Alright, the last of the physical book reviews from July!
Thanks to the mentioned publishers for any gifted copies in exchange for my honest reviews
THORNHEDGE – T. Kingfisher (Releasing August 15th, 2023 – Thanks to Tor Books for the gifted copy)
There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.
Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?
But nothing with fairies is ever simple.
Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He’s heard there’s a curse here that needs breaking, but it’s a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…
My Thoughts: 4/5 stars – Another dark retelling for the list! This one is a spin on Sleeping Beauty, a personal favorite simply because of the villain. I read this in one sitting, and I need more of Toadling’s story. Definitely recommend to those that want a quick read and love a good retelling.
THE LEGACIES – Jessica Goodman (Released July 25th, 2023 – Thanks to Penguin Teen for the gifted copy)
Old money. New secrets. One killer party.
Scoring an invitation for membership to the exclusive Legacy Club in New York City is more than an honor. It gives you a lifetime of access to power and wealth beyond any prep school doors and guaranteed safety and security as Legacy Club members always look out for their own. That is, after you make it through a rigorous week of events and the extravagant gala, the Legacy Ball.
So it’s not surprising when Excelsior Prep seniors Bernie Kaplan, Isobel Rothcroft, and Skyler Hawkins are nominated as Legacies; their family pedigrees have assured their membership since birth—even if they’re all keeping secrets that could destroy their reputations. But scholarship kid from Queens Tori Tasso? She’s a surprise nominee, someone no one saw coming. Tori’s never fit in this world of designer bags, penthouse apartments, and million-dollar donations. So what did she do to secure her place?
The night of the Legacy Ball is supposed to be the best night of these seniors’ lives, a night of haute couture, endless champagne, and plenty of hushed gossip.
Everyone expects a night of luxury and excess.
No one expects their secrets to come out.
Or for someone to die trying to keep them hidden.
My Thoughts: 4/5 stars – Betrayal, secrets, murder, rich kids, exclusive clubs, and so much more! This was a fun and quick little YA thriller. She certainly knows how to build the suspense and keep you glued to the pages. I personally loved that we also were waiting to find out who the victim was and who the killer was. Not gonna lie, these characters were just awful, BUT I was still so invested in what was happening to them. If you want some teen drama with a side of murder, this is the book for you.
THE ST. AMBROSE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS – Jessica Ward (Released July 11th, 2023 – Thanks to Gallery Books for the gifted copy)
Heathers meets The Secret History in this thrilling coming-of-age novel set in a boarding school where the secrets are devastating—and deadly.
When Sarah Taylor arrives at the exclusive St. Ambrose School, she’s carrying more baggage than just what fits in her suitcase. She knows she’s not like the other girls—if the shabby, all-black, non-designer clothes don’t give that away, the bottle of lithium hidden in her desk drawer sure does.
St. Ambrose’s queen bee, Greta Stanhope, picks Sarah as a target from day one and the most popular, powerful, horrible girl at school is relentless in making sure Sarah knows what the pecking order is. Thankfully, Sarah makes an ally out of her roommate Ellen “Strots” Strotsberry, a cigarette-huffing, devil-may-care athlete who takes no bullshit. Also down the hall is Nick Hollis, the devastatingly handsome RA, and the object of more than one St. Ambrose student’s fantasies. Between Strots and Nick, Sarah hopes she can make it through the semester, dealing with not only her schoolwork and a recent bipolar diagnosis, but Greta’s increasingly malicious pranks.
Sarah is determined not to give Greta the satisfaction of breaking her. But when scandal unfolds, and someone ends up dead, her world threatens to unravel in ways she could never have imagined. The St. Ambrose School for Girls is a dangerous, delicious, twisty coming-of-age tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
My Thoughts: 3/5 stars – I saw Heathers meets The Secret History, and I had certain expectations going into this book. It’s not at all what I was expecting, and it was such a slow-moving, slow burn. I love the dark academia books and know to expect a slower pace, but I found myself losing interest at times. I did like the ending, and I am glad I pushed through and finished it up. I would for sure pick up more from this author in the future – I think the synopsis was misleading, and that set certain expectations.
Jessicamap Reviews 