• Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Goodreads
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin’
  • RSS

Word Revel

Celebrating the love for words

  • Home
  • Book Reviews
    • Fiction
      • Reviews by Title
      • Reviews by Author
      • Reviews by Genre
      • Reviews by Series
      • Reviews by Rating
    • Non-Fiction
      • Reviews by Subject
      • Reviews by Author
    • Graphic Novels
    • Poetry
  • Bookstagram 101
  • Features
    • Thoughts & Confab
    • Photography
    • Products & Services
    • Overview
    • Events
    • Previews
  • About
    • Rating System
  • Contact

February 11, 2018

REBEL OF THE SANDS by Alwyn Hamilton

February 11, 2018

Book cover & rating - REBEL OF THE SANDS by Alwyn HamiltonThe first 200 pages were not written well. I was bored and felt growing discomfort with the mangled Middle Eastern culture this fantasy book was premised on. At least the next 150 odd pages picked up a little in terms of plot and also storytelling, so I didn’t end up thoroughly hating Rebel of the Sands. Still, this book has so many problems, I’m relieved I didn’t order the sequels before finishing this one first.

7 Comments · Categories: Fiction Keywords: ableist, abuse, alcoholism, assault, beliefs, betrayal, canadian authors, choices, cousins, death, disability, diverse books, domestic violence, ethics, family, gender, ghouls, half-siblings, identity, insurgency, jinn, magic, murder, mythology, on-the-run, poc characters, relatives, religion, romance, royalty, secrets, self discovery, shapeshifting, siblinghood, truth, violence

December 19, 2017

I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS edited by Ruth Bennett

December 19, 2017

Book cover & rating - I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS edited by Ruth BennettHome means so many different things to different people, and I’ll Be Home For Christmas definitely captured that through the various short stories. Although, anthologies usually leave me with mixed feelings. I’ll Be Home For Christmas was no different. While I adored most short stories and the poem at the beginning, there were a few that I didn’t enjoy, and a couple of which that even left me confused.

Leave a Comment · Categories: Fiction Keywords: abuse, anthologies, british authors, christmas, culture, diverse books, divorce, family, family problems, friendship, hardship, identity, lgbtq characters, multiculturalism, on love, orphans, poc characters, poverty, realistic fiction, romance, sense-of-belonging, short-stories, winter

November 26, 2017

THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas

November 26, 2017

Book cover & rating - THE HATE U GIVE by Angie ThomasNo contest, The Hate U Give is the best young adult novel that was published in 2017. It’s filled with heart and soul, takes an honest look at racial discrimination, and doesn’t hold back any punches. It’s so honest and raw that it hurts to read and it’s precisely because of that that everyone and anyone, young or old, needs to read The Hate U Give.

5 Comments · Categories: Fiction Keywords: american authors, dating, death, discrimination, diverse authors, diverse books, domestic violence, drug abuse, drugs, dysfunctional families, family, family business, family problems, friendship, funerals, gangs, grief, half-siblings, high school, hope, identity, inequality, justice, media, murder, own-voices, poc characters, poverty, race relations, racism, realistic fiction, relatives, riots, sacrifice, siblinghood, suffering, violence

July 20, 2017

THE SUMMER SEASIDE KITCHEN by Jenny Colgan

July 20, 2017

Book cover & rating - The Summer Seaside Kitchen by Jenny ColganThe atmosphere of The Summer Seaside Kitchen was incredible. Even though Mure isn’t a real island but an amalgam of various islands of the Northern Isles, it completely came to life. I could picture the scenic views, the landmarks and houses so perfectly, I very nearly felt as though I had been transported to Mure myself. The more I read, the more I fell in love with the island. That’s how well Jenny Colgan detailed everything!

2 Comments · Categories: Fiction Keywords: british writers, family, food and drink, friendship, identity, lgbtq characters, relationships, restaurants, romance, scottish writers, self discovery, siblinghood, work life

June 20, 2017

THE INEXPLICABLE LOGIC OF MY LIFE by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

June 20, 2017

Book cover & rating - The Inexplicable Logic of my LifeAfter reading and enjoying Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe last year, I couldn’t wait for The Inexplicable Logic of My Life to be released. On several counts, Sáenz’s book lived up to my expectations. The prose, though simple, once again was stellar! I love introspective characters, and after reading two books from Sáenz, I’m convinced that he’s a master at writing them. And while single parents are ubiquitous in YA fiction, Sal had an adoptive father who was gay, thereby expanding representation for non-traditional families.

3 Comments · Categories: Fiction Keywords: abuse, adoption, beliefs, cancer, car accident, death, diverse authors, diverse books, dysfunctional families, ethnicity, family, family life, fathers and sons, friendship, funerals, grandparents, grief, hardship, high school, identity, lgbtq characters, life, on love, orphans, parenthood, poc characters, realistic fiction, self perception, single parenthood, solid platonic friendship

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Previous Entries

About

Joséphine. Word reveller. Loves books. Reads books. Talks about books. Photographs books. Also curates books for the Singapore-based subscription box, Lit Treat.

Search Word Revel

Affiliate Link

The Willoughby Book Club affiliate

Recent Posts

Book cover & 5-star rating - VENGEFUL by V.E. Schwab

VENGEFUL by V.E. Schwab

December 26, 2018 By Joséphine 1 Comment

Book cover & 3.5-star rating - CHRISTMAS CAKES AND MISTLETOE NIGHTS by Carole Matthews

CHRISTMAS CAKES AND MISTLETOE NIGHTS by Carole Matthews

December 24, 2018 By Joséphine 1 Comment

Book cover & rating - I WANT TO GO HOME by Wesley Leon Aroozoo

I WANT TO GO HOME by Wesley Leon Aroozoo

November 27, 2018 By Joséphine Leave a Comment

Book cover & rating - ARCHENEMIES by Marissa Meyer

ARCHENEMIES by Marissa Meyer

November 25, 2018 By Joséphine 3 Comments

Book cover & rating - SOFIA AND THE UTOPIA MACHINE by Judith Huang

SOFIA AND THE UTOPIA MACHINE by Judith Huang

November 20, 2018 By Joséphine Leave a Comment

Book cover & rating - ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART by Katherine Webber

ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART by Katherine Webber

November 8, 2018 By Joséphine Leave a Comment

Book cover & rating - Family and Other Catastrophes by Alexandra Borowitz

FAMILY AND OTHER CATASTROPHES by Alexandra Borowitz

October 30, 2018 By Joséphine Leave a Comment

© 2015 Word Revel · Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis