Wing Jones by Katherine Webber

Title: Wing Jones
Author: Katherine Webber
Publisher: Walker Books

Jandy Nelson meets Friday Night Lights: a sweeping story about love and family from an exceptional new voice in YA. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing's speed could bring her family everything it needs. It could also stop Wing getting the one thing she wants.

Wing Jones is the debut novel of Katherine Webber, set in the 90s in the US. The story follows Wing, who has always felt out of place. She has Ghanaian and Chinese heritage and that has always set her apart from the crowd in her southern state, and not always in a good way. When Wing is faced with a tragic and complicated event that she can't quite handle, she finds a talent for running she never knew she had. It's not only the perfect escape from her problems, but might be a solution to some of her families problems too.

This is truly a spectacular and stunning debut from Katherine Webber, I honestly couldn't put this book down. It just gripped me straight away, I became so heavily invested in these characters, especially the incredible Wing. The writing was absolutely beautiful and I will most definitely be reading whatever Webber does next. I especially loved how much diversity there was in this book, Webber wasn't afraid to tackle tough subjects, like racism, which was important considering the 90s setting in Southern USA.It felt especially poignant given the current political climate in the US, and elsewhere in the world right now.

What I loved most about this book was definitely the writing. There is just something about Webber's writing that grabs me, so that even during one of the worst reading slumps I have ever had, I was completely unable to put this book down. She writes fantastic characters, making it so no secondary character ever feels secondary. Wing was definitely my favourite, I'm sure she will be for many, she is strong in ways she doesn't even know, so many people will be able to relate to Wing. She feels oiut of place and like there is nowhere she fits, but she's also proud of who she is and isn't looking to change herself or who she is to fit a standard dictated by others, and that is fantastic to see.

This was quite an emotional book, dealing with some hard hitting issues and this book really touched me. My only issue with it was that I felt there was not a lot of closure to the story. There was so much more I wanted to see and know what happened, especially in regards to Wing's brother. I finished the book wishing there was at least another couple of chapters, as I didn't get all of the answers that I had wanted.

Basically me when the dragon & lion showed up.

The only other thing that threw me off about this book was the fact that by about page 7 we are introduced to an imaginary lioness and dragon that Wing sees, They come to her when she needs them most, they're with her throughout her running journey, but they are just plain weird to me. Call them a metaphor, magical realism, a figment of Wing's imagination, whatever they were they felt wholly unnecessary. To me, they added absolutely nothing to the story, it would have been the exact same book without them. I also thought it was a bit too much to have the girl with Ghanaian and Chinese heritage have a lioness and a dragon as her imaginary guardians, but that might just be me.

Personally, I felt this was a superb debut and a great contemporary young adult story. I loved the characters, I loved the writing and I loved the story itself. I also adored the romance in this book, it was utterly adorable. I also loved that the romance wasn't the main focus of the book, or Wing's main focus, I am definitely going to be eagerly awaiting whatever Webber does next.

4/5 Butterflies

 I received a copy of this book from Walker Books in exchange for an honest review. 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber: Less Circus Vibe More Venice Vibe

Title: Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . . 

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever. 

Caraval has to be one of the most talked about books of 2017, and certainly one of the most hyped. I have been hearing about this book since early 2016, I was even lucky enough to read an ARC of it back in July last year, but it took me forever to get to it. In that time, I have seen an endless amount of people gushing over this book and how incredible it is. I have to say that all these glowing reviews did make my expectations skyrocket. I feel it made it nigh on impossible for Caraval to live up to those expectations. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this book, I really did. In fact, I found this to be one of the most enchanting and magical books I have read in a long time, and it was almost impossible to put down.

Caraval follows Scarlett, the daughter of General Dragna, a controlling and abusive man. Scarlett loves her sister, Donatella, and would do anything to protect her. Even if that means accepting an arranged marriage to a man she has never met, just to get Tella and herself away from their father. Scarlett is only a week away from her wedding day when a letter from the famed Legend, master of Caraval, arrives at her door. Inside is an invitation to Caraval, a magical event where you can play to win or just go to watch. Scarlett has always wanted to go, she has spent years writing to Legend himself, always knowing she could never go, her father wouldn't allow it. Scarlett doesn't want to risk the wrath of her father or losing her fiance, she doesn't plan to go. Her decision is made for her, and her determination to win Caraval is made stronger when Tella is taken as a part of the game. Scarlett has no choice but to play, and play to win. But nothing is as it seems at Caraval, Scarlet can't trust anything she sees, but she is willing to risk everything to get Donatella back.

I found Caraval to be a wholly riveting read, a book I was unable to put down. There was something lyrical about Garber's writing, and it had me completely swept up in the story. There is not one dull moment when reading this book, it feels like there is always something happening. I will admit to being a total sucker for the adorably shippable romance in this book. Garber definitely knows how to build up the sexual tension between two characters. I was so happy with how that relationship progressed over the course of the book, I am most definitely a fan. I finished the book and understood why there was so much hyper surrounding it, it is an enthralling read that brings something new to the genre. I for one can't wait for the sequel and whatever Stephanie Garber does after it.

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed Caraval, I didn't fall as completely in love with this story the way most people have. There was just one or two things that bothered me when reading and stopped this being a 5 star read for me. The first was that, whilst I was all for the romance here, it was definitely a case of instalove given that the whole of the book takes place over 4 or 5 days. It is even more glaringly obvious when our lead actually bemoans someone else for thinking they are in love after four days, whilst she completely ignores the fact that that is apparently what she herself has done. My other issue was that this did not have a carnival or circus vibe AT ALL, instead taking place in what feels like a Venis-like city of canals and walkways. The circus theme was pushed very hard when the book was being publicised and I was looking forward to that aspect of it, but it was sadly not evident at all when I was reading it.

The only other aspect I didn't completely love was the ending to the book. It felt just a little too rushed to me, with almost too much going on. I am aware that there is a second book coming, so I hope that gives me more of the characters and their story, and more answers. I just didn't feel I got enough closure by the end of the book, so I most definitely need more.

4/5 Butterflies

 I received a copy of this book from Hodder in exchange for an honest review. 

Time to Talk ROMANCE!

It's time for Top Ten Tuesday and this weeks topic is:

All About Romance Types

I decided to just use this as an excuse to talk about some of my favourite couples! And try to put them in to their relationship 'types'. Some would go in more than one, so I just stuck them into one category. By the way, this list doesn't even come close to showing off all the amazing romances that I love.

Star Crossed Romance

Callum & Sephy

I get all the feels in the world by just writing down their names. The Noughts & Crosses series is one of my childhood favourites, a series I still love to this day. Those characters had such a big impact on me when I was younger, we even ended up naming my cat after the main character. Callum and Sephy's romance was utterly adorable to me, but was not accepted by those around them purely because of the colour of their skin. They grew up together, were the best of friends and I loved watching their friendship turn into something more.

Ally & Noah

I love The Notebook, to be honest I prefer the film over the book. It was just so good and Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams were so perfect in this - their chemistry was incredible. It was so romantic, my heart hurts just thinking about it.  I'm putting them in star crossed because of the whole poor guy, rich girl and the parents trying to keep them apart. It totally counts!


Arin & Kestrel 

I have a whole lot of love for these two characters from The Winner's Curse. Kestrel buys Arin at a slave auction, so not the best way to start any romance. But I loved the slow build in this, and the obvious chemistry between these two. Plus the series is absolutely fantastic.

LGBT+ Romance

Gabriel & Nathan

I am still not over it.

Simon & Blue

These two were just so utterly adorable and squishy!

First Love Romance

Jase & Samantha

These two won me over in the book from the very beginning. If you haven't yet picked up and read My Life Next Door yet then you really need to hurry up and do that. They have one of the most adorably cute romances ever. Plus Jase Garrett will quickly become one of your biggest fictional crushes, I adore that boy.

Meg & Ed

This is a new edition, as I only just finished Stargazing for Beginners. It contains a cutesy, first love romance that feels so unbelievably real. And it is slow build, which is the most perfect kind.

Lara Jean & Peter

I am a huge fan of the To All The Boy I've Loved Before Series, mostly because of how much I just ship Lara Jean and Peter together. Theirs is a case of fake romance turned real and it is as cute as it sounds.

Henry & Clare

Writing this post is just making me want to reread all these books, revisit all these characters and their love stories. I have only read The Time Traveller's Wife once, but it became an instant favourite of mine. I was so blown away by this book and their story, it made me feel all the feels. Henry and Clare are perfect together, plus this is my favourite time travel book of all time. I want to start crying just thinking of this book! Make sure you read the book instead of watching the film, the film was not good.

My Most Shippable Ships

Ron & Hermione

It should come as no surprise to anyone that I mention Hermione & Ron, as I love them far too much. I have a HP obsession that is hard to even explain, my love for that series it endless. And Hermione and Ron will forever be my number one OTP. I just adore them too much, especially as they started out disliking each other, became best friends and then fall in love.

Chaol & Celaena

S.J. Maas can blow as many holes in that ship as she wants, I will still ship it forever. I know it is not ever going to happen, but I still think theirs was the best romance in the entire Throne of Glass series. They were far too perfect in Crown of Midnight and I am still not over it.

Peeta & Katniss

I will forever be Team Peeta, no matter what others think. I really did like Gale the first time I read The Hunger Games, but by the end of the book I was just so in love with Peeta. After Peeta went through the arena with Katniss in book one he was the only person who truly understoof her. And that just became so much stronger in book two. Book three basically broke my heart! The casting for those characters in the films was perfect, Josh Hutcherson played the perfect Peeta.

Feyre & Rhysand

I'm not even going to explain it: THESE TWO ARE PERFECTION!!!


Kaz & Inej

These two... URGH! I honestly can't even with these two. I just wanted them to be together and be happy.

My Non-Bookish Ships

Jim & Pam

If you haven't seen The Office, you can't understand the love I have for Jim & Pam. If Ron and Hermione are my ultimate bookish OTPs, then these two are my ultimate non-bookish ones. I don't think it is possible to be more heavily invested in two fictional characters than I am with Jim & Pam. These two are the cutest couple I have ever seen in the entire history of ever. And I love that the show didn't make the mistake of trying to drag out the will they or won't they storyline.

Kayleigh & Garrett

A childhood favourite that I LOVE, these two were amazing! Plus I love the fact this has a blind romantic lead, which I haven't seen since.


Anastasia & Dimitri

All the snarky back and forth between these two is what all romances should be made of.

Satine & Christian

I have far too many OTPs that just crush my soul into a thousand tiny pieces. Someone rescue me from myself.

What romances do you absolutely love?

These Books Would Be Better If...

It's time for Top Ten Tuesday and this weeks topic is:

Books I Wish Had More or Less....

I decided not to stick to just one thing, instead to pick books that I feel would have been improved if they had more or less of one or two things. Some of these are books I really loved, but wanted a little something more for. Some of these books are ones I absolutely hated, and who doesn't love a chance to moan about some of their least favourite books? I know I DO!


More Romance

Crooked Kingdom was a fantastic book and I felt it was a brilliant end to that duology. But I ended up only giving it 4/5 stars because it wasn't everything I had been hoping for. I really wish there had been a little more romance. Mostly I just wanted to squish Kaz and Inej's faces together and make them kiss! I ship them too far too much and wanted them to have a bit more closure to their relationship than what we got. But mostly the squishing together of their faces!

Less Romance

Urgh, Empire of Storms was such a gigantic disappointment in so many ways. And in other ways it was suitably epic. Mostly in the Manon and Asterin chapters... Those girls are THE BEST!!! What I really hated about this book was how ridiculously focused on romance it was. Seriously, every character gets paired off, to the point where it got ridiculous. Honestly, there wasn't a main character that didn't get paired off with someone. My eyes were rolling so much. I could also have done without the most over the top, ridiculous sex scene in the history of ever. Not to mention Dorian turning into Christian Grey.

Exactly my face during Dorians Christian Grey moments.

Uh... NOPE!

More Jin

I recently reviewed Traitor to the Throne and I did really enjoy this book, but it was lacking a few things. The main thing being JIN! Jin is incredible and should be put into as much of this book as possible because he is hilarious, adorable and rather awesome. I missed him when he was absent for parts of the book. I needed more of Jin. I needed more of Jin with Amani. I just needed more Jin!

Less Soap Opera Drama

Oh wow, I absolutely hated Too Late. I usually adore Colleen Hoover's books, but this was just an absolute mess. Horrible amount of soap opera, over the top drama. Such ridiculous scenes, like one where a girl sleeps with someone else in front of her abusive, rapist ex. REALLY?!?! Who does that?!?! Everything about this book was way over the top and I hated it. I can't for the life of me understand any of the 5 star reviews it gets. Especially considering that I feel the rape in this is never properly addressed.


More Action

I really enjoyed The Raven Boys, it introduced some amazing characters and I was fascinated by the ley lines and the search for Glendower. I hate to admit to being disappointed by the second book, The Dream Thieves. I felt it was really slow and boring, it seemed to lack a plot. I felt not a lot really happened in it and I was nodding off trying to get through it. I just didn't think it was as good as the first book and it put me off continuing the series. It was such a shame though, as this book focuses on Ronan and I absolutely love his character.

Less Death

Okay, fine, just less one particular death because... WHY!?!?! Like, seriously, why. Why would Green do that to us!?! I read this book almost a year ago now and I am still not over it. I just have to think about this book and I get all worked up. I absolutely loved this book, it was a 5/5 read for me but I just can't move past it. I wanted a sunshine and rainbows ending because that is just who I am! I don't know why so many of my favourite books end in the deaths of my favourite character.

More Sean

I remember reading and loving the first book in this series, Uninvited. I liked that is was super fast paced and had a ton of action. I really enjoyed the romance as well, it was slow building and it wasn't the main focus of the story. I was very excited for the conclusion to the series... And then I was completely let down. The author spent book one building up these characters and their romance, then just separated them straight away and brought in a new romance. Urgh! It was awful. I wanted Sean back so badly. A total let down of a book, I would never recommend reading it.

Less Copying

I really did not like Red Queen... AT ALL! It had been one of my most anticipated reads the year it came out, and I was left totally disappointed. I was expecting something incredible from this book, instead I just got a story I have read a million times before, only they did it first and they did it better. It borrowed from so many other well known YA books that it all felt far too predictable and I found myself bored whilst reading it. I expected this book to be one I'd be unable to put down, instead I found myself barely able to finish it.



More Action

I wanted to love Mockingjay, but it is definitely the weakest book in the series. It isn't awful, it just isn't the conclusion I was hoping for from the series. It starts very slowly, not much really happens until the final third of the book and then it suddenly feels rushed through. Not to mention Katniss sits out on so much of the action. There are great scenes I'd have loved to actually see, but we can't because Katniss isn't there or she passes out. This was just a bit of a let down after the amazing book that was Catching Fire.

Less Romance

URGH!!! This stupid book, I get annoyed just thinking about it. This book lacked world building or even a basic plot. The whole plot seemed to revolve around the romance. Even the books biggest 'plot twist' was just the identity of the two love interests. That is in no way exciting. Everyone else seemed to love it though, I felt I must have been reading a different book to them. There are three main characters in this book, Lia, then an assassin and a Prince. We're given two names, Rafe and Kaden, but it's not revealed which is the assassin and which is the Prince. Why? It is the most boring plot twist ever. How can that be the most exciting thing that this book has to offer? It's not even a twist, as you know it is coming. So it is logical to work out for yourself that whoever seems like the obvious option to be the Prince or the assassin, they'll end up being the opposite. And they do! WOW! I'm totally shocked.

What would you love certain books to have more of less of? Do you agree with any of my choices?

Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton

Title: Traitor to the Throne
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Publisher: Faber & Faber

This is not about blood or love. This is about treason.

Nearly a year has passed since Amani and the rebels won their epic battle at Fahali. Amani has come into both her powers and her reputation as the Blue-Eyed Bandit, and the Rebel Prince's message has spread across the desert - and some might say out of control. But when a surprise encounter turns into a brutal kidnapping, Amani finds herself betrayed in the cruellest manner possible.

Stripped of her powers and her identity, and torn from the man she loves, Amani must return to her desert-girl's instinct for survival. For the Sultan's palace is a dangerous one, and the harem is a viper's nest of suspicion, fear and intrigue. Just the right place for a spy to thrive... But spying is a dangerous game, and when ghosts from Amani's past emerge to haunt her, she begins to wonder if she can trust her own treacherous heart.

Me with this sequel!

It feels like I have been waiting forever for Traitor to the Throne, even though I manage to get my hands on an early review copy. I read the first book, Rebel of the Sands, way back in October 2015 and fell completely in love with the world and the characters. It became one of my top reads of that year and I gushed about it endlessly, recommending it whenever I could. Waiting for this sequel was torturous, I needed more and jumped at the chance to read it early. I am happy to say that I felt it was well worth the wait, as Alwyn Hamilton didn't disappoint. Instead she has solidified her place as one of the most exciting emerging YA authors, and I can't wait to see what she does next.

Many second books in a trilogy have fallen victim to the dreaded Middle Book Syndrome, which is why I am always so nervous before I start a sequel, especially for a book I loved. I really feel like Traitor to the Throne manages to avoid falling into this trap, instead it has everything you could want - action, adventure, shocks, politics, new characters, as well as all the characters we came to love in the first book. Traitor to the Throne picks up about six months after the battle of Fahali, and the rebellion is growing every day. Amani is enjoying an active role in the rebellion when she is captured and finds herself within the walls of the Sultan's palace, a prisoner with no means of escape. Now she is forced to work from the inside to try and take down the sultan, realising along the way that the rebellion isn't as simple as she has always believed, as she starts to question Ahmed's ability to lead.

Amani is one of my favourite female characters, her journey is one that I loved reading about. It was great to watch her go from such a place of oppression to a woman who has the full use of her powers, working to help the rebellion. She has been able to carve out a place for herself within the rebellion, fighting for what she believes in. This book pushes Amani out of her comfort zone, back to a place where has next to no control and she couldn't rely on her powers, or even her sharpshooting skills to get her through. She had to use her mind to outsmart and outwith those around her and, personally, I really enjoyed that part of the book.

My Amani & Jin thoughts!

Now I have to comment on Jin because, boy, do I love his character. And I have such a hate for sequel books where they separate the two leads. WHY?!? Why would you do that to me! When I just want to squish their faces together, your putting them as far apart as possible. It is done here and I feel you definitely feel Jin's absence whilst reading. The book is from Amani's POV so we don't even get to check in on Jin and I hated it. I missed his snark and humour, I also missed the romance. I loved the romance in the first book and there was none of it here. It was very effective though, as I was just as anxious as Amani to find out what had happened to him.

Hamilton takes this story into the palace, throwing Amani at the mercy of the man she is trying to take down. This worked so well, giving a face and a voice to the Sultan, to our man antagonist. He gets to have an active role, we see who he is and what he is willing to do. It also meant lots of time for politics, with Amani being able to see the reality of ruling, and what Ahmed would need to be capable of doing if he were to rule. This book was all fast paced action in the beginning, fast paced action at the end, but a muck slower middle. It concentrated on the politics, as well as world building and the history of the Djinn. We learn a lot during this time, and the Djinn play a bigger role here. Not to mention we have a fantastic LGBT romance, involving a gender fluid character -and it gave me all the frigging feels!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great sequel. Yes, I will admit, I didn't love this anywhere near as much as I loved the first book. I felt it lacked the romance and humour I loved from book one, but the books calls for that so it was understandable. It is also a bit too long for me, I like my books under 450 pages or they can start to drag. But I still really enjoyed it and I am absolutely dying to get my hands on the final book.I trust Hamilton completely to write an epic conclusion to this series, which best include some epic kissing scenes to make up for the lack of Jin in this book!

4/5 Butterflies