Mini-Reviews #1

We got a delivery of books in the school library. Naturally we called dibs on a bunch, went “to hell with exams!” and I’ve already blitzed through two of them; since I’ll probably forget about them, I figured I’d try my hand at a couple of mini-reviews!

Title: The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
Genre: Romance/Contemporary/LGBT
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I’ve only read two books by this author, but I finished them both with the BIGGEST grin on my face. I must admit, I do love Simon just a smidge more, but I relate SO MUCH to Molly throughout this book (especially on the whole I-get-crushes-far-to-easily-yet-have-never-kissed-anyone front).
The diversity in this book is just the BEST and I don’t know why I didn’t read it sooner. The love triangle is handled beautifully – if you can even call it a love triangle – and it seriously just blends all my favourite YA romance tropes into one book.
One tiny qualm I had was that Cassie and Molly never felt like twins to me; Cassie always felt a lot older, and even when we were told they were twins, I couldn’t shake that idea. The supporting cast for this book was brilliant though; obviously I’m a big fan of Abby and Simon’s cameos (!!!), but I found myself falling for Reid just as much as Molly did.
I know I compared Simon to this as well, but if you liked Anna and the French Kiss, you should seriously consider giving this book a try.
(Also, who doesn’t have a crush on Lin-Manuel Miranda. I mean, seriously.)

Title: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Genre: Romance/Contemporary/LGBT
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Gods of Olympus I cried so hard at the end of this book. Like, yeah, I am most definitely a crier, but this was on another level. Think Clockwork Princess level. Yeah.
I almost couldn’t finish this book (lies, I almost couldn’t get through the first chapter). The premise is just so depressing. It didn’t help that Mateo has an existential crisis every chapter for the first half of the book (yeah, he’s kinda whiny), but eventually we got to a place where I just whipped through it.
I much preferred Rufus’s POV; his voice just felt so much more real, and I felt such a connection to him. Mateo, less so. The romantic subplot I’d normally be rolling my eyes at because insta-love much? But, because of their situation, I’ll let it slide.
I absolutely loved the way that all the others characters interconnected with their story. This is one of those books that gives you an appreciation for everyone’s lives being as detailed and important as your own; every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, it turned out that it was happening to someone else…not once did I correctly guess the ending on this book and I am 100% okay with that.

–x–

(It’s exam season atm, and I typed this up a couple weeks ago and forgot about it; I shall be back soon with another post! Until then!)

Holly xx