⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

The Hollow sisters are strange. For as long as Iris Hollow can remember, her and her sisters have been able to do strange things. But one day, something even stranger happens. Her powerful, beautiful, invincible sister, Grey, has disappeared. It's left up to Vivi, the remaining Hollow sister, and Iris to find her; and somehow they end up finding much more than what they're looking for. Like the truth behind who they really are. 

Review

The concept of this book is what I found so enticing. The promise of a modern fairy tale is my absolute weakness. I had plenty of assumptions during this book and although a lot of them were close, many of them were wrong. Which in my opinion is proof of a well written book. The writing style isn't my favorite. But it got the job done. I'm not sure if I interpreted the writing to be dry or if that was solely the main character (oops). However, the story was full of twists and turns with a decent amount of humor laced in between. A very small amount, but when I did come across it, it was refreshing. 

The book does have some mental illness undertones which I can appreciate simply because they don't overpower the storyline. We get a hint of these issues through Tyler and Grey as individuals. 

There was also a chapter or two that was suprisingly sad and thought provoking especially for people who have endured loss. Specifically, loss of a loved one. And this comes from more than one angle. The book really is well rounded. 

Characters

The characters were written very well. I have to assume that Iris' disposition is just not my favorite instead of assuming she was written badly. Practing unbiased-ness is a must as a reviewer and bibliophile... I just wish she had more umph to her as the main character or perhaps not chosen as the POV. Her internal dialogue was a little boring and vague. I found her to be tolerable at the most. 

Vivi Hollow is my favorite character. This was when the humor came in via Vivi. I loved the way her character was written and she had a good amount of character development towards the end of the book when stepped outside of her fear to fight the masked man. Not usually one to take charge or show initiative, we see Vivi do that a few times throughout their search for Grey. 

Tyler, a character who is introduced later in the book, is a very close second favorite. He's quirky, fun, sarcastic and sassy. All the elements to a person that you crave. I think a book from his perspective would be a good idea. He's got main character vibes. 

There isn't much intel on Grey, seeing as how she missing for a good portion of the book. But I do like the surprises that unfold with her when she's found. Sutherland portrays her as a good villian. One you can't hate even though you know they're bad. Grey pretty much stays true to herself til the very end. 

Wrap Up

Although I did only give this book 4 stars, I do recommend it for YA/Fae lovers. I don't know if they are fae or not, but I do know there's enough elements in this book to satisfy that audience. It's eerie, mysterious, occasionally funny and thrilling. 

On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

Hector has always minded his own business, working hard to make his way to a better life someday. He's the chess team champion, helps the family with his job at the grocery, and teaches his little sister to shoot hoops overhand.

Until Joey singles him out. Joey, whose older brother, Chavo, is head of the Discípulos gang, tells Hector that he's going to kill him: maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someday. And Hector, frozen with fear, does nothing. From that day forward, Hector's death is hanging over his head every time he leaves the house. He tries to fade into the shadows -- to drop off Joey's radar -- to become no one.

But when a fight between Chavo and Hector's brother Fili escalates, Hector is left with no choice but to take a stand.

Authentic

First of all, points for authenticity. The story takes place in the the projects, aka "the hood." Being someone who grew up in the projects myself, this book definitely took me back to that place. Stork creates a world that seems to be a kingdom for people like Joey and Chavo but a danger zone and a hell for others like Hector. 

The presence of gang related activity is perfectly conveyed through the description of the setting and circumstances. The book takes place in the projects and the accuracy is proven to me when Stork describes Hector looking out of his window and makes a note that Joey and his brother, Chavo, hang out day in and day out in the same spot, doing nothing. It's a small neighborhood. Which means no one's business is private; all is seen or heard. 

Dialogue, Characters and Plot

I do think the connections between Hector and his family could have been expounded on. We don't really get a glimpse of what relationship he has with his sister and parents like we do with Fili. But even with Fili, the interaction seems limited. Certain events would have gotten more of an emotional reaction if writer had taken us deeper to establish the relational significance. 

I love Joey and Hector's characters. The dynamic between them is all too relatable. Hector is the rose who grew from the concrete. Keeps a low profile in a dangerous area in hopes of surviving and escaping. Joey is the kid stuck in the system. The kid who's molded himself according to his surroundings and uses his bad temper to get what he wants. He's the king of the junkyard. 

All in all, I love the concept of this story. Its a glimmer of hope for those who were dealt a poor hand. A tale of revenge, anger, loss and acceptance. 

Into White by Randi Pink

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

LaToya Williams lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and attends a mostly white high school. She's so low on the social ladder that even the other black kids disrespect her. Only her older brother, Alex, believes in her. At least, until a higher power answers her only prayer--to be "anything but black." And voila! She wakes up with blond hair, blue eyes, and lily white skin. And then the real fun begins . . .

Accurate

I think at some point every Black woman struggled with accepting their skin when they were younger. Especially if they associated with majority White people or even had just minimal exposure to the White community. Latoya is struggling with accepting her culture her skin and her hair. She is even singled out by the Black kids at her school because she doesn’t act Black enough for them. 

Characters/Dialogue

I loved all the characters in the book. Pink did a great job of making distinctions of everyone’s traits. The sub plots were nicely woven into the main plot of the story. We find that Toya isn’t the only one struggling with her identity. She may be struggling with her race, but other’s , like her brother, are struggling with his future. Her parents are struggling with their communication and even the two main white characters in the story are struggling with their appearance and reputation. 

Moral

I believe this is the perfect book for people who are struggling with their identity. It's a great way to get women of color to love the skin they're in and be happy with who they are. This book is also a great way to show us how we need to be more considerate when it comes to other people’s feelings. Just within the chapters that displayed the relationship between Toya’s parents, we see how much of an impact our words can have on people that we love and people who love us. Validation is significant. Acknowledgment of each other is conducive to a healthy relationship. I encourage everyone to do research on PTSS: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. It really exposes and explains a lot of tendencies found in the Black community. 

Clean Getaway by Nic Stone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*THIS REVIEW IS BASED ON AN ARC COPY* 

Synopsis

Will —or “Scoob” as his G’ma likes to call him— is in for a surprise when he decides to go on an unplanned road trip with his dear old grandma. But she has more than just a day trip in store for both of them. With hardly any way of communicating with his father or anyone else, Scoob starts to get worried when his grandma seems as though her memory is failing her even though she’s taking them both down memory lane. 

Confession

This is my second book by Nic Stone. Dear Martin was the first one I read and I have to be completely honest. I didn’t like it. I did like the writing, the character development, the execution of the plots/sub plots…. BUT I have to be honest again. I LOVED this book. I literally could not put it down. I feel like writing young reader books may just be Nic Stone’s thing. 

YASSS

It was well structured. Not as much background info on Scoob’s parents or not much insight on his at home situation as I would’ve liked.  Especially regarding Scoob’s mom. I loved G’ma’s character. She was witty, funny, vibrant and sweet. That small dose of crazy in her was potent, though. It gave this book the edge that it needed. I enjoyed the Black history and the hints of racial elements were relative and what kids nowadays need to be reading about for informative purposes. 

Scoob was also a well written character. He was bright and kind. The internal dialogue for his character was great. I thought this book would be borderline boring once I found out majority of it followed just him and his grandmother. But I was genuinely interested in G’ma’s past and her motives during the trip. The book had this air of mystery that made this read captivating. 

I do feel like we were kinda left on a cliff hanger at the end though; with Scoob not deciding to see his mother just yet. Hopefully that means another adaptation is coming. 

Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart

⭐️⭐️⭐️

**THIS IS BASED ON AN ARC COPY**

Synopsis

A year after the fire that destroyed her world, her aunt and uncle have decided she should go back to high school. Be "normal" again. Whatever that is. Ava knows better. There is no normal for someone like her. And forget making friends--no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl, now or ever. 

But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Sarcastic and blunt, Piper isn't afraid to push Ava out of her comfort zone. Piper introduces Ava to Asad, a boy who loves theater just as much as she does, and slowly, Ava tries to create a life again. Yet Piper is fighting her own battle, and soon Ava must decide if she's going to fade back into her scars . . . or let the people by her side help her fly.

Why Only 3 Stars?

Honestly, bookworms, I don’t have a substantial reason for why I didn’t enjoy this book that much. All I can say is, it was very easy to put this book down and not pick it back up for a couple days. The climax and sub plots were all over the place. I felt like all the characters were just going around in circles. 

The fire that started this whole thing wasn't accurately described. I felt like I could’ve connected to Ava a little better if the author described the accident to us through Ava’s eyes. I felt like this book was a lot of randomness jumbled together. 

Towards the end, we read about this neighbor next to Ava’s old house, who just pops out of nowhere … she was such a vital part of Ava’s survival but somehow she isn’t brought up until the end of the book. And even then she only has like half a page appearance… 

The cruel text messages to Piper weren’t clearly explained either. I know Piper was the one behind them .. but why? It seemed a little dramatic and far fetched for the author to just slap it all on Piper. I don’t know you guys, the whole book just seemed out of sequence and disorganized. 

Some of the dialogue was cheesy. Like every single person Ava encountered was a Dr. Phil and had something inspiring and profound to say to Ava. That aspect of the book got old.

It didn’t get a worse rating because the concept of the book was different. A teen burn survivor trying to find her new normal. Some of the book was inspiring and I enjoyed the theater references and friendship between Asad, Piper and Ava. 

Cilka's Journey

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**MY REVIEW IS BASED ON AN ARC COPY**

Synopsis

In 1942 Cilka Klein is just sixteen years old when she is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. The Commandant at Birkenau, Schwarzhuber, notices her long beautiful hair, and forces her separation from the other women prisoners. Cilka learns quickly that power, even unwillingly given, equals survival.

After liberation, Cilka is charged as a collaborator by the Russians and sent to a desolate, brutal prison camp in Siberia known as Vorkuta, inside the Arctic Circle. 

Innocent, imprisoned once again, Cilka faces challenges both new and horribly familiar, each day a battle for survival. Cilka befriends a woman doctor, and learns to nurse the ill in the camp, struggling to care for them under unimaginable conditions. And when she tends to a man called Alexandr, Cilka finds that despite everything, there is room in her heart for love.

Heartfelt and Captivating

I genuinely fell in love with all the characters in this book. Seeing Cilka’s frozen heart slowly being thawed was truly touching. We see a side of the holocaust that we don’t often see. The dynamics here were refreshing and enlightening though still heartbreaking. 

Cilka is offered a job which provides an escape from the daily horrors at this camp. Though this camp seemed to be somewhat more lenient, it is still made known as a prison in the regard that they are forced to work in certain conditions, to lie with men and kept away from their loved ones. 

I love that this book has hope laced within each chapter. We don't too much see that in other holocaust books. But I know it existed. There had to be people in these camps with hope. Who knew they would make it through. We see Cilka go through a whole awakening. We even see the people close to her like Josie and the one other mean woman at the beginning (can’t remember her name) go through a metamorphosis. 

Cilka is the perfect example of all that women can accomplish and are capable of. Even in the face of adversity and under extreme pressure, she still prevails. Her tolerance, strength and endurance are remarkable and something to be truly admired. 

The Infinite Noise Playlist

1) Freakin' Me Out by The Mowgli's / Page 38

2) Schedules by Sigrid / Page 100

3) Dangerous by Glades / Page 149

4) There For You by Martin Garrix & Troye Sivan/ Page 183

5) Waves by Dean Lewis / Page 191

6) Brave by Riley Pearce / Page 202

7) Change by Great Good Fine Ok / Page 308

8)  So Contagious by Acceptance / Page 323