beautiful and now she has scars across her face. This certainly does not help with the emotional aftermath.

One of the things I love about this book is the unconventional take on zombies. Maks and the other characters that are dead are anchored to the living world by Lula, which begins with memory loss and an insatiable hunger for human hearts. We watch Lula and her sisters struggle to figure out how to end it, and Lula battle with her heart and reality as Maks regains his memory and becomes more and more vicious. These aren’t the average take on zombies, so it was interesting to see the zombies struggle with what they are and eventually embrace it, becoming less like their former selves.

The story itself lost me a little somewhere around the middle, but it picked up soon after. Of course, the middle was when it seemed most apparent that the three sisters would’ve agreed to confess to their parents because it was clearly starting to get out of hand. It just got repetitive and a little petty around the middle, which really took me out of the story until it got back into the swing of things. I did love the variety of new characters that we met, including a friendly vampire who doesn’t take anyone’s crap among other characters and supernatural beings.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series and see what happens as we follow Rose. Hopefully Rose doesn’t make the same accidental mistake as her two sisters did, but we’ll see! Either way, I know we’re in for another great book.

Deep Cosmos by Project Kyle

Deep Cosmos by Project Kyle

My Rating: ★★

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

David, aka Nerd, hides behind a mask after a serial killer paid to have David take the blame for his crimes. As Nerd, he’s dree to be a space explorer who takes on missions that can and will save others but he’s willing to throw caution to the wind to save a young warrior, Sophia, targeted by the man whose crimes he’s been forced to take the blame for. Once he’s in the clear, he and Sophia tango with the madman once again and end up with another crew member, a space hoodlum named Henry, and take on a new mission pitting them against one of the most dangerous man in the galaxy.

The premise of this book sounded interesting so I knew I had to read it. There’s so much action that there’s never a dull moment. If you don’t like something, it’ll probably be done with soon unless it’s one of the main plot points. Nerd and his crew are constantly on the go and just when things seem to be getting boring, they’re on the run for their lives all over again. This book has some pretty interesting characters and worlds and it reads a bit like an action movie. Something is always going down and someone always needs saving.

I will say that it was rather confusing for a good bit. The action makes up for the lack of world building in the opening, but I do feel like I started on a second or third book because the world that these characters live in aren’t introduced in a way that tells me about how this world works. There are major events that are referenced like it was a major plot point in a past book. Unfortunately, the confusion that occurs in the first few chapters continues to crop up again and again as the story continues because the world building is lacking. I think that there is a lot of potential here and that it just needs some extra work to get it to what it could be.

I like the characters, but I do wish that there was more character development. It seemed like a lot of what we learn about these characters come from observations from other characters. There are also a few moments where the main three characters that we follow have some out of character experiences, but I’m not sure if it’s one of those things that it could be in character but I simply don’t know enough about them for these moments to make sense.

Like I said, there is a lot of potential here and I could see this book making an excellent movie or mini-series. It just needs some extra attention paid to world building and character development.

Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health by Kati Morton

Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health by Kati Morton

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Perseus Books, Da Capo Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Taking care of your mental health sounds scary, but it’s important to take care of yourself and Kati Morton breaks down the what and why of mental health and therapy. She also takes a bit of the fear out of going to therapy. I know I’ve been on the fence about seeing a therapist and she took a lot of the fear out of that with her book, which is, in part, why this book exists.

Everyone struggles with mental health issues and there’s a societal stigma against taking care of our mental health compared to our physical health. Morton talks a bit about this and why it’s important to take care of our mental health. Not only is it a part of us and our body, but it can also physically affect us depending on what’s going on. She also explains the different parts of treating mental health and what each practitioner in the field does, such as the different between a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist.

One of the things that I like about the book is that it helps take some of the unknown out of seeking treatment. What does a first appointment with a therapist generally look like? What should one look for in a therapist? How does one look for a therapist? There’s explanations and answers to questions that I didn’t even think about, such as deciding on what to look for in a therapist based on one’s comfort level and how to figure out what type of person one wants to see. The information she shared will help others know what to expect and what to look for.

I found Morton to have a very positive personality through her writing, which makes it easier to digest the information she shares and take some of the fear out of imagining what a therapist might be like. It took me back to college because it was a combination of important information as well as relatable information and examples. I felt like I was sitting through a lecture with a cool professor with my text book propped open next to my notebook. It wasn’t scary, the information is valuable and useful, and there’s some technical information.

All in all, I highly recommend this book for people who want to learn a little more about treating mental health and for people who are on the fence about seeking treatment. Morton shares so much information in a way that isn’t overwhelming while also making her readers feel comfortable. There’s a lot of fear around mental health as well as seeking treatment, especially when one doesn’t know what seeking treatment will look like or has no idea what seeing a therapist or anyone in the field will look like because it’s just not talked about most of the time. This is a book I’ll refer back to as I step out of my comfort zone and seek a therapist and I think it can help many people whether or not they read it for themselves or someone else.

My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 (Otouto no Otto #2) by Gengoroh Tagame

My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 by Gengoroh Tagame

My Rating: ★★★★★

As Yaichi comes to term with his twin brother’s death, he also finds that he cares about his brother-in-law and faces his views on homosexuality and realizes that he has changed. Sadly, he did not get to welcome his late brother with open arms after he grows to realize his former views may have hurt him, but he can welcome Mike into his family now and in the future. In this heartfelt final volume, we watch Yaichi and his family spend time together and hope for a better future.

After reading the first volume, I could not wait until I could read volume two. While I’m sad that it’s the final volume, I’m really happy that this story came into my life and touches everyone who reads it. I loved watching Yaichi realize that it was he who changed after Ryoji came out, and that he has changed again for the better. I love seeing him realize that he would accept his daughter if she found love with another woman and hopes that she wouldn’t be afraid to tell him. I also love that Yaichi grows proud to have his brother-in-law there and finds that it’s prejudiced people who should be ashamed of their views, not his family. He also starts to realize how society views the LGBT community and starts a discussion on the topic with his ex, who is very open and accepting.

This is such a touching story that I will have to reread sometime in the future. I love the characters, their stories, and watching each of them grow as the story progressed. It’s such a heartwarming tale that also demonstrates that hate and prejudice is learned as we watch Kana accept Mike from the start and see how other people, including her peers, views change depending on their parent’s views. I definitely recommend this series to all.

Inkmistress (Of Fire and Stars 0.5) by Audrey Coulthurst

Inkmistress by Audrey Coulthurst
My Rating: ★★★★

Asra has lived a sheltered life on an isolated mountain. She’s content to spend her life as quiet as possible as the local town’s healer because she has a dangerous secret: she’s a demigod whose blood can do a number of things, including dictate the future. If anyone knew what Asra can do, she’d be a huge treasure for people with nefarious wishes. Unfortunately for Asra, she shares too many of her secrets with the mortal woman she loves, Ina. When Ina asks for help, Asra decides to help her girlfriend by using her blood to write the future. Asra’s blood magic accidentally triggers a terrible tragedy that drives Ina to reveal her true nature as she strives to take revenge on the king. Asra is forced to leave the comfort of her secluded mountain to stop Ina, which triggers a journey of self-discovery.

I absolutely loved Of Fire and Stars, so when I saw that there was a prequel, I knew I had to read it. The fun thing about this prequel is that it takes place 200 years before the first book in the series, so what happens in this story deeply affects society as well as how magic works long before Denna and Mare are born. That said, it’s a completely different story that doesn’t have any of the same characters. I do wonder if a certain character at the end turns out to be one of Denna’s ancestors, but as of right now, that’s a question for another time.

Like the first book, I love how complex the characters are. We get a pretty good idea that things are not what they seem early on. Asra is sheltered and she grew up believing that she’d have to spend her life alone and single. Through her journey, Asra discovers that life cannot be viewed through the lens she did when she was living a smaller life. She learns about herself and her abilities in ways that she might not have had she never set off on a journey to stop Ina. Asra also travels through cities that she had never dreamed of and meets all kinds of people, both good and bad. Along the way, she also discovers that she doesn’t have to be alone and that she can trust some people. While this takes place in a fantasy world, I think that it is relatable to anyone who was sheltered until they broke away and explored the life they didn’t know that they could have.

In addition to Asra, we have characters like Ina who isn’t necessarily evil, but is definitely somewhere in the gray area. She cares about people and has her hopes and dreams that are dashed, which then creates new motives and a harsh shell. We also see that she does soften a bit and that, at her core, she does care about others even though she chooses a violent and deceptive path.

There are a variety of characters that we meet along the way. We see sweet, guarded, sad, angry, distraught, and naive characters. I think that it’s important to see characters like these in books because not everyone is perfect and sometimes those who mean well don’t always make the best choices. In fact, some people eventually become soured by their life experiences, like one of the character’s sisters was. Then there are people who are too trusting and others that do not trust enough, and those are just small parts of who they are.

The story did drag a little around the middle, and Asra’s romantic struggles overshadowed the big picture at some point, but I did enjoy the book. Overall, it’s a wonderful book and I am looking forward to see what book two has to bring and how various parts of this prequel will impact the story.

Control (Control #1) by Lydia Kang

Control by Lydia Kang
My Rating: ★★★

In 2150, Zelia and her sister, Dylia, are used to packing up and moving often. Their father’s work has never allowed their family to set down roots. However, there’s something different about their last move. They’re moving on extremely short notice and their father keeps looking over his shoulder. Zelia and Dylia don’t think much of it until their world turns upside down after they’re in a terrible accident that literally tears their father to pieces. Now orphans, they discover that they never really knew their father, and that there’s a whole secret society that they’re members of. You see, one of them was born with unknown abilities because someone tampered with their DNA. The sisters are torn from each other and enter a nightmare that leaves them questioning everything.

I’ve read two of Lydia Kang’s books and saw that she wrote some YA novels, so I thought, hey. I love Lydia and YA, so I have to check out these books! I love the world that Lydia built. It’s a futuristic dystopia novel involving people with special abilities. However, unlike say X-Men, Heroes, or any other story involving people with special abilities, these abilities are not the result of evolution. Instead, they are the result of science and people tampering with human DNA. At the point that the novel starts, it’s illegal to tamper with DNA, so these people are living in secret rather than being killed. One of the things that I like about the book is that there’s a lot of science involved. Zelia’s father got her into science and she spends a good portion of the book working on matching DNA and finding a way to replicate a particular person’s abilities. It helps build the world that she lives in as well as her as a character.

I also love that there’s a range of useful to useless abilities, and the useless ones aren’t glossed over. Instead, the people with abilities that aren’t exactly useful or aren’t things that some would not want to replicate aren’t shoved in a corner and forgotten. It’s also interesting to see how each ability has drawbacks. We get to know these characters as people rather than their abilities, and there’s quite a bit of character development with everyone Delia comes to see as an extension of her small family.

There’s also a quite a bit of question about what freedom is for these characters. There are two factions for people with abilities: Carus and Aureus. Both live freely in secret, but are they truly free? Carus is safe but sheltered. Each person living in Carus feels trapped in a prison of safety. The people of Aureus come and go as they like, but they have to follow strict orders and they can and will be submitted to some form of torture if they don’t fall in line. Is anyone truly free? Personally, I’d stick with Carus because at least you’re free to do your own thing as long as you stay inside so the outside world doesn’t get you.

I didn’t care for the romance between Zelia and Cy. I knew that he was going to be her love interest when we first met him. He’s quiet, broody, and bad tempered. Once the romance is full steam ahead, Cy becomes much softer. I wish that there was some discussion as to how and why he’s changing as he becomes happier compared to being full of self-loathing and regret. I understand why he started out one way and ends much softer than before, but there’s little to no discussion about these changes between the characters.

I also didn’t like that Zelia becomes very unlike herself toward the end of the novel. I actually sat back and thought about how it seemed like someone swapped bodies with her. I appreciate how much she was willing to sacrifice to save her sister, but it seemed like that was the only part of her that stayed the same. I also don’t understand why she has so much faith in Micah aka Kw when he more than proved that he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’s obviously not going to keep his end of the bargain, so why not put more faith into your new family in Carus? I questioned her faith in him the second he was a bodiless voice in the static offering her so-called help. It just seemed ridiculous that she didn’t sit down and come up with a legitimate plan with her newfound friends and family instead of destroying their trust in her to do her own thing.

All in all, I did enjoy the book, and I hope to see Zelia return to herself again in the second and final book in the series.

My Lady's Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel by Kitty Curran, Larissa Zageris

My Lady's Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel by Kitty Curran, Larissa Zageris

My Rating: ★★★★★

I have loved choose your own adventure books since I was a kid, so I always get excited when I come across them. This book did not disappoint! Readers are the nameless protagonist in a historical romance set in the 18th century. There are several different paths that we can choose with a variety of characters ranging from eligible men, a few supernatural beings, and widow butting heads with her ex. Just when I thought the book couldn’t get any more hilarious, I took yet another path that had me in stitches.

One of the things that I love about this book is that it doesn’t take itself seriously and pokes fun at tropes found in romance novels. I love a good trashy romance novel, but it was so much fun taking different paths and going on different adventures that had hilarious twists and turns and the occasional surprise ending. I kept going back to the beginning to discover new paths over and over. I do wish that it had more LGBT paths, but I’ll live. I would love to see another choose your own path book from the same authors in the future!