Forever by Judy Blume

16+

There is a reason that Judy Blume’s books have become modern YA classics and honestly this one feels timeless and yet a perfect snapshot of less than a year and a relationship that would change forever and yet change nothing.

I originally picked this up because it was a banned book in American schools, and I got curious because I had loved Blume’s Tiger Eyes the previous month. I can see why it is banned because it explores sex more explicitly – but not gratificationally to the reader – than YA books especially ten or so years ago did. I enjoyed this one because of how directly it discusses the difficulties of teenage life, and Blume’s straightforward writing style guides us through a summer with Katherine that somehow changes everything and nothing.

The plot was relief to read after the trope filled books on my shelf and this is definitely a book that I would recommend for readers who are looking for a lasting impact. When you finish it you don’t think – wow, this was perfection – but you slowly start to realise that the simplistic prose and the characters stay with you in a way that lots of four stars don’t.

World – 4/5 – its our world. Albeit a few years ago so I can’t really say much about it.

Characters – 5/5 – human. So so human. They all are complex or some of them even aren’t because we are seeing them through Katherine’s eyes whom doesn’t really understand some of the people’s emotions.

Plot – 4/5 – it is achingly straightforward and realistic while still being interesting which is very very rare.

Romance – 4/5 – Swoony C – can’t say much for the spoilers but realistic and also perhaps a little toxic. This is not the idealised romance that many YA feature where they always know what to say and respect each others emotions completely without ever discussing triggers/experiences and it was enjoyable for that.

Romance Rating: Swoony C

Violence Level: Level 1 – but with content warnings, this is not a romance level 1!

Content Warnings: attempted suicide by a side character, negative body image (between Katherine’s parents and focused on her mother. Small sentences but heartbreaking.)

June 10, 2025 0

Fire by Kristen Cashore

15+

This reminded me what fantasy truly can and should be. I had a stream for the last few months of okay books that weren’t quite bad enough to put down but not overall worth remembering after I closed the last page so this really stood out and I am so glad I picked it up.

This is the second book in the Graceling Realm Series but you could also read it first as it has no spoilers and chronologically comes before Graceling. I would however recommend reading it second because not only does it give us a new world it also gives a villain origin story.

Fire is such a different lead to Katsa but I don’t love her any less! As a ‘monster’ she has such beauty that people around her become entranced and often attack her or stalk her for her beauty. She can read minds and so she is constantly surrounded by a barrage of people who hate her for the beauty she possesses and yet love her because they are attracted to her.

As you can probably tell this book does have more sexual harassment than Graceling (check the content warnings!) and yet it never feels overpowering just an exploration of how even a girl who can see everyone’s intentions is often ensnared in their predatory desires.

The rest of the cast are honestly great in their own right. Most of them I love to hate like Nate and Archer (the later of whom the narrator Fire never holds fully accountable because they used to be lovers and she still views him very fondly but from a readers perspective he is absolutely abhorrent by the end). Others I love to love and I am definitely going to have to reread this one very soon because it is just so so so good.

And the world. That animals could manipulate humans with their minds? That the whole world revolves around monsters and humans yet Fire is somehow both? And above all Fire’s determination to use her powers for good after she saw what her father used them for.

Read this. Honestly one of the best series I have ever read.

Romance – 5/5 – Soft – not really heavily present in the story but I love what’s there.

World – 100000/5 – perfection. Literal perfection.

Characters – 100000/5 – EVERYTHING I WANT AND MORE. I am obsessed with these characters and I think I may continue to be until my dying day (Taylor reference!).

Plot – 5/5 – it isn’t a quest plot, a romance plot or a become powerful plot it’s a plot which incorporates war, politics, self discovery, betrayal and a terrifying magic that only you believe is happening.

Age Recommendation: 14+B/Upper YA/Adult Crossover

Romance Rating: Soft

Violence Rating: Level 4

Content Warnings: Rape (mentioned in the past to other characters), Sexual Assault (happens on page to the MC in various degrees of severity but she is able to extract herself before it goes very far) Teenaged Pregnancy, Animal Abuse (past)

April 9, 2025 0

Aphrodite by Bryony Pierce

16+

I loved this one so much! The rapid plot takes us from Aphrodite’s birth from the sea and we get to see not only a retelling and a delve into Aphrodite’s myths which are often ignored in mythology retelling but Pierce also doesn’t flinch away from portraying a heroine who is vengeful and dangerous. Aphrodite herself narrates this tale and as she learns more of the world her perspective changes and we get this glorious depiction of Olympus in the eyes of someone who is on one hand only a few weeks old and yet cynical and powerful.

I love how other characters – especially her handmaidens reflect the world of Olympus. Anyone who is powerful, any woman who could be anything other than a marriageable pawn is reduced to a shallow facet of their true power and there is nothing better than seeing it unfold. Her handmaiden has experienced it before and yet Aphrodite is now experiencing it first hand but she can be supported by her.

I honestly can say that this will stay with me for a while! I can’t wait for another reread once it releases and a sequel because this stunning masterpiece has me hooked!

Bold, powerful and still loyal to the cruelty of the original myths with an exploration of personal power and patriarchy.

World – 5/5 – oh my goodness was the world beautiful and stunning in the cruelest of ways! Greek mythology retellings always have to bridge the gap between changing the myths beyond recognition and setting them in a time that allows the story to flow. Myths come from over thousands of years and so it is set in a relatively timeless but pre-Roman empire Greece just before the Trojan War.

Plot – 5/5 – how could it end like that? My one qualm with this book was the abrupt ending, I honeslty would have loved to see Aphrodite continue on her journey. We know from myth what happens but I would have loved to see Bryony Pierce’s interpretation of it.

Romance – 4/5 – Swoony B – Ares and Aphrodite is a couple that have gone down in myth for their affairs and yet their devotion to each other (if you ignore other paramours which aren’t present in this book) and the cruel separation by Zeus. The most infamous Aphrodite/Ares scene is present for fellow myth lovers but you could also read this if you know nothing!

Characters – 5/5 – complex, cruel and sadistic, these are the Greek gods and I love that they haven’t been changed because that is one of the things about the Greek myths. Their gods often were the worst of humanity and I enjoyed the parallel between what Aphrodite made the mortals do and what Zeus made her do which was very interesting.

Age Recommendation: Upper YA/Adult – 15+

Romance Rating: Open Door – Swoony C – very euphemistic, less than a page for one, less than a paragraph for another

Violence Rating: Level 6 – there is both physical violence throughout and fights as well as sexual violence which happens regularly and there is the threat of it throughout.

CW: SA, Rape, a lot of sexual undertones and innuecendo. If you are familiar with the golden net entrapment of Aphrodite and Ares naked from the myths that does happen and it is a particularly nasty bit because of the embarrassment and nudity and shame of Aphrodite.

April 9, 2025 0