Category: Reviews by Genre

Books, Non Fiction

Book Review: Anyone Can Get An A+ by Geetanjali Mukherjee

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: Anyone Can Get An A+ by Geetanjali Mukherjee

25794353you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble (Unavailable)
Author’s twitter

my review:
Rating: ★★★★☆

Anyone Can Get An A+: How To Beat Procrastination, Reduce Stress and Improve Your Grades is a self-help book aimed at college students. Mukherjee uses her own experience alongside research to create a series of tips which one can use to improve their grades and study skills.

As someone who’s currently in the middle of her A-levels, this was extremely helpful in reminding me to rethink my revision strategy. In this book, there’s various ways in which anyone can improve their study skills such as planning your study breaks, creating weekly plans and how to get something out of procrastination. This book really condenses everything teachers tell us but in a more practical and easy way to read and without going into so much detail  and leaving you’re overwhelmed.

I should note that this book is very US-centric which is probably why I didn’t connect to it as much but the tips and information given still stands and Geetanjali definitely knows her stuff. It’s a helpful read that can help you reconsider revision habits, and turn them into more positive strategies.

Kindle Edition, 195 pages
Published September 2nd 2015 (first published August 2nd 2015)
ASIN: B0144W7X4A

 

Books, Children, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Book Review: Behind the Canvas by Alexander Vance

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: Behind the Canvas by Alexander Vance

28550408you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:
Rating: ★★★★☆

~ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review~

Claudia loves art but never truly understand what’s really under the surface until Pim appears in the painting she sees. She learns that Pim has been trapped in the world behind the canvas for centuries by a witch, and Claudia is now his only way to break the spells that keep him bound in the world of art. Using ancient magic, Claudia enters the world but finds that nothing is truly as it seems on paper.

Behind the Canvas was an exciting read, a really cute story that was filled with adventure. I really liked the anecdotes that appear at the end of each chapter after an artist was mentioned, it was a cool addition to the story though I felt some notes do drag on a bit and take up a bit of space but you do learn some interesting things if you don’t know much about art, like me. They did at first appear too academic to grab my attention but they’re actually really witty and do give better contextual knowledge. What I loved the most was the concept and how it wasn’t set in a random fantasy place but actually links with the real world and the way it works shows clear and deep thought in its creation. (Let’s just hope no one tries to  place their hand with yellow gloop on the actual Mona Lisa…)

However, I felt like the relationship between Claudia and Pim was severely missed out. It skims part where they get to know each other and I felt it should’ve developed that section a bit more to see how their friendship grew but, nonetheless, the way they really cared for each other did come through. I just felt like it was missing something in the beginning.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages
Publication: February 23rd 2016 by Feiwel & Friends
ASIN: B012N46PXQ

 

Books, LGBTQIA, Young Adult/ Teen

The King’s Men (All for the Game #3) by Nora Sakavic

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on The King’s Men (All for the Game #3) by Nora Sakavic

23667559you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:
Rating:★★★★★

“Pull out all the stops and lay it all on the line. Fight because you don’t know how to die quietly. Win because you don’t know how to lose. This king’s ruled long enough—it’s time to tear his castle down.”

I can’t believe it was only fifteen days ago where I didn’t even know what the hell The Foxcourt Hole was. And it’s been almost a week since I finished The King’s Men and I’ve just been scouring Nora’s Tumblr, reading everyone she’s written about post-TKM.

I genuinely thought I was never going to make it to the final book. Because I’m a realistic reader and there were times in this series where it’s so bizarrely unrealistic and none of their behaviours would be acceptable in real life. (for example, in book 1, I don’t think the NCAA would ever permit Andrew to play Exy on the condition he would be on drugs, and allow him to play with knives hidden under his clothing). You don’t understand how hard it was to read this without wanting to yell ‘HOW WOULD THAT EVEN BE PERMITTED???’

But putting that aside, The King’s Men was a really gripping read and I think it’s my favourite out of the trilogy. The action of the story keeps you on the edge with every turn of a page. It’s been a week since finishing this and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Nora takes the story and makes it even more brutal and heartbreaking than its predecessors.

I’m just going make a small mention of the relationships within this- small because I know I’ll never shut up about them. The interactions between the characters are so cute, and I loved each and every single one of them, especially Neil, Dan, Renee, Alison, and, never forget my ultimate fave, Nicky. And despite the description heavily emphasising this book is about romance, it was subtle and doesn’t overpower the main plot of the team. I loved the way the Foxes went from this dysfunctional team that had no hopes of even scratching the list for the championship to working together and growing together as a group. And this tumblr post sums up everything that is pure and good about the USC Trojans, but has huge spoilers, just to warn you.  (Yeah, small mention she said, well done Zaheerah.)

Overall, I might not have had the best beginnings with this series but the ending swept me away and I know I’ll most definitely be reading more from Nora Sakavic in the future.

Kindle Edition, 370 pages
Published December 2nd 2014
ASIN: B00QHMU0PU
Books, Contemporary, LGBTQIA, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: The Raven King (All For The Game #2) by Nora Sakavic

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Raven King (All For The Game #2) by Nora Sakavic

18187013you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:
Rating: ★★★★☆

As I mentioned in a previous review, I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book and I was seriously considering not continuing the series. But I’m so glad I continued because Nora Sakavic doesn’t disappoint in this sequel. The Raven King picks up straight after the events of book 1, continuing the story of Neil and the Foxes as move forward with the game season, counting down the days until they have to face the Ravens. Alongside this, Neil struggles with hiding his past and keeping it together in the presence of Riko’s menace.

The way Sakavic writes is really simple, not too OTT, considering the events of the novel which is what made it really nice to read. It’s fast-paced but not in a way that leaves you confused as she reveals more about the characters and their determination in the rough world of Exy. The characters are developing, as are their relationships, and it’s fascinating but you do find yourself having to stop and think about who is who with some of the other team members, but I was so focused on Neil and Andrew that didn’t bother me as much as it did in the first book.

Also, Neil’s one of those characters that you just want to pick up from their novel and place them somewhere safe. BECAUSE SO MUCH BAD STUFF HAPPENS AND HE JUST DOESN’T DESERVE ANY OF IT.

And I forgot to mention that the first book in the series is free and the rest are 99p.So cheap for a series that’s so good.

Kindle Edition, 181 pages
Published July 10th 2013 by Smashwords Edition
ISBN: 139781301824298
Books, LGBTQIA, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: The Foxhole Court (All for the Game #1) by Nora Sakavic

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Foxhole Court (All for the Game #1) by Nora Sakavic

18874651you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Having just finished this, I must say that I’m not exactly sure what to say about this book. I didn’t like certain aspects of the novel, but overall plotline interested me enough to actually want to continue the series.

The Foxhole Court focuses on a fictional sport called Exy, which seems like a mix of lacrosse, hockey, and some other sports I can’t quite remember. It’s extremely popular and the only thing that makes Neil happy. But Neil is on the run from his father, an abusive man in the mob, and signing a contract with the PSU Foxes should be the last thing Neil should ever do. The lie that has kept him living for five years begins to break under the pressure of his new teammates and the truth about him could get him killed.

To be honest, it’s hard to explain this whole book because so much happens and would spoil the book immensely. I enjoyed the plot, but I had bigger problems with issues like rape jokes and homophobic slurs within the book that made it uncomfortable to read. I originally gave this book 1 star but it was like 12 at night when I finished it so I slept on it and decided a 3 rating was more suitable. The concept of Exy was interesting to read and despite the weirdness of the plot, I liked how realistic the characters were. (I have the biggest soft spot for Nicky and Kevin) Each character has a fascinating backstory which captivates the reader and makes you love the minor characters even more.

Kindle Edition, 230 pages
Published July 30th 2013 by Smashwords Edition/ Self-published
ASIN: B00E9BLRUI

 

Books, Contemporary, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Book Review: Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom

28453981you can find the book at:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Author website

my review:

Rating: ★★★☆☆

~ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review~

Parker Grant lives by her own set of die-hard rules which she developed over the years, after losing her mother and sight at age 7, and refuses to let anyone treat her differently because of that. But when Scott, otherwise known as Parker Enemy Number One for breaking the most important rule, reappears into her life, Parker is forced to wonder if she was too quick to judge Scott while attempting to handle her new way of life after the death of her father three months prior.

I’m not going to lie, I was going into this book expecting it to be bad but, honestly, I thought it was pretty good.

Continue reading “Book Review: Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom” →