Book Review | The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna

I bought the second book in the series after being gifted The Gilded Ones by Penguin YA and absolutely loving it! I needed to know what happens next! Nothing like receiving the final book in the series to encourage you to pick this one up to get caught up! 😅 Also, I am such a massive fan of the beautiful covers that this series has 😍

Published: May 2022
Pages: 478
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for far too long! I can’t believe I waited so long before reading the second instalment in The Deathless series! It was SO GOOD to be back in Otera and Deka’s world. And, boy, does a lot happen in this book! 🤯 

I felt like the first half of the book was quite slow but once we crossed the halfway mark, man, did the fun begin. The amount of revelations that Deka has in this book and the implications of the things she learns is absolutely mind blowing. The incredible friendships in this book are also noteworthy. I think everyone would love to have friends as incredible as Deka’s. Her and Keith’s relationship is admirable under the circumstances. 

I feel bad for how much Deka is going through. It’s difficult to imagine what life is like going from fight to fight and truly living in survival mode! It’s exhausting even just to read about it. Her strength and tenacity and sense of wanting to find out the truth and do better is what I really love so much about her. 

I enjoyed how the book ended and the resolve that Deka develops. It makes me really excited to read the final instalment in the series. I can’t even imagine how all of this ends, so I am excited to get into The Eternal Ones as soon as possible and find out! So many books, but so little time! 😓

I am really loving this African fantasy genre! So many good series in the genre and The Gilded Ones (Deathless) series is no exception!

To add this book to your Goodreads TBR, click here and for StoryGraph, click here.

Until next time 😊
Chevonn

Book Review | The Truth You Told by Brianna Labuskes

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the review copy of this book! When I read the synopsis, it sounded like my cup of tea and I was not wrong. I quickly learned that this was the second book in a series but funny enough, I had already downloaded the first book to listen to as an audiobook, so it worked out really well 😂😁

Publishing: September 2024
Pages: Not yet confirmed
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Suspense

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Gosh, I am such a sucker for a crime investigation involving the FBI and special forces and clever people. So this book was so right for me. I loved every minute of it. I just need to say that upfront. Generally, I enjoy listening to crime investigation stories, but with this one, I read it and absolutely loved every minute.

I enjoyed all the characters, good and bad, and as the investigation unfolded, I found myself so engrossed. I couldn’t wait to read further and see what happens next. I particularly enjoyed Kilkenny’s journey with finding out what happened to Shay and getting his answers after so many years. It was sad but it was great that he was finally getting answers.

The focus on serial killers was also very interesting and the psychologist who focused on children who were prone to become serial killers through various combinations of nature and nurture.

The linguistic element was my absolute favourite part! Deciphering codes and figuring out puzzles through written letters was such fun!

All in all, this was an incredible read for me. I would highly recommend reading book 1, called The Lies You Told and to then follow that up with this book. Especially if you enjoy crime and investigation.

To add this book to your Goodreads TBR, click here and for StoryGraph, click here.

Until next time 😊
Chevonn

Book Review | Then There Was One by Wendy Cross

Thank you so much to Penguin YA and Netgalley for a copy of “Then There Was One”. The moment I saw the cover, it appealed to me, and then when I read the synopsis, I was sold.

Publishing: February 2024
Pages: 293
Genre: Young Adult Fiction

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

From the start, this book had me intrigued. As we meet the characters, we are also introduced to the world they are living in. The characters all come from different planets and one of our characters, Raya, even comes from “The Moons”, which is where the miners live in poverty. They are the poor in society. We also meet Bex, who cannot live up to her dad’s impossible standards for her and Zane, who is hoping to win the prize money to help support his mom.

The thing is, 10 people are chosen to enter The Pinnacle, where they could win a grand prize pot of money. They are dropped off on this island where they need to fend for themselves and the person who outlasts all the others wins the prize.

That all sounds awesome until one of the characters dies, and then another and then another. This is when they realise that this is no game and someone is killing off the contestants individually. What they can’t seem to figure out, though, is who? Who is killing them?!

The story takes a turn from here on and it becomes really suspenseful. It kept me on the edge of my seat. As we journey with the remaining characters to try and figure out what is going on, a lot of suspicious stuff takes place. Until we finally learn what’s really going on and who is behind The Pinnacle and what their true motives are.

I was so shocked by the ending. I did not expect that. It made the story that much more interesting. Also, the last line of the book made me gasp and literally say “WHAT?!” out loud. There is a huge cliffhanger, so I assume we can expect another book after this one?

What an amazing read! I loved every minute of it!

If you would like to add this to your Goodreads TBR, click here. For StoryGraph, click here.

Until next time 😊
Chevonn

Book Review | Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington

I first saw the cover of this book on Instagram and then I saw that the Penguin YA book club were doing a readalong and I couldn’t resist joining them. And what a great decision that was 😃

Published: July 2023
Pages: 404
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Joelle Wellington’s “Their Vicious Games” is a captivating thriller that weaves a complex web of deception, betrayal, and intrigue. Set against a backdrop of high society and elite power struggles, the novel follows a cast of intriguing characters whose lives become entangled in a dangerous game of manipulation.

One of the standout features of Wellington’s writing is her ability to create a palpable sense of suspense that keeps the reader eagerly turning pages. The plot unfolds with well-timed twists and turns, each revelation adding a new layer to the intricate narrative. The author’s skillful storytelling keeps the reader guessing, making “Their Vicious Games” a true page-turner.

The characters are richly developed and possess a depth that adds authenticity to the story. From the morally ambiguous protagonist to the enigmatic supporting cast, Wellington creates a diverse array of personalities that contribute to the novel’s complexity. The dynamics between characters are explored in a way that adds depth to their relationships and motivations, making them feel like real individuals with genuine struggles and desires.

The novel also excels in its exploration of themes such as power, ambition, and the consequences of one’s actions. Wellington delves into the darker aspects of human nature, providing a thought-provoking commentary on the lengths some will go to achieve their goals. The moral ambiguity of the characters adds a layer of realism, making the story all the more compelling.

While the pacing is generally well-executed, there are moments where the narrative could benefit from a slightly faster tempo. Some sections may feel a bit drawn out, but the payoff is ultimately worth the wait.

I struggled a bit with the ending of the book. I think it could have had a different conclusion. Although, in saying that, I also understand how and why the book ended as it did.

Overall, a gripping read. I “accidentally” read way ahead of the read along stipulations because I just could not put it down 🤭

If you would like to add it your Goodreads TBR, click here. Or on StoryGraph, click here.

Until next time 😊
Chevonn

Book Review | You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne

Recently, I was seeing this book all over bookstagram and I knew just from the cover that this one is right up my alley. But when I read the synopsis, I was completely sold – I just needed to get my hands on a copy of Holly Bourne’s latest book. How amazing is this cover?! 😍

Published: September 2023
Pages: 392
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

So, it’s safe to say I DEVOURED this one. From the moment I picked it up and started to read it, I could not put it down. Being introduced to Belle and the whole way the Doctrine works was already so intriguing. Belle is deemed a Pretty. She is someone who follows the Doctrine to the T and she is absolutely perfect in every way.

We are also introduced to Joni. Joni is in a category called the Objectionables. These are the girls and women who refuse to follow the Doctrine and are therefore deemed less valuable, not worthy of being considered or listened to, and basically just societal trash. They don’t keep up with the latest dress trends, or cover their faces with Mask or keep up on the Ratings.

The thing is, Belle and Joni are both super smart and working hard to get an opportunity to win a spot at the Education through means of a Scholarship. They both have very different reasons for that. And, even though they are on opposite sides of the spectrum in society, they are thrown together into these preparation classes for their Scholarship interviews that forces them to spend time together and get to know each other better.

All the while, we see how involved both Belle and Joni’s moms are in their worlds and how their different views are being worked out in each of their daughters. Belle’s mom lives strictly according to the Doctrine, and Joni’s mom has wilfully rejected everything the Doctrine stands for. In both cases, the dads are noticeably absent. In one case, the father left for a younger, more beautiful woman and in the other, the dad was always away working for Finance.

The Doctrine is this invisible force that controls all of society. It dictates how women need to look and dress and behave and it encourages all kinds of revolting behaviours from men. Women just need to be beautiful for men and obedient to men and never speak out of turn or dare to look anything less than perfect. As a result, women spend all their time and money making themselves look beautiful but at an even greater cost – their joy and contentment.

Gosh, I really, really loved watching Belle’s and Joni’s relationship unfold. They were incredible and Joni won my heart in this one. She was just so kind and solid in the entire story. And as much as the story ended on a frustrating note, I love how they handled it.

I was thoroughly engrossed in this from start to finish and would highly recommend this to everyone. It’s not really a dystopian. It’s a commentary on our current reality in many ways.

This was definitely a 5⭐️ read for me!

To add it to your TBR on Goodreads, click here.
To add it to your StoryGraph TBR, click here.

Until next time,
Chevonn 💖

Book Review | One Of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus

Thank you so much to Penguin Books South Africa and Penguin Books YA for a review copy of One Of Us Is Back! 😃 Receiving this in the mail was really exciting since it was one of my most highly anticipated reads. I have read the first two books in this series and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this final book in the series.

Published: July 2023
Pages: 359
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

One Of Us Is Back was such an addictive read. It took me a while to get into it but purely based on a lack of time available on my part. I knew that once I could gain some reading momentum, I wouldn’t be able to put it down. And that’s exactly what happened 😅

It was so great to be back with the newly named Bayview Crew. Everyone is still processing what happened in One Of Us Is Next and so nobody is really ready to deal with what’s about to go down in Bayview when one of the previous characters returns to seek vengeance.

I love the way the characters work together to solve the mystery once one of the crew goes missing and it starts a series of crazy events. Typical of McManus’s style of story-telling, the pace is fast, and there is a lot of drama and tension as everybody tries to figure out what to do next.

I was endeared to a couple of the “side” characters in this book which surprised me – especially Nate’s dad. It was amazing to see their relationship unfold in all its complexity. And I am also a fan of Nate and Bronwyn as characters. They were so solid throughout this book which I appreciated.

The secrets that came to light towards the end of the book were quite mind-blowing and definitely added a lot more depth to the story and explained why things happened the way they did. I know these statements are all very vague but that’s because I don’t want to spoil anything if you have not yet read the book.

One Of Us Is Back was an addictive, “I-cannot-put-this-down” kind of read and I loved every minute of it. It was a definite 5-star read for me! The story touches on themes of friendship, trust, betrayal, and the consequences of our actions. It delves into the complexities of human nature, which is illustrated by the moral dilemmas the characters face which, as mentioned previously, added an extra layer of depth to the story.

I would highly recommend this whole series by Karen M. McManus. I think that each book in the series is better than the last 😊

If you would like to add it to your Goodreads TBR, click here.
To add it to your StoryGraph TBR, click here.

Until next time
Chevonn

Book Review | Seeking God by Trevor Hudson

Thank you so much to Penguin Books South Africa/LAPA Uitgewers for a review copy of Seeking God! Besides knowing Ps. Trevor Hudson, I am looking at ways to grow my faith and get skills for reading Scripture better or improving my relationship with God. So it’s safe to say that when this arrived in the mail, I was so so excited!! 🤩

Published: September 2022
Pages: 224
Genre: Christian Literature

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Ps. Trevor Hudson takes the reader on a journey towards a deeper fascination with Jesus. He uses references to some of the Spiritual Exercises from St. Ignatius as well as his personal journey and friendship with Dallas Willard to weave a beautiful compelling work for the person who wants a different life. Ps. Trevor’s gentle way comes through these pages as well as his deep devotion to Jesus and to his friendship with Jesus. He also doesn’t shy away from letting the reader know that he doesn’t have it all together either yet, that we are all on a journey. And that’s pretty incredible.

After telling one of his stories, the ending line is “It doesn’t have to be this way” and this for me was a stand-out line. It has so many applications and implications. If our lives are broken, it doesn’t have to be this way. If we feel unfulfilled, it doesn’t have to be this way. If our relationship with Jesus isn’t where it needs to be, it doesn’t need to be this way! There is something more. There is something that can be done. There is a person who can change our lives significantly – the person of Jesus.

The one chapter that stood out to me the most was the chapter on discerning our deepest desires. It was incredible because when we hear the word desire, we automatically think of it with a negative connotation. What Ps. Trevor does so amazingly in this chapter, is explain that desire is not bad. It can be corrupted but it is not bad and actually, God created us as beings with the ability to desire. It is built into us. It’s our job to figure out our desires and what we then do with them. To quote from the book, “Hence, God sometimes leaves us with the responsibility to discern our truest desires and decide which way to go.” This was a great chapter in my opinion.

Then, the next biggest thing that I took away from this book was one of the Spiritual Exercises that encourages the reader to read through one of the gospel accounts and then imagine yourself in it. You can be one of the characters that are already in the story, or you could be yourself, but the idea is that you live the story. In this way, you can try to imagine what Jesus was thinking and doing and why he did what he did in the story. The intention of this exercise is to try to get to know Jesus much better. It’s called imaginative prayer. This was my favourite takeaway from this whole read (amongst many other things!).

Here’s the imaginative prayer exercise straight out of the book:
“Take a few moments to experiment with imaginative prayer. Choose your favourite Gospel story. Read through it a few times to reacquaint yourself with the details. Put the Bible down and ask God for the grace to come to know, love, and follow Christ more deeply. Step into the scene as a participant rather than as a spectator. See the persons involved, hear the words spoken, watch the actions performed. Pay attention to where you find yourself in the story.
What do you see? What do you hear? How do you feel? What goes through your mind? Above all, interact with Christ as he meets you in this story, share whatever is on your heart with him, and listen to what he may be saying to you. Afterwards, make a few notes of how it went for you.”

This really is an incredibly helpful tool for anyone seeking Jesus, but also for someone who already follows Jesus and wants to deepen that friendship and relationship! ♥️ This is the kind of book that’s not just light reading. It would be best to read slowly and with intentionality. The most benefit will be derived from doing each exercise with thoughtfulness around it which is definitely my intention.

If you would like to add it to your Goodreads TBR, please click here.

Until next time 😊
Chevonn

Book Review | Wahala by Nikki May

Thank you so much to Penguin Books South Africa for a review copy of Wahala! My interest was piqued when I saw that it was about biracial friends and how they navigate life and friendship. The cover is also absolutely stunning! 😍 I am always very grateful for the books Penguin sends me.

Published: January 2022
Pages: 367
Pace: Medium
Genre: Domestic Fiction

⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Despite reading the synopsis and the blurbs about this book, I don’t think I could have anticipated what I found in the pages of this book. We meet 3 Anglo-Nigerian friends living in London who met at university. The thing is that each of these girls has issues going on in their lives, as we all do. There’s Simi, who is married and her husband thinks they are trying to have a baby but Simi is not ready for that and doesn’t know how to tell him. Then there’s Boo who has a “boring” life with a doting husband and a daughter who she can’t stand most of the time. She just wishes she could have a different, more exciting life. She’s also all but shunned the Nigerian side of her heritage. And lastly, there’s Ronke who is a dentist by day and is still looking for that perfect Nigerian husband. She’s dating Kayode – a Nigerian rugby player – who she loves.

And then Isobel arrives on the scene. Rich, glamourous and with a serious agenda!! She was best friends with Simi when they were young girls and their dads worked together.

In the beginning of this book, it was all so interesting. We were getting a glimpse into the lives of each of these ladies and their problems seem pretty normal and relatable even. But the longer Isobel spends in this circle of friends, the more drama and chaos unfolds. Isobel does her best to ruin the friendship circle and each person’s happiness as well.

As the drama got worse and worse, I enjoyed the book less and less. I think it’s because of the way I am wired and the things that matter to me. I hated the fact that there was no reprieve or comeback from the downward spiral that Isobel triggered in each life. And the situations seriously got so bad. I was irritated with every single character for being blinded and not standing up for themselves or their relationships or situations but rather letting Isobel dictate how they should behave and what they should value etc. Isobel really seemed to charm Simi and Boo in particular. Ronke did have her reservations about Isobel all along.

As I was reading, I also found myself asking what genre I was reading. It wasn’t super obvious because there was only drama and drama and more drama and then the worst part was that the ending brought no resolution, it didn’t tie up the loose ends at all. I was really hoping for more from the ending. When I had about 50 pages left, I couldn’t imagine how it would all come to an end. And then the end came and I was like “WHAT?!”

The writing was excellent, the cover is spectacular and well, we were introduced to a variety of characters (Aunty K and Rafa in particular were my favourite). So that’s my reasoning for giving the book 3 stars. And I see many people thoroughly enjoyed the book. I felt like there was no character growth and no real story except for when we find out why Isobel did what she did (and even worse after that revelation). It would have been nice to have at least one of the characters fighting for what they wanted and believed in.

I did not really enjoy the book but please don’t ever let that be a reason for you not to try a book. Every book will never be for every reader and that’s ok. I prefer more happy endings, that’s all 😊 The book does however live up to it’s name. Wahala means trouble and there sure is a lot of that in these pages.

If you would like to add it to your Goodreads TBR, please click here.

Until next time 😊
Chevonn

Book Review | Atlas Of The Heart by Brené Brown

A massive massive thank you to Penguin Random House South Africa for a copy of this incredible book! Please excuse me as I gush about this book! ☺️

Published: November 2021
Pages: 336
Pace: n/a
Genre: Self-help

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Just as a caveat, this book is not something that reads like a novel. It’s not something you necessarily read from start to finish. I would describe it more as a reference guide. It works well as a coffee table book or something that can be used as a tool for gaining understanding or information.

In Atlas Of The Heart, Brené Brown explores and unpacks 87 emotions and experiences that make up the human experience. This includes everything from love to jealousy to loneliness to anger. It’s the full spectrum – anything you may have felt or gone through. The physical book is absolutely beautiful. It’s a hardcover with beautiful glossy pages, bright and clear images, large and colourful quotes and just all-around amazing.

Something you need to know about me is that I love learning about how our minds and hearts work as human beings. I love learning what makes us tick and what destroys our connections with others or causes us to have a negative experience of this life. I am just so fascinated by all of it. I am so so grateful that I have found Brené Brown’s work as she has just got such a unique take on all of these things and manages to put it in such a way that it is easily understood.

I felt like Atlas Of The Heart was like a balm to a cracked soul in a way. It’s so incredible to find an explanation and language for something you may be feeling but you aren’t sure if you are just crazy or dramatic or different. I literally felt affirmed and relieved to read some of the stuff in this book that I have not really seen written about anywhere else.

I was absolutely engrossed in the content of this book. It’s so interesting, it’s so easy to read and I was absolutely engrossed in the content of this book. It’s so interesting, it’s so easy to read and understand and yet it’s so impactful and helpful for everyday living. There is so much in these pages that can be taken and applied to my life – and that’s my intention for sure. And because the chapters are so well marked out, it’s the kind of book that can easily be referenced back to when going through a certain kind of challenge and needing some tools for dealing with a particular area.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning more about how to create deep and meaningful connections with others, as well as just getting knowledge and insight into the various facets of the human experience. Brené (and many other researchers) have done the hard work of distilling many of these thoughts down to what we find in the pages of this book and the benefit to the readers is huge.

A solid 5 stars! Absolutely love it!

Until next time 😊
Chevonn

Book Review | The Dare by Lesley Kara

I just want to say massive thanks to Penguin Random House South Africa for the review copy of this book. The blurb sounded super interesting and I was so grateful to receive a copy!

Published: February 2021
Pages: 288
Pace: Medium
Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Fiction

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Ok, this book was a fun read because it was slightly different in its presentation of the facts to build the story. What I mean is that we get to know the characters but we are only slowly shown more pieces to the puzzle that explains what happened and why things are the way they are now.

Lizzie and Alice are thirteen years old and they are best friends. Lizzie has epilepsy and it’s a big part of her life. Many things are triggers for her epilepsy but her and Alice have an amazing friendship. Alice doesn’t treat her any differently. One thing we know is that neither Alice’s family nor Lizzie’s family are happy with their friendship. So one day the girls are out and about together where they always go for walks, but they are having a relatively big fight. Lizzie is upset about the way Alice behaved at the school dance. This triggers a seizure in Lizzie. When she comes to, she sees that Alice is dead but she has no idea what happened. The worst part is that Alice’s family fully believe Lizzie did something to Alice but Lizzie cannot remember anything.

Fast forward to twelve years later where Lizzie has lived through all the trauma after losing her best friend and is finally on meds that have helped her keep her epilepsy in check. She’s engaged to be married to a handsome doctor which makes her parents very happy since he can take good care of her. But then someone from her past crash lands back in her life and she is forced to relive all the trauma from after Alice died. She is forced to face what happened back then and what’s happening right now head-on. And it’s a lot to process and come to terms with.

I found Alice to be an awesome character. She was aware of her flaws and how much her epilepsy ruled her life and the way she perceived things with Alice. She was self-aware but was also able to suss out a lot of what was going on around her, despite the impressive deceptions going on around her.

The revelations that keep coming out get more and more shocking until eventually you just find yourself wondering how this whole mess is going to be resolved. Luckily it all worked out in the end. Maybe not in the way the reader hopes, but the ending definitely makes sense.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was really well written. I loved how you got more information the longer you read so that you had to try and piece the story together. The characters were well written! It was a fantastic thriller read! I would recommend this one to anyone who is a fan of thrillers and mysteries.

Until next time! 😊
Chevonn