A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

Synopsis:
It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.

Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments—even the physical violence—she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.

But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her—they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds—and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
I love Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me series. It was one of the first young adult audiobooks I ever listened to. I ended up listening to the whole thing in one day because I needed so badly to know what happened next. When I heard that Tahereh Mafi was releasing a contemporary book, I was excited, yet skeptical at the same time. I'm not usually a big fan of contemporaries, so I wasn't sure if I'd like it. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I loved A Very Large Expanse of Sea.

I think A Very Large Expanse of Sea is a book that's desperately needed with everything currently going on in United States, and throughout the world. It was one of the most thought provoking, ee opening books I've ever read. It teaches knowledge and understanding of a culture that can only be gained through first hand experience of that culture. I think that if more people read this book there would be a lot less hate of the Muslim culture, and a lot more love, understanding, and acceptance. It was absolutely heartbreaking to read about the things that Shirin went through. Even though the book is set in 2001, the things that happen to her are still relevant, and still happen to Muslim women all across the United States today.

There was something that was unexpected for me in A Very Large Expanse of Sea that I absolutely loved. I should have known it would happen with the year it was set in, but I loved all of the early 2000s references. This brought brought back so many feelings of nostalgia from growing up in that era. Hearing about the music from that time, and the electronics brought a huge smile to my face. I kind of forgot about text messages being expensive with the way things used to be back then because we take it for granted now. It's always interesting to see how much our society is progressed technologically looking back on it.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea is definitely in my top three books that I've read this year. I couldn't find one single fault in it. It was a beautiful, heartbreaking, own voices book. I have a feeling that it's one of those books that will stick with me for years to come. I really wish it would be put on required reading lists in high schools. Maybe if it was, the world would have a little less hate, and a little more love. 

I give A Very Large Expanse of Sea: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  https://www.taherehbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shattermebooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaherehMafi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TaherehMafi/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/taherehmafi/

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Synopsis:
With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness. Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain — and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life — and all the rules everyone expects her to play by — once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
Last year, I read The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. I thought it was a deeply powerful, moving book. When I heard that she was releasing a new book, With the Fire on High, this year, I knew I had to read it as soon as I possibly could. I recently just finished it, and I think I liked it even more than The Poet X.

With the Fire on High was also a beautifully compelling book. It tackled tough issues such as teenage pregnancy, falling in love after being hurt, and the challenges of raising a child with someone that you no longer have a relationship with. It really drew awareness to these issues, and made me think of them in ways that I hadn't before. I thought that Elizabeth Acevedo's writing style was beautiful. She writes in this lyrical way that make the words come off the page into the reader's heads. The whole time I was listening to the audiobook, it was like a movie was playing in my mind. I was picturing Emoni going about her morning routine with baby girl, or sitting there having important discussion with abuela. The romance in this was also beautifully written. I love who Emoni ends up with. He treats her so well, and is exactly what I think of when I think of the picture perfect book boyfriend.

I do have to admit, there are a couple of things that did bother me about With the Fire on High. The first one is a particular phrase. This is just a pet peeve of mine. I don't like the phrase "I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding", or any variation of it. It just feels too cliche to me, and overused in young adult and romance books. That phrase was in the book at least three times, if not more. The other thing that bothered me is that it felt like the book ended abruptly. Maybe it's because I wanted more of this world and these characters, but I wanted the storyline of what Emoni and Tyrone argue about (trying to be vague so I don't spoil the plot for anyone) to be further explored. I felt like there was an important discussion that could have stemmed from that, and it just didn't happen.

Other than a couple of tiny details, I really loved With the Fire on High. After reading this book, Elizabeth Acevedo has become one of my one-click authors. I will buy any book by her without even having to know what it's about. I am eagerly anticipating whatever she writes next. I'm sure it will be phenomenal, just like her other two books.  

I give With the Fire on High: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.acevedowrites.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/acevedowrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AcevedoWrites/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15253645.Elizabeth_Acevedo

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Guardians of the Taiga by Stacy Plays

Synopsis:
From StacyPlays, creator of the mega-popular YouTube series Dogcraft, comes a thrilling illustrated novel about a girl raised by a pack of wolves and her quest to protect their shared forest home. The first in a new Minecraft-inspired fantasy adventure series!

Stacy was raised by wolves. She’s never needed humans to survive and, from what she sees of humans, they’re dangerous and unpredictable. For as long as she can remember, Stacy’s pack of six powerful, playful wolves—Addison, Basil, Everest, Noah, Tucker and Wink—have been her only family. 

Together, Stacy’s pack patrols the forest to keep other animals safe, relying on her wits and each wolf’s unique abilities to accomplish risky rescue missions. But as the forest changes and new dangers begin lurking, are Stacy and the wolves prepared for the perils that await them?
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
My husband and I both love Minecraft. It's one of our favorite things to do together. Either we'll play Minecraft together, or I'll watch him play it while I'm listening to an audiobook or music. Therefore when I saw that Stacy Plays was writing a Minecraft inspired book series, Wild Rescuers, I knew I wanted to read it. The first book in the series, Guardians of the Taiga, was just an okay book.

I have to admit, when first reading the book, I didn't really like it. Maybe it's because I'm not the age range it's intended for, but it seemed almost silly to me. There were several times where I had to suspend my disbelief for things going on. It kept pulling me out of the story. Stacy's wolves are more human than wolf. They do things like help her with crossword puzzles, steal newspapers for her, and other things like that. I thought this was going to be a raised by wolves story, but it didn't feel like it with all of that going on. That being said, I think the reader will discover more things about her wolves in Escape to the Mesa that will explain why those things are happening.

However, as I got farther into the book, I did find Guardians of the Taiga to be a more enjoyable read than what I was expecting. I loved Stacy's passion for animals. I've been a huge animal lover all of my life, and could relate to what she was feeling at times. It's always upset me to see animals injured. There was a certain scene towards the end of the book where I wanted to cry along with her. No animal, no matter the situation, deserves to go through that. The author did a great job of making me feel every single emotion Stacy was feeling.

Even though Guardians of the Taiga was a hit or miss for me in parts, I did find it to be a somewhat enjoyable book. I definitely plan on reading the sequel because I do think it will change my opinion on some of the things that I didn't like about the first book. I also think it will answer the questions that I have. There were quite a few things that didn't get resolved in Guardians of the Taiga that I really want answers to. I also plan on checking out Stacy Plays' YouTube channel, which I didn't know about before this book.  

I give Guardians of the Taiga: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stacyhinojosa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacysays
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacyplays/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stacyplays
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/stacyplays
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17215894.Stacy_Plays

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Synopsis:
Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He's won skiing prizes. He likes to write.

And, oh yeah, he's gay. He's been out since 8th grade, and he isn't teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that's important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time.

So when he transfers to an all-boys' boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate break down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben . . . who doesn't even know that love is possible.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
Lately, I've been trying to catch up on books that I've owned for several years. It always makes me feel accomplished to get backlist books off of my TBR, and to be able to clear space for new books. I've had Openly Straight since it released in 2013, so I decided to give it a try. I've missed reading LGBTQ+ books lately, and thought it would be interesting to read one of the first LGBTQ+ books in YA (that I know of). I loved this book so much.

I'm not sure what I loved the most about Openly Straight. I do have to admit, I was bored for about the first fifty pages or so of the book. I thought about DNF'ing it. I'm so glad I continued with it. Iafter those fifty pages, I loved the rest of the book. I thought Rafe was a great character. Even though he had his flaws that could be frustrating at times, I enjoyed reading about his interactions with others. I especially enjoyed his parents. As someone who is openly bisexual, I wish I would have had the great support system that he has when I was growing up.

Another part of Openly Straight that I loved was Rafe's friends. I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of Claire Olivia, although she did become more tolerable by the end. I did love his roommate Albie, and his friend Toby. They cracked me up. I especially loved reading about their scanner pong adventures. The one with the old lady had me losing it laughing while I was reading about it. Most importantly, I enjoyed Ben as a character too. Everything that happens between Rafe and Ben was so emotional that it felt real. The reader could feel everything they were going through together, including their chemistry. Certain scenes toward the end of the book between the two of them had me tearing up.

After a rough start, I found myself loving Openly Straight. I think it is one of the best LGBTQ+ novels that I've ever read, and I've read quite a few. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I'll probably start it as soon as I can. There's a cliffhanger moment for Ben and Rafe towards the end of the book, and I need to know how it resolves. I also want more of the wacky and fun side characters. 

I give Openly Straight: 4.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://billkonigsberg.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billkonigsbergauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billkonigsberg

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was ni no way compensated for this review.

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Synopsis:
How did a raw chicken get inside Yasmany's locker? When Sal Vidon meets Gabi Real for the first time, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Sal is in the principal's office for the third time in three days, and it's still the first week of school. Gabi, student council president and editor of the school paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany, who just picked a fight with Sal. She is determined to prove that somehow, Sal planted a raw chicken in Yasmany's locker, even though nobody saw him do it and the bloody poultry has since mysteriously disappeared. Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but for this sleight of hand, he relied on a talent no one would guess . . . except maybe Gabi, whose sharp eyes never miss a trick. When Gabi learns that he's capable of conjuring things much bigger than a chicken--including his dead mother--and she takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There's only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk. A sassy entropy sweeper, a documentary about wedgies, a principal who wears a Venetian bauta mask, and heaping platefuls of Cuban food are just some of the delights that await in his mind-blowing novel gift-wrapped in love and laughter.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
Rick Riordan is one of my favorite authors. I've read all of his books, some of them multiple times. When I heard that he was coming out with his own publishing company, I was so excited. I thought it would be amazing to read books by other authors that are similar to the genre he writes in, but with their own unique twist as well. The first book that I tried from his publishing company was Sal and Gabi Break the Universe. It ended up not being what I expected at all, but it was still a fun read.

When I first started Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, I had no idea what to expect. I expected a middle grade book about Cuban mythology, which isn't what I got at all. However, that's a good thing. Carlos Hernandez wrote a book unlike anything I could have imagined. It was definitely different from anything I have ever read before. I loved the humor in the book. The entire time I was reading the book, it seemed like I never stopped laughing or smiling at something that Sal did. I also greatly enjoyed learning about Cuban culture, and being a magician, both of which were things I knew next to nothing about before I picked up this book. After reading this book, I definitely want to do more research on both subjects. I especially find the superstitions around "brujas" to be fascinating in Cuban culture, and would love to learn more about that.

Even though I enjoyed reading Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, I did notice a couple of issues while I was reading the book. Maybe it's because I'm not the age range it was intended for, but I found the book to be over the top silly at times. The whole time I was reading the scenes in the hospital, especially the ones with nurse Sotolongo, I kept thinking to myself there's no way any of this would happen in a real hospital. Also, the thing with Gabi's dads was just a little bit over the top crazy, and confusing. When I was reading the book, it was hard to remember which dad was which, and what they did. Not even the nicknames helped. It made it harder to take the serious parts of the book seriously.

After finishing Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, I had mixed emotions. Parts of the book I really loved and was sad to be done with. Other parts, not so much. I know I definitely plan on picking up the sequel in March because I want to know what happens next, especially after the crazy that happened at the end of this book. I'm looking forward to reading more of Sal's quick wit, Gabi's bossy humor, and the rest of the crazy cast. I also plan on definitely reading more of the Rick Riordan Presents books as soon as I can get my hands on them.  

I give Sal and Gabi Break the Universe: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Carlos.A.Hernandez
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriteTeachPlay

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Darkness on the Edge of Town by Adam Christopher

Synopsis:

Chief Jim Hopper reveals long-awaited secrets to Eleven about his old life as a police detective in New York City, confronting his past before the events of the hit show Stranger Things.

Christmas, Hawkins, 1984. All Chief Jim Hopper wants is to enjoy a quiet first Christmas with Eleven, but his adopted daughter has other plans. Over Hopper’s protests, she pulls a cardboard box marked “New York” out of the basement—and the tough questions begin. Why did Hopper leave Hawkins all those years ago? What does “Vietnam” mean? And why has he never talked about New York?
Although he’d rather face a horde of demogorgons than talk about his own past, Hopper knows that he can’t deny the truth any longer. And so begins the story of the incident in New York—the last big case before everything changed…

Summer, New York City, 1977. Hopper is starting over after returning home from Vietnam. A young daughter, a caring wife, and a new beat as an NYPD detective make it easy to slip back into life as a civilian. But after shadowy federal agents suddenly show and seize the files about a series of brutal, unsolved murders, Hopper takes matters into his own hands, risking everything to discover the truth.
Soon Hopper is undercover among New York’s notorious street gangs. But just as he's about to crack the case, a blackout rolls across the boroughs, plunging Hopper into a darkness deeper than any he’s faced before.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
 Stranger Things is one of my favorite tv shows. I'm obsessed with it. In fact, I binge watched the whole third season the day it came out because I couldn't get enough of it. Therefore, when I found out there was a book based on the show, I knew I had to read it. I picked up Darkness on the Edge of Town as soon as I could get my hands on it. I thought it was an enjoyable book, even if it had a few flaws.

At first, I was a little hesitant going into Darkness on the Edge of Town. Hopper is without a doubt my favorite character on the show. I wasn't sure if Adam Christopher was do his character justice. However, I had nothing to worry about. He wrote the character and the plot so well that when I was reading the book, I could see it playing out in my head, almost like it was an actual episode of Stranger Things. I loved hearing Hopper's backstory, and seeing him thrive in a different setting than what the viewers of the show are used to.

There is one major thing that I didn't enjoy about the book. Towards the middle of the book, Hopper gets caught up in a situation. I won't go into details about that situation in this review because I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't read it. However, after that certain part happens, I thought that the story became boring. It seems like when he was in that situation, it took forever for anything to happen. It felt like the story dragged on and on until about the last 30 pages or so. After that, it picked up again and became interesting.

Despite the pacing issues, I found myself really enjoying Darkness on the Edge of Town. I thought it was an interesting look into Hopper's life before Stranger Things begins. I enjoyed it so much that I want more. I would love a prequel show about Hopper's time as a detective in NYC, and more cases that he had. I also really want to see more of Delgado. I loved her character is this, and think it would translate well on a Netflix show.

I give Darkness on the Edge of Town: 3.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  http://www.adamchristopher.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ghostfinder
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/590743.Adam_Christopher

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.