Tag: Book Review Blog

Review: The Mutates: The Creation by Peyton N. Leonard

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

What would you do if your humanity was brutally stolen from you? How far would you go to reclaim that humanity? Tyler, Samy, Andy, and Lola are just a bunch of teenagers living in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania in 2009 when they are kidnapped and experimented on, becoming genetically modified feline humanoids with wings, called Mutates. They struggle to make sense of their mutations and fight for their freedom and humanity all the while growing their bonds with one another and the people they come across. Their journey is fraught with adversity, heartache, and pain, but they learn to overcome their challenges and become even stronger individuals in the process. Come and join Tyler, Samy, Andy, and Lola as they embark on the ride of their lives.

Favorite Lines:

“No matter what I said to her, she was always smiling and taking everything in stride. She’d been like that ever since she was born. Legend has it that she’s smiling at this exact moment.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows a group of teenagers who, at the start of the story, think their biggest issue is surviving high school. They’re quickly proven wrong when they are kidnapped and turned into Mutates; genetically modified humanoids with feline features and wings. Readers are along for the ride as they come to terms with their situation and fight for their freedom.

It has been quite some time since I have read a true young adult  book. I forgot how different the author’s voice can be through a YA story versus something like NA. This story is told from the PoV of the kids/teenagers and really immerses you in the story because of the tone. I will admit that the PoV changes were a bit confusing to me but also added dimension to the story.

I do think that the transformation process to Mutates happened really fast. One minute they are just human and the next they are more. I wish there had been more detail as it was a bit of a whirlwind. I did like the epilogue. Without giving anything away, it wraps everything up with the beginning of the story and I thought it was very creative.

Summary:

Overall, this was an enjoyable and creative book. It reminded me of Percy Jackson meets Maximum Ride. If you like young adult, romance, action, adventure, friendship, and hints of religion/spirituality in your books than this one might be for you. Happy reading!

The Mutates: The Creation

 

Review: Highland Games by Evie Alexander

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis: 

Zoe’s always played it safe, just as her parents wanted. But when her great-uncle dies and leaves her a ramshackle cabin in the Scottish Highlands, she decides it’s time to change her life.

Upping sticks seems like a good idea in her cosy London flat, but the reality is very different. There’s no electricity or running water, the roof leaks and there’s no front door. If that wasn’t bad enough, she’s moved up in the depths of winter and her scorching hot neighbour wants her out.

Rory’s got a fifty thousand tonne problem. If he can’t make Kinloch castle profitable, he’s out of a job. He needs a clear head, but there’s someone living in the cabin he saw as his own and she’s turned his world upside down.

Rory needs Zoe out of Scotland, and out of his life. The trouble is, she has no intention of leaving.

Let the games begin…

Favorite Lines:

“She looked like a firework mid-explosion, every part of her shooting out, defying gravity and coherence.”

“She was always out of reach, slipping from him like smoke”

“A life half lived is a life not lived at all.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion so let’s get into it!

I was interested in reading this book because it would have been my first truly Scottish romance. I say it like that because as much as I love the Outlander TV show, I wasn’t able to get into the books. Believe it or not, they were too historically dense for me. And I am most definitely not counting the one off werewolf romances where the werewolf is always Scottish. Why is that? Anyways, I’m a sucker for romance and I thought the Scottish theme would add a bit of flavor – I wasn’t wrong.

The story follows Zoe as she finds herself  trading her life in the city to life in the Highlands after inheriting a cabin in Scotland. Arriving at the cabin, she quickly finds that it is in need of some major TLC considering there isn’t even a front door. It is also made plainly clear that her obviously hot next door neighbor wants nothing to do with her. As you delve deeper into the story, you’ll find all the cliché romantic drama themes here including two characters who butt heads before ultimately falling in love (is it a spoiler if we all know that is where it is heading?). I will warn you though that this is a slow burn.

I guess if I had to complain about something it would be the desire for less cabin renovation details and more romance but beggars can’t be choosers. If you read this book, you’ll be in for a campy but cute, British humor book with a refreshing writing style.

Summary: 

Overall, if you like slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romances full of cheeky humor and/or men in kilts, then this book may be for you. Happy reading!

Highland Games