These Books Among Us

Young adult literature has seen a recent influx of the superhero. Already within the realm of heroes such as Katniss, Harry Potter, and many seemingly normal children, these superheroes are shown as more than just ordinary students or children. They are more than just the “chosen one.” They are different. Outsiders. But that being said, though they do have extraordinary powers, many of them are relatable to kids now. They are orphans, adopted, from non “nuclear” families, something that is much more prevalent in today’s society. But this is not shown as a bad thing. These heroes are more than just super, they are people who come from different backgrounds and want to make a difference in the world. Books like this, as well as being an introduction into nerd culture as shown in last week’s post, show kids that it is okay to be different and to use their talents to help the world become a better place. Now I know that a few of these books have yet to come out, so I cannot say wh...

It’s pretty obvious that nerd culture has become cool, possibly for the first time. Now in style are the glasses, the board games, the fashion, and the comics, but how did this come about? Well, first of all, the emergence of the internet (and iPhones) allowed for the nerd to raise to a place of power in society. People, in their strive for power, will look to these people for fashion (for who knows what reason) to be more like them. Thus, the nerd culture is here and is, hopefully, here to stay. Being from a family that emphasizes the nerdy (love you Dad) I can completely get behind this trend. Comic books are resurfacing, cool story lines and characters are getting revamped. Movies and television shows are being made and (most) made well. But what’s better than that, is this trend is seeping into young adult and children’s literature. Not only does this allow for children and young adults to be introduced to these awesome storylines, they are being shown people from...

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (536 pages) My Rating: 5 stars Date Read: 27 October 2016 Synopsis When you can’t beat the odds, change the game. Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world. My Review: This post will 100% be full of spoilers for both the first book and this book, so if you have not read either, please leave the post now, because you need to read this series...

The Tailor by Leigh Bardugo (18 pages) My Rating: 4 Stars Date Read: 2 September 2016 Synopsis: New scene from Shadow and Bone told from Genya's point of view. My Review: There are going to be spoilers not only for this story, but also for the Grisha trilogy, so if you haven't read either of those, please turn away now! I love Genya. She was one of my favorite characters in the Grisha Trilogy, so getting a story from her point of view is a gift! Oh my goodness, I forgot how much of an instigator she is. When she runs into the other Grisha, it's hilarious to see her push their buttons. Granted, this is really the only way she is able to interact with them, but still, it's great. She's such a perfectionist too! One thing I like about this story is that we get to see the reasons on why she acts as she does. We get to see the affects of the queen's constant abuse on her. How  the queen's betrayal from years before turned her into the soldier ...

The Witch of Duva by Leigh Bardugo (32 pages) My Rating: 4.5 Stars Date Read: 2 September 2016 Synopsis: There was a time when the woods near Duva ate girls...or so the story goes. But it’s just possible that the danger may be a little bit closer to home. This story is a companion folk tale to Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel, Shadow and Bone. My Review: There will 100% be spoilers in this review, so read at your own caution. Um. I did not see that ending coming. Not by a long shot. Okay, Leigh Bardugo is a master wordsmith. This story was so creepy and foreboding, I just can't keep up with her. The writing style was kind of mystical and whimsical, but it a really dark way. I have no  idea how she does it, but holy crap, she does it so freaking well! I love how the ending was such a twist. I thought, in trying to "out-trick" Ms. Bardugo, that it was going to be Nadya who was the monster because that would be something weird, right? WRONG!! Wrong on every ...

The Too-Clever Fox by Leigh Bardugo (32 pages) My Rating: 4 Stars Date Read: 17 August 2016 Synopsis: In Ravka, just because you avoid one trap, it doesn't mean you'll escape the next. This story is a companion folk tale to Leigh Bardugo’s upcoming novel, Siege and Storm, the second book in the Grisha Trilogy. This story is also included in Some of the Best From Tor.com, 2013 Edition My Review: One thing I love about Leigh Bardugo is that she goes so in depth in the world she created! I absolutely love basically anything Leigh Bardugo will ever write, these short stories included! This story, like the others, gives the female characters so much agency and power!! There are spoilers in the rest of the review from here, so be warned! We, as both the readers and as the Fox, don't suspect this seemingly weak character to be able to do anything, but boy does she surprise us!! I loved how the fox was so trusting in this girl because how could a girl be dange...

The Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo (68 pages) Date Read: 12 August 2016 My Rating: 4 Stars Synopsis: Limited collector’s edition of the final book features an exclusive Darkling prequel story! Before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy of extraordinary power. Get a look into the past that forged a brutal and brilliant leader. My Review: "Fear is a powerful ally, but feed it too often make it too strong, and it will turn on you." Can I just say that I love Leigh Bardugo for giving us all of these short stories to keep us in the world of the Grisha? If you read this, thank you so much for writing it!! Okay, now onto the review (which will include spoilers, so read at your own risk): This is a very interesting and kind of unexpected view into the Darkling's past and childhood. It's strange to see him any less than what he is painted as in the novels. Now, it has been a while since I read the Grisha trilogy, but I feel like I appreci...

Little Knife by Leigh Bardugo (32 pages) My Rating: 4.5 Stars Date Read: 30 July 2016 Synopsis: In this third Ravkan folk tale from Leigh Bardugo, a beautiful girl finds that what her father wants for her and what she wants for herself are two different things.  It is a companion story to the third book of the Grisha Trilogy, Ruin and Rising, and the stories “The Witch of Duva” and “The Too-Clever Fox.” My Review: This is one of the companion stories to the Grishaverse novels, and I loved it. I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid. I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.  I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson ...

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (465 pages) My Rating: 5 Stars Date Read: 27 March 2016 Synopsis: Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone... A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.  A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.  Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first. My Review: Oh My Gosh! Can we start out with this cover? It is absolutely gorgeous! And the dyed edges on the paper make me want to weep with joy. I love books that do that, but it isn't done enough in my opini...