The Blonde Identity

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a quick and fun read. I feel like a broken record repeating what I have seen in other reviews, but this is similar to an adult Gallagher Girls book.

The story starts with the main character waking up with no memory of who she is, where she is, or what is going on. It only escalates when she finds herself the target of multiple enemies. Luckily for her, one mysterious hot guy comes to her rescue and helps her escape. He explains that all of her struggles are because of something her twin did. Everything could go back to normal if only anyone knew where to find this mysterious twin.

The rest of the story follows the main character Zoe and our hot guy as they try to stay alive and figure out how to find the problem twin.

There were some laugh-out-loud moments, especially during fake honeymoon scenes and when jumping scenes. I can't even explain the jumping scenes more without giving something away.

Zoe's internal monologue really makes the book. I think it would have just made it weird if everything that was going on in her head was spoken out loud, but the fact that the reader has the ability to just know what is going on in her mind, makes it funny without the cringe.

There is no way this will be a standalone, the book ends with a leadup to a new story. This book was one that was enjoyable to the point that I will be reading the sequel when it comes out.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: 08 Aug 2023

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Why Are You Like This?

Why Are You Like This?: An ArtbyMoga Comic Collection by Meg Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute little collection of comics about relationships. Not a whole lot to say outside of that. It was enjoyable.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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Archibald Lox and the Legion of the Lost

Archibald Lox and the Legion of the Lost by Darren Shan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Boy, that series went out with a freaking bang. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. By the end, I was reading each book in a day because so much was going on, and each one was ending with a cliff hanger. I honestly wasn't sure it could all be wrapped up in one book, and the more that happened at the beginning, the more I was convince the author had backed himself into a corner.

I appreciate that everything wasn't just tied up in a nice little bow. Things were kind of messy.

It really does help to read all the books one right after the other. There were bits and pieces that I had forgotten about from previous books that played a part in this final installment. I like that everything came together in the end. Those little facts were not just throw away bits of information.

I really want to read the series over again knowing everything I know now to see if I notice any details that I missed the first time around. I know there were somethings that Archie even points out that looking back on I know I completely missed. This may be a middle-grade series, but I don't care, I found it highly enjoyable, and kind of hope that there is a spin off series if the character is that was hinted at actually comes to pass. I can't say anything more than that, because that would ruin the entire series. Of course, I would only want that series, if Archie and his friends were involved. It would seem weird without them.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Content warnings: Language, violence
Age appropriate: Yes

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Archibald Lox and the Pick of Loxes

Archibald Lox and the Pick of Loxes by Darren Shan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book kept throwing me for a loop. I would think things were hopeless, and then a lifeline would appear, only to be ripped away. Wash and repeat. If you want an author that's the master of the plot twist, Darren Shan is your guy.

The book starts right were the last book left off, which was at a cliff hanger, and ends at a cliff hanger, so I would recommend getting all of the books before reading.

Stefan is brought up a lot in this book, and everyone starts to wonder exactly what is going on with Archie, and why are their so many similarities between him and the missing royal. This plays an important role in the story, and the mystery keeps the reader guessing all the way through to the ninth book.

There are times when I wanted to scream out because of a character's actions. I mean, what the heck were they thinking? I'm not going to say anything, but seriously!

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for a review.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content warning: Language, Violence

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Archibald Lox and the Sinkhole to Hell

Archibald Lox and the Sinkhole to Hell by Darren Shan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The beginning of this book was kind of sad. I was a big fan of *spoiler*. But, I appreciate the respect most of the Merge showed. I guess really, the Merge showed respect, it was some of the Sub-Merged that didn't.

A lot of questions are starting to form about who Archie really is, and what his connection is to Stefan. Is he a reincarnation? Is he a descendant? What is going on. Especially now that it seems that Archie can do things that the Born cannot, facts that seemed set in stone no longer seem so sure.

I've thought a lot about extreme sports off of a inverted pyramid since this book, and I'm still thinking I would not do any of them. Not for me. No way, no how. Although, it does seem safer than the situation Archie finds himself in by the end of the book. Poor Archie, never knowing who to trust.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for a review.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content warning: Language, Violence

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Archibald Lox and the Rubicon Dictate

Archibald Lox and the Rubicon Dictate by Darren Shan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Seriously, the Merged and Sub-Merged just go at each other like there is no tomorrow. I will admit, I'm writing this after reading the whole series, and one of my favorite royals is Sub-Merged.

In a way, I can't blame the Sub-Merged for what they do, it's the exact thing the Merged had been planning on doing. While the Merged want royals to form their own views and choose for themselves if they will be Merged or Sub-Merged, the Sub-Merged want to sway royals in their favor, and view the Merged as doing the same thing.

I like the way Archie and his group handled the whole situation and talked to the Sub-Merged prince. His reaction kind of broke my heart, because of how shocked he was. I would write more on the whole situation, but that would just be a whole bunch of spoilers, and I don't want to do that.

I received a copy of this book from the author for a honest review.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content warning: Language

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Archibald Lox and the Slides of Bon Repell

Archibald Lox and the Slides of Bon Repell by Darren Shan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a classic example of keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Poor Archie doesn't know who is enemies are half the time, so it's hard for him to really be able to know who to watch out for.

I really wish I could watch a grop tournament. I kept imagining it in my head, but I real life would be so much better. I love how this is such a big event and someone Archie and Inez manage to not only show up, but get right in the thick of things. There is a reason for them to be there, but it still cracks me up. Those two are trouble magnets. You would think someone would have figured out that something is bound to happen if you plan something and include Archie and Inez. But no, they keep doing it.

I think the most important part of this book is what happens outside of the tournament, when Archie is left to fend for himself. He has no one to help him, and discovers just how strong he is and shows those that continually try to stop him that they will have to work harder to put him down.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content Warning: Language

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