Long Lost Review: Scarlet (#2) by Marissa Meyer

09 May 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in Fantasy, Long Lost Reviews, Science Fiction, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , , ,

Long Lost Reviews is a monthly meme created by Ally over at Ally’s Appraisals which is posted on the second Thursday of every month. The aim is to start tackling your review backlog. Whether it’s an in-depth analysis of how it affected your life, one sentence stating that you only remember the ending, or that you have no recollection of reading the book at all. 

Published: 13 February 2013Goodreads badge
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 454
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy
★   ★  ★  ★ – 4 Stars

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner. 

This poor series has been sitting unreviewed properly for years because I wanted to post reviews in order and this one never wanted to be written. I am now trying to drag up my memory of this book to do a quick one to get it done. It’s definitely an ongoing theme because it took me forever to get around to reading it in the first place after I read Cinder but it didn’t disappoint.

I enjoyed how we are still in the world of Cinder while also branching out and exploring other characters. It was an interesting approach to have a sequel that’s still so connected with the first book characters while also introducing new people and a whole new story. Being set in the same world I thought there’d be references, but the changing perspectives captures a great look at various corners of the world and Meyer brings them together remarkably well.

The Cinder side gives a great plotline as we see her become a fugitive; and after the events in book one it’s great to see her story continue. I enjoyed the slow reveal and the pacing as everything is revealed. Scarlet’s story is also full of amazing twists and the way Meyer lays hints and clues pulls you along. Scarlet is a great character, she is fiery and passionate and I enjoyed seeing her with Wolf and their dynamic together. I loved how Cinder’s story and Scarlet’s come together, it is skilful storytelling, and I loved how they are each the main character of their own story, they have their own stories right up until their lives intertwine.

I love how Meyer has connected these fairytales in new and brilliant ways. The science fiction and fantasy come together so well and it’s incredible to see her imagination work. It is a fascinating story and one that reveals more about each of the characters old and new, as well as shows readers more about the world’s history and the challenges they face.

The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt

03 May 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 4th April 2017Goodreads badge
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

From acclaimed, bestselling creators Drew Daywalt, author of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, and Adam Rex, author-illustrator of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, comes a laugh-out-loud hilarious picture book about the epic tale of the classic game Rock, Paper, Scissors.

I wouldn’t have thought is possible but Daywalt has intensified the game of scissors, paper, rock. What I never realised is that the stationary supplies and random objects in the world are fighting an intense battle of strength and wit right under our noses. Like Daywalt opened our eyes to the lives of crayons, now we are being shown the underground fight club of objects.

We’re introduced to character Rock who is tired of beating everyone around him and goes out looking for competition. Unfortunately he continues to annihilate the various things he comes across. We discover more of Rock’s character though the intensity of the illustrations. It’s great because it lines up like a wrestling match. There’s big, bold words, close ups of fierce emotions, and full page depictions of Rock’s fighting prowess.

Contrasted immediately as we switch to Paper. Innocent looking Paper who is wide eye and deceptively naïve in appearance. They are also looking for a challenge, escaping their surroundings to seek a worthy battle.

Then there’s Scissors. A worthy fighter against most things with the sharp cut of their fighting style but also seeking a greater opponent outside of the room. Scissors’ design was a curious choice. I didn’t dislike it, but there is something about using the handles as eyes which unsettled me a bit, but I can see Rex’s logic in using them.

I liked that each one of them sought to be defeated. They saw that winning all the time was becoming boring and they wanted a challenge. They wanted to push themselves again.

The three finally meet, battle pants on and ready. The illustrations bring this to life as the battle commences and the only way to describe this is a bit absurd. But absurd in an exaggerated, we know this is ludicrous, yet weirdly entertaining kind of way.

Rex’s illustrations are fascinating. They are intense, full of emotion and fire. He really captures the emotions of the objects, the heat of battle, and the unique personalities of the characters. The illustrations of Rock are particularly glorious. The way Rex has conveyed expressions on a solid rock is so well done. His fierce anger, his strength, and determination come across well.

It is a surreal read. These objects battling for supremacy, wanting to be thwarted, openly battling for…something. Glory I suppose.

It’s weird, it’s strange, it’s baffling certainly but I can’t help but admit that it is a captivating read.

You can purchase The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

As Happy As Here by Jane Godwin

30 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Aussie YA Challenge, Young Adult Tags: , , , ,

Published: 23 July 2019Goodreads badge
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Pages: 273
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
★   ★   ★   ★   ★ – 5 Stars

A beautiful coming-of-age story about three teenage girls from very different backgrounds who find themselves sharing a hospital ward, for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Fiona Wood

Three teenage girls from very different backgrounds find themselves sharing a hospital ward. When they witness a crime in the park below their window, they bond over trying to solve the crime and each one undergoes a profound change.

A beautiful coming-of-age story about identity, expectation, class, justice, society, fairness, and, above all, kindness.

I did not expect to still be thinking about this book weeks after I had finished it but it will not leave my mind. It isn’t even so much the story, but the characters Godwin has created are so impactful it’s hard not to remember them.

Godwin captures the three different personalities really well. Evie, Lucy, and Jemma overlap in some ways but at the same time their unique selves come through. Lucy is mature, having a lifetime of experience already at a young age, Evie is a young girl on the cusp of growing up and the world moving too fast for her, wanting to stay young but also foolishly lamenting not being older. Jemma is a chaotic force who is acting grown up but at the same time is even younger and more vulnerable than the others. Her strength is to bewilder and bullheadedly push on not worrying about what comes before.

The Jemma she puts on to others is very different to the one you can see is the truth. It’s a loose comparison but she gave me Pippi Longstockings vibes: the neglected kid making up stories and being proud of how unbalanced her life was.

I understood Evie’s frustrations so well. I have been around people like Jemma before and it’s hard to fight against their confidence and their chaotic nature. Their lies and self-assuredness make it hard when you know things aren’t true or are unjust. Trying to find the voice or the energy to do the right thing, or to stop people believing the wrong things about you is hard.

You know Jemma is a lonely little girl, you know she is covering up hurt and trying to be flippant about it, but my god it makes it hard to feel sorry for her. You find yourself hating this poor twelve year old and the irritation and wanting to shake sense into her and tell her to stop acting like that is strong.

I enjoyed the adults in this story as well as the three girls. Their roles are so different, and yet they are also the same. With minimal words Godwin gives full depth to the adults in the girls’ lives. We know the kind of people Evie’s parents are, who Lucy’s dad is, and who the adults in Jemma’s life are. The comparison and the different approaches was a great contrast and even through Evie’s eyes it is a great example of how much kids see.

This is a powerful story about the lives different people have, especially young teens. Having Evie reflect on the differences without being judgemental is incredibly important. Her empathy is wonderful but Godwin never makes her perfect. She is young, learning, timid but wants to do what’s right. She is a wonderful character and a great narrator. That is where Godwin’s story is fantastic. You can have these feelings based on surface events but as the book progresses and we see more of the bond the three girls have, how their lives interact, how each conflict changes them, your own perspective changes with theirs.

For the most part it is a story about unlikely friends and a strange mystery outside the window like Rear Window for the modern age, but then in the final chapters it changes so suddenly it really shocks you. I was not expecting to be hit in the emotional face by the last part of this book but it works so well.

This book does break your heart a little. Even when you have theories and know snippets of information, confirmation and context is still a punch to the heart. Godwin does a great job sprinkling in the heartache.  I had to remind myself that this was not a true story, but even then it is so reminiscent of the real lives kids have out there it’s hard not to think how true these scenarios could be.

I honestly could talk about these characters forever. Godwin has cemented them in my heart and I will be grateful they are not real but at the same time mourn for them for always.

You can purchase As Happy As Here via the following

QBD | Booktopia

Dymocks |  Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

The 156-Storey Treehouse (#12) by Andy Griffiths

25 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Audiobook, Junior Fiction, Treehouse Series Tags: , , , , ,

Published: 6 September 2022 (print)/6 September 2022 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher:  Pan Macmillan Australia /Macmillan Australia Audio
Pages: 300/ 1 hr and 25 mins
Narrator: Stig Wemyss
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Junior Fiction
★   ★   ★  – 3.5 Stars

Andy and Terry are celebrating Christmas in their 156-storey treehouse which now has 13 new storeys, including an aquarium wonderland, a wishing well, a world record breaking level, a TV quiz show hosted by Quizzy the quizzical quizbot, a lost property office, a lost sausage office, a super-stinky stuff level and the amazing mind-reading sandwich-making machine, which makes the perfect amazing sandwich for you – every single time!Well, what are you waiting for? Come on up!

I had to reread this because I couldn’t remember what happened in it, I didn’t even remember there begin a Christmas themed book. Having finished it I realised why – nothing actually happens.

In books where ten things can happen in quick succession or there are a few things that have big impacts, this was a curious Treehouse story. There is a snowman, Santa clones, and Christmas… but not much else. There is use of previous storeys, albeit briefly, which I liked, but only a fleeting use of a new level. Overall it was a lacklustre book with a dull adventure.

What I thought was going to be the antagonist – the snowman – comes and goes fast enough that he has no real impact on the story. There is no real drama or stakes, the rest of the book is only a celebration of Christmas, even if it is a strange treehouse Christmas.

It is still a classic Treehouse book, and certainly not the only mediocre one in the series. The tropes and antics the pair get up to are still present, and Jill gets involved which I always enjoy. I love that Andy and Terry can invent things without any need for explanation. Expanding stockings can be created, extra storeys with unrealistic or illogical components can come to fruition without needing to explain how. This is how you have the fun storeys like cloning levels, or remembering booths, even chocolate waterfalls don’t get explanations of how it works. Which is why this series works. It’s magical but realistic in its own weird way. No one can fly, but you can ask for a jetpack from Santa or use a flying cat to get around.

My original rating was four, this time was three, so I’m splitting it to 3.5. I’m not sure why I enjoyed it more the first time, maybe the mood was better but it will have to do.

You can purchase The 156-Storey Treehouse via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Dymocks

 Angus and Robinson | Blackwell’s

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Sleepy Sheepy Lucy Ruth Cummins

19 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 31st January 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Illustrator: Pete Oswald
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Sleepy Sheepy was not sleepy
But it was time for bed
(At least, that’s what the clock said.)
But Sleepy Sheepy would not sleepy.
He was wired. And absolutely not tired!
In fact, he was WIDE-AWAKE.

Despite his name, Sleepy Sheepy is NOT sleepy. He’d much rather build with blocks or knit socks than go to sleep. Will Ma and Pa Sheepy ever get their sheepy to go to sleepy?

Picture books are amazing. It’s enough to say I don’t judge a book by its cover, but give me an adorable creature on the front and I will pick it up so fast.

Sleepy Sheepy is fluffy, cute, and not at all sleepy.

The best part is through the entire book of telling me Sleepy Sheepy was not sleepy, Sleepy Sheepy couldn’t look more sleepy if they tried. It’s fantastic. A perfect example of an over tired child who won’t go to bed despite looking like they could fall asleep at any moment.

It’s a great book to read to get your own sheepy to sleepy. Cummins’ writing is fun and full of emphasis. I shouldn’t be surprised since Cummins also wrote one of my favourite books of all time – A Hungry Lion or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals. The layout of the book works well to help tell the story of Sheepy’s night time antics and couple with the illustrations it’s a fun read.

Oswald’s illustrations are of course perfect. I should have realised the illustrations would be divine when I saw it was him. I love his stuff. I loved the use of little fluffy sheep running amok. His creativity with Sheepy’s activities are great and do reflect what a chaotic little sheep would get up to to avoid going to bed.

The best part is Sheepy isn’t an only child, there are two other sheep strapped to their parents trying to go to bed as well. Peak adorableness.

You can purchase Sleepy Sheepy via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

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