Tom Ryan

After high school graduation, Mac focuses on finding the serial killer who murdered his best friend the previous summer, while working through his own feelings for the deceased.

Keep this to Yourself

Keep This to Yourself

ghost girl in satin

Okaaaaay, so I really liked this thriller! It was fun, a wild-ride, it kept me entranced from start to finish, and I rooted for our soft main character since the very beginning. Seriously, tho, Mac is the best. <3
I loved the final twist, I kinda "guessed" it in the beginning; but I didn't want to, so I ended up being as surprised as Mac when he found out the truth. 
I'm not sure how to feel about the ending, I don't think it's realistic, but I don't really care?? Because I kinda like it? But still, I'm sure cops definitely wouldn't approve. XD
What I loved the most in this story was the friendship element (..."friendship"...) because this group of friends that have drifted away is really cool (but I'm sad we didn't have more scenes of them together) and I totally understand Mac's feelings about letting go of people he loved, or whom he grew up with. 
As for the romance... Huh. Not a huge fan of the "love at first sight" trope, it's really not my thing, but I guess it was fine. Ii didn't really care, tbh. I'm just happy that Mac is happy. x)

Savannah Winchell

Oh man I’m pretty mad. I was so close to genuinely enjoying this book as just a fun time passer but the characterization was all over the place, things stated as fact were later contradicted completely, half the plot only worked out of convenience, motives made no sense, and tbh I really could not buy into a 17 year old being the most wanted criminal in the galaxy when nothing was offered to explain why she was so extraordinary. Technically I dnfed at 90% bc I honestly couldn’t continue.

Brooke Barnett

It's been a year since the Catalog Killer terrorized the sleepy seaside town of Camera Cove, killing four people before disappearing without a trace. Like everyone else in town, eighteen-year-old Mac Bell is trying to put that horrible summer behind him--easier said than done since Mac's best friend Connor was the murderer's final victim. But when he finds a cryptic message from Connor, he's drawn back into the search for the killer--who might not have been a random drifter after all. Now nobody--friends, neighbors, or even the sexy stranger with his own connection to the case--is beyond suspicion. Sensing that someone is following his every move, Mac struggles to come to terms with his true feelings towards Connor while scrambling to uncover the truth.

Emir Andrés Ibañez

Esta historia está narrada por Mac, un adolescente que vive en un pueblo pequeño que ha sido aterrorizado por un asesino en serie. La última víctima con la que el asesino decidió poner fin a los asesinatos fue Connor, el mejor amigo de Mac.
Un año más tarde, Mac encuentra una nota de Connor que le da a entender que él conocía al asesino... entonces empieza a buscar información.

El argumento de este libro es GENIAL. Imposible de soltar. Necesitaba tanto saber qué iba a pasar que me lo terminé leyendo en un día y medio. Además tiene una atmósfera ideal, tenebrosa, y a la vez... tranquila? pues sigue siendo un pueblo pequeño.
Me lo pasé de maravilla leyéndolo, tanto que dejé pasar un par de cositas (relacionadas al romance entre el protagonista y otro muchacho), pero hay una cosa que no puedo dejar pasar, y es en cuanto a la resolución... algo que me parece demasiado implausible, y que tiene que ver con aspectos legales.
En fin, que si me tengo que poner quisquilloso le tendría que poner un 4.5, pero, en serio, lo pasé tan bien, me parece tan bien hecho, que le vamos a redondear para arriba.

laura

*I got this book for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*

I really did enjoy this trio perspective science fiction novel. I found this book to such a fast pace read and really did enjoy all the characters POV. I thought this was such a intreating science fiction novel that tackled topics like immigration and refugees but also a flight school. I really had a hard time putting this book down. I am super excited to dive into the sequel soon!

Elaine

I didn't expect to love this as much as I did! Especially the last 10 % were really good. I liked the characters and their progression, and the story was fascinating.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book Series: Ignite The Stars Book 1

Rating: 5/5

Publication Date: September 4, 2018

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Recommended Age: 15+ (space, violence, gore, and new alliances)

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

Synopsis: Everyone in the universe knows his name. Everyone in the universe fears him. But no one realizes that notorious outlaw Ia Cōcha is a seventeen-year-old girl.

A criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot, Ia has spent her life terrorizing the Olympus Commonwealth, the imperialist nation that destroyed her home. When the Commonwealth captures her and her true identity is exposed, they see Ia’s age and talent as an opportunity: by forcing her to serve them, they will prove that no one is beyond their control.

Soon, Ia is trapped at the Commonwealth’s military academy, desperately plotting her escape. But new acquaintances—including Brinn, a seemingly average student with a closely-held secret, and their charming Flight Master, Knives—cause Ia to question her own alliances. Can she find a way to escape the Commonwealth’s clutches before these bonds deepen?

Review: Holy cow why are more people not talking about this book?? It's absolutely amazing and I loved it so much!!! The writing is fantastic, the plot is intriguing, the world building is well done, and the characters are well developed! Definitely excited for the sequel!
 
My only issue with the book is that I felt a spark between the main character and another main character and I'm mad they didn't act on it. Maybe it was supposed to just be a good friendship but damn throw me a bone!

Verdict: Such an underrated series.

Alexia Cambaling

Ignite the Stars has a lot of my favorite Science Fiction tropes and I have no idea why I waited so long to start it. Honestly, this book just blew me away and along with The Clestial Trilogy series, really makes the case for me that there should be way more space opera books within the YA age range. This book has spaceships, a space military academy, an oppressive regime, rebels, enemies-to-lovers romance. It has everything I could want in a book like this and honestly, while I’m not a huge fan of Military SF, this I like.

This book stars the rebel Ia Cocha who, after her capture by the Commonwealth, is made to study in a military academy in order to fight for them. There, she is immediately distrusted by everyone she meets, from her roommates, to her classmates, and her flight instructer. Not that Ia does something about these perceptions of her- she thrives in it and she likes the fact that she has this fearsome reputation.

Right off the bat, I loved Ia’s character. She’s an Asian coded heroine and I liked how badass she was and the way her character was written. She’s more of an anti-heroine than most protagonists I’ve seen and she really was on the morally gray side. Of course, she does still have more noble motivations fueling her, but she also does a lot of questionable things which doesn’t really make her all good either. I enjoyed her character arc and the twist in the end (and the villain reveal!) was something I didn’t see coming and I’d like to see what happens next.

I also liked Brin and Knives. Brin especially because her story arc revolved around her accepting her identity. I can see how it might be difficult for her to identify as part of a minority population and why she might want to keep it hidden so that she and her brother could be safe. However, I liked how she grows to embrace it throughout the book and be content with who she was. As for Knives, there was definitely more to him than met the eye at first. He’s a complex character who was more than just a love interest for Ia- although he does have daddy issues, that’s not the entirety of his arc. It still involves him coming into his own and being respected for who he was, and not his father is.

Speaking of romance, I didn’t know going in that there was going to be enemies-to-lovers romance here. Honestly, done right and in a non-abusive manner, it’s one of my favorite tropes and I think Ignite the Stars really nailed it. I loved the interactions between Ia and Knives, as well as the slow-burn of the entire thing. Honestly, it was so good and I liked that it still remained secondary to the plot. Both of them still had character arcs separate from the romance.

The book is fast-paced and reads really quick with some well-written action sequences. It’s not heavy on the sci-fi jargon either and still has great, well-developed worldbuilding. It’s a well-written and solid book with a lot of diversity and representation and I really adored it.

Overall, I recommend this book for YA and Sci-Fi fans. If you’re like me and you love space books, you really should give this one a go.

Lauren James

Full review on my blog: Storied Adventures

Possibly changing to five stars later if I want to re-read!
*I was sent an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review!*

I LOVED this book. I couldn't put it down. Space battles, Space school, slow burn space romance, criminal masterminds, betrayals... want to read it? Do it. Now. 
Ia was my favorite character. She is a kick butt and taking names type of gal but never loses her femininity. And I loved all her tech she had! 

I seriously found this book to be super entertaining. I really can't think of anything I didn't like!

Keep this to Yourself

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