reviews – Playground of Randomness

07
Jan
2022

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Bad Cruz by L.J Shen

Bad Cruz by L.J. Shen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I made the mistake of reading other reviews before posting mine just so I could get the female main character’s name right and now I have mixed feelings about my review. I see the obvious problems pointed out by other readers but for me personally I loved this book.
This was a light read that I did not take too seriously which is probably why I cannot personally find faults with it.
I did hate how the cruel people went along with life as normal because it just felt like everyone was a a##hole to Tenesse.
“Bad Cruz” is the story of Tenesse, who is the town’s bad girl simply because she made the mistake of getting pregnant at 16 (Did she make the child on her own???).
Tenesse’s sister is getting married to the brother of the town’s golden boy (and Tenesse’s enemy) Dr Cruz Costello.
The families are getting together to go on a cruise before the wedding but due to a mix-up, Dr Cruz Costello and Tenesse end up together on the wrong cruise ship.
I liked this book because I felt like it was a fun read. The relationship between Cruz and Tenesse was cute and I was rooting for them the entire way.
My only issue was that I wished that they had just left their entire ridiculous small town and moved away

21
May
2021

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Tales from the Hinterland by Melissa Albert

categories: Books, Reviews

Tales From the Hinterland (The Hazel Wood, #2.5)

Tales From the Hinterland by Melissa Albert

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve been interested in reading “Tales from the Hinterland” since the first time I picked up “The Hazel Wood”. Let me just say this book does not disappoint.
“Tales from the Hinterland” is full of spooky illustrations and captivating tales that stay with you long after you’ve finished the novel.
I especially enjoyed seeing characters and stories I remembered from “The Hazel Wood”.
This was a well-written read that flows beautifully and can be finished in one setting.
Even if you haven’t read “The Hazel Wood”, if you’re a fan of spooky fairytales, I definitely recommend this book for you

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19
Mar
2021

Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer (Cursebreakers #3)

categories: Books, Reviews

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

IT IS HERE!!! The final Cursebreakers book.
This book has the viewpoint of EVERYONE and I am so here for it.
“A Vow So Bold and Deadly” takes a look at both princes and their attempts at preparing for the war that lies ahead.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles with her people who do not respect her and her wishes for peace. They see her as weak and waste no opportunity to show her that.
What I really liked about this book was that no one was the way they seemed. The unassuming, meek serving girl, the headstrong Princess, the bloodthirsty Prince of Emberfall.
Brigid Kemmerer has a gift for creating rounded characters with real flaws and that really shines out in this book.
I also enjoyed seeing how Rhen and Grey prepared for war, neither of them sure whether they could trust the other or not.
From the very first book, I loved how close these two were and in my heart, I knew this was basically their story. “A Vow So Bold and Deadly” cements that fact.
This was a wonderful read that I enjoyed immensely and I am so sad to be leaving this world behind. Maybe I should go in for a reread?

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17
May
2019

Fiction Friday: As Kismet Would Have it by Sandhya Menon

categories: Books, Reviews

As Kismet Would Have It by Sandhya Menon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was the main reason for me going back to try “When Dimple Met Rishi” again.
Dimple has made her thoughts on marriage clear repeatedly. It’s a sexist institution and as a feminist, she wants no part of it.
Rishi, on the other hand, is far more traditional and would love to marry Dimple (even if they are still fairly young but okay).
Eventually things come to a head when Rishi confronts Dimple about her issues with marriage. In return, Dimple wants to “think things over”
Here’s the thing though. From my very first read of “When Dimple Met Rishi”, I wondered where any sort of relationship with this two would go. Dimple and Rishi are opposites and it is tough for me to imagine them ending up together.
This was a fast read but incredibly enjoyable. I am glad to finally have answers to my questions about Dimple and Rishi’s future.

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05
Apr
2019

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

categories: Books, Reviews

The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1)

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The Wrath and the Dawn” tells the story of Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. Every day Khalid marries a young girl and kills her soon after. When Shahrzad’s best friend becomes one of Khalid’s latest victims, Shahrzad vows that she will avenge her murder. Shahzad volunteers to be the next bride. She will not only stay alive, she will also kill the king.
Night after night, Shahrzad entertains Khalid with stories, stopping just before cliffhanger endings. Intrigued, Khalid postpones her murder each and every day. However it isn’t long before Shahrzad starts to fall in love with her new husband.
“The Wrath and the Dawn” was a well-written read that I enjoyed immensely. I loved the world building and this story sucked me in immediately.
At first I thought the whole hate to love plot was overdone but it is executed beautifully here. You can clearly see the chemistry between Shahrzad and Khalid and it is hard not to root for their romance. Shahrzad’s stories are as captivating to the reader as they are to Khalid.
This is an unforgettable read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys YA romance.

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08
Feb
2019

Fiction Friday: Thief by Tarryn Fisher (Love Me With Lies #3)

categories: Books, Reviews

Thief by Tarryn Fisher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I actually cannot remember most of this novel (which is worrying considering that I spent so much time invested in this series).
“Thief” follows Caleb and Olivia in the aftermath of his divorce. Once again they are drawn together when Olivia and her husband start to have issues.
This was a sweet read that almost made up for all of the emotional strain the previous books put me through.
I especially enjoyed seeing how Caleb and Olivia have changed over the years. It is made clear that though they have made mistakes in the past, they have both grown from it.
This was a wonderfully emotional series that made me cry, rage and almost throw my cellphone across the room but I enjoyed it immensely.

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23
Feb
2018

Fiction Friday: Expelled by James Patterson

categories: Books, Reviews

Expelled by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was the first James Patterson book I ever read and it was sadly underwhelming. Theo gets kicked out of school for something he didn’t do and is determined to figure out who framed him. His idea? To go around with a video camera, asking questions to other student until he finds proof that he’s been set up. This is a pretty odd idea- in real life, no one would admit to setting someone else up so I don’t know what was going on with that strange plot point.
This book was incredibly well-written with an intriguing mystery (which really made up for Theo’s ridiculous camera idea). I loved how everyone seemed to have something to hide. However while the mystery compelled me to read non-stop, the ending was pretty flat and predictable.

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09
Feb
2018

Fiction Friday- Book Review: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

categories: Books

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Emmaline lives in the beach town of Colby where it seems like she is nothing but a face in other people’s stories and holiday memories. Emmaline has been with her boyfriend, Luke for practically forever. They’re a great match. Almost perfect.
But things start to change in the summer before Emmaline goes off to college. Her absentee father returns with his son (and some secrets) while a visitor from New York, Theo seems taken with Emmaline.
While Luke is small town, Theo is ambitious and showy. Nothing like the life Emmaline knows but Theo represents the life she could have…If she only chose to move out of Colby.
This was a wonderfully written novel about growing up and finding your identity. Emmaline is a girl from a small town who longs for something more than her ordinary life. However when that something more is given to her, she isn’t so sure anymore if it is what she wants. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a contemporary read or a sweet family story.

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22
Sep
2017

Fiction Friday: The Law of Tall Girls by Joanne Macgregor

categories: Books, Reviews

The Law of Tall Girls by Joanne Macgregor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Peyton is a very tall girl who makes a bet that she can get a guy who is even taller than her to take her on three dates and the prom. However finding a guy who is taller than her, interesting and single turns out to be a challenge. The number one person on Peyton’s “Tall Guy” list is Jay. But while Jay is taller than Peyton, gorgeous and charming, he is also taken. But when Peyton and Jay are both cast as the leads in the school play (an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet), things might turn a turn in Peyton’s favor. If she can keep all her secrets locked safely away from Jay, that is.
The whole idea of a romance between characters playing Romeo and Juliet in their school play seemed incredibly cliched but Joanne Macgregor carries this out in a wonderfully real way. I loved seeing all the effort that went into the play and the romance happened naturally. Instead of the play driving the romance, both the play and the romance seemed to happen at the same time which was great. As a tall girl, I found this book difficult to get into at first. It just reminded me of my awkward teen years (which I honestly didn’t want to be reminded of now. I’m an adult now. Being tall doesn’t bother me anymore but reading this book brought back alot of those old feelings of inadequacy). However which I got through my tall girl issues, I devoured this book. I loved Peyton and Jay’s character and I loved that their families had such interesting backstories (especially since so few YA novels mention parents and other relatives). This book was funny, entertaining and dealt with real-life issues. I definitely recommend this book to fans of YA contemporary fiction.

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11
Jul
2017

Inside the June Book Case Box

categories: Books

The Book Case is a book box based in South Africa- it’s actually the only book box I know of that is based in SA. I’ve always wanted to ordered a Book Case box for never got around to actually doing so (mainly because I was unemployed but I don’t like talking about that time of my life). I ordered a box for my birthday and was thrilled when it finally arrived.

It's a treasure chest of bookishness — It’s a treasure chest of bookishness

Doesn’t it look gorgeous? The Book Case Box always has amazing bookish goodies inside and the June box did not disappoint.

INSIDE THE BOX:

The book was Flame in The Mist by Renee Ahdieh: I was too scared to buy a box without knowing what the book was so I did some research beforehand to see if I wanted the book. Obviously I did because I LOVE Renee Ahdieh’s writing.

Flame

2. A House of Targaryen coaster: I don’t really watch Game of Thrones but I am obsessed with Daenerys so I loved this. I don’t think I’m going to use it though. I’m probably just going to keep it and look at it. Don’t judge my weirdness.

Coaster

3. Mockingjay Keyring: I have wanted a mockingjay item for so very long and now I have one! *Squeals with joy*

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses bracelet and necklace: The bracelet is a star while the necklace is decorated to look like the Night Court sky. I’ve been using these two nonstop since I got them.

Fact- this is the main reason why I bought this book box. I desperately wanted ACOTAR merch

5. Hermione’s Enchantment Candle: I really like the way this smells

6. A “Flame in the Mist” print: I’m not too sure what I’m going to do with this but I’ve never had a print before so I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself. Also, if this book turns out to be anything like “The Wrath and the Dawn” I’m going to get obsessed with it and having the print will be a great way to show that.

I was really happy with my box and I absolutely recommend it to all the bookworms out there. I have always wanted a book box and I’m glad we finally have one in South Africa. You can find out more about The Book Case or order your own box here.

Tag: reviews