Mini-Review Whirlwind: Audiobooks, a New Favourite, and a Disappointment

Hey everyone! 

First, I want to apologize for my long absence from this blog. I don't really have much of an excuse, seeing as I'm stuck in quarantine with nothing else to do. But I've been planning something really
exciting that I hope to reveal soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

In the meantime, it's time for a reading wrap-up! I've recently discovered the joy of audiobooks, and have been listening to those quite a bit, as well as reading e-books and physical books.

I have several mini-reviews to bring you today, so let's just get right into them!

1. Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, narrated by Dan Bittner

My Rating: ★★★★

This book was a delight. Wonderfully weird and atmospheric, with great characters. Despite the lack of any real solid plot, I greatly enjoyed this book. Bittner's narration was excellent and kept me hooked from the first chapter. 

Recommended for ages 16 and up. There are several instances of mature language, as well as some sexual comments, and one sex scene (not extremely graphic, but more descriptive than other similar scenes in YA.)

2. My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

My Rating: ★★★★

This book, much like the first, My Lady Jane, was plain fun to read. This story is a fractured retelling of Jane Eyre, and I adored it. There were some A+ literary references, the characters were fun and quirky, and the writing was easy to read and enjoyable. 

Recommended for ages 13 and up. Despite a few vague sexual comments, and one or two mild curse words, this book was very clean. 

3. Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley, narrated by Therese Plummer and Michael Crouch

My Rating: ★★★★

This book was incredible. The audiobook narrators were freaking amazing, and it was hard to stop listening at times. The story was so wonderfully weird and whimsical, and the characters were fabulous as well. I loved Aza's relationship with her family, and I also got super invested in the romance, which is so rare for me, especially in YA novels.

Recommended for ages 15 and up. There are a few sexual comments, a reference to porn, and some mature language. Two female characters are lesbian and married.  

4. There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

My Rating: ★★

Trust me, no one is more disappointed than me about my dismal rating for this book. I was super excited to read it, but it quickly became a struggle to get through. You can read my review on Goodreads for more of my thoughts, but suffice it to say -- between some truly annoying point of view characters, obnoxious romance, and cringy dialogue, this didn't end up being the book for me.

Recommended for ages 15 and up. There are quite a few instances of innuendo, as well as some cursing. There is a fair amount of violence and descriptions of blood and wounds. Characters drink alcohol. One character is implied to be gay. Two minor characters are gay and married.

5. Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool, narrated by Robbie Daymond, Mark Bramhall, and Cassandra Campbell

My Rating: ★★★★

This book was an endearing, sweet story. It definitely lacked any real sense of plot, and some of the plot occurances seemed a far stretch to me, but overall I thought it was a sweet and enjoyable story with loveable characters.
The audiobook narrators were fairly good; however, some of the characters' accents were rather grating.

Recommended for ages 9 and up. There are scenes of peril, some alcohol use and smoking (by adults), and some talk of death and war.



6. The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt

My Rating: ★★★★

This was another sweet, plotless story, but also a joy to read. I loved how quirky the setting was, and the characters were wonderful. Reinhardt's writing was smooth and enjoyable to read, and I'll definitely be looking into reading more of her work.

Recommended for ages 12 and up. There is an off-page motorcycle accident, resulting in injury. A few swear words. Characters smoke.



And that about wraps it up! Have you read any of these books? Or are you planning on reading any? Let me know in the comments!