 Author: Ernest Cline Pages: 375 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Q*bert Okay I feel much more clever than I likely am with this drink but the famous video game was started in the 80’s and I didn’t even realize it worked with my drink and this book until I was writing this. Ingredients -Mango Sherbert -Prosecco -Cranberries  This is so easy you put the sherbet in the glass and top with champagne then you garnish with the berries. If you wanted to spice it up you can always add a shot of vodka or dull the champagne with some club soda. Basically whatever works for you, but it’s super yummy and a nice way to drink your dessert.
Take a Shot: The Oasis is the future of virtual reality. Set in the year 2045 almost all of the real world has fallen to neglect. Many people spend their time in The Oasis attempting to escape it. Five years ago James Halladay died and before he left behind the ultimate contest, a chance to win the keys to The Oasis. Wade Watts is a Gunter, a person who is hunting for the clues that lead to winning the contest. Come along as Wade and his reluctant allies continue their quest to win the prize of all prizes. Setting The Oasis is genuinely any dork, nerd or 80’s fan’s dream. I loved how the author added such nuances. Like the funeral scene from The Heathers, a truly great movie if you haven’t seen it. Or all of War Games, also a great movie if you haven’t seen it. Truly it is imperative for a fantasy novel to explain its setting efficiently and in detail without becoming redundant. This book does it so well, I truly felt immersed the whole time. Characters The only reason the characters don’t get 5 stars is because they are so ADAMANT to be annoying and rude to one another. It’s similar to Normal People where you want to pluck the characters from the novel, give them a stern shaking and some choice words due to their inability to comprehend the counterpart's love and interest towards them. It’s aggravating beyond belief. Plots and Themes I love the dorky nature of this film, it only further reminds me that deep down I do have dorky tendencies. The structure of this film and plot was so similar to that of a video game that I commend the author. The central villain was ominous, but also not all too threatening. I liked the drawn out process of the film as well. It greatly contradicts the film in that it takes place across a few days as opposed to the novel taking place roughly over a year. Overall I loved this book. It has inspired me to go watch War Games, again a great movie Matthew Broderick is great in it. But seriously this book really made me contemplate my vast 80’s knowledge as well as my genuine inner dork. I did love that and wouldn’t want anyone else to miss out on this hence why it’s high in my rating. Too Strong - character that refuse to admit they love one another (a truly annoying trope) Reasons to Raise a Glass - DORKY 80’s FACTS that is all like just read it then we can talk
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 Author: Kiera Cass Pages: 336 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 4.5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4.5/5 Cheers Factor: 4.5/5 Pairing: Something Blue I thought this cocktail matched the cover. I also think it’s a cute reference to marriage as the Selection is a competition with the ultimate goal being marriage to a prince and a future at being Queen. So we have something blue.  Ingredients
-2oz vodka -1oz blue curacao -1oz lime -2.5oz cranberry juice -ice -lime wheel for garnish Instruction -Combine all liquid ingredients in a shake with ice -Strain into glass of choice -Garnish with lime wheel -Enjoy responsibly Take a Shot: America Singer is a 5. That makes her an artist in the Caste system of Illea. She’s musically driven whether it be through instruments or singing. However, because they are artists, they are unfortunately on the poorer end of society. They are far from being eights but much further from being ones. That is until the Selection begins because Prince Maxon Shreave is now of age for a bachelor style competition where women from different castes compete for his heart. America’s whole world changes when she herself is chosen and she’s taken on the journey of a lifetime. "I needed to hate him right now. That anger would keep me going." Setting I do really love Illea. And I really love the palace and America’s family home. I think there’s a really great mixture of contemporary technology and scenery. We get to see the palace and we see our ladies travel by air. I really love the way the palace is laid out as well and the ways that the women get to wander around the entirety of the scenery. Characters I’ve read this title several times and when I first read this I really think I fell in love with the characters. But I was also in early high school so take it with a grain of salt. I do still love the characters, but I think with a more mature presence I dislike aspects of them more and am able to pick out flaws in them more easily. I do really love them, but I think they have some flat aspects that lead me to feel they aren’t real people. At least in this first novel. Plots and Themes I love the bachelor-esque inclusion with a class system. I really think this is an incredible plot and theme concept. I’m not a huge fan of the “she’s not like other girls” trope which is seems America follows. It’s almost like we are trying too hard to make every female main character so far from the normal, when really she is just normal? I don’t know it really felt like Cass was trying to make America a Katniss. However, I think overall, I really liked the plots and I am a sucker for this trope even though I’d like to see something else reflected in popular works of contemporary literature. Overall This is one of my favorite series and this being the first one leads me to obviously like it. I’m very protective over this series as well. I read them in a very formative time in my life and I felt very attached so naturally as an adult they are near and dear to me. I’m a big girl, but I’m still young at heart and I don’t think I will ever be convinced that this is not one of my favorite series. Too Strong: “ShE’s Not LiKe OtHer GirLs.” trope Reasons to Raise a Glass: The bachelor plot line "After all this, I can only imagine what it would be like to see you actually try." Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.  Author: Katee Robert Pages: 380 Overall: 3.5/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 3/5 Plot and Themes: 3/5 Cheers Factor: 3.5/5 Pairing: Where Darkness Meets the Light This cocktail is super simple and has literally two ingredients, but the flavors all work really well together. It’s essentially a gin and soda with mango. Plus it has this really vibrant color contrast that reminds me of neon signs and I felt it worked really well with this title. Ingredients -1.5 oz empress gin -¾ of a can of Mango Bubbly -ice Instructions -Fill a short glass with ice -Add in bubbly leaving enough room for the gin -Using a stirring spoon gently layer the gin on top -Enjoy responsibly  Take a shot: What if the greek gods lived today and Olympus was a place here on earth? What if Hades used a cellphone and had a Christian Grey style of interests? Well look no further you get all the spice with this Hades and Persephone retelling.
Setting Truly this was the best aspect of the novel. I think the setting was very interesting, setting up Hades as simply being in the lower city as the designation of Hell instead of traditional ways of showing where he resides. I also think the setting was very easy to see and create in my head. Characters I did like the characters oddly more than I do usually in this genre. However, I was quite annoyed with the repetition of things the characters did. I’m not a huge fan of the damsel concept anyway and it was so present in this. Like Persephone constantly needing to be taken care of by Hades because she forgets to eat or walks too long and over tires herself? It felt a little condescending and almost manufactured. I know everyone wants to be taken care of that way, but it just felt grating a little. Plots and Themes There was a real plot with a beginning, middle and end. That was a great addition because again in this genre plots can sometimes fall a little flat. I wish we had more resolution with the mother storyline, but I know there’s going to be more installments. I also wish there had been a little more elaboration on a number of small moments. It would have truly made a difference and I’m curious as to what future installments will bring. Overall This was a pleasant and quick read that I liked. It was an easy read and was paced well enough that I felt invested in the characters. Overall, I really liked it and will be reading future installments. Too strong - The character traits of neglectful damsel and overprotective male love interest Raise a Glass - Exhibitionism, dark and broody love interest, his name is Hades Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.  Author: Shelby Mahurin Pages: 513 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 3/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Red Beer I used to be opposed to this entire concept of drinking something that seemed so backwards, however I have come to learn that they are indeed quite yummy and taste quite good especially if you like Bloody Mary’s. I feel very much like foul mouthed Lou would love a drink like this because it is so unconventional. I also like this twist on a Bloody Mary in reference to Coco and her blood witch heritage. It’s very empathetic with blood rites and that sort of stuff which feels very relevant. “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” Ingredients ½ Blue Moon Bottle 4 ounces Bloody Mary Mix ½ Lime Juice 2-3 dashes Tabasco Pepper (to taste) Ice Instructions Step one: Pour half of a bottle of Blue Moon into a glass with ice. Step two: Pour in Bloody Mary Mix Step three: Add lime juice, tabasco and pepper Step four: Stir and enjoy “But deep down, I knew better. Lou had broken in that moment. My wild-hearted, foul-mouthed, steel-willed heathen had broken. I had broken her.”
Setting A wonderful parisian setting that we get with this book because our characters are french. I really like the renaissance feel that isn’t explicitly explained given we are in a fantasy world. I think future books will develop more on the setting as the story continues to develop. Characters I really love the dichotomy we get with Lou and Reid. Lou is a loud mouthed, raunchy and self confident witch (haha get it). Whereas Reid is a man of the cloth and a devoted religious boy resembling that of an altar boy. The way that the two opposites interact is really great. I also really like the side characters. My first read I didn’t like them as much, but the second time around Coco and Ansel really did add to the story and I’m excited to follow our band of hooligans into future novels. Plots and Themes I mean come on a witch having to marry a witch hunter? That’s enemies to lovers GOLD. So naturally I was obsessed. I also liked the way that there’s this ever present danger of an unknown female presence that is hunting Lou. That adds a sense of a timeline to the story that helps with the pacing and obviously with the events that will take place in the next book. Overall I really liked this book. It was really great and pleasantly reminiscent of a Sarah J Maas novel with the dynamic of our characters which I really appreciated. I’m looking forward to the second installment and any that follow after that. Too Strong : I think it’s a little tough to grasp how all the characters really come together at the end, but it’s a first book so give it some grace. Reasons to Raise a Glass : Lou is really great and reminds me of Aelin, the relationship is really cute, ANSEL IS ADORABLE “Love makes fools of us all, darling” Beweare spoilers ahead. Read on/click read more at your own risk.  Author: Sarah J. Maas Pages: 648 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 4.5/5 Plot and Themes: 4.5/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Apple Ale I always feel like this is what you would drink in a shoddy run down pub in Rifthold? It’s definitely far too yummy for that, but a girl can dream. I imagine this is what Arobynn was drinking the night Celaena showed up to see him that first night back in Rifthold. Ingredients -1 ½ oz vodka -1 ½ oz apple cider -ginger beer -caramel sauce -ice -apple slice Instructions -Add vodka and apple cider to a copper mule mug and caramel sauce (about a good squeeze of the bottle) and stir -Add in ice once other ingredients are combined specifically the caramel sauce -Top with ginger beer and garnish with optional apple wedges -Enjoy responsibly  Take a shot: All our characters find themselves back in Rifthold as things are becoming very dire, very quickly. It quickly goes from dangerous to lethal as dark forces continue to work against our heroes and their fight to reclaim thrones, save friends and make a better world.
“For her friends, for her family, she would gladly become a monster.” Setting We are back in Rifthold and we don’t really get my time outside of it which is again why I’m back to four stars. I again think it is magical, but we’ve already seen it and we’ve seen what Sarah can do and I know it could have been more. I do love the addition of the illegal market under the streets of Rifthold and we obviously get more of Manon in the Ferian Gap and Elide down in Morath. Characters We get to meet the remainder of our gang of characters that we will hang out with for a long while. We get Nesryn the human woman fighting for a nation and a people she doesn’t feel entirely tied to. We get Lysandra the courtesan that’s full of surprises, but loyal beyond belief. We get to finally meet Arobynn and see just how ruthless he can be. And we get all the reunions that we have anticipated from the beginning. This book is my favorite for the characters to be honest and the way we bring in all the players that will play a role as we continue watching them fight against the evil powers of the Valg. Plots and Themes We get to really see scheming Aelin for the first time and it’s truly magical. She just does crazy things and sets wheels in to motion that play a huge role weeks later. How Sarah comes up with it all I do not know, but the connectedness of every event is truly amazing. I also love the way this books story as a whole is told. It’s a real turning point in the war that has been brewing for years and the events of this novel make it even more inevitable. It really solidifies the stance of every character and just what they all stand to lose. It’s also got some good action and good fighting. And we get sexual tension which I love because we have had minimal at best up until this point. Do not fight me on this you know what I’m talking about with the gold nightgown. Overall This is the best installment of books yet. However, it does not get the 5/5 stars its predecessor received for two small reasons. One being the setting and two being the frustrating shifts between characters. We are introduced to the storytelling format Maas uses in Heir of Fire and it’s more bearable in that book, but by this one we are so invested in the story and events with one character that it feels jarring to have to jump back and forth. It’s a great incentive to read the novel in one sitting, but frustrating nonetheless. However, not frustrating in a bad way? I just want to know what happens and patience isn’t a virtue of mine. My reasoning behind the lower rating is more of a personal preference and a genuine lack of patience. I tend to google the endings of books when they get this way. I still read them all the way through, but it for some reason makes me less restless. I did not do that with this one, but was darn near tempted. Too Strong: Perspective/character shifts, Sweet baby Dorian Reasons to Raise a Glass: STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS - I say this a lot, but what’s so beautiful about this ensemble cast of women is their genuine depth. None of them feels flat which is a feat given how many of them there are. They are all such nuanced and full characters that it, at times, can be overwhelming to not feel they are real and truly someone you know. Their motivations are clear and their histories and backgrounds laid out for you to see plainly. I don’t know how Sarah did it in these books given the sheer scale of characters she has, but it totally works and she gets all my admiration for it. “‘What if we go on,’ he said, ‘only to more pain and despair? What if we go on only to find a horrible end waiting for us? Aelin looked northward, as if she could see all the way to Terrasen. ‘Then it is not the end.’” Beware spoilers beyond this point. Read on/click Read More at your own risk.  Author: Sarah J. Maas Pages: 565 Overall: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Cheers Factor: 5/5 Pairing: Fire Blood This little concoction is unassuming and really hits you when you least expect it. I made it while hosting some friends and it was a hit. “I sent her to do what needs to be done.” Ingredients 1 ½ oz tequila ½ oz lime juice ½ oz grapefruit juice 1 topo chico Grenadine Lime wedge Instructions -Pour out around 3 ounces of topo chico (just below the emblem below the neck of the bottle) -Add tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit juice to topo chico bottle and shake gently to combine ingredients -Add enough grenadine to give a red tint (will seem sort of ombre due to the layering) -Add lime wedge for optional garnish -Enjoy responsibly  “A boy in love with a wildfire - or believing he was in love with one.”
Setting I love that we get to finally see outside of Adarlan. We get to see Wendlyn while Celaena is sent on a mission. I also think that this is the book that really gives a lot more world building because we also get introduced to Morath and the Ferian Gap. Characters This book introduces us to a deeper level of characters than we were used to. We get to really see how the events of the previous two novels have truly dug so deeply into the souls of our characters and its impossible not to love them for being so vulnerable and human. I also love the introduction of our new fae warrior prince. I also love the addition of Aedion the Ashryver prince and cousin to Aelin Galathynius. He’s such an incredible add to the stories with Chaol and Dorian and I really love it a lot Plots and Themes I love the idea of healing presented for Celaena in this book as well as the journey that now involves both Chaol and Dorian. Everyone in this book starts to really feel the pain and the suffering that is to come and can truly feel the impending war that is upon them and just how small they are as pieces on the chess board. Overall This book is incredible and definitely a step up from the other two. That is not to say that they aren’t amazing, but it’s very important in the story that this series is telling. This book is the real turning point on whether the rest of the series will be successful given that by now, as a reader, you should be invested enough to continue reading the series or not. Heir of Fire really delivers that and turns everything truly on its head and the way that everything we believed about these characters and their journeys they will start to embark upon for the rest of the series. Too Strong - Frustrating going back and forth between all the characters, wanting our relationships to be more spicy Reasons raise a Glass- ROWAN that’s it that the reason we are raising a glass, STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS “You didn’t need a weapon when you were born one.” Beware spoilers beyond this point. Read more at your own risk.  Author: Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 565 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Flaming Crown This is basically a basic margarita just the lazy way that I like making, but I gave it a fun little twist. It reminds me of a bar here where I live and they cover everything with Tajin and I love it so I even bought my own. “Hide from fate all you like. But it shall soon find you.” Ingredients 2 oz lime juice 1 oz orange juice 1 ½ oz tequila ½ oz agave nectar Tajin salt Ice Instructions -Add ice to a shaker and combine lime juice, orange juice and tequila -Shake well -Add agave and shake again -Use a lime wedge to rim a glass and on a plate add generous amounts of tajin -Roll class gently and coat rim with tajin -Add ice to glass and strain cocktail in -Enjoy responsibly! “You have lived your life aware that you will never escape certain burdens.” Take a Shot: Celaena has been crowned the King’s Champion after narrowly winning his competition. Now she must journey to dispose of the enemies of the king. After ending her romance with the Crown Prince things start to heat up between her and the Captain of the Guard. However, it seems everyone is keeping secrets that might put them all in danger once again. Setting Again this book takes place in Adarlan which is meh. We still don’t see too much outside of the castle, but I do like the addition of the library and the secret library as well as the balls in the grand ballroom. Characters I love the way the story starts to splinter in this book and we really get to see more of Dorian and Chaol. I also love getting to see more of Nehemia. This book really starts to get into the psychology of each of the characters which is beautiful to see how deep they really are as well as the level of familiarity the author has with them. Plots and Themes This book is full of twists and turns from cute romance to devastating heartbreak. I do really love the way that all the events unfold and it sets the whole rest of the series up quite well with a lot of events that will likely inform the characters and their decisions moving forward throughout the rest of our time with them. Overall This is a really great second installment with a lot more character development that makes you even more excited to keep reading about the characters. It also makes you really learn a lot and truly care for the characters in a way you didn’t in the previous book. Reasons to raise a glass: Believable circumstances, character development, character insight Too Strong: the love triangle (it’s a worn out trope I just don’t love it when it’s in a fantasy book and yes I’m looking at you Twilight) “Death was her curse and her gift and death had been her good friends these long, long years.” Warning spoilers ahead after the read more button. Proceed at your own risk.  Author: Sarah J. Maas Pages: 406 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: The Assassin This is a really fun little drink with a fun little color that is dark and spooky. I also love using skull ice cubes especially for this because it’s so fitting for a teenage assassin. “We each survive in our own way.” Ingredients 1.5 oz of plain vodka (can use vanilla vodka if desired) 1oz Kahlua ½ oz heavy cream A dash of vanilla syrup (if vanilla vodka is used this isn’t needed) 3 dashes of black food coloring Skull ice cubes (molds from amazon) Instructions Combine vodka, kahlua and heavy cream into a glass and stir Add in vanilla syrup and food coloring and stir again Add ice on top Enjoy responsibly  Take a Shot: Celaena Sardothien is the greatest assassin in all of Adarlan. That is until she was caught and sentenced to life in a grueling salt mine used as a slave encampment for slave labor. However, one day the Captain of the Royal Guard and the Crown Prince arrive and make her an offer to compete to be the King’s champion and the offer is too good she can’t refuse. However, what happens when she no longer thinks about escaping and starts to care about the potential evil that could be lurking in the castle walls.
“Sometimes the absence of him hit her so hard that she forgot how to breathe.” Setting It can sometimes be very difficult to write a fantasy setting. It can be hard to give enough detail without feeling vague or give too much and lose the reader. That is thankfully not the case with this title. I think a solid foundation is laid for the setting of where our characters are that we know the realm and the country while also leaving infinite possibilities for more to be added in future books. Plots and Themes I love a good fantasy romance series, but this one turns that trope on its head. All the characters are set up to where you feel satisfied at the end of the first novel with no real cliffhangers, but with your interest piqued enough to want to read more of the novels that come after. I also really respect the assassin plot line. It’s unique enough that you are interested, but more importantly it explains how Celeana is able to do all the fantastic things she does. I appreciate that a lot, that it’s not hard to believe the characters to be capable of what they are in the story of the novel. Characters I LOVE OLDER CHARACTERS. I say older, but what I mean is characters closer to my own age. It’s hard to read a book where all the characters are 16 and basically kids. I also love the age differences. I like that Celaena is 18 and Chaol and Dorian are a couple of years older. It feels authentic and real in that most people are not solely surrounded by people their same age after grade school. I also love the depth that each character is given. They are truly much deeper than meets the eye. Overall I really love this book. It has great pacing, good storytelling and really good characters. I also really liked that it motivates you to read the next one and find out what happens next to our band of characters. I also really want to applaud the world building. Fantasy is hard and it’s easy to lose someone, but this title does a good job of keeping you right with it. “We all bear scars, Dorian. Mine just happen to be more visible than most.” Reasons to Raise a Glass: map in the front of the book (we love maps), STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS, believably broken and human characters with amazing depth, FORESHADOWING! Too Strong: I can’t think of anything, but I can’t give it a 5/5 because I just don’t think I want to give it a 5 when there’s 6 other books. Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.  Author: Penelope Douglas Pages: 349 Overall: 3/5 Setting: 3/5 Characters: 3/5 Plot and Themes: 3/5 Cheers Factor: 3/5 Pairing: Young Summer I know this book doesn’t really take place during the summer, but I like the vibe of reading it during the summer so here we are. Ingredients -1 ½ oz vodka -½ oz agave nectar -3 slices of a fresh nectarine -about a glass of white wine (or more it’s a choose your own adventure) -ice (enough for a slushie) Instructions -Combine vodka, agave, nectarine, wine and ice in a blender -Blend baby blend -Pour into glass of choice and optional garnish with a slice of nectarine  “People have worked to make you think you’re not worthy of their attention.”
Take a Shot: Jordan is alone on her nineteenth birthday in a movie theatre when by happenstance she ends up meeting this sweet and sexy older man. However, things get turned upside down when she realizes he is her boyfriend’s dad and they both have to move in with him. Cue the sexual tension when Jordan’s boyfriend starts to distance himself because he doesn’t have the best relationship with his dad. Then the real fun begins in this age gap, spicy romance. Setting It was pretty bland in its descriptors. Also we never really see the characters anywhere else besides the house and their respective locations of work. I kind of wish we had gotten to see Jordan interact in some sense in her college classes or with more kids her own age besides her really creepy ex boyfriend. Characters I really didn’t feel connected to any of these characters to be honest. There wasn’t inherently anything wrong with them, I just didn’t feel like they were that believable as real people to be quite honest. Plot and Themes This is the part I have been waiting to talk about because truthfully there was 350 some odd pages of little to no plot. Now, I am a huge fan of a good sexy spicy romance where there isn’t much plot, but I didn’t get that either. I found myself feeling like I was halfway done with the book and had nothing to show for it in terms of events that had happened and that to me was my first inclination that I shouldn’t finish the book. For the record, I did, but I sort of didn’t want to. Overall I had really high hopes for this one because I had heard amazing things about Penelope Douglas and had seen a lot of people post about this book in general across my socials, but it really fell flat for me personally. I’m not sure whether it was that I had a lot going on personally so I didn’t invest as much emotionally as I would have if I had been less distracted. However, it is what it is. The way I feel after reading this is a little how I felt after reading The Cruel Prince series where I’m not overwhelmed with passion for it, but can understand why others are. “I should thank you, actually. I’ve been trying for years, it seems, to be the kind of woman I admire and all of a sudden I feel like I am that woman now. I know I’m worth it. You’re just not.” Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.  Author: Faridah Abike-Lyimide Pages: 480 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Aces This drink has one of my favorite gins. If you have been here for a while you know that's Empress so I naturally had to use it again. Ingredients -2oz Grapefruit Juice -1oz lemon juice -½ oz simple syrup -1 ½ oz Empress Gin -ice -Lemon Wheel for Garnish Instructions -Combine grapefruit juice, lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker with ice -Shake and strain into glass with fresh ice -if using optional garnish of lemon wheel(s) place in glass with ice before adding gin -Gently layer gin -Enjoy responsibly  “Small, because the smaller the group, the less people know about you - and the more they want to know.”
Take a Shot: Chiamaka and Devon are two students at Niveus Private Academy. They are also the only two black students and when a suspicious anonymous online bully by the name of Aces starts spreading the secrets of both Devon and Chiamaka we start to find that it might have more to do with the color of their skin than we originally thought. Setting I loved the private school aspect that we get from this title. I think that the idea of a private school is always illustrious to those of us who never went to one. I also like the combination of a US private school using british private school concepts like Head Prefect and Head Master. Characters I really loved the characters of this with the exception of Chiamaka at most times. I felt her to be wholeheartedly mislead in a lot of her beliefs and I wanted to shake her when it became wildly apparent what was happening. As such an intelligent character it took her far too long to figure it out and discover that her friends would be the first to betray her. Plot and Themes I loved the truth to the story and the authenticity of the plot. I knew it was written so well when I felt angry and frustrated enough to want to put the book down. Kudos to the author for such an enthralling tale of injustice. Conclusion If you like Gossip Girl mixed with the evil A from Pretty Little Liars then this is the book for you. The author even mentions both of those concepts as inspiration for Aces and I had said that before even finishing so it hit the nail on the head. Reasons to Raise a Glass: Stellar writing, easy emotional investment, stand alone, LGBTQ+ BIPOC!!! Too Strong: Chi annoyed me sometimes with her optimism “I lose parts of him constantly. This was bound to happen someday.” Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk. |
Cheers FactorEach book here at Cheers&Chapters is rated based off of certain categories that are genre specific, however every book will get a Cheers Factor. The Cheers Factor is how much we wanted to raise our glass while reading it. So get your glasses ready and cheers! Archives
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