Stalking Jack the Ripper

Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Genre: YA fantasy, YA mystery/thriller
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Dates Read: 7/23/2018-7/28/2018
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper (book 1)

Fear is a hungry beast. The more you feed it, the more it grows. 

I have been wanting to read this book ever since its release but was nervous about reading it. I hadn't really heard a lot of things about this book. What I did hear was good, however. Then this past June, Stephanie Garber was having a signing. Her special guest was Kerri Maniscalco. I decided to pick up Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula, and I am so glad I did.

Our main protagonist is Audrey Rose Wadsworth. She isn't your typical Victorian young lady. Audrey Rose refuses to accept the social customs of women at that time.

Pretend I am as capable as a man? Please, sir, do not value me so little! 

She would rather have her hands inside of a cadaver than have her pinky raised high at high tea. Much to her father's dismay, she spends most of her time assisting her uncle in his autopsies, which is an abhorrent pastime for a lady. 

There she meets Mr. Thomas Cresswell. Though he has brains that rival those of Miss Wadsworth, Thomas is arrogant, brash, and outgoing, which irritates Audrey Rose to no end.

Thomas smiled at my eye roll, puffing his chest up and standing with one foot proudly resting on a chair as if posing for a portrait. “I don’t blame you, I am rather attractive. The tall, dark hero of your dreams, swooping in to save you with my vast intellect. You should accept my hand at once. 

Soon they find themselves dragged into the investigation of a series of horrific murders, each one worse than the last. They must work quickly to find the answer to the question that all of London is asking, who is Jack the Ripper? The answer may come dangerously close to her sheltered world.

Everything, Everything

Title: Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Genre: YA Contemporary
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Date Read: March 31, 2018
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first Nicola Yoon novel. I tend to be nervous about starting novels with a lot of hype around them because I’m afraid I won’t like it as much as I thought I would. So was the case with this one. A friend of mine actually spoiled the ending for me, but I told her she could because she needed to fangirl and I didn’t think I would ever read it. Then I decided to check it out from the library. I found that I was pleasantly surprised.

We first meet Madeline Whittier. Madeline has Severed Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). This means that she can’t have any reaction with the outside world or she’ll die. The only people who are allowed to interact with Madeline are her mother and her nurse, Carla. Then one day a moving truck arrives at the house next door. Madeline sees a boy dressed in all black, who is staring back at her. She knew one thing at that moment. She was going to fall in love with him.

One Of Us Is Lying

Title: One Of Us Is Lying
Author: Karen McManus
Genre: YA Mystery 
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Dates Read: March 18, 2018
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had heard a lot of buzz surrounding this book. A YA mystery? Sign me up! However, every time I went to the bookstore, I never picked it up. I soon forgot about it. Then one day I decided to finally get it, and I am so glad I did. I havent seen very many YA mysteries which is one of my favorite genres. This quickly became one of my favorite books.

We begin the story in detention. In the classroom there are five students. Bronwyn, the brains, has Ivy League aspirations. Addy, the beauty, is the reigning homecoming queen. Nate, the criminal, has a checkered past with the law. Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star southerner. Simon, the outcast, is the creator of  About That, Bayview High’s notorious gossip app.

You would think it’s just a typical day in detention, but that soon changes. Simon suddenly has an allergic reaction. The police then begin claiming that is was murder, not just a reaction. The remaining four become the prime suspects after one piece of evidence comes to light. Simon was planning to release a bombshell article about the remaining four.

Who did it? Was it Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, or Cooper? None of them can afford something this catastrophic in their record. Or could be a fifth person? One who we haven’t even met yet.

Wonder Woman: Warbringer

Title: Wonder Woman Warbringer

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: August 28, 2017

Dates Read: 9/16/2017-9/19/2017

Series: DC Icons

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is book one in the DC Icons series. This isn’t like your typical series. This book can be read as standalones.  This helped me break a three month slump.

Diana has prepared for this her entire life, and it’s about to happen. Diana will compete in a race. The outcome will determine her place on Themyscira. During the race, she sees a ship explode just outside of the boundary. She sacrifices her lead in order to help save a girl she sees dangling off the side of the ship. She saves the girl and later finds out here name is Alia. Alia isn’t your typical girl. She’s known as a Warbringer-a direct descendant of Helen of Troy who is meant to bring about war and bloodshed. The two must fight enemies of both the mortal and immortal realm in order to save not only themselves, but the fate of the entire world. What ensues is a journey of heroic proportions that will build unlikely friendships.

I love how this book portrays Diana as Diana and not Wonder Woman. She must keep her identity a secret in order to not be discovered. This brings about many scenes of witty banter between Diana and an unsuspecting Alia.

A List of Cages

Title: A List of Cages
Author: Robin Roe
Genre: YA realistic fiction
Release Date: January 10, 2017
Date Read: 5/22/2017
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A List of Cages is not a very well-known book. It isn’t the most popular book out there, but I think it’s one of the most important books out there. I picked this up blindly. A friend of mine actually suggested it to me. I found it and was immediately intrigued. 

This book is about two boys, Adam and Julian. Adam is a senior and lands the best elective ever, aide to the school psychologist. All he does is sit around and text his friends all period. He thinks he has it made. Then that changes when, one day, the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who refuses to meet with her. Adam soon finds him but makes a startling discovery about the boy. Adam discovers that the boy is Julian, the foster brother who Adam hasn’t seen in five years. At first, it’s as if nothing ever changed. Then, Adam begins to see deeper into Julian’s facade. He’s hiding something, something horrible and twisted. Adam is determined to find out what is going on, but he may be in over his head.

**TRIGGER WARNING**
Abuse

Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

Title: The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Genre: YA
Release date: June 27, 2017
Date(s) read: 6/27/2018-6/28/2018
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wanted to pick this book up ever since its release, but I never got around to it. Either I’d find something else or just decide not to get it that day. I’m glad I waited. I got this in the July 2017 OwlCrate box, and absolutely fell in love with it.

The story starts with  Henry “Monty” Montague and his best friend Percy. They have been friends since early childhood, but now it’s a little more complicated. Monty is falling for his best friend. Monty is a brash, go-getter with a thirst for alcohol.He is set to take over his father’s estate upon returning from his tour. He desires a life full of pleasure and vice. Percy is more refined than his friend, but he has his own flaws. Monty struggles between telling Percy how he feels or waiting. But he can’t wait long, Percy is set to attend school in Holland the following year.

The two boys, along with Monty’s sister Felicity and their caretaker, set out on a year-long tour of the European continent. But problems soon arise and chaos abounds as the trip takes a different direction than the original plan. Monty’s decision must come soon, or it might be too late.

July 2018 OwlCrate *SPOILERS!*

I loved the July 2018 box from OwlCrate! The theme this month was Strange & Unusual. OwlCrate is my first and only monthly subscription box, but I hope to add to that in the future. I love the element of surprise with each box. This months box, as you can see, featured My Plain Jane, a retelling if the timeless classic Jane Eyre. This is not your typical retelling of a classic. This is a supernatural twist on a timeless story. I’m so excited to start it! I love the various items within the box. My favorite has to be the skull pushpins. I am extremely satisfied with this box and am looking forward to next month’s box as well!

Rise of Winter review

I was asked to be a beta reader for Alex Lyttle’s new book, The Rise of Winter. I thoroughly enjoyed his first book From Ant to Eagle, so I was super excited to read this middle-grade fantasy novel by him. It did not disappoint. I actually enjoyed it more than FATE, and that was an absolutely amazing book.

We start with Winter, a typical girl who is raised by her grandmother, Lillian. One day, Winter discovers that she can understand animals and that they can understand her. Then she meets Proctin. Proctin is your friendly neighborhood raccoon who lives under the deck. Soon after, Winter and Proctin become friends. Then something happens. Lillian soon sends Winter away after wolves come to their house to get Winter. With help from Vulpeera, the fox, Winter and Proctin escape deeper into Nacadia. They soon arrive to safety, but not without troubles along the way.

Winter soon meets the rest of the animals. Most are friendly, but a few aren’t. These animals are guardians of Terra. They are the land, water, and sky Guardians of strength, agility, speed, and wisdom. But, there is a chair missing. The Land Guardian of Wisdom is position needing to be filled. Much to the dismay of some of the other animals, Winter is asked to fulfill that role. However, that role consists of more than she bargains for.

I loved the uniqueness of the plot. I have never read another novel with anywhere near the same plot. This is a great novel that any age can enjoy. I am excited to see what the rest of the series has in store.

The RIse of Winter is set to release in the spring of 2019.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Welcome!

Hey everyone! I'm Jacob. I'm a huge fan of young adult novels, but I do delve into the adult scene every so often. I've been wanting to start a blog for about a year now, but I finally decided to do it. I will be posting mainly reviews, with the occasional book tag here and there. Please be patient since I'm just starting out. I am always open to suggestions and tips! Hope you enjoy!