Book Review – ‘Aurora’s End’ by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

TITLE: Aurora’s End
AUTHORS: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
GENRE: YA Sci-fi
WORD/PAGE COUNT: 512 pages (paperwback)
PUBLICATION DETAILS: by Allen & Unwin on November 2nd, 2021
RRP: $19.99 AUD (paperback)

Blurb from Goodreads:

The squad you love is out of time. Prepare for the thrilling finale in the epic, best-selling Aurora Cycle series about a band of unlikely heroes who just might be the galaxy’s last hope for survival.

Is this the end?

What happens when you ask a bunch of losers, discipline cases, and misfits to save the galaxy from an ancient evil? The ancient evil wins, of course.

Wait. . . . Not. So. Fast.

When we last saw Squad 312, they working together seamlessly (aka, freaking out) as an intergalactic battle raged and an ancient superweapon threatened to obliterate Earth. Everything went horribly wrong, naturally.

But as it turns out, not all endings are endings, and the te4am has one last chance to rewrite thirs. Maybe two. It’s complicated.

Cue Zila, Fin, and Scarlett (and MAGELLAN!): making friends, making enemies, and making history? Sure, no problem

Cue Tyler, Kal, and Auri: uniting with two of the galaxy’s most hated villains? Um, okay. That, too.

Actually saving the galaxy, though?

Now that will take a miracle. 

AURORA’S END is out in Australia! If you’ve read the previous two books and somehow missed that the final installment in this trilogy was releasing this week, GO GRAB IT ASAP, your torment is at an end! (if you’re located elsewhere, it may not be available yet, but your time is coming next week)

This writing duo is in fine form – if you feel like a clever cookie for working out how Squad 312 gets out of the impossible cliffhanger from book 2, that won’t last long before the authors throws another dastardly curveball at you. It was hilarious how quickly everything went wrong again for our heroes even after extricating themselves from certain death, and they just keep careening from one disaster to another throughout this breathlessly manic and fun-filled series of perilous adventures. 

The highlight for me is that Zila goes from being more of a background character to featuring quite prominently in the finale and gets ample time in the spotlight! Her arc in this book is my favorite, it felt like it was written just to cater to me personally, I’m so happy!

And if you fell in love with Saedii in book 2, you’ll definitely be thrilled with how much she features here. I enjoyed her acerbic remarks and haughty, ferocious personality, she livens up every scene she’s in and has such a great dynamic with Tyler.

I did think some of the romantic scenes were a bit overdone and often ill-timed (when you’re battling your mortal enemy, don’t drop your guard to goggle at your boyfriend!) and if you were tired of hearing Scar talk about her spectacular ass or her ta-tas, well, there’s a lot more of that. Your mileage may vary on how effective you find the conclusion to the Ra’haam plotline; I was super excited at where I thought it was leading, but the ultimate approach in the final pages to dealing with this galaxy-threatening ancient evil left me deflated. Still, the journey to that ending was enjoyable overall.

Packed with entertaining characters, wildly unpredictable plot twists and a unique, chilling villain, the Aurora Cycle is a riveting and addictive sci-fi series. If you haven’t read the first book, check out AURORA RISING. If you’ve read the previous books, you’ll need AURORA’S END in your life. 

Disclaimer: physical copy provided free from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review – ‘Dark Rise’ by C.S. Pacat

TITLE: Dark Rise
AUTHOR: C.S. Pacat
GENRE: YA Fantasy
WORD/PAGE COUNT: 464 pages (paperback)
PUBLICATION DETAILS: by Allen & Unwin on September 28th, 2021
RRP: $19.99 AUD (paperback)

Blurb from Goodreads:

The ancient world of magic is no more. Its heroes are dead, its halls are ruins, and its great battles between Light and Dark are forgotten. Only the Stewards remember, and they keep their centuries-long vigil, sworn to protect humanity if the Dark King ever returns.

Sixteen-year-old dock boy Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. When an old servant tells him of his destiny to fight beside the Stewards, Will is ushered into a world of magic, where he must train to play a vital role in the oncoming battle against the Dark.

As London is threatened by the Dark King’s return, the reborn heroes and villains of a long-forgotten war begin to draw battle lines. But as the young descendants of Light and Dark step into their destined roles, old allegiances, old enmities and old flames are awakened. Will must stand with the last heroes of the Light to prevent the fate that destroyed their world from returning to destroy his own. 

First in a new trilogy, DARK RISE is a phenomenal YA fantasy novel which proves to be effortlessly immersive and wholly addictive. 

The cold open sets us in the middle of a conflict we have no context for, but immediately grips the reader with the mystery of what the prisoner fears so much that he begs for death and what his relationship was with his tormentor before his betrayal. It fades into the background as the author introduces the protagonist, but this plot thread is woven throughout the story and sets up epic reveals which blew my mind! The genre savvy may predict a plot twist or two, but I believe it’s the journey that matters, not the destination, and we’re treated to a phenomenal voyage of excitement, heartbreak and nail-biting suspense.  

Our hero Will embodies the typical Chosen One stereotype and with a Dark King and clashes between the forces of Light and Dark, it sounds derivative and uninspired, but don’t be fooled! This standard fantasy set-up exists solely to be knocked down and our understanding of these characters and the nature of their struggle is reshaped and re-contextualized a number of times. The author skillfully subverts classic tropes and gives this gang of misfits so much heart and depth and nuance, it will overwhelm you with emotion. 

Will and Violet’s friendship was so beautifully unexpected when I thought they were poised to be enemies; while this is Will’s coming-of-age story, I loved how important Violet was and the care given to fleshing out her background and ambitions. It’s rare to see a ride-or-die platonic friendship between male and female characters, I was thrilled by that dynamic! For those hoping for on-page queer romance, I’m afraid it’s not present in this book, but slow-burn fans will love the glancing touches, unnecessarily close proximity and delicious tension. The last few pages will leave you SCREECHING. 

I can’t recommend this book highly enough! It features complex, well-written characters, cool mythology and fascinating world-building plus a bunch of genius twists that have me beyond excited for the next book. Read this and flail with me!

Disclaimer: physical copy provided free from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Release Day Review – ‘Sugar Town Queens’ by Malla Nunn

TITLE: Sugar Town Queens
AUTHOR: Malla Nunn
GENRE: YA Contemporary, Coming-of-Age
WORD/PAGE COUNT: 312 pages (paperback)
PUBLICATION DETAILS: by Allen & Unwin on August 3rd, 2021
RRP: $19.99 AUD (paperback)

Blurb from Goodreads:

From LA Times Book Prize Award Winner and Edgar Award Nominee Malla Nunn comes a stunning portrait of a family divided and the bonds that knit our communities.

When Amandla wakes up on her fifteenth birthday she knows it’s going to be one of her mother’s difficult days. Her mother has had another vision. If Amandla wears a blue sheet her mother has loosely stitched as a dress and styles her normally braided hair in a halo around her head, Amandla’s father will come home. Amandla’s mother, Annalisa, always speaks of her father as if he was the prince of a fairytale, but in truth he’s been gone since before Amandla was born and even Annalisa’s memory of him is hazy. In fact many of Annalisa’s memories from before Amandla was born are hazy. It’s just one of the many reasons people in Sugar Town give Annalisa and Amandla strange looks–that and the fact her mother is white and Amandla is brown.

But when Amandla finds a mysterious address in the bottom of her mother’s handbag along with a large amount of cash, she decides it’s finally time to get answers about her mother’s life. But what she discovers will change the shape and size of her family forever. 

This YA coming-of-age story centers around Amandla, a 15 year old biracial girl living in a South African township called Sugar Town. Born to a white mother with a black father who isn’t in the picture, Amandla has it tough growing up below the poverty line and trying to cope with her mother’s mental illness. 

Normally I wouldn’t pick up this kind of book as I assumed it was going to focus on misery porn, but I was completely mistaken. Yes, it addresses serious real life issues of poverty, racism and classism, but these are treated as factors that make up the background of Amandla’s life, it doesn’t dominate who she is or what she does. Amandla’s focus is on solving the mystery behind her mother’s past to try and bring her closure and help heal her spirit as it’s clear that Annalisa is suffering from unresolved trauma, and in the process, she discovers family she never knew existed in the wealthy Durban city. 

Amandla grows closer to some of her relatives, but also stirs up conflict and hostility as it transpires that deeply ingrained racism led to her mother being ostracized and worse. There are dark family secrets to be uncovered and a lot of heartache along the way, but what makes this book shine is that it highlights how strong the love is between mother and daughter, between Amandla and her best friend Lil Bit, and in the found family that develops as unexpected allies come together to help her reconnect with her roots. The author showcases how Amandla is blessed with love and support from many corners that the chief antagonist in this story lacks, for all their prestige and privilege. Instead of being a tough dreary slog, this ended up being heartwarming and uplifting and had many sweet moments that made me smile and a particularly hard-won victory that made me cheer. 

For a thoughtful, life-affirming story about the bonds of family and community, overcoming prejudice and proudly owning who you are, check out this book. You may shed a few tears (I certainly did!), but it’s a wholly rewarding reading experience not to be missed. 

Disclaimer: physical copy provided free from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review – ‘Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares’

TITLE: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares
AUTHORS: Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
GENRE: YA, Contemporary
WORD/PAGE COUNT: 276 pages
PUBLICATION DETAILS: by Allen & Unwin on December 1st, 2020
RRP: $19.99 AUD (paperback)

Blurb from Goodreads:

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

I binge-read this book over the weekend weekend, it’s such a sweet holiday read! 

I love that this is a romance between two bookworms who connect without meeting in person and develop feelings for each other while exchanging notes and dares, it’s the most adorable plotline. Not even remotely realistic, there’s so much that had to go just right for Dash and Lily’s budding romance to flower, but I found it very easy to lose myself in this bibliophile’s wish-fulfillment fantasy. 

Release Day Review – ‘The Erasure Initiative’ by Lili Wilkinson

TITLE: The Erasure Initiative
AUTHOR: Lili Wilkinson
GENRE: YA Thriller
WORD/PAGE COUNT: 336 pages
PUBLICATION DETAILS: by Allen & Unwin on August 4th, 2020
RRP: $19.99 AUD (paperback)

Blurb from Goodreads:

I wake up, and for a few precious seconds I don’t realise there’s anything wrong.

The rumble of tyres on bitumen, and the hiss of air conditioning. The murmur of voices. The smell of air freshener. The cool vibration of glass against my forehead.

A girl wakes up on a self-driving bus. She has no memory of how she got there or who she is. Her nametag reads CECILY. The six other people on the bus are just like her: no memories, only nametags. There’s a screen on each seatback that gives them instructions. A series of tests begin, with simulations projected onto the front window of the bus. The passengers must each choose an outcome; majority wins. But as the testing progresses, deadly secrets are revealed, and the stakes get higher and higher. Soon Cecily is no longer just fighting for her freedom – she’s fighting for her life.

The Erasure Initiative is a smart, tautly plotted YA thriller with a high-concept, scarily plausible premise where seven people wake up in a bus without their memories and must respond to questions exploring a series of moral dilemmas.

Release Day review – ‘Aurora Burning’ by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

TITLE: Aurora Burning
AUTHORS: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
GENRE: YA Sci-Fi
WORD/PAGE COUNT: 512 pages (paperback)
PUBLICATION DETAILS: by Allen and Unwin on April 28th, 2020
RRP: $19.99 AUD (paperback)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Our heroes are back… kind of. From the bestselling co-authors of the Illuminae Files comes the second book in the epic series about a squad of misfits, losers, and discipline cases who just might be the galaxy’s best hope for survival.

First, the bad news: an ancient evil—you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal—is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They’ve just got to take care of a few small distractions first.

Like the clan of gremps who’d like to rearrange their favorite faces.

And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri.

Then there’s Kal’s long-lost sister, who’s not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.

When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it’s time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can’t learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.

Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion’s most unforgettable heroes—and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.

I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this massively hyped-up sequel earlier in the month, which was an amazing surprise! The danger with a sequel, especially the middle in a series, is that expectations are set too high and it may not satisfy the audience, but barring a couple exceptions, Aurora Burning improves and expands upon Aurora Rising in the best ways.

ARC Review – ‘Into The Crooked Place’ by Alexandra Christo

Title: Into The Crooked Place
Author: Alexandra Christo
Genre: YA Fantasy
Word/Page Count: 352 pages (paperback)
Publication Details: by Allen & Unwin Australia on October 1st, 2019
RRP: $19.99 AUD (paperback)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Into the Crooked Place begins a gritty two-book YA fantasy series from Alexandra Christo, the author of To Kill a Kingdom.

The streets of Creije are for the deadly and the dreamers, and four crooks in particular know just how much magic they need up their sleeve to survive.

Tavia, a busker ready to pack up her dark-magic wares and turn her back on Creije for good. She’ll do anything to put her crimes behind her.

Wesley, the closest thing Creije has to a gangster. After growing up on streets hungry enough to swallow the weak whole, he won’t stop until he has brought the entire realm to kneel before him.

Karam, a warrior who spends her days watching over the city’s worst criminals and her nights in the fighting rings, making a deadly name for herself.

And Saxony, a resistance fighter hiding from the very people who destroyed her family, and willing to do whatever it takes to get her revenge.

Everything in their lives is going to plan, until Tavia makes a crucial mistake: she delivers a vial of dark magic—a weapon she didn’t know she had—to someone she cares about, sparking the greatest conflict in decades. Now these four magical outsiders must come together to save their home and the world, before it’s too late. But with enemies at all sides, they can trust nobody. Least of all each other.

A deliciously darker take on YA fantasy? Don’t mind if I do! The central premise of this book is that the best people to save the realms from moral peril is…a bunch of criminals. I’m used to the common trope of heroes on a quest to save the kingdom, but substituting a bickering group of crooks in their place creates a refreshing and entertaining new dynamic!

Book Review – ‘Defy The Fates’ by Claudia Gray

Title: Defy The Fates
Author: Claudia Gray
Genre: YA, Sci-fi
Word/Page Count: 416 pages (paperback)
Publication Details: by Bonnier on April 1st, 2019
RRP: $19.99 AUD

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Hunted and desperate.

Abel only has one mission left that matters: save the life of Noemi Vidal. To do that, he not only has to escape the Genesis authorities, he also must face the one person in the galaxy who still has the means to destroy him. Burton Mansfield’s consciousness lives on, desperate for a home, and Abel’s own body is his last bargaining chip.

Alone in the universe.

Brought back from the brink of death, Noemi Vidal finds Abel has not only saved her life, but he’s made her into something else, something more. Not quite mech, yet not quite human any longer, Noemi must find her place in a universe where she is utterly unique, all while trying to create a world where anyone–even a mech–can be free.

The final battle between Earth and the colony planets is here, and there’s no lengths to which Earth won’t go to preserve its domination over all humanity. But together, the universe’s most advanced mech and its first human-mech hybrid might have the power to change the galaxy for good.

First things first, if you haven’t read Defy The Stars, you need to go treat yourself to it ASAP. I received the book in a subscription box and for some reason or other, I didn’t bother to read it for a year –  I finally decided I needed to actually read the books I got in boxes otherwise what was the point of buying them, and OHMYGOD, it was life-changing. It’s one of my favorite books of all time and most frequently recommended, mainly because I lament how underappreciated this series is. But if you haven’t come across it before, you’re in luck as you can now binge-read the whole trilogy in one hit instead of angsting for months til the sequel comes out like I have!

If you have read the previous books, then the main question would be – does the conclusion to the series wrap up well and do justice to our beloved characters? And my answer is a fervent whole-hearted YES.