8 Back-list Book Reviews

Hello fellow readers! I’ve fallen behind on my book reviews, so I’ve decided to put all the back-list books into one post. ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children, #3)

Title: Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children #3)
Author: Seanan McGuire
Publication Date: January 2018
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Suggested Reader Age: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.
โญโญโญโญโญ

Synopsis: “Sumi died years before her prophesied daughter Rini could be born. Rini was born anyway, and now sheโ€™s trying to bring her mother back from a world without magic.”
Characters: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Writing Style: 10
Plot: 9
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 9
Overall Enjoyment: 10
Average: 9.4
1.1-2.2 = โ˜…
2.3-4.5 = โ˜…โ˜…
4.6-6.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7-8.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
9-10 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

In an Absent Dream (Wayward Children, #4)

Title: In An Absent Dream (Wayward Children #4)
Author: Seanan McGuire
Publication Date: January 2019
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Suggested Reader Age: YA
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
โญโญโญโญ

Synopsis: This is the story of a very serious young girl who would rather study and dream than become a respectable housewife and live up to the expectations of the world around her. As well she should.

When she finds a doorway to a world founded on logic and reason, riddles and lies, she thinks she’s found her paradise. Alas, everything costs at the goblin market, and when her time there is drawing to a close, she makes the kind of bargain that never plays out well.

For anyone . . .

Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 10
Writing Style: 10
Plot: 7
Intrigue: 7
Logic: 8
Overall Enjoyment: 9
Average: 8.4
1.1-2.2 = โ˜…
2.3-4.5 = โ˜…โ˜…
4.6-6.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7-8.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
9-10 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

Hold Me (Cyclone, #2)

Title: Hold Me (Cyclone #2)
Author: Courtney Milan
Publication Date: October 2016
Publisher: Createspace
Suggested Reader Age: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBT
Format: Ebook
โญโญโญโญ

Synopsis: “Jay na Thalang is a demanding, driven genius. He doesnโ€™t know how to stop or even slow down. The instant he lays eyes on Maria Lopez, he knows that she is a sexy distraction he canโ€™t afford. Heโ€™s done his best to keep her at armโ€™s length, and heโ€™s succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.

Maria has always been cautious. Now that her once-tiny, apocalypse-centered blog is hitting the mainstream, sheโ€™s even more careful about preserving her online anonymity. She hasnโ€™t sent so much as a picture to the commenter sheโ€™s interacted with for eighteen monthsโ€”not even after emails, hour-long chats, and a friendship that is slowly turning into more. Maybe one day, theyโ€™ll meet and see what happens.

But unbeknownst to them both, Jay is Mariaโ€™s commenter. Theyโ€™ve already met. They already hate each other. And two determined enemies are about to discover that theyโ€™ve been secretly falling in loveโ€ฆ”


Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Writing Style: 8
Plot: 8
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 9
Overall Enjoyment: 9
Average: 7.9
1.1-2.2 = โ˜…
2.3-4.5 = โ˜…โ˜…
4.6-6.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7-8.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
9-10 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

The Giver (The Giver, #1)

Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Publication Date: 1993
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Suggested Reader Age: Teen
Genre: Classic, Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Format: Ebook
โญโญโญโญโญ

Synopsis: “A Newbery Medalโ€“winning classic is reinvented with illustrations from the acclaimed artist Bagram Ibatoulline. Since winning the Newbery Medal in 1994, Lois Lowryโ€™sย The Giverย has become one of the most influential novels of our time. This illustrated edition isย a celebration of the bookโ€™s standard of excellence and of Lowryโ€™s illustrious writing. The text is complemented by thirteen new illustrations from the acclaimed artist Bagram Ibatoulline. Also included are an introduction by the author and her inspiring Newbery Medal acceptance speech. The additional content now makes it easier than ever to introduce young readers to this riveting modern classic, and provide a fresh edition for its legions of fans. The story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind his fragile community.ย The Giverย is the first in a quartet of books that includesย Gathering Blue, Messenger,ย andย Son.
Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Writing Style: 10
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 10
Logic: 9
Overall Enjoyment: 10
Average: 9.4
1.1-2.2 = โ˜…
2.3-4.5 = โ˜…โ˜…
4.6-6.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7-8.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
9-10 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

Title: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publication Date: 2008
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Suggested Reader Age: YA
Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook and Paperback
โญโญโญโญโญ

Synopsis: “In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.”


Characters: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Writing Style: 10
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 10
Logic: 10
Overall Enjoyment: 10
Average: 10
1.1-2.2 = โ˜…
2.3-4.5 = โ˜…โ˜…
4.6-6.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7-8.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
9-10 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

The Guest List

Title: The Guest List
Author: Lucy Foley
Publication Date: March 2020
Publisher: William Morrow
Suggested Reader Age: Adult
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Format: Paperback
โญโญโญโญ

Synopsis: “On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. Itโ€™s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.

But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The brideโ€™s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.

And then someone turns up dead. Who didnโ€™t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?”

Characters: 6
Atmosphere: 10
Writing Style: 7
Plot: 7
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 8
Overall Enjoyment: 8
Average: 7.7
1.1-2.2 = โ˜…
2.3-4.5 = โ˜…โ˜…
4.6-6.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7-8.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
9-10 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

The Woman in Cabin 10

Title: The Woman in Cabin 10
Author: Ruth Ware
Publication Date: 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Suggested Reader Age: 14+
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Format: Paperback
โญโญโญโญโญ

Synopsis: “In this tightly wound story, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. At first, Loโ€™s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted forโ€”and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Loโ€™s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrongโ€ฆ

With surprising twists and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another taut and intense read.”

Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 10
Writing Style: 10
Plot: 8
Intrigue: 10
Logic: 9
Overall Enjoyment: 10
Average: 9.3
1.1-2.2 = โ˜…
2.3-4.5 = โ˜…โ˜…
4.6-6.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7-8.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
9-10 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

You Should See Me in a Crown

Title: You Should See Me In A Crown
Author: Leah Johnson
Publication Date: June 2020
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Suggested Reader Age: 14+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBT
Format: audiobook
โญโญโญโญ

Synopsis: “Liz Lighty has always believed sheโ€™s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed Midwestern town. But itโ€™s okay – Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Lizโ€™s plans come crashing down…until sheโ€™s reminded of her schoolโ€™s scholarship for prom king and queen. Thereโ€™s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight sheโ€™s willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.

The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. Sheโ€™s smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams…or make them come true?”

Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Writing Style: 7
Plot: 6
Intrigue: 7
Logic: 8
Overall Enjoyment: 8
Average: 7
1.1-2.2 = โ˜…
2.3-4.5 = โ˜…โ˜…
4.6-6.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7-8.9 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
9-10 = โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

Read anything good lately?

Connect with Me ๐Ÿ“š

Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook


Discover more from Smitten For Fiction

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Comment