Please do reblog to spread the word.  If unfamiliar with the Big Library Read, it's a global book discussion with the chosen book 100% freely available in ebook form via overdrive (no waiting, no quantity limit).  This time the theme is Young Adult; not all nominees pictured.

Originally published at midureads.wordpress.com on March 6, 2018.

2015

Magno Girl by Joe Canzano

An old review:

What I Thought:

the book was about a female superhero…but the book was not from the superhero’s POV but the guy dating her!

some of the jokes and situations were too funny and silly — I loved them! — but the jokes did get tiring at the end

I enjoyed every conversation that Magno Girl had with her mother. They were all laugh out loud funny! It also made sense that Sandra would use the issues that Magno Girl had as a curse.

All kinds of discrimination were made fun of and I liked how the author made us see the silliness when it comes to advertising, pregnancy etc. but the MCs continuously joked about the short stature of one of the villains.

The character of the teenage girl who became increasingly vapid was fun to read about but her curse was made into such a big deal and then it was solved just like that!

Legalman was my favorite character — he would find a reason to sue you even if it killed him you!

I do not know what it was but I kept wanting to put the book away and could not gobble it in one go. I kept wanting to enjoy it and get hooked but that didn’t happen. That is why, I am rating it 2.5 rather than 3 stars. However, if you want to try something unusual and funny, Magno Girl is a good idea!

2014

Botanicaust by Tam Linsey

Another old review:

What I liked:

the concept this story was based on was really interesting and it didn’t disappoint, as I read ahead

the cover--suited!

all three races, if they can be called that, were as different as day and night but the most advanced ones-I forget what they’re called- were the scariest!

the author did research and it showed-I loved the part about telomerase and the chloroplasts, as well as the part about Ripening.

the ending wasn’t impractical-it was quite realistic

I sort of threw a tantrum when one of the little girls was taken by the cannibals-I’m pretty sure we’ll see her again, if there’s going to be a sequel but still!

What I didn’t like:

the whole people turning into cannibals part wasn’t too well-thought. If plants will grow in one place, surely people will work to grow them elsewhere.

If you want to read about photosynthesizing people, cannibals and an apocalyptic world, give this one a try-it doesn’t disappoint!

2013

Eona by Alison Goodman

Epic YA fantasy that is fun, not just about winning the boy, and about an imperfect protag. She also happens to have powers that have been denied to women of that world ever since the beginning of time. This series broke tradition in another way i.e. by not being a trilogy but was instead a duology! I devoured it and then reached for the second one. Recommending it recently to a friend made me realize that its magic remained in place!

World War Z by Max Brooks

Huh, so I did write a review for this one back when I read it:

This book is all kinds of good. I love the scope of the book since it gives you a global perspective of a zombie apocalypse. It also follows the progression of the zombie infection as it spread universally. Moreover, it sketches a situation that has its roots based on reality, when talking about the aftermath of the infection.

An addendum:

Looking at the world today, I think it wouldn’t be remiss if I objected that the two countries to start a nuclear war would be Pakistan and India. The rest of the world presents us with more likely candidates!

2012

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

People have called it verbose and boring. But I found the writing lyrical and the magic of love…well magical! The book made quite an impression on me.

Zombie Nights by Tom Lichtenberg

An old review:

This is a highly entertaining short story and instantly made me want to start reading other books by the same author. The author didn’t waste time in describing things that weren’t important to the story and I loved how he was able to let us feel how dangerous the bad guys/bullies were, even while laughing at them. All I’m saying is I want more!

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Another one:

Okay, so I want to rate this book 4 stars but what stopped me was my pet peeve-unnecessary details involving characters who weren’t important to the story. Other than that, the book is amazing for several reasons:

the vampire is a little girl (almost)-who wouldn’t want to read about that, right?
the vampire kills and there’s no covering that up-no sexy smooth talking vegetarians here.

you connect with both the kids intensely-when Oskar gets bullied, I wanted to go save him.

the violence and the sadness and the loneliness just gets to you..chokes you up and keeps you reading.

be warned, you WILL need Teddy Bears if you want to get through this book with the least bit of depression

the ending..well it takes the cake!

I haven’t seen the movie yet (any version)and will add to my review once I do.

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

This one too:

Loved this book!!

The story opened in the perfect way.

I loved every bit of the action and of course, it had one of my most favorite things in it-a kick ass, smart-mouthed heroine.

I did not like Bones right away. But gradually, he became awesomer and more awesome.
Another thing which always tips the scales for me is good humor and this book had that down pat.

I also loved Spades and would want to read more about him and meet Ian.

There was no one big bad wolf until the very end and I liked that–it made the story more interesting.

Oh and I hated the mom’s guts like I was supposed to.

It was only the too-typical ending that kept me from rating this book 4 stars.

Onward to the next one!

I'll tie it to a specific card after today's guesses from green group have been answered.

It fits a lot of cards.  Green group currently has guesses of J.R.R. Tolkien for suspect and Killing Curse for weapon:

Boy what a lot of mysterious portents and new folk hinting or foretelling what she is or should do but no one (well except possibly the series title) revealing anything or moving the mystery of her powers along.  I wonder if that reveal is saved for the end of the next book?

On the other hand, the trainwreck, kitchen-sink worldbuilding is back.  Just went through vibes/atmosphere reminding me of Labyrinth, Princess Bride, Harry Potter, Merry Gentry (the fae realm bits, not the erotica elements), Star Trek the Next Generation episode with Tasha Yar in the black pool of sludge, and even a bit of Chronicles of Amber.

Still PG with too much angst to the potential romance for me; two adults acknowledging the interest but for "reasons" just pine away ... blech!

The first book was a wild ride with everything tossed at you at once and likable characters.  Oddly it worked.  This is still a good book, still action-packed, and I still like the characters.  Maybe it's middle-book-itis; just not as satisfying.  Instead of turning the page to see what's next, I'm wondering when the mystery, the romance or the story will get on with it — other than her powers changing just in time for current crisis or some character giving her just the magical whatever was needed for the quest/puzzle/crisis even if she has to be the kickass on a gung ho mission chick to implement it.

Maybe it's just that the first one startled/surprised me and just isn't surprising in the followup.